Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

Cars to some people are just cars, but all of my cars have been special to me because I spend so much damn time in them. Never having very much money since getting my first car, I've always nursed my cars along, aided mercifully by my Dad and brother A3 (both mechanics). I spent hours in our garage learning oil changes, checking and filling and changing tires, changing wiper blades; learning what Dad considered the bare minimum. If only I'd paid attention I would have learned everything about cars, including how to replace an entire engine--yes, my Dad and brother actually did this over the course of several months using a lift that my Dad designed and built! I would be able to again wiggle under a car and actually know what to do. Even if it just meant handing my Dad tools, or sitting in the car and pumping the gas or brake pedals to get fluids coursing through lines, that time meant being with my Dad, and those are hours I will never get back an...

Former Farm friend, Craig, made it safely last night, after a quick tour of OHCity Library, we stumbled upon the Warehouse District in Cleveland for beer and dinner. It felt nice to catch up over a beer and show someone the little I know of this new, adopted city. Leaving late we drove through a dark, mostly vacant city, singing too loudly to the Fine Young Cannibals, and in no time were dashing through a downpour and laughing like maniacs. I was sad to see Craig go after our short visit, but wished him well on the rest of his journey to Santa Barabara, CA. I'm glad I'm heading out of town shortly too, I can't imagine the solitude of my apartment after a couple hours conversation with Craig which brought back so much happiness and so many good memories of the Farm. Thinking about road trips (no matter how small) always makes me think of this poem, which I first discovered in Garrison Keillors collection, Good Poems for Hard Times . B1 gifted this collection to me after my f...