Serendipity and Swollen Ankles

There must be a reason.  After months of planning and preparing, and unavoidable delays such as school closings courtesy of Hurricane Sandy, my brand-new school library was finally open for business and pleasure.  (Teachers and therapists had already begun taking advantage of what I have to offer even before the library was fully operational.)  Classes would visit in a two-week cycle: half one week, half the following week.

The first cycle came and went and, even though there were some bugs, I think the kids enjoyed the sessions.  Teacher feedback was positive, and I began to look forward to the return of the eager readers to my domain.

However, my body sent me a different message.  In the past, one or another of my joints has staged a protest (and even, on occasion, sustained an actual injury to justify its malaise).  This time, I woke up one morning to swelling, redness, and pain–and no memory of having done anything to cause these symptoms.  Dedicated librarian–or foolhardy person–that I am, I went to work for two days despite the discomfort and limited mobility.  Only on the third day did I listen to the voice of reason–my husband’s–and stay home.  So far, no cause has been found, although I am in for more testing and evaluations in the days to come.

Why now, I ask?  When I finally can begin working with the wonderful kids at my new school, and the library sessions are part of the established schedule, it is frustrating that I must postpone class visits after only one cycle!  Not only that, it certainly does not send a good message about my ability to function as a capable member of the faculty.

Yet, I am forgetting a few things.  My administrator, even though she has high expectations for the members of the educational team (and rightly so), is human.  As such, she is aware that our physical selves do not always function at 100%.  (And I am sure she remembers that I am often among the last to leave at the end of the day, reluctant to leave anything unfinished.)  Further, what has happened–or when–is certainly not my choice.  Who would prefer to lie around the house, in pain and unable to maneuver without difficulty, instead of going to a job that is enjoyable and fulfilling?  Since I believe that there is a Creator running the world, it is a given that He knows what is best.  It is up to me to discover the reasons for what has befallen me–or, at the least, understand that this is for the best.  I can only grow and become better for this experience.

I have already seen one silver lining: a relative who has written two novels is paying me to proofread her work–and is helping me to find other “customers.”  How fortunate we are when something so clearly opportune presents itself.

Mumbai Remembered

This past Thursday marked (on the Jewish calendar) four years since the unspeakable horror of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. The world learned, in shock and outrage, of the senseless murders of innocent people throughout the city. The epitome of the cruelty was the attack on the Nariman House, in which Rabbi Gabi and Rivka Holtzberg were struck down, along with three guests. (Only their toddler son survived, thanks to the heroic efforts of his Indian nanny.)  It became the height–or the low point–because the Jewish center was a preselected target, and the intended victims were Jews.  I am not being partial: no other group was targeted because of who they are.

What was formerly a season of increasing joy–Chanukah is only a few weeks away–was changed overnight into a time of sorrow, loss, and anger.  And not only for us personally (we know the Holtzberg family, and our children grew up together) but for people the world over.

As I was contemplating the tragic events of four years ago, more unsettling, but not surprising, news, developed.  Rockets were being fired from the Gaza Strip in the direction of Tel Aviv and then Jerusalem.  And one deadly weapon found a target: an apartment building.  Three occupants lost their lives in the attack.  When we learned the identity of one young woman, we were thrown into turmoil: the co-director of the New Delhi, India, Chabad House–a Jewish outreach center much like the Nariman House–became a victim.  And if that were not enough, while in Israel she was planning  to attend a commemoration of the anniversary of the earlier tragedy.

One might wonder if things can look any bleaker.  But we only need look at history–and the above-mentioned holiday of Chanukah–to realize that, while we mourn and wonder why, all is not hopeless.  If a small group of inspired individuals could motivate and mobilize a nation to resist a mighty empire–and, with help from Above, to emerge victorious–we also can overcome any obstacles in our path.  We only need a little light to show us the way.

A New Year, A New Beginning

When one reads the headlines or listens to the news, one wonders what’s going on in the world.  Innocent youngsters becoming targets for thugs with guns.  Embassies attacked and personnel killed (ostensibly) because of a film that offends certain sensibilities.  Iran is flexing its military muscles, increasing the world’s concern about that country’s nuclear capabilities.  Childhood obesity is on the rise.  Beautiful and important natural phenomena such as the Everglades, rain forests, and the Dead Sea are shrinking–and may one day be gone.

When it seems like our planet is headed for disaster, we receive a timely reminder that all is not hopeless.  We can make a new start.

Every year, Jews the world over observe a new year.  We resolve to be just a little bit better, try a little bit harder, be a little bit kinder, show a little more happiness.  At the same time, we (re)turn to the Source of everything, and acknowledge that His assistance and guidance are what will see us through the bumps and turns on the road ahead.

As we move closer to the awesome day of Yom Kippur, which provides us with a marvelous opportunity to reconnect with the Creator and with our inner self, we have the ability to tip the scales toward a brighter future for us, our families, our friends, our coworkers, and the world we call home.  Let’s make the most of it.

