Pick up a book, join the Community Read

Here is the latest on the Community Read, friends and neighbors. It will begin on October 13th and conclude on November 24^th of this very year.

I have indeed read the featured book, “Four Miles to Pinecone” by Jon Hassler (March 1933 – March 2008). Mr. Hassler was a teacher as well as a writer. He taught highschool . This may be why the main character in this book appears so natural. Mr. Hassler knew his teenagers. He mainly wrote about small town rural Minnesota. Interestingly, this particular book was originally written in 1977, yet it has a completely current feel. The only thing that might date it a little is the lack of mention of computers (which you don’t miss at all) and the lack of mention of cell phones (which wouldn’t get good reception in a tiny town in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border anyway). So much for being outdated. The basic conundrum is a moral question. Do you rat on your friends or not? And if so, when? And why? Though the book’s action begins in St. Paul, the main action (and I do mean “action”) takes place in the woods of northern Minnesota. It is a mystery story. It is credible. The characterizations are scrupulous. The setting is realistic. It is a one sitting read. I, personally, didn’t wish to leave my hero stranded by doing something as mundane as going to sleep in between chapters! He might need my input, like yelling out “upper left for first gear, you dummy…”.

Read this book, everyone. It was written for young adults. It is, however, ageless and genderless. If you are a cat, as am I, there are fish mentioned. A favorite of mine!

The conclusion of the Community Read falls during American Education Week. Kelly Virden of our Pine River Journal will have weekly “activities” in the paper to encourage participation.

In conclusion may I suggest that you turn off that box with moving pictures and pick up a book.

I remain,

Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 16 Oct 2008

Halloween is nearly upon us

Are you done with your Christmas shopping yet?

I personally am not, since the grass is still green and there are still a few hold outs in flower world.

However, since Muriel has been extremely busy, as she always is, she has made available for purchase at the front desk of the Pine River Public Library 2009 Browser the Library Cat daily pocket planners.

There are a limited number – more than 9, less than 9,000 – available, and Muriel assures me they would make great stocking stuffers, whatever that means.

And so on to the season that is actually upon us, Halloween, Ghosts and goblins.

We all have a vague idea about the “ghost” part of this, but what in the world are “goblins”? “The American Heritage Dictionary” characterizes them as “A grotesque elf said to work mischief or evil”.

Wikipedia.org states, discussing their roots “…One fabled origin for goblins is in France in a cleft of the Pyrenees, from which they spread rapidly throughout Europe. They hitched a ride with Viking ships to get to Britain. They have no homes, being nomadic, dwelling temporarily in mossy cracks in rocks and tree roots…”

I have seen creatures hiding in mossy cracks in rocks and tree roots, but I don’t think they were goblins. If this description is accurate, they had too many legs!

But let us not digress. The Pine River Friends of the Library presents the Haunted House Fundraiser, indoors and out of the woods. This year it will be Friday and Saturday, October 24-25 and 31 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. It will be held at Cass County Fairgrounds.

Wow! That’s different and interesting. I might have to wander over and have a look. I will have to dress appropriately in my black cat disguise…

According to the bulletin discussing this event, there will be ghosts, goblins, snacks and fun, so be checking in those mossy tree roots and rock cracks.

Cleo is once again the lady to call if you need more information or want to volunteer. I called her myself. This is her real phone number: 587-3996. I volunteered. She was non-plussed by my effort. Oh well. I’m certain you will fare far better.

One last bit of information before I close. Pine River Library and Pine River/Backus school are joining forces on a community read this month. The book will be “Four Miles to Pinecone” by Jon Hassler. I have begun to read this book and was immediate struck by the vivid descriptions and characterizations. I shall read on. It is not a thick book. Perhaps I’ll write a review for later publication. Call the library for more information about the dates associated with this community read. 218-587-4639.

As ever, I remain,

Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal October 9th, 2008

What are the origins of "crying wolf"

In an effort to better edify you, my trusted readers, I have decided to take a brief hiatus from my normally sardonic tone. Recent weather events have caused many to discuss the possible repercussions of crying wolf, but where does this phrase originate?

Once upon a time in the far off Russian satellite of the Ukraine lived a young composer, Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (April 27, 1891 – March 5, 1953).

Prokofiev suffered persecution in Russia and was forced to flee to America for a time, returning to Russia in 1935. In 1936 Prokofiev wrote a piece for his son based on the story, “Peter and the Wolf”. This is the story from which came the phrase, “…cry wolf…”.

