literacyfern.com

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

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Rbb-nPBnCVDYCfOX42katlLTHILl_E3jbN3lwp7obTzPhQvS9AFSv9jvweQ1YaTz7WXW_a24C5mBEliJifpfYp4xtKSOUB2CF3pUphBZIlAlqW_Q9mP2kxLRiyGDSAdyIUt1ULCM_xeliEJBfrnIQ9WYO2KH1cub8SgD949QS7xLhLMdvtiNDLFCgzfkDysmRUbMRgKKVQmB7xsECSLCmAEHJcv9PWSzjg8FnN1xjUvAIYcSHMqb5mn8a-okZrg33cSnvjPPiHS_SQe3QO1c7vvfLqkNkoG7Z_I-5EJIRy_QJfFkTRI3jPbGr40mqRdJJ76I59HgNumYb5SIpngj9XGISV2oza96cW7pxHwyp6wSM0uKEmAM52Ppr7oARUS4xetyTmjEdO0-HRBuNnnvweac7wToXBvJhjVk5YVLsTPoHU45_Dsg_rM5pKmyV4cOV4F2MBucdoaQvV6Qwex_8Aw7F-WJXEgeKX-Zqv54QMSSd92gNUxAKucpgE-QTYuR-kyKqWR3f5tMD3A3Mx6MfqOHnikIWBqn8Gpf8QGo7TfDxriCM2bNTy1cbAQbHZ7NtsWpDHT5tjD03_SP_KCdYGn1wYqzwM_hdcBmWh4xzNybuo8DJjTLxK6LcOu89n4ZCh7ID_o7IZDlxS35WZtiwqgnYLwTuN6dhUOuvFgkSwIjSQ_hTznFfPI=w444-h591-no — Walked to the library from our motel. When you get to Church St. there it is, doors open, walk in, Magical.

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.

The sink was a slab of marble with slanted to run into a drain.
No bowl for the sink, it was startling the first time I used it.

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.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is -oXTDWoJK4qeu5HRVgQmH7swiP7X8bOe-0Sn6ZGBYyrvXTGfy9nTvRXlm63b_MnlfsO6LrcAvC14KdvGNVXpy9NH9Y8AYUJv296GFkEaJ3LSHWdG-MVl4dl1T3pnACw77Is8qmRDDDlie9p7ClYOoKM9QIxjVyDlEsFc-drLZZfqB6B63YDK2GyxDlBq2Wi37fpf13HQZX81OlRRiCaBLZ-5HWO_yCuFeyCdSfdWFxvXvxfRiMzzyMbykACnSTbk45SUZj9ohrJM2rxkfGO6WIByPR4AjyXDCFto8qxU-0DR-_7dM-T1xHbc8pzybofeVai_tnY9TGqTMhZiYCz87cgF47e5xClZaW5s_BNfWRNsICGtYZdaHwbAeiQYWlpaBvcPipKjRo3G0HVTZYQRSYQycIIGE1Bif46iQ169IS8g9lhmvOB1JDhHVA8rZK9TiaYvdIJkd3F7fCkZYsBFHcQpYoJW8WPBr8RIL8XRkNwxVcT-xV-xJw46zYHiujRi22EU9t_pFk9EMyxYbTNkyM162dcYhqLqYO7K0ImJapZ4FGPhsvn1u6a6iCRAEfonwKzziErVs3L61grhwAkIeMcg9iZobEXuHpr_0dBHDXui99tlgxASEVFwyRtzLbaNL7YQrrL7rXE7EwWq9jipM4-6j3mjDHzCZOh4mok8uUCrskQheHC9PZ8=w444-h591-no — This is the entrance to the hallway where the following pieces were displayed.

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.

Statements and thought provoking questions are placed throughout the exhbit for conversation and pondering.

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.

I finished a book here, Grand Reading Room. I felt grand.

Beautiful stairs embedded with literature

View from where I was reading… Joy, bliss, happiness.

