A Day of Sadness, a Day of Hope

Today is Tisha B’Av.  It is known as the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, and deservedly so.  Throughout our history, a number of tragic events occurred on this date, including the destruction of the first Holy Temple in Jerusalem (and the second, as well), the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, and the beginning of World War I (which led to the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust).

Yet all is not dismal, even on this darkest of days.  As we see in the special Tisha B’Av prayers and readings, there is room for hope.  We can resolve to do and be better.  Whatever sins and errors caused the calamities that befell us in the past, if we make the effort to rise above what is negative in human nature, we are guaranteed success.

For, on that dark day in Spain, a man set sail with three ships in search of an ocean route to India.  What he found instead became a new haven for those seeking refuge from their oppressors, their descendants, and countless others searching for a better life…

May the day speedily come when all mankind will live in joyful harmony with all the inhabitants of this earth.

Thank You, Mr. Tolkien

The incomparable author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy had his head in the right place.  It seems that in 1938 a German publishing company was interested in translating the first novel for readers in their country.  However, the publishers had a question concerning Mr. Tolkien’s Aryan descent.  Incensed, the author wrote two responses: a milder one, and a letter in which he made his displeasure known.  (As you will read, it is not known which response was actually sent.)  Take a look:

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/03/i-have-no-ancestors-of-that-gifted.html

A New Beginning

It’s like a dream.  A new school, headed by a principal with whom I worked for many years, has space for a library.  And they need a part-time librarian.  So who does the principal think of?  Yes, none other than little old me, who has been pondering the future now that my current position has been drastically cut.

But it gets better.  Last winter, this principal asked me to compile a list of 400 titles good for kindergarten through second grade–so the core collection is composed of books of my choosing!  And not only that, but the furnishings are being chosen, as much as possible, according to what I envision a young children’s library should be.

Yes, it will be a challenge, starting anew in a different school with different types of kids.  But the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for books and reading with a new group of youngsters excites me.  And little tykes are so receptive to listening to and reading great stories, and taking part in literary games and activities, my job might seem more like pleasure than work.  I can hardly wait.

Another Dog-Gone Book

The adorable picture on the cover provides a clue as to what you’ll find inside.  Four chapters supply, in fun-to-read question-and-answer format, entertaining information about our canine friends.  Accompanying the fascinating tidbits are adorable photos of various breeds.  You don’t have to be a dog lover to enjoy this gem, but you might be one by the time you finish it!

Dog-Gone Books!

If you’re a kid who’s a dog lover, or know one who is, this post is for you.

Did you know that when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark made their famous journey across America, they brought along a canine companion?  They did, and the Newfoundland named Seaman accompanied the Corps of Discovery all the way to the Pacific Ocean.  The big black dog provided not only companionship, but he proved to be a valuable hunter, an alert sentinel, and more.

I talked about this delightful book in a previous post, but it’s worth a second mention.  Little kids will love following the antics of this lovable pooch in this wordless book.

George is happy living a quiet, peaceful life with his humans.  However, one day, a lively little dog named Zippity enters their lives.  Can George learn to tolerate this nonstop newcomer?

Now I know why these are called the dog days of summer…

We’ve Got Quinces

The other day, my husband was tackling the lawn (I use the term loosely) in our back yard when he took a look at our quince tree.  It hasn’t been productive in the last year or two, but he noticed some baby fruit, two, to be exact, nestled among the leaves.  He told me to look and, sure enough, there they were–and I discovered a third, which was already developing some color.  The little quinces are too small to pick, but I am hopeful that this is the year we will finally be able to enjoy the fruits of our beautiful tree.

(A little history: When we acquired this house twenty-five years ago, there was another tree near where the quince now stands.  After it was no more, there was room for the fledgling plant to make its presence known, grow and flourish.  And flourish it has, giving us the gift of spectacular blossoms every spring.)

Now all I’ve got to do is find some great quince recipes…

I’m hopeful…