Here is the story quoted verbatim from Wikipedia.org:

Peter, a Soviet "pioneer" scout, is at his grandfather's home in a forest clearing. One day Peter goes out into the clearing, leaving the garden gate open, and the duck that lives in the yard takes the opportunity to go swimming on the nearby pond. She starts arguing with a little bird ("What kind of bird are you if you can't fly?" - "What kind of bird are you if you can't swim?"). Peter's pet cat sneaks up on them, and the bird – warned by Peter - flies into a tall tree while the duck swims to safety in the middle of the pond.

Peter's grandfather scolds Peter for being outside in the meadow ("Suppose a wolf came out of the forest?"), and, when Peter defies him, saying that "Pioneers are not afraid of wolves," takes him back into the house and locks the gate. Shortly afterwards "a big, grey wolf" does indeed come out of the woods. The cat quickly climbs into the tree, but the duck, who has excitedly jumped out of the pond, is chased, overtaken and gulped down by the wolf.

Pioneer Peter fetches a rope and climbs over the garden wall into the tree. He asks the bird to fly around the wolf's head to distract him, while he lowers a noose and catches the wolf by his tail. The wolf struggles to get free, but Peter ties the rope to the tree and the noose only gets tighter.

Some hunters, who have been tracking the wolf, come out of the forest ready to shoot, but Peter gets them to help him take the wolf to the zoo in a victory parade (The piece was first performed for an audience of pioneers during May Day celebrations) that includes himself, the bird, the hunters leading the wolf, the cat and grumpy grumbling Grandfather ("What if Peter hadn't caught the wolf? What then?").

In the story's ending, the listener is told that "if you listen very carefully, you'd hear the duck quacking inside the wolf's belly, because the wolf in his hurry had swallowed her alive."

Though charming in and of itself, the story is augmented by instrumental themes for each of the participants.

It is something once heard, never forgotten.

The Pine River Public Library has a copy of the CD, narrated (The story is told with a background of musical themes.) by David Bowie. There are also other renditions of “Peter and the Wolf” throughout the Kitchigami Library system.

Take a break from television and enrich your life and the lives of your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighborhood children, or anybody at all. Listen to “Peter and the Wolf”.

Until next time, I remain...

-Browser,

the library cat.

P.S. The cat’s theme is played on clarinet! How fitting. I am also black like a clarinet.

Printed in the Pine River Journal Sept 25, 2008

Take a nostalgic return to school days

"School days, school days,
Good old Golden Rule days,
Reading and writing and 'rithmatic,
Taught to the tune of the hickory stick.
You were my queen in calico,
I was your bashful barefoot beau..."

HOLD THE PHONE!
Working backwards,

1. What young man would ever attend school without his trendy footwear. Ask any mother whose credit card is maxed out by the 1st of September.

2. I’d bet the youth of today has absolutely no idea with “calico” is. “The American Heritage Dictionary” characterizes calico as “..a coarse cloth usually printed with bright colors…”. And then there is the calico cat, but I don’t think they meant some child was dressed her in favorite pet.

3. How many of you think the teacher or some other individual at school is playing an exotic musical instrument called a “hickory stick”? You’d be mistaken. Once upon a time not so long ago children were given a good swat if they misbehaved at school, presumably with a hickory stick. Today those educators would be taken to court!

4. “Rithmatic”? Of course that is the shortened version of arithmetic, adjusted to fit. (Is it iambic pentameter? I’m a little obtuse when it comes to identifying various types of poetry. I just know what I like.) The question I have here is whether children actually work the problems themselves or whether they are trained in the finer art of working a calculator. I’ve never attended school so I honestly do not know.

5. Now to the most important and never out-dated portion of this rhyme. The Golden Rule. The rest of this ditty may seem like Grandma’s lexicon, but The Golden Rule should live forever. Wikipedia.org characterizes it as “the ethic of reciprocity”. They went on to say,

“…The ethic of reciprocity or the Golden Rule is a fundamental moral value which simply means "treat others as you would like to be treated." It is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights …”

“Human” rights? I beg to differ. Feline though I may be, I feel obliged to suggest that I too be treated as you might wish to be treated. With deference.

And so back to school. Children, enjoy your school days. Learning is a gift.