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…

Favorite and best read. Went back to read more.
A new hero.

Still want to be a pilot when I grow up. Visting an old friend in a new book.

Who knew this existed… 1990. May have helped me raise my guys. Has a committment form for formation of groups to create networks of support…. who knew?

So many great words to get lost in! Thank Nikki!

I love this one, need it for my football player. Big or little it is a fun one to add to library.

Biggest Georgia O’Keefe book I have encountered. Love her, enjoyed visiting her work… a new one I did not remember. Fell in love all over.

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.

Why Visit Libraries?

This question has been floating around in my brain since I began this journey. I haven’t understood my need to do this. In my first blog post I explained it as going to a safe place, one that has been there through hard times and has enabled my healing and growth. While this is true, there is more.

Today when I walked into the Nashville library and walked through the exhibits it was more than a safe space. In the Civil Rights exhibit there was a board with the question, “What can you do today to enact change?” Post it notes were attached to the board and carried over into the display that read “Nashville, I did not come to Bring Inspiration, but to gain inspiration from the Great Movement that has taken place in this community.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This spoke to me, gain inspiration, feed my soul, yes this is the reason. Another post read “To Keep Public Libraries”. I am unsure if this was a class or if it was just visitors to the libraries but standing, reading the walls, looking at the history of Nashville I felt tears well up within me. To gain inspiration, feed my soul and keep the legacies, history of our libraries alive. This is purpose.

To learn and share the legacies within these great libraries. This is what feeds my soul. Sitting among the greats, discovering great writings, histrical writings I have not encountered before. Exploring exhbits native to communities within our world. Resting and feeding my soul. Sharing my learning in my teachings, writings and work.

My heart broke as I learned from librarians of their hardships from the recent tornados. Many survived with only memories of waking the storm swirling outside their homes, yet coming to work to find colleagues who had lost their homes. They spoke of how they were binding together as the library community to help each other.

Visiting the children’s library on Monday there was silence. No children running, no voices reading. The librarians spoke again of the tornado, how the city was making sense of it in the after wake. This was the first day of school for the community, busses were late, schedules were off so the library was unsettlingly quiet. The librarians spoke of the heartache and worries of the children and families.

The Nashville library is a gem in this great city. It was an honor to walk among the greats, read the books, chat with natives and librarians. Learn from the exhibits. Unsure of why before this pretrip, sure and honored to visit each library moving forward. Oh the learning and soul expansion this pretrip has given me.

Today, visiting libraries makes more sense. My soul is rich with all the learning. Walking the streets, visiting with the librarians, people within, exploring exhibits and reading their books. Excited, invigorated, ready to share morsals of this experience, then on to more.

When is the first day of Spring?

This question was posed to me by one group of students. I was wrong, after I said I thought it came in April, we looked it up. Their response was that is Soooooo far away. Well it comes March 19, still a ways away. In response to their inquiry, our find, today is dedicated to finding ways to put a spring in my step. First step nail salon. next stop libraries.

Nail salon was ok, nail technicians needed spring in their steps. Next I visited two libraries. My neighborhood library and my alum library. One book for me, several for students and teachers. Joy in my heart.

Why do libraries put joy in my heart? I am unsure but they do. I love the smell of the books, I love being with others who love books, talking with the librarians, hearing conversations, observing others enjoy books….

Arriving at my neighborhood library around eleven this am picking up titles for students I witnessed a young family with their toddler just exploring books. They were encouraging book exploration, he picked up books, dropped them on the floor, they showed him how to pick them up and put them back on table, he did, picked them up, dropped them again, laughing with glee. Is this a literate activity you ask? Yes. Instilling the love for books, sharing with him a safe space where he can pick up books, drop them and laugh with glee. When he is ready, they or he will open and read. With continued practice, modeling, exposure he will be a great reader, lover of books and their homes. This is a fun article that explains that surrounding your child with books, opening them increases brain activity.

