Laura-Lee Was Here: March 2020

An Issue That Needs Attention Now

Below is a an email I just sent to my local library. I thought you might find it interesting too.

Firstly, I adore the library as a concept and the epl in particular and secondly, I realize money doesn't grow on trees, however ...

When I look at my Holds list I am tempted to despair. I don't mind waiting 3 to 6 weeks for a couple people ahead of me, but when I see that my Hold for Agency by William Gibson in the ebook format has me at #21 on just 4 copies, I sense I may be waiting a LONG time. And when I see that for Middlegame by Seanan McGuire I am #18 on 3 copies and The Five by Hallie Rubenhold has me at #12 on 3 copies, I sense a pattern emerging. Plus, whenever my Libby app tells me how many people are waiting to receive a copy of whatever book I'm reading, I feel huge pressure because I can sympathize for them. For the first time I'm pushing myself to hurry and read because there are people (not person) waiting for their chance. As if there are 4 people standing over me watching me while I read, with their arms crossed and toe tapping? It doesn't create the best mood for reading.

Now mix in the factors of feeling guilty when I renew because I've made people wait for another three weeks and that I often DNF a title when more than 5 people are waiting for it and I can't help but wonder if perhaps something can't be done. I usually have about 8-10 titles Borrowed and HALF of them have someone waiting for it. That seems like a lot to me. These are all ebooks versions (which will take over eventually) and all of them were VOTED as the best by the public. So I suspect they will be around and popular for quite some time. I'm sure to soon become modern classics like Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. (#7 on 2 copies. My best odds so far.) [sigh]

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

Thanks for stopping by again to check in on me. LL

* Perhaps you might want to check into this at your local library and see just what they spend their money on.

Edmonton Public Library Link

Goodreads Link (Ultimate Book lovers Social website)

UPDATE: It's only been a few hours and I've received a response to my email. It states that the lack of ebooks is due primarily to a block by Macmillan publishing not allowing Libraries to buy unlimited amounts. There is a petition against this practice on the EPL website. I have included a LINK below the copy of the email message I received in it's entirety.

I wish to make it clear that I sent the letter to improve my public library, not to merely criticize it. I have spent my life in libraries. I think they are a fabulous Treasure Trove of information made absolutely free to the public. I encourage everyone to get a library card. I cannot get out as much as I used to and I wholeheartedly am grateful to the Edmonton Public Library for all the information that I can access through them.

Sincerely Laura-Lee

RESPONSE FROM EPL:

Mar 10 2020, 02:12pm via System

Hi there --

Thank you so much for your comment about the wait times for ebooks.

As of Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 Macmillan Publishing released a new lending model which limits public libraries’ ability to purchase more than one copy of any new Macmillan eBook release.

With this new lending model EPL must wait eight weeks before buying any additional eBook copies. As a result, wait times for some eBooks have increased. This change is not only inconvenient for many customers, but more importantly, it creates a barrier for those who depend on EPL for accessing digital information.

EPL remains committed to providing access to all kinds of books, information and resources, and connecting you with titles you want to read in the formats you want them. However, this change makes it more difficult for us to provide equal access to materials and resources to all members of our community.

You can help us stand up for equal access to eBooks and our ability to buy and lend the digital content you want by signing the petition mentioned below.

If you would like some additional information, I also included a blog article from our CEO about Macmillan and also an interview with our Director of Branch Services and Collections Sharon Day. She has done a lot of awareness-building about this issue.

I have also included a link below to another great eResource we got access to this past year called CloudLibrary Express. They provide 7 day access to ebooks and eAudiobooks.

Thank you for your support.

Susan

Stand Up for ebooks Sign MacMillan Petition

Parliament Hill (Ottawa) Peace Tower Clock

February 26th would have been Mom’s 79th birthday. This is the 7th year since she died.

When Mom was alive she always made the most out of every special occasion or holiday that she could. Except her own. Like most mothers she wanted to belittle her own birthday and as far as Mothers’ Day was concerned, she had some very stern ideas about that day.

“If you can’t treat me with respect and love for every day of the year, then don’t just chuck a present at me once a year.”

It sounds almost mean, but when she said it with her kind voice, it just sounded practical. But every other day that was worthy of a celebration, she went all out.

She would conspire and scheme to cook up what she referred to as her “little surprises”. With all the scheming she did throughout the 47 years I knew her, she could have led any army and won any war without any bloodshed at all. A General of making you feel awestruck and appreciated. And wondering, “Now, how did she get that done and work that out without me knowing anything about it?!”

So, when she died, I expected that all that would stop. But it was both a shock and pleasure to discover that Jesus was going to continue giving me “little surprises” even with Mom no longer here. Through the past 7 years I have seen presents show up from the most unlikely or even ridiculous places. He has given me special Bible verses by making them show up in all sorts of places. One time on a huge billboard. Many times throughout a particular day he has done something to bring out a special memory or event. One year it was connected to the Fire alarm in my building going off.