Until next time, I remain,

Browser, the library cat

PS. I have lost my collar. By this printing it has perhaps been returned. If not, let me describe it as red with black paw prints and jangling tags attached. If you find it – I must have lost it when I was in the throws of some adventure or other – please return it to The Pine River Public Library.

Printed in the Pine River Journal August 28. 2008

Looking foward to 'Magical Cooking'

Friends!

Thursday, August 7 at 2:00 PM the Pine River Library will present a program by performer Chef Roberto entitled “The Magical Cooking Show” as a part of our summer reading program with the theme of “What’s cooking at your library”.

An entertaining look at the wonderful world of cooking this exciting program, emphasizing books and reading, helps children to learn while having fun at the same time. A Chock-ful of Crazy Cookery, Unbelievable Magic and Terrific books.

Lots of audience participation (including some special fun for the parents). Come join us at the library!

In the interest of continuity I have decided to review a cookbook. Given the enormity of selecting a single volume among the many, I have chosen a compendium of deserts.

Fearless readers all, you may not realize that your resident feline has a taste for the sweet. Yes. I admit it. I am a lover of sweets. My personal preference, of course, is ice cream. However, for the sake of convenience (I am familiar with this tome.) I have chosen one of our more popular volumes here at the Pine River Library, “The Cake Mix Doctor” by Anne Byrn.

Given the title, one would suppose this book is simplicity itself. Page after page of a variety of delicious cakes made only from ingredients residing dustily in your cabinets waiting to be rearranged. Maybe, I shall open a page at random…

· 1 package plain yellow cake mix – check
· 1 cup smooth peanut butter – well, not quite a full cup and it has a tiny bit of jelly in it
· 1 stick butter – does it have to be butter?
· 2 large eggs – do they have to be large or would Jumbo be okay? Or medium?
· 1 package (12 ounces; 2 cups) semisweet chocolate chips – what if my bag is smaller? Or larger?
· 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk – who stocks that?
· 2 tablespoons butter – we’ve addressed this before
· 1 cup frozen unsweetened grated coconut, thawed – What?!
· 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract – I’m pretty solid on that

I have tried several of the recipes in this book and they have proven to be better by-in-large than just dumping out a box of cake mix and adding the requisite water, oil, and eggs.

The key, as I see it, is to read the recipe before the fact – preferably before you go to the grocery store – and make a list of that elusive frozen coconut and any other ingredients not currently living in your kitchen. You might also wish to make sure you have the correct configuration of baking container such as a Bundt pan.

There are several recipes requiring one of those.

Many of the recipes come from friends, relatives and the odd step neighbor-in-law. All are given credit for their concoctions. (Some are better cooks than others.)This book is perfect for someone who bakes often for a family or for church potluck dinners and is tired of the same cake or bar recipe. There is quite a variety here and even suggestions for variations. A worthy perusal.

Thank you again for honoring me with your readership. I am humbled.

Remember to attend The Magical Cooking Show if you are able. I will be in evidence.

Until then, I remain

Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 7 August 2008

Pine River Was Blessed by O'Brien

Loyal Readers,

We have lost a good friend. Marlys O’Brien is the reason we have a library in Pine River. She is the reason we have a Kitchigami Regional Library system at all. As a young woman she rode around the countryside carrying books to farmers and their families when they were too busy to leave the fields.

During the 1960’s she worked with the state of Minnesota to create the Kitchigami Regional Library System which serves Beltrami, Cass and Crow Wing counties. The Head office was and is located in Pine River.

When I first came to live at the Pine River Library, the Regional Library had just move out of the building that was once an old clinic with the remainder of the librarians “headquartered” in a garage next door, the book mobile parked in a portion, the front of the building being The Pine River Public Library.

I lived in the alley behind. Muriel and then library assistant, Don Corbin, took me in. Marlys had already retired at that time, but she was a friend to all.

Among the wonderful things about her including her love of her library was her love of people. She loved to do story time for the children and was especially fond of stories about frogs.

There were birthday parties for the staff each month honoring whoever had a birthday in that particular month. Everyone would cluster around the table in the back of the building (garage) and have coffee and cake.

And! If you worked at the library you got your birthday off! That was Maryls’ doing.

Marlys had a book review program on the radio as well. She would check out piles of books looking for just the right one to review on the radio.

After we of the Pine River Library moved to our new building, Marlys would come in often. She always treated me well, saying, “Browser always knows how to make a friend.” So did you, Marlys. So did you.