Behind the young adult section were two friends sitting on couches, discussing life. Divorce, finances and children. I assume their children were the ones in the computer lab working, getting stuff done. Life, friendship and literacy. Nothing better.

Made it home, now finishing upThe Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Cologan with How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal and Under the Table by Stephanie Evanovich waiting for me. Snuggling with my doggos, candles, music and a drink in hand. Life is good. Spring may be a ways a way , nonetheless there is a spring in my step and joy in my heart. Life is good.

Light reads, fun, tomorrow dissertation work….

May you find what puts a spring in your step and joy in your heart as we wait for the world to unthaw.

Image result for How to bake a perfect life

fern

My Oyster, My Story

My original idea for library vacation dreams came from the article 20 most beautiful libraries in America by Megan Barber. I have added a previsit to Nashville because I am visiting with my sister. Then looking at my calendar I have March, April and June trips. April and June are inspired from the article. I want more and less expensive trips. As a result I have decided to modify my list. I not only have added Nashville I have also added Sturgeon Bay Library, for May. It is a quick trip and I am soooo excited.

What I learned was the Sturgeon Bay Library like Nashville is connected with an Art Museum. They also have folk concerts on Saturdays beginning in May and Memorial Day weekend there is an art festival. I might visit the libraries listed in the article or maybe create my own list, after all beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Megan’s journey was hers, this is mine. What makes the libraries beautiful for me is the journey, experiences at and around the visit. Revising my initial vision. Isn’t that what dissertators do? Hmmmm….While Megan Barber’s article inspired me, I am creating my own journey. Writing this I hear my dissertation chair, “Put it in your own words, Rosenblatt did her work, she is your inspiration. So build on your theoretical base, create your work.” While I sit on the shoulders of the greats, I forge my own path, inspired by their work. Thankful for inspiration in my library visit dream, dissertation and life.

Nashville, Chicago, Sturgeon Bay, Ann Arbor? Who knew?

Add in Dave Matthews tickets two nights in June… Ohhhh this is getting more and more fun. Yes, I am 51, single mother, literacy specialist, dog mom, home owner, dissertator, library enthusiasit. Sit in it. My truth. Life is good, grand.

The other day I was working with a group of sixth graders (subbed for a morning for our ELA teacher). They were sharing their dreams when I heard myself say, “the world is your oyster.” They looked at me with confusion, as I explained the phrase they smiled, nodded continuing to share. As I remember their faces I find there is so much in that statement and it is mine. For so long I have enjoyed working on other people’s dreams (son’s, student’s, friend’s) listening, encouraging. Right now I feel, “My oyster my story!” I am so enjoying the opening of it!

East Coast Oyster Sampler! — Lol I hit paste and this came up… oyster’s! Maybe this is the purpose of our Thursday $1night $1 oysters. My oyster, my story!

A work in progress… from Hmmmmm to Woo Hoo! Life is good! Thanks for sharing this adventure with me.

Image result for picture of heart drawing

No Drama Llama

This cup just makes me smile and is my new mantra. At my last haircut I drank tea from this cup. I was wandering through Target and found my own. It just makes me smile and is my new favorite coffee cup. Why is this important? I am not sure. What I am sure of is it makes me smile with the addition of the upcoming Nashville library trip. I am skipping (happy steps) today.

As I prepare for upcoming trips I am obsessed with my savings account, library plans and my No Drama Llama cup. I wake up anticipating coffee in my cup, look at savings plan, check balances, look at library dream plans and dissertation timeline. Then off to work, a spring in my step. In between students, dissertation revisions, walking doggos and housework my mind wanders to my pretrip, Nashville, March 8.

Nashville library was not on the original list of most beautiful libraries in the US but I am adding it as a pretrip. My sister invited me to travel with her to a conference and I had two personal days to use or lose (lost em last year). While she is at meetings I will visit libraries first, honkey tonks second, boot stores third (may change order, need boots for honkey tonks). Looking at the Nashville library website (which I do every day now in anticipation of trip) I am excited to explore the libraries. A bonus is the artistic feature. It looks like the libraries have featured artwork at all sites, mini art museums… so bonus trip, bonus fun. March 8 here we come!