I actually began trying to record all these things in my diary, but had to give up because the things He did required such intricate and precise planning, that I just couldn’t keep up writing them down fast enough. He is God after all. It was rather presumptuous and kind of idiotic to think a diary entry could ever keep up with His actions. Or do justice to what He has accomplished on my behalf. I must admit that all this special attention has made me quite spoiled. Now, I always assume He is going to give me several “little surprises” whenever it’s anything even resembling a special occasion. And I have yet to be disappointed.

So when I realized Mom’s birthday was approaching, I just knew something special would happen. Actually, several things happened throughout the day, but I will focus on just one thing.

Since I came home from the hospital, I have had to order my groceries online and get them delivered. It just so happened that Wednesday, the 26th, was the day my groceries were due to be delivered. I had ordered a package of 6 cupcakes from the bakery of this particular store. You can add a Substitution Note to let the Personal Shopper know what you want them to get if the item isn’t available. So next to the cupcakes I wrote, “If this is not available any other flavor of cupcake is okay.”

Well, I got the 6 cupcakes, but not the ones I ordered. I got some very festive looking cupcakes. In fact, I got 6 Disney Princess Cupcakes. And I can’t even get into all the significance Disney Princesses have meant to me and Mom throughout my entire life. From taking me to see Cinderella on my 7th Birthday to watching Beauty and Beast together when both of us were full adults. So on this 7th birthday without Mom I was reliving my 7th birthday with her.

But my Cupcake story doesn’t end there. What made them Disney Princess Cupcakes were the little pictures of a different Princess on top of each cupcake. But when I ate my first cupcake I discovered that it wasn’t just a little picture, it was a picture on a ring that was stuffed into the icing. And an adjustable ring. And adjustable rings are an ongoing joke between Mom and me. Both of us always had fingers that were constantly swelling, so we would go to huge extents to find nice rings that were adjustable. And you have no idea all the weird looks and funny comments we got from Jewelers when one of us asked, “And does that ring come in an adjustable format?”

“Madame. This is a Jewelry store not a gumball machine!”

But then I noticed something interesting about these particular adjustable rings. They are way too big for a little girl, which is who I assume they were originally created for. To prove they are big enough for a woman AND adjustable, I put it on my thumb and took a picture of it, along with the rest of the cupcakes.

And when you stop to think of all the things that the Lord did to arrange these things to happen exactly on that day, we get into “freak out my brain” land.

He would have had to get the rings made and the cupcakes made ahead of time. And I was supposed to have my groceries delivered on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. However, the “higher ups” decided that the Government disability pension that I receive would be delivered later, beginning at the end of February, thus causing me to get my groceries exactly on Mom’s birthday. And on and on.

Also, every day I get Bible verses in devotionals from three different sources. In an email from Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries. I get another verse from my Charles Spurgeon App and then I have a print edition of the Our Daily Bread devotional. And the Lord coordinated each of them to coincide with each other and me. In the two previous days I had written down several Bible verses in my journal. All of them showed up again in those three sources on that one day. It demonstrated to me just how in control of everything that Jesus is, that he knows and cares what’s happening with me and that I am hearing His words to me clearly. And, all those Bible verses on that day each contained a promise that He had given to me early in my life. Just Jesus reminding me that I’m never too old for Him to start something new in me and for me.

On my last birthday, in 2019, I was in the hospital paralyzed. No visitors and nobody there to know that it was my birthday. Except Jesus. A few days before my birthday I had started getting some movement in my left hand. (Unfortunately, I’m right handed). But I was so desperate to just keep my hand moving all the time. I muttered out loud, “I wish I had some crayons.” And not very loudly either. I don’t even know why I said it. I hadn’t picked up a crayon in years.

But suddenly I got a response from the young lady in the bed next to me. I hadn’t seen her yet because the curtain between us was shut, but we had been speaking to each other. So she calls out, “I have crayons!” Then I hear a bunch of shuffling and grunts and groans from her side of the curtain. She comes scampering around the curtain bringing a container filled with crayons and three coloring books for adults. I didn’t want to take her crayons away, but she insisted. So I said, “Well. When you want to use them, just come and take them back.”

She answered, “Keep them. Consider them a present.”

And I kid you not, the container that she had put all her various markers and crayons had “Happy Birthday” written on it! I cried myself to sleep that night for a very different reason than the previous nights. I knew God was still with me and would never leave me, no matter what.

I wonder what He will do this year on my birthday?

And for those of you who are skeptical or know my reputation for leg-pulling, check out the photos I posted below.