Take a minute out of your day to thank your lucky stars that the world has been blessed by people like Marlys O’Brien.

Until next time, I remain...

Browser, the Library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 26 June 2008

'The Good Guy' is an excellent read

Fellow readers! I recently read a book that knocked my socks off - or would have if I wore socks. Normally in spring I consider very carefully what I read. This time of year I spend a great deal of time out of doors. With the rains this year, however, I have read voraciously.

Dean Koontz has become a favorite of mine because of his Odd Thomas series, so when I had read all of those (except the new one, "Odd Hours," which just arrived on our shelves of our library and has a long reserve list). I tried another recent novel of his, "The Good Guy" had a certain appeal base on title alone. Who doesn't like a good guy? According to "The American Heritage Dictionary," the word "good" is defined as "superior to the average valuable," sound like me!

I gravitate to novels that chronicle an ordinary person doing extraordinary things. This book is certainly no exception. It begins in a bar with a very normal guy suddenly thrust into a situation that defies explanation. Our hero, Tim Carrier, is certainly no super hero. He's a brick and stone mason like his father before him. As he sits on the stool in his friend's bar drinking his simple beer, he is approached by a gentleman who mistakes him for a killer for hire. Money and a photograph are thrust into his hand. The gentleman leaves the bar quickly. Mulling over this development, Tim is approached by a second man. This man is the killer for hire, of course. Predictable? Not Dean Koontz! Never! Tim, posing as the hirer, insists that he has change his mind. The killer is welcome to the money but the contract is off. Not!

Thus begins a journey that kept me up all night. There is a girl, of course. There is always a girl. This one is not beautiful, thank goodness. I would have been disappointed in Mr. Koontz had the girl been ethereal or breathtaking. She is unusual, I like unusual. Gives me something to chew on and whispers of foreshadowing. She has a '39 Ford parked in her kitchen and a past about which she refuses to speak, though she assures Tim that is involves nothing whatsoever that would entice someone to kill her. Tim, too, is more than he appears, though we, the readers, are teased only with hints of what this might be. Classic Koontz.

This journey through a couple of days in the lives of two seemingly normal, even boring people, is fast paced and full of quick twists and turns. There are even a couple of dogs, though no cats, perish the thought. Unlike many Koontz classics, there is no supernatural of sci-fi intervention. No need for magic. The story is magic enough.

Happy Reading.

-Browser, the library cat

Published in the Pine River Journal 19 June 2008

Ah, the season of new beginnings: spring

I had thought about beginning this epistle with something about being lost, but I stumbled onto a quote from J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) on brainyquote.com. “Not all who wander are lost”.

Guess I wasn’t lost after all. You see, gentle readers, (or will see if you visit our fine Pine River Public Library) the library is rearranging a little at a time. Fine for you. You don’t live here. It is, however, a little confusing for me. I have therefore been wandering.

The young adult books are now mixed in with the adult books. The large print books are thinking of moving themselves to the area where the biographies now live. The tables are the old ones but the chairs are new and I understand that new tables are on the way. There is a new computer desk thanks to the City of Pine River.

The paintings on the walls have gone from snow scenes to spring ones thanks to the Pine River Art Club. I worry. Will they be moving my food next? Will I, in my wanderings, be able to find it? Would you be willing to volunteer to come to the library and help with all the changes? Will you please be careful not to hide my food?

All that aside, the summer reading programs are scheduled to begin June 9th and will run through August 2nd. Interestingly – or it is for me! - The theme this year is “What’s Cooking at Your Library”.

Kids can sign up the first week in June to get their reading program packets. There are two age groups. Teen Read with participants from ages 13 to 18 and Children’s Read with ages 5 through 12.

The younger group with receive prizes for each week they complete. There are also summer activities for these readers on Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:30. The final program, “Chef Roberto’s magical cooking show” is open to the public at 2pm on August 7th.

A list of all the fun stuff is available at the front desk of the library. The teen readers will also receive prizes, but finish all 8 weeks and receive a free personal size pizza coupon and your name will go into a drawing for a really good prize. I promise! The library is also planning one activity a month for the teens who wish to participate.