On a side note, yet related, on my sister’s recommendation I picked up All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O’ Neal. This is a quick read and fun. It is about women bloggers having dreams and traveling across the country in RV’s to meet together. It is quite an adventure and is applicable to my journey, might be to yours as well. A fun, easy read. Enjoy!

No Drama Llama, until we meet again.

Fern

Waiting

THE WAITING PLACE

by Dr. Seuss

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come,

or a plane to go or the mail to come,

or the rain to go or the phone to ring,

or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No

or waiting for their hair to grow.

Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite

or waiting for wind to fly a kite

or waiting around for Friday night

or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake

or a pot to boil, or a Better Break

or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants

or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.

Everyone is just waiting.

Excerpt from Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Waiting….

For feedback from dissertation committee,

For the IRS to approve tax submission

deposit

Savings to grow

students to come

Spring break,

first library trip

Waiting….

sucks

similar to change,

life.

While waiting

Write

Clean, maybe….

Read

Eat

Walk

Pace

workout

check email

Avoid email

Check texts

Avoid texts

Pray

Nap

Waiting happens

not fun

life.

Change happens

Not fun

Life.

Goal is

learn

Grow

Know

Waiting ends

Feedback comes

Work begins

Waiting

Enjoy waiting

when it is over

Work begins….

Change occurs….

Learn

Lean in

Be productive

This too will pass

Will work out

Good

Bad

Waiting

We are the Change

At the library this week walking to the hold shelf I passed a display of writings honoring Dr. King. The librarians had a nice mix of literature, young adult, adult, and children. We are the Change was in the mix. I could not resist picking it up. Having minimal time I added it to my stack then checked out carrying it to my classroom where it has found a home. My students have enjoyed reading the quotes, looking at the beautiful artwork discussing what it means to “Be the Change”. Here are some samples of the artwork and quotes.

If you haven’t listened to this for awhile, visit Dr. King through his words, his speech, align yourself with one of the greats. His words echo through time inspiring us all. Welcome change as you listen to him speak. His words are nourshing to the soul. Here is the link I play for myself and my students.

In reading these words, listening to the voices of students reading these works, listening to their questions, concerns about our world, the enormous responsibility we have to ourselves, our world, our children became apparant. There is hope amongst us, the hope is us, We are the Change. Pursuiting change in our daily lives, communities, sharing ourselves, hopes and dreams, together we can and are making change.

Another read on our tables being enjoyed is this one;

Change, occurs whether we like it or not, good and bad. We are the change, personal, global, our own corners of the universe. Excited about the little changes in my world, drawn to works of world changers. Sharing them with students and you. A colleague stopped in while sharing these works shared this inspirational story of change. While controversal to some she is an inspiration. I was able to print this copy to add to our discussions and readings.

My students loved reading about this sixteen year old, the change she is creating in our world. Inspired and called to change. Inspired to change, loving the gems found this week in my neighborhood library. If you haven’t visited recently and are in need of inspiration you may wish to stop in, browse, listen to the readers, enjoy a few conversations among the greats. They are there in written form as well as human form. To quote a colleague, “Librarians are geniuses, uncovered gems in our communities, a wealth of knowledge available for us to tap into.” So tap away, browse, enjoy a stroll, uncover a few hidden gems. Always a great time.

We are the Change.

Fern

Healthy Lifestyle

Everything relates to everything. Watching Netflix Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and reading her book Spark Joy: An illustrated guide to the Japanese art of tidying (Kondo & Hirano, 2016) she states through her followers successes that when you begin to clean up one area it has a domino effect for other areas until your entire world is clean and organized. For me this dream has had a similar effect in my world. It seems that having the dream first enabled me to fix my finances. While I had a plan in place it enabled me to strengthen my plan and stick to it, keeping the dream/goal in the forefront of my vision. Sharing my dream through blogging and face to face on New Year’s Eve sparked conversation around fitness and health goals as well. If we are going to travel, we want to be fit, feel good and be able to get around with ease. This means we need to focus on our eating and workout habits.