Have an inspiring day and a year filled with all the blessings and good things you desire for yourself and those you love.

And Some More Gems Out of the Box

When’s the last time you read a book that made you feel good all over?  That’s the feeling that this new novel by the author of Tuck Everlasting will give anyone who opens it.  Natalie Babbitt shows that she definitely hasn’t lost her touch.

Youngsters will love Otis, the little red tractor.  Even when the farmer replaces him with a big new model, Otis proves his value–and his loyalty and friendship.  Check out Otis and the Tornado for another adventure about the little tractor that could.

The early years of the twentieth century were not an easy time for a woman to be recognized as a serious scientist.  But that did not stop Margaret Morse Nice from pursuing her dream of becoming an ornithologist and conservationist.  This beautifully illustrated biography demonstrates that, if someone wants something enough and works hard enough, anything is possible.

Time to go read another book or two or three…

If I Won the Lottery…

I heard a news clip on the radio this morning.  The journalist was asking people what they would do if they won a mega-millions lottery.  There were answers like world travel and beautiful homes.

It started me thinking.  There are places I’d love to visit.  South Africa.  Alaska.  Israel.  (The reasons are as varied as the locations.)  And there are things I’d like to buy.  New furniture.  Flooring for at least one bathroom.

But then I thought about my ankles.  They’ve given me headaches (or is it footaches?) in the past.  But this winter, both of them decided to wreak havoc in quick succession.  My left one seems to have developed a torn ligament or two.  Because I found life too interesting, or too busy, to take a step back until notable damage was done, ankle #2 staged a protest.  It simply did not like having to carry all that excess weight and developed intense swelling and pain.  The result?  I am unable to walk unassisted, and must undergo physical therapy.  (The initials of this treatment, according to a practitioner, stands for Pain and Torture.)

So what would winning mega bucks really do?

But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like the money.  I’d love to share it with the kids and grandkids.  And, when I’m back on my feet, there’s always South Africa…

Lessons from the Marigolds

I have a springtime tradition.  When our lovely tulips have reached the end of their season, I plant in their space marigolds from seeds saved from the previous year’s flowers.  This year, with the combined preoccupations of our daughter’s engagement and June 27 wedding, and my cataract surgeries in the weeks following, the almost annual event did not take place on schedule.

I was reminded of the tradition when I came across some very lonely-looking marigold seeds in a kitchen drawer, and had an inspiration.  Why not plant them with my three-year-old grandson?  Even though the calendar said late July, we have had blooms until December in previous years.  So, on a sunny Sunday, the little tyke and I carefully dug up the earth, placed the seeds in the trench, and covered them.  After giving them a generous watering, we began to look forward to the day when we might see little seedlings poke their leafy faces out of the ground.  I was hoping it would happen before the grandkids returned home to Florida.

Our efforts were rewarded a week later when I saw tiny red stalks topped by long leaves reach for the sky.  My grandson was thrilled to see them, and on more than one occasion remembered that the baby plants needed watering.  We began anticipating the appearance of flowers in the weeks ahead.

But then the rains came.  Accompanied by frequent lightning and no-waiting-time thunder, the deluge continued throughout the night, the entire next day, and off and on into the following day.  I was certain that such tiny, fragile plants–some of which could not stand up to overzealous watering–would not survive the downpours.  I was beginning to think about replanting or replacing the marigolds for the sake of my grandchild–until my husband, up early this morning, informed me that the “babies” were fine and looked better than ever.

There is a moral here.  If these tiny plants, supported by a thin stalk, can survive–and benefit from–such a relentless deluge, think what we bigger, stronger, and smarter beings can withstand.  The storms that invariably come our way (unkind words, illness and injury, G-d forbid, disappointment, misunderstandings, and the like) have the potential to inundate us, but–like the baby marigolds–we can not only survive them, we can use the excessive rainfall to help us grow and thrive.

Back in the Snowy Apple

After several canceled flights, I’m finally back in snow-covered Brooklyn.

As I was going through the piled-up work on and around my Elementary/Middle School Library desk, I came across Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look, the first of a series with which I am already familiar.  I had begun reading the novel before making it shelf-ready when it caught the attention of an eager reader–and the dedicated librarian in me won out (without a second’s hesitation) and the girl got the book.

Alvin is a second-grader living in Concord, Massachusetts, who is afraid of many things: trains, the dark, substitute teachers, and more.  All these things frighten him so much that he finds it impossible to talk in school, even though he has no problem at home or anywhere else.  Alvin’s efforts to fit in and find a friend are sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartwarming.  With so many series around with girl main characters: Junie B. Jones, Mallory, and Ruby Lu by the name author, stories featuring a boy–especially one as delightful as Alvin Ho–are welcome indeed.

February is Library Lovers’ Month–share a library book with someone you love!

Summer Reading

The weather isn’t all that’s hot!  Take a look at these titles.