Hope to see you soon.
I remain,


Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal May 29,2008

Free downloads now available at Pine River Public Library

Dear Readers, et al

As you may know, I often wander about on the front desk of the Pine River Public Library, sometimes looking for a comfortable spot on which to recline and sometimes just browsing. Recently, during such meanderings, I was reminded of many features at our library of which you may not be aware. Many of you may have looked at, but not seen, “Book Page”. This monthly book review circular is amazingly informative. I read it all the time for ideas for new authors or new books I wish to read. It addresses fiction, nonfiction, adult reading, young adults, and younger people. Your Pine River Library has purchased these to be free to you! Who knew? Something for nothing! Book Page is also available online at bookpage.com.

Another piece of information obviously visible on our front desk is a rack of leaflets. Because they are in plain sight, you may not have noticed them. (We all know that the best way to hide something is in plain sight!) One of the new ones is entitled “MyLibrarydv” It is a way to download movies, how- to videos, travel videos, etc. These are free downloads! Again, something for nothing! You’ll need to have your library card handy to access this service. It is available by accessing krls.org. KRLS stands for Kitchigami Regional Library System; in the off chance you didn’t know that. More information is easily available by picking up one of the flyers from our desk – my nap area.

Not enough cool stuff? This next is available to accessing krls.org and clicking on online services, the same place you found MyLibrarydv. “Net Library” is also new. You can download audio books – FREE! Just use your library card. Download them directly onto your MP3 players, if you’d like. (Sorry, IPods don’t work for this.) Or how about this: its spring and time to tune things up. How about “Small Engine Repair Reference Center”! Or “Auto Repair Reference Center” containing the complete automotive repair manuals that were originally published in the” Chilton Total Car Care Series”?

Make your life so much simpler. Use your library card. If you don’t have a home computer, come use one at the library, to see what’s out there for you, my library friends.
Speaking of library friends, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Eradelphian Club for their generous contribution of $1,000 to our roof repair fund. It appears we are well on our way to putting a new lid on our building!

Until next time, I remain,
Browser, the library cat.

Printed in the Pine River Journal April 3, 2008

PS. Be sure to read my new column of book reviews. I will try to cover a wide range of literature for all ages.

A look at "The Owl and the Pussy Cat"

I have considered for sometime launching a column specifically for the purpose of reviewing literature. I am, as you must know by now, a voracious reader. Though future endeavors will be aimed mainly at current literature - fiction, non-fiction, and poetry - I have chosen to pick limb from limb - and to annotate - a timeless and absurd child's poem entitled "The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear first published in 1871. Some of the verbiage is antiquated or obscure. I often wonder what children make of this.

On the surface this poem should be a very short undertaking. Owls and cats are not the dearest of friends. Depending on breed and stature, they would either be worthy adversaries or the cat would be lunch for the owl. Not so. These two are sweethearts. I think not.

Stanza I

The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea

In a beautiful pea green boat,

They took some honey and plenty of money,

Wrapped up in a five pound note.

The Owl looked up to the stars above,

and sang to a small guitar,

'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,

What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

Excuse me! I know of few if any pussycats who would venture forth in any boat, regardless of color. And furthermore, honey? Canned tuna, maybe, but honey? Both of these creatures are carnivores. And owls don't sing. So much for this stanza.

Stanza II

Pussy said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl!

How charmingly sweet you ging!

O let us be married! too long we have tarried:

But what shall we do for a ring?'

Let me just interject that a ring is the least of their problems.

They sailed away, for a year and a day,

To the land where the Bong-tree grows

And there in the wood a Piggy-wig stood

With a ring at the end of his nose, his nose, his nose,

With a ring at the end of his nose.

This part is only plausible if you ignore the fact that the two of them lived on honey for a year and a day. I have read accounts of humans afloat on rafts in the sea for mere days or weeks, and the end result was not happy.

Stanza II

'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling

Your ring?'

Said the Piggy, 'I will.'

Ah! That explains why they brought all that money.

So they took it away, and were married next day

By the Turkey who lives on the hill.

Only a turkey would marry these two!

They dined on mince, and slides of quince,

Which they ate with a runcible spoon;

And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,

They danced by the light of the moon.

They dined on what? Minced, in and of itself, only means "chopped in fine pieces." I don't remember the mention of cutlery anywhere in the body of this poem. And a runcible spoon? this item, considering a possibly unmnetioned Swiss Army Knife (conceivably used to extract the ring from the pig), is not a common inclusion. It is, instead a very specialized slotted spoon.

