Nashville Library Trip

Well here it is first trip. Learning from trip …

Learning from trip …

Do not believe the ratings and pictures on bookings app. Woooo the first night was a doozy. All we did was sleep, motel was a dive. Thank God for being with sister at convention, staying at the Hyatt is a much better choice. Pull out bed is much better than the night in the dive I choose, LOL. Makes for good story and great belly laughs. Amazing how deceiving pictures of a new floor and one feature wall are not the actual experience. Lesson learned.

Second lesson learned is when our children leave the nest we all react differently. I sat next to a woman who has become a real estate agent last night. Why? Because she is no longer her daughter’s coach, she has an empty nest. She is pursuring her dream to retire from teaching in five years, move to Flordia and supplement her income and need of purpose, work selling real estate. Interesting how we evolve and grow as we move through each season. Me, I visit libraries and am earning a Phd. We are all different yet similar.

Nashville Library

Today is first Library experience. I am walking to the Nasville Main library, hoping to find pictures, books, fun. After reading the online reviews I cannot lie, I am a bit apprehensive. There were a few nay sayers among the lovers, talking about the homeless. To quote one review they said the library smelled like rotton garbage and was “The most beautiful homeless hangout in Nashville.” So off I go….

Well the reviews were one hundred percent untrue. I would have to say the library smelled wonderful, like vanilla and lavender in the bathrooms. There were homeless people but they were unobtrusive. There was a lot of action on the computers and the librarians were so kind and helpful to everyone who approached them. Some of the gentlemen on the computers needed a lot of assistance. No worries, they were assisted with sweet grace from the librarians. Bathrooms… amazing, this sink was so cool. Mama always said you can tell if a resturant is good or bad by the cleanliness of the bathroom. I think it is true of most public buildings.

Exhibits

Now to the exhibits. This library was full of beautiful historical art. These are the pictures I took of the Women’s Sufferage exhibit, which was full of beautiful learning.

Saints or Monstors

Saints or Monsters: Political Cartoons of the 19th Amendment was the title of the exhibit. It was much more extensive than the photos I collected. While I wanted to share all of them, I am a work in progress when it comes to uploading and adding to blog… so only a few.

I spent a lot of time in the geneology, historical and Civil Rights wing. It was beautiful and held works on Women’s Sufferage, geneology records, Civil Rights literature, documents and videos. Who knew that all this history was housed right here in Nashville. While there is music, honkey tonks and so much Country music there are also archives of National data right here. Beauty, the arts, such a rich culture. One that needs visiting, revisiting and experiencing that is ongoing.

Children’s Room

The children’s room was amazing. A rock wall for climbing, wish we had visited when the guys were young (or Milwaukee Public Library had one). Perfect for little ones to release energy and give parents a rest!

The reading area had structures reader’s could climb on and play as well while being surrounded by books. I am sure many take books and find nooks to sit and read. Cozy, fun atmosphere.

This was a fun area for reader’s theater displaying different types of puppets inspired by children’s literature.

Books Read at library

Here are a few of the books I read while visiting the library. I did carry some of my own but these were the treasures located on their shelves…

Woo hoo! I did it, first trip under belt. Thousands of steps. Loved every minute. Every adventure, yes… there is more. A few pictures of some of the other stops.

The biggest take away from this visit is the resilience and goodness of humanity. While going through devastation we persevere. Most of the city workers experienced devestating loss, motel owners; offered free lodging, resturant owners; fed residents, concerts; raised funds, bars; donated portions of daily earnings. According to conversations twenty thousand displaced, twenty six deceased. With hearts mourning, living in hotels, serving others Nashville workers perservere. #Nashville strong, #Ameica strong. We are a nation filled with joy and sorrow. At our core we do love each other and help each other. There is always good and evil…. may goodness win. Thanks God for being with the residents of Tennesse as they endure this hardship, may they know we love and support them. To my bartender, you got my cash and my prayers, your story will forever remain in my heart. To all who shared your stories, your strength amazes me, again, thanks for sharing.