Once again this is not a new area of focus for me. I have struggled with eating, weight and exercise since I entered this world. This is my current diet/fitness plan, not a new plan but one I believe will work. Myfitnesspal.com, works the same way, this is a free app where you can log in your food, exercise, it links with your fitbit. So I probably will use both. It is fancier than my template and gives caloric totals, so yeah probably should use. Once again sparked by the simplicity of the dream, sharing and continued check ins set up, I am refocused and believe this will work. When creating my template awhile ago I happened upon the book God’s diet: A short and simple way to eat naturally, lose weight and live a healthier life (Gualt-McNemee, 1999). It is simple yet incorporates a lifetime of learning and is the origination of so much thought around diet and exercise. This is the link with the template with my diet/fitness plancreated after reading,If you click on God’s Diet and scroll down there are excerpts of the book that helped me, otherwise I got it at the library.

This is the first week revisiting this plan. Having a financial plan enabled me to grocery shop prior to the beginning of work, stock my kitchen with healthy eats with an organization plan for my house. Tidying up helps with my well being, focus and attitude. When needing a respite from writing, dissertation, having other areas to tackle gives clarity to dreams and writing. Calms my spirit and illuminates my thoughts.

Today is Saturday. I woke up, walked doggos (result of dream benefiting doggos walk them minimum of 2x a day. Ol’ man Max loves it as he limps around the block, Cam well we love it, burns some of his endless puppy energy. Fitbit loves it…steps). Returning home I went to the RALLY app and guess what I have earned $195 of the $200 that I get for visiting the gym 12x per month. I thought maybe there are other apps that will pay me to work out, keep me motivated to exercise and go to the gym. I found two new apps.

The first one is Achievement, it pays for steps, links to other apps and gives points for logging food, exercise and more. I also found an app called Cash for Steps it seems like it will take awhile to earn any money but is kind of fun to see steps turn into cash. As a reading specialist, dog mom and gym member this seems like a fun fit. I linked the review, there are pros and cons, worth a go. I found another one I am trying it pays for shopping. I have tried this in the past, found it tedious but well worth a shot. It is called ibotta Will let you know moving forward if these are worth their salt. Rally app through my insurance is. It pays out $200 a fiscal year for exercise and healthy habits. The pay out is through online rewards. The sweepstakes are disappointing, but hopeful. I haven’t won one but maybe someday.

So fun, change is occurring in all areas. Thanks to having a living breathing dream, sharing it with others, establishing accountability focusing the completion success of each goal.

Why is it working now? Maybe it is the completion of other goals, sons raised, masters completed, Phd nearing completion, less focus on those and getting my —- together in other areas. One may argue that it is the dream, age and wisdom gleaned from all other ventures that make this season feasible. Whatever it is, enjoying the season. Fun awaits, growth occurring.

Everything relates to everything. Simple wisdom.

Fern

References

Gault-McNemee, D. (1999). God’s diet: A short and simple way to eat naturally, lose weight, and live a

healthier life. Three Rivers Press.

Kondō, M., & Hirano, C. (2016). Spark joy: An illustrated guide to the Japanese art of tidying. Vermilion.

Sharing

Sharing

First, thanks for liking and reading my first post. If you recall, step one was sharing. Why did my son tell me to share? I have pondered this for a few days. I had a dream written, why not write more? Share? After pondering I am honored, he knows me. I need to plan, writing is part of the plan. Sharing is harder. Seriously, I love to write. It is pretty much my therapy. I write, file away and done. Rarely do I share, why not, feedback. LOL, as an Alverno Alum, feedback. 😀

Feedback

Feedback can be brutal, helpful, can I say brutal again? Even when helpful feedback is tough. As a doc student, educator, human I have received a lot of feedback (umm divorced, mom, educator). It grows one, skin must be tough. If you haven’t read Thanks for the Feedback (Stone & Heen, 2014) might be helpful. So, if you read my first blog you know I carried my dream folder around for sometime. I began writing my dream in response to an article I read about the 25 most beautiful libraries in America. It was also inspired in response to everyone asking what next as I come to the end of the doctoral journey. Well, this is MY dream, fun dream, balance, where I go when not working to dream.