I give this poem a rating of 8 out of 10. In spite of content it remains entirely entertaining (and you can dance to it).

Believe it or not, there exists Lear's unfinished posthumous "The Children of the Owl and the Pussycat." Never mind!

Until Nest time, I remain...

-Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Jounal 21 February 2008

Opportunites abound at library

Our wonderful Pine River Public Library (my home) is hosting a talk by Craig Nagel. Craig is a writer for Echo Publishing & Printing - as am I - but Craig went the extra mile and actually wrote an entire book! Craig's column for the "Echo" is entitled "The Cracker Barrel". My column is in the "Pine River Journal", of course, you know: just look up. Craig, however, has been writing his column for 25 years! I can lay no claim to such longevity as I am much younger than 25. Time will tell in that respect. Craig's book is available at our library and is entitled "A Place Called Home: Moments from an ordinary life". On the surface this could be my life story here at our library. I'd better get writing! Here is the full article written about Craig and his book:

"... Nagel's observations of the world around him - sometimes witty, sometimes philosophical, always fresh and unique - have earned him a loyal following... Join him as he contemplates the mystery of the night sky on a midnight walk at 30 below zero, stares eyeball to eyeball in the chicken coop with an intruding Great Horned Owl, paddles his way through an autumn marsh as he and his wife harvest wild rice, and reflects upon the mystical resurrection of early-spring frogs, who days before were entombed in frozen mud."

Wow, Craig! I wouldn't care to encounter a Great Horned Owl. I might get carried away...

As Kilgore Trout would say, "and so it goes..." Kurt Vonnegut

Come to the library for the book talk. It is on February 20th from 6pm to 7pm. Bring your own copy of the book if you would like it signed. Come to the library at another time. Any other time.

We could use a few helpers here. We need a volunteer to help deliver books to our dedicated seniors who are "shut ins". These loyal men and women are avid readers. The Pine River Library has for many years had a senior outreach program but are currently in need of some helpful soul to take responsibility for this program. It's an every-other-week kind of deal. Contact Muriel at the library if you are interested. Also, we need somebody to come in and help put books back where they go after the rest of us are finished with them. The official phrase for this is "shelving books", but if this was only about putting books on shelves, any 6 year old could do it! They need to go where they belong. Come help. It's a nifty way to discover books. Somebody else may have read something you never thought of reading. In that case, don't put it on the shelf, check it out! This is a really good way to get out of the house, too, for something other than going to the grocery store. One to three days a week for a couple of hours would be a great help. Give Muriel a call about this as well. Keep that phone ringing!

Until the next time, keep reading those books.

Browser, the library cat

Read a perfect number of books this winter

Hello, constant readers.
Today’s lesson is about numerology, a subject about which I have been reading. The key word here is “reading”. It is the season for “Hot reads for cold nights” at the Pine River Public Library. Winter, with the days shortened, is an excellent time to turn off the electronic devises and read something. I have been doing exactly that. Hot reads, for the uninitiated, consists of reading 15 books in the period of January 1st through February 29th, entering these books on a sheet provided by the library, and returning the completed list to the library. The first 24 individuals (notice I did not say “people”) who return their completed list will receive a coffee/soup/milk/whatever mug. After that, magnets will be given to the remainder of those returning their lists. There will be a drawing at the end for a key ring. All that aside, I think the significant number in all of this is the 15 books. Why this particular number, I ask myself.

“Numerology is one of the oldest of the psychic sciences…modern numerologists prefer a simplified numerical and alphabetical code, based upon the theories established by Pythagoras, the famous Greek mathematician and mystic, who rose to fame about the year 550 B.C.” Here’s what he said: “The world is built upon the power of numbers.” Each number has a particular significance attributed to it in numerology. The numbers 1 through 9 are the ones used. So what about longer numbers, you may ask. The answer is simple. Just add all the numbers together until you eventually have one number from 1 to 9. That is the power number for that particular longer number. Okay. On with this. 15 books. 1 + 5 = 6. 6 is the number we want focus upon. The significance of the number 6 is as follows:

“6 is the symbol of dependability. It is in harmony with nature, representing the six colors of the rainbow. It is the perfect number, being divisible both by 2, an even number, and 3, an odd number, thus combining basic elements of each.” (“The Complete Illustrated Book of the Psychic Sciences” by Walter B Gibson and Litzka R Gibson) Wow! The bottom line here is simple. Read a perfect number of books and get a perfect mug!