Container from Cassandra (my hospital roommate). May 7, 2019!

(call me, Cassie. I'm still here for you and always will be. )

My birthday, Disney Princess Cupcakes. And a ring on my thumb!? Made for little girls? I don't think so.

I also want to take a moment to let you know about a couple other things.

Firstly, I mentioned before that I was going to create a blog solely dedicated to book reviews. This week I started constructing it and I'm hoping you (just my blog readers) will go and take a look at it. I've got lots of ideas about what I can do that will help you to find the best books you can, but I would LOVE your input.

Along with the reviews I will be including links to my Kindle notes that I make as I read a book. As I read books now, I am actually making notes with you in mind. From including definitions, links for further investigations, anything that will help you enjoy the book and any other comment I want to make to you. (and you know I do like to make comments!) It's actually made reading a book even more enjoyable for me, because it feels like you're right next to me and we're discussing it as we go along. As if we were watching a movie together. And with that in mind, I just had to find a way to let you comment too. So I will be including a rating-comment system so that you can help too by letting people know what you thought about a certain book.

Secondly, I was supposed to be posting the short story by Elijah Zhai at the Master's Peace Theatre blog this week, but I've postponed it for a second week. The moment I mentioned online that I would be publishing a story from someone who currently lives in China I started getting a wave (almost a tidal wave) with information about the Coronavirus. I knew that God definitely had bigger ideas about this particular post than I (or even Elijah) had. So I feel it's important to get this right as opposed to fast. I need time to go through the information I'm getting and, most importantly, to say what Jesus wants me to say. That requires time to read and listen. If you want to keep up on what's happening with my blogs, the best idea is to connect with me on Twitter or Facebook, because I always do a post there whenever a new blog post goes up here. (See LINKS below) So, this weekend you will be getting another short (very short) story from me. I'm planning that next weekend I will highlight Elijah's story, which is in the form of a letter to the Lord, according to the parameters of the competition that we both entered and that he just won (after a second vote was needed to break a tie). 👍☺

Thirdly, it's time for us Canadians to change our clocks this weekend. So, my fellow Canucks, tonight before you go to sleep remember to adjust your clocks (if you don't have ones set to do it automatically). Unfortunately, most companies don't manufacture their products to reflect Canadian clock changes. (Although, I can't imagine why not.) So we will get back the hour we lost in November. I remember being at a family gathering and saying, "I wonder why we still do that these days." One person answered, "It's because of the farmers." And Mom answered, "I think it's because of the Golfers!" She certainly had a unique and precious way about her. [sigh]

Fourthly, have fun. Don't just embrace joy, grasp it. Life is SO short, so don't waste it. And the best way to not waste it is to make sure that what you are spending your time on is something that really matters. And that takes some investigation and individuality, because what the World tells us is important is not actually what is. It's time to play! Especially if you are playing with someone else.

Thank you, thank you for stopping by for a visit again. You are always welcome here. Please feel free to send me a message or even just a thumbs up 👍 (Facebook) or Like ❤ (Twitter). I do see them.
And check out the new poem I wrote and put at the top of the blog under my blog description. It says "WHY" I'm here and perhaps why you are too.

You are forever in His sight and His care. The best place to be...

... Always, Laura-Lee (Lord, keep me in the moment!)

THE ROPE Short Story at Master's Peace Theatre blog

Laura-Lee at Twitter

Laura-Lee at Facebook

Elijah Zhai Goodreads Profile

Fount of Every Blessing Book Reviews

In Touch Ministries (CANADA) with Charles Stanley

Our Daily Bread Ministry (international)

WAIT! WAIT! I forgot something. I have a monthly subscription to Apple Music and I've been enjoying lots of good music. But like everything in our glutted society, you have to dig to find the "good stuff". So I've created some Playlists specifically to share with you. I listen to music in the background as I work and whenever I hear a really great song, I save it to one of my Playlists (sometimes to several) So I will leave the Links to my playlists below. You will discover that I love music from all sorts of different people and genres, but they all have to be clever, clean and KICK IT! So go check them out. With my compliments. (Appropriate for listeners of all ages and sensibilities, so listen together.) 😀

LAURA-LEE WAS HERE My Favorites with a Funky Beat

JESUS: OUR PEACE OUR HOPE Come to the Throne (with Confidence)

DAVID'S DANCE BEFORE THE ARK Get Ready to Dance!

I should mention that at Apple a strange glitch happens. The song "Above All" sung by Michael W. Smith is constantly showing up in all my playlists whenever and wherever and several copies at once. I suddenly hear it play and go and check and suddenly there are 8 copies of it in the playlist. It's a little thing between the Lord and I. So, as much as I love that song, it's not me doing it, it's HIM. 😔 Praise the Lord! LL