LOL you might say what a let down, you are completing your doctoral journey and then visitng libraries is your dream. Well, yes it beats the barista dream. Working on my dissertation I would sit in coffee shops, when not reading, working on dissertation and fantasize about serving coffee, so much easier than my life, more fun. Well my sister became a barista, not much money and a lot of work. I salute baristas, I need them. I learned for a lot it is a second job, baristas have to memorize so many drinks for little pay and no tips. Well some but really, do you tip your barista? When I learned what they made I became a barista tipper. So this became my new dream.

What having this dream did do for me was lead me to a financial plan (well and the reality of the barista dream, I needed money to fund this dream). So I created a savings plan. Which yes I shared with my accountant son. His reply, DO IT! With, “Mom it is time you did something for you. Really! For my birthday please do one trip.” Hmmmm…

Honestly, I wrote the plan, carried it in my a folder in my purse but had tabled this dream as a barista dream. Yep, after my doctoral chair sent me my feedback and revisions began again, my dream stayed in my purse. I did not look at it until Dec. 25. I decided it was silly, one that I took out and read as an outlet from dissertation. I was thankful for the savings plan viewing it as the purpose and the good that had come out of this dream (part of the share with my son, figured would lesson the blow of silly dream). Sharing with my son occurred after a couple drinks, his feedback sparked the dream again. I have had to ask him, so you do think this is a valid dream.

Yes, now share, write, do. So creating blog, sharing my writing in this forum was first. Then New Years Eve I shared with a lifetime friend. Single mother, son raised, similar life as me. What occurred was magical. Thank you Maxies and Ben (best server ever) for a fabulous oysters, drinks, dinner and dessert. Your patience with us taking your table, you ROCK! 😀

What made it magical was she had a plan as well. We sat down and both started, “I have something to share!” I shared my library dream, which she got on board with. She shared her Dave Matthews, camping dream. I got on board. Then we got out our calendars and marked them up, shared our savings plans. Together we will continue to work our dreams after work, over oysters, drinks, dinner at Maxies. Thursday nights, happy hour $1.00 oysters, upsized beers dollar off any drink. Best deal ever! Right now on our calendars, spring break is a go, Dave Matthews a go (unsure of date), June library trip on the calendar as well as two camping trips and more.

What have I learned. Sharing is good. I do believe you must choose who you share with, find supportive, brilliant souls to share with (like you). Thanks for the feedback, so far no one has left negative comments (at this point, doesn’t matter if you do, sorry, I am doing this!). Dreaming is invigorating and leads to MORE, more connectedness, growth and breathes new life. So thanks for listening, supporting, Tag, your it, dream, share….

Best,

Fern

References:

Maxies, http://maxies.com/milwaukee/

Stone, D., & Heen, S. (2014). Thanks for the feedback: The science and art of

receiving feedback well (even when it is off-base, unfair, poorly delivered,

and frankly, you’re not in the mood). Viking Adult.