Oh… and if you want a copy of your list – or anything else, for that matter – Pine River Public Library has a fancy new copy machine. Black and white copies are $.25/page and color copies are $1.00/page. I’d invite you to sleep on it with me – it does make a nice warm bed – but most of you are probably a little large for that. I am not casting aspersions, only suggesting that most of you probably weight more than 15 pounds, the perfect weight!

Read on!
Until next time, I remain,
Browser, the library cat.

Printed in the Pine River Journal 24 January 2008

Christmas gift from the library!

Felice Navidad! Oh humans from all walks of life! Pine River Public Library wishes you the most loving of holiday seasons. As a tribute to this season of lights we are keeping the lights on more at the library! (This may also have something to do with budget, but why question it?) New hours after January 1, 2008:

Monday: 12:00 – 5:00
Tuesday: 10:00 – 5:00
Wednesday: 12:00 – 7:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 5:00
Friday: 10:00 – 3:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 2:00

I am sooo excited about this! It means more time for me to see you, oh valued patrons. More time for fresh water. More time for extra treats. More time for playing with friends. More time for… well, lots of things. I get lonely on those long weekends, especially during the dark days of winter. There are the “dog days of summer”, and then there are the “cat days of winter” when a cat likes to curl up in a comfy corner. I’m pretty sure this is a Christmas present just for me, this extension of hours. You may think it is for you. Not. It’s my gift this year. Thank you, Kitchigami Regional Library. Thank you Pine River Public Library. Thank you, patrons all. A special thanks to Muriel, head honcho of my home.

Have a wonderful holiday season, whatever that might mean to you. Say something nice to somebody else. Maybe even to a stranger! I do that all the time. It makes them smile and it makes me feel great.

Until next year, I remain,
Browser, the library cat.

Printed in the Pine River Journal Dec 19, 2007

Politically correct holidays

I am a cat. What do I know about political correctness? I do read the newspapers that are readily available at Pine River Public Library. It astonishes me that celebrating Christmas or Hanukah or any other mid-winter celebration has become somehow negative. What could be negative about lighting the winter skies with colored lights? What could be negative about thinking about our friends and neighbors during the darkest days of winter and wishing them well? And what about Santa? Who is this guy, anyway? “…The American version of the Santa Claus figure received its inspiration and its name from the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, brought by settlers to New York in the 17th century…”http://www.the-north-pole.com/history/index.htm Visit that web page for a complete history of this tradition. We have computers at Pine River Library for that very purpose. Information. Information. Information. My mantra, as I have often tried to convey to you, my trusted friends, is: Reading will set you free! After all, I make my home at a library…

Meantime, during this special season of giving (I don’t care what’s politically correct. I’m a cat.) The Pine River Library will be collecting non perishable food for the local food shelf through the holidays. (What holidays? you may ask. My answer is simple. All of them!) Now, I don’t know a lot about canned food except for tuna, of course, but I’m pretty sure there’s more “non perishable” than green beans. Use your imagination. All sorts of great stuff must be non perishable. There is only so much nourishment in a can of beans! (“Green beans, while quite low in calories (just 43.75 calories in a whole cup), are loaded with nutrients — an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin A, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, and iron. And, green beans are a good source of magnesium, thiamin, riboflavin, copper, calcium, phosphorus, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and niacin.” http://health.learninginfo.org/green_beans.htm)

Mini Me Browser has been traveling Pine River. His first stop was to visit Beau. Can’t tell you where that is. It wouldn’t be correct, politically or otherwise – advertising without permission? Who knows! If you’re from Pine River you know where Beau lives. You could trip over him when you walk in the door of this business! Mini Me Browser’s second stop was where they sell pizza, coffee, and ice cream. Not too difficult to figure this one out either. Keep looking. He’s around town somewhere different each week!

A special thank you to everyone who donated to the Dorothy King memorial. Half the money went toward the library roof replacement fund. The other half went into the book account.

Have a very special __________ (Call it whatever makes you comfortable!)
-Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal December 13, 2007

Drip, drip, drip......

Hello, fellow travelers on the quest for enlightenment. I am Browser, the library cat at Pine River Library, where enlightenment does not mean light shining through the roof! We wish to thank a few generous souls who have donated to our roof repair fund:

Thank you Pine River/Backus ATOD program for your donation of $25.00.
Thank you Marcella Fisher for your donation of $1,000.00.
Thank you Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe for your donation of $2,500.00.

