Seek Inspiration and Ye Shall Find

"Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life." -- Mortimer Adler

I've been feeling a little funky lately. Could be the change in season and frustratingly shortened days, a midsemester rut, or even an unfriendly hormonal surge. Can't say for sure, but it's been a bit on the annoying side. Who, after all, likes to be crabby? Especially when sitting at the reference desk when confronted by all types of people with unique needs out of the blue? Not a good place to feel edgy. Luckily, it wasn't anything that a good private vent to my co-workers (not about patrons, just the sensation of icks!), a few hours of yoga, & some chat time with my favorite (ok, my only) brothers couldn't cure. The icing on the cake, however, was an article I read last night in this months O Magazine. And, yes, I admitted that outloud. I read Oprah's magazine. I even have a subscription. As a woman, I can appreciate a fellow gals rise to the top--espeically, at least so far as I know, she didn't squoosh anyone on the ride there. Besides, I get a good snicker out of Dr. Phil, as well as the monthly "Gotta Have It" column that vastly exceeds any budget I'll ever see. Yet, I seriously dig the Reading Room section, & give kudos to Ms. O for not only recognizing the value of literature, but also going the extra mile to spread the word. Concluding the section this month was an article related to none other than librarianship--librarianship of the most admirable kind. If you can get your hands on a copy, see page 274 for an article on Somalia's traveling librarian; a man who twice monthly delivers boxes of books via camel back to children dispersed throughout the African bush. How's that for inspirational? I'd call it dedication of the most admirable & life-affirming kind. Certainly, if he can do that, I can find it in myself to make it to winter break with a sincere smile upon my face.

And, speaking of Christmas, I just had a thought--a donation to the camel library would make a pretty nifty gift for someone. I've an inkling there are a few other souls out there who may fancy the notion nearly as much as I. If you're one of them & want to learn more, check out the following webiste: http://camelbookdrive.wordpress.com. It's pretty cool...