Library Enthusiast Vacation Dream

Hello Bookworms and Library enthusiasts (nerds, I think my son added that,lol)

This is who I am…

I have been told there are creeps on the internet (advice from my sons 19,24, of course they know more than I do about this… ), so call me Fern. I am a literacy specialist serving students of low socio economic means in an American city school. I love, love what I do. Every day (during the school year) I work with the lowest 20% of every grade level, teaching students to read, love reading, making reading meaningful for them. I have been an educator for 20+ years. A single mother for 25 years, raising two successful young men, who yes study and use the library, finding it a safe haven for their studying/academic needs. My eldest upon graduation from college, needed to study for a final credit, took me to the library by his father’s house, went up to the librarian got the key for the study room (his study room), sent me to get a book, settled in, studying for his exam gracefully kicking me out to roam his library, finding treasures and books to read. As a mother and educator, the fact that my guys know how to access the library, find safe study spaces, rent first apartment close to the library, has brought me great joy, knowing they love, know how to access and use the library… who could ask for more?

How did my love of literacy and libraries begin?

My love for libraries began as a youngster. My parents were ministers, poor, believing that television was of the devil. My sweet mama would take us once a week to the library. She opened book and told me to read the first paragraph, if it grabbed me within that first page it was a keeper, take it and read it. I read, transported to otherworlds becoming a voracious lifelong reader. As a family we checked out the old school movie reels, forbidden treats, a movie projector these were our family nights. We also checked out games to play as a family (not as popular). As an adolescent the library was a place I would escape. My parents would allow me to go to the library, check out books and spend time unsupervised. As a divorced single young mom it was a place to take my guys. My love affair with the library has been a lifelong venture, one that has fed my soul, kept me safe when life was chaotic. A quiet place of rest and respite.

Dream in a folder….

I have been carrying around my dream in a folder, in my purse for the last few months. What next has been the question as I am coming to the end of my dissertation. Everyone asks what next? Well, my boys are raised, living for them seems a little silly. They have their lives, which has been my dream, successful happy men. Now as a single mom, literacy specialist, doctoral candidate, I am answering the question what next… I still want to be a reading specialist but adding a new dimension is the dream. Summers… Being a nerd, reading/literacy specialist, what do I love? Books, the smell of them, lives lived, so finding the article 20 most beautiful libraries in America gave me breath. I mapped it out, developed a budget (which I have blown) but it is there. Living in me, I want to visit these places, then the ultimate… London.

Today is Christmas, 2019. I am 51, drinking and playing cards with my son. I spilled my soul, dream and you know what? He wanted to see it. Read it, while I ran to the potty. He read my dream, looked at my map, asked to see my budget. He called off the game, opened his computer. Write mom, let’s plan it (his command). He thought it was cool and is on board with me making it a reality. So how? How? Well step one seems to share the dream. Next, write, write, write so I am.

Step one Share. With who? You.

Here goes….

Breath, first step, share.

Sharing in blog format…

My goal is over spring break to take the train to Chicago,spend the night, visit the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago, ILL and begin my journey. Why? Because I can. I love books, they feed my soul. As a mom I took my sons to the library, it was free, we learned so much, books are my friends. My goal when visiting is to experience the neighborhoods surrounding the libraries, pubs, local attractions get the vibe of the locale. Libraries are the hub of the community, they offer lifelines to young families, lost souls, marginalized humanity, a place for educators and education. My people. I am that mom who got all the free coupons, used the zoo passes, museum coupons, free pizzas and funded my summers. Visiting libraries across America is my homage to a life well lived, living on a shoestring, educating my guys. It is now my turn to see how others fare in different communities in the safe space where I learned to breathe, it cost me nothing and provided me everything. Maybe traveling to libraries is a safe way to spread my wings while remaining grounded. See the world, while doing what I love. Crazy… maybe …dream… goal

And then…

Next stop William W Cook Historical Library in Ann Arbor, MI would be June, beginning of summer. It is a little farther, five hour drive. Yet with Chicago under my belt venturing to the Ann Arbor, MI location may be doable.

I would love to do an east coast trip and a west coast trip visiting…

For now, I will formally check in after Chicago. Now to plan, write, share… blog?

Cheers,

-Fern

LNBW

The World Awaits…
— not sure if someone said it, I am

Step 1 share. ✓ I am thanks for reading, please join me on this grand adventure. Even if it fails it will be fun, omg I am doing this…

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.