Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

I haven't been a great sleeper since my Dad died over 7 years ago. It's like when he left us something broke inside of me. The nighttime is now when my mind becomes more active and my body tosses and turns like a petulant child, fighting fighting even though I'm exhausted. Some nights are easier than others, but lately things have been rough again. Trying pre-bed yoga, sleeptime tea, and reading myself tired. I am trying to enjoy the upswing of sleeplessness: the evenings spent in quiet, snuggling with my furball, Hemmy, wrapped in blankets, enjoying a view of the cold nights and bright moon and stars. I've even been slipping outside to smell the air. You know that smell. The pre-snow smell.  My time with the moon led me back to Mary Oliver who always helps. She gets it... "Moon and Water" I wake and spend the last hours of darkness with   no one but the moon. She listens to my complaints like the good companion she is an...

Today was a long day. This summer I was invited to serve on the board of our consortium, today was my first meeting with the group. It was interesting to hear about some of the proposed changes, to get a first hand peek at the new interface our catalog will have, and to ask questions and hear feedback about things that I don't usually hear about until they trickle their way to us directors via the frequent emails. It was nice to have a break from Sticks and be in Columbus for a few hours, and eat some tasty food . Even though we were inside the whole time, I feel rejuvenated just being in a big city. After the 3 hr. meeting, and 3.5 hr. roundtrip drive, and with food in my belly I was so beat by the time I got back to Sticks; had just enough time to sneak home and feed Hemmy, and take a 30 min. cat-nap, before I was back at work, this time setting up for our 6p.m. speaker. (That was a bust because unfortunately no one showed up for her program). At 7:30p.m. I spoke for a local c...

I have been struggling with some can't-sleep-ed-ness lately...I don't quite think it's insomnia yet...not sure what else to call it. When I can't sleep--even though I have on my fluffy sleepy-time-make-me-too-warm-and-comatose socks on, I've fired up iTunes and have my sleepy time jazz play list on, and I've read myself silly--I turn to poetry. I stumbled upon this Yeats poem, which as you can see, has nothing to do with sleeplessness, but was lovely. So I am sharing.   "The Old Men Admiring Themselves in the Water" I heard the old, old men say 'Everything alters, And one by one we drop away.' They had hands like claws, and their knees Were twisted like the old thorn trees By the waters. I heard the old, old men say 'All that's beautiful drifts away Like the waters.' --W.B. Yeats Not even Yeats is helping. I am switching to Iron & Wine and hoping for the best... But before I go, I wave a sleepy han...