How I Came to Be a Writer by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

The Newberry Award winner describes her journey to authorhood, from her beginnings as a child poet and storyteller, to her first attempts at publication while in high school, to success as a full-time writer.  Naylor includes some of her early creations and shares her frustrations (at one point she asked all publishers to return the stories she submitted because she felt she was a failure as an author) and triumphs (one publisher kept the story and sent her a check instead).  Budding authors, and anyone who enjoys a tale of success, will be inspired by her story.

Ella’s dream has come true: she went to the ball, captured the heart of Prince Charming, and is soon to become his bride.  But as she is forced to take tedious lessons and endure unbearable restrictions, and she discovers that her prince is not nearly as perfect as he seemed when he proposed, the dream is beginning to look more like a nightmare.  Can Ella find a way out of her dilemma?

Once you’ve finished Just Ella, you’re sure to love Palace of Mirrors.  Cecilia has always known that she is not a peasant, but the princess of the kingdom, hidden until those who killed her parents are defeated.  A decoy sits on the throne to prevent her enemies from seeking her.  However, as time passes, it becomes more difficult to learn royal lessons secretly at night and during the day pretend to be nothing more than a simple girl–so, when her village is threatened, Cecilia decides to escape to the capital city and claim her throne.  (Fans of Ella will be delighted at her appearance in this companion novel.)

If you like novels that are full of thrills, adventure, and nonstop action, with a touch of humor and characters you will want to meet again, the sky’s the limit in this trilogy!  Airborn, introducing Matt Cruse, has been featured in a previous post, but the sequels are so outstanding it’s worth a second look.  15-year-old Matt (who feels more at home in the air than on the ground) is a cabin boy aboard the airship Aurora.  After he rescues a stranded hot-air balloonist, the old man tells him of mysterious winged creatures he saw near a remote island.  Matt is unsure if he believes the old man’s story–until a year later, when the ballonist’s wealthy granddaughter, Kate De Vries, arrives on board with the goal of finding the animals.  Reluctant at first, Matt finds himself caught up in Kate’s quest–and you will be, too!  The excitement continues in Skybreaker and Starclimber, in which Matt and Kate (who feel to the reader like old friends) climb to even greater heights (literally) to achieve their goals.

Guess what I’m reading next?

More Wow! Books

Peeled

Joan Bauer has done it again!  The author of such powerful novels as Hope Was Here and Rules of the Road has written a funny, warm story set in New York State’s apple country. 16-year-old Hildy Biddle is devoted to her family’s orchard, the extended relatives with whom she lives, and her work as a journalist on the high school newspaper.   When a sinister presence in town begins making headlines, Hildy is not afraid to pare away (excuse the pun) the layers of fear and deceit to discover the truth at the core.

Slow Down for Manatees

A manatee is injured by the gentle animal’s greatest threat–propellers of a motorboat–and rescuers rush to bring her to a rehabilitation center.  The huge animal has a surprise for her caretakers: she is expecting a baby.  After the new mother successfully gives birth and her wounds begin to heal, she and her newborn are prepared for release into the wild.  Bright, mood-appropriate illustrations enhance this account based on a true incident.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect

Zoe has a dream: to be a concert pianist and play at Carnegie Hall.  However, her goal appears farther away when her father buys her an electronic organ instead of a piano.  Deciding to make the best of the situation, the eleven-year-old begins to take lessons.  When her teacher sees that Zoe has musical talent, she encourages her to enter a competition.  What unfolds makes this novel by a first-time writer an unforgettable story.

Black and Blue Magic

Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s first novel has not lost any of its charm.  Harry is an ordinary eleven-year-old boy facing another boring summer–but his prospects change when he assists an unusual elderly gentleman on a bus.  In return for his help, the old man gives Harry a potion that will give the boy wings.  How Harry makes use of his gift makes for an entertaining and, at the same time, uplifting read.

Until next time, keep those pages turning!

Some Wow Books

I just finished reading several books that I can’t wait to share!

One day, a fisherman found a baby dolphin caught in a net off the east coast of Florida.  After freeing her, he discovered that she was badly injured, especially in her tail.  Rescuers caught the feisty youngster and brought her to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a premier treatment facility.  Veterinarians, dolphin handlers, and volunteers worked around the clock, and the baby responded to their care–except that she eventually lost her damaged tail. How could she swim without one?  Read the amazing and inspiring story of Winter (named for the season in which she was found) and find out how a spirited little dolphin and a caring and innovative group of people show that anything is possible.

Lidie’s mother passed away when she was very young.  Two years later, her horse-trainer father and older brother left their home in Brazil to work in the United States, and Lidie stayed with her uncle and aunt. Now twelve, Lidie is finally going to join them. But there are problems. How can Lidie make Pai and Rafael see that she is no longer the little girl they remember? And how can they be the loving family she longs for?

Ever since Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall was a toddler and brought some earthworms into her bed, she has been fascinated by animals. Join the primatologist on her quest to see wildlife in Africa one day, and feel Jane’s thrill and sense of accomplishment as she achieves her goals.