As it happens, we are still $25,000 short of a new roof. If each of 25,000 people would donate $1.00, or 5,000 would donate $5.00 or … You get the picture. Let us all pitch in and get a new roof on our library. A library is a precious thing.

Speaking of our library, there is a new art exhibit adorning our walls. The Pine River Art Club has, for several years, made our library space not just a repository for books but a warm and inviting space with their manifestation of the creative spirit which lives within each of us. Thank you, Artists all, for your transformation of brick and mortar into lively and lovely display. Who knew? We thought it was a library. Turns out it is also an art gallery!

But enough about the rest of you… Here is something about me! We have started a feature called “Browser Mini Me”. There is a poster at the library about this. Here is how it works: Tell the staff at the Pine River Library in what Pine River business you saw “Mini Me” (that would be Browser, the library cat likeness) and receive one of 20 collectable limited edition Browser Trading Cards. “Mini Me” will be in a different location every week. Every time you spot me you can collect another trading card. Be sure to keep your eyes open. I’m out there in Pine River! One trading card per person per week. Limited availability.

And finally, a sad note in closing. We mark the passing of Dorothy King, a long time Kitchigami employee and ardent volunteer in both Pine River Library and in the Kitchigami Library system. Dorothy spent countless hours making our library a better place. She is remembered as the “Story Time Lady” at our library. She donated some of her quilted place mats and lap quilts to the Pine River Library silent auctions. That is the short list. The staff at Pine River Library and Kitchigami Regional Library will miss her greatly. A memorial fund has been set up at Pine River Library in her name.

With the coming of winter weather, stay inside and read a book!
I remain,
-Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal November 15, 2007

And another Haunting Hello

Halloween is nearly upon us, and once again through a great deal of hard work, Friends of the Pine River Library have stirred up a brew of entertainment for people of all ages. I say people, because they never allow me to attend these gatherings. I liked it a bit better when it was held at the actual library where I could lurk in the shadows. Oh well. I suppose they know what of they do. But here’s the thing… This is a fund raiser for our wonderful Pine River Public Library. It is my home. It is your literary edifice. It is leaking! That is certainly a very good reason to attend the Haunted Forest, Oct. 19 – 20 & 26-27 6:30 – 10pm. It is being held now 2 ½ miles east of Pine River off State Hwy 84. There will be spider signs posted along the path to direct your passage. The proceeds will help put our library building to rights.

There is another, deeper reason to attend. It is for the pure adventure of the thing. I quote from “The Invitation” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. “It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive…”

Scare yourselves a little. Take a risk. Traipse around in the dark for fun, “…for the adventure of being alive.” If you need more information, call Cleo (218-587-3996).

I remain, hidden in my haunted lair,

-Browser, the black library cat.

Printed in the Pine River Journal Oct. 18, 2007

Haunted forest seeks participants

Greetings ghostly, ghastly ghouls.
This is alliteration, on the off chance you didn’t know. “…the repetition of usu. initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables…” Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary says so and I believe them. It is also a suitable seasonal salutation. And it is Pine River Public Library and the Friends of the Pine River Library’s absolute favorite as seasons go. (You would not believe all the spooky stuff stashed in Muriel’s cellar!) As a result of all this festive frenzy, Friends of the Pine River Library are once again hosting The Haunted Forest, October 19 – 20 and 26 – 27 from 6:30 to 10 PM at State 84 and County Road 44 in Pine River. Individuals and groups are invited to decorate and operate a fright scene. The deadline for entering is October 10. Cash prizes will be awarded! And now the disclaimer: Friends committee has final say as to scene content. No decapitated cats, please. I, as a committee member in good standing, might become enraged, or at least mortally, morally miffed. If you are interested, or become interested in the next few days, contact either the calculating Cleo (587-3996) or inimitable Muriel (587-4639).

Hope you have a horribly happy Halloween.
-Browser, the library cat.

Printed in the Pine River Journal Oct 4th, 2007

Explore the gift of learning to learn

Hello and greetings from your resident feline at Pine River Public Library.

Our library wants your input. Please go into the library and fill out the survey so that the Kitchigami Regional Library can know more about what they can do for you. Isn’t that nice?

The children – I do so love them – have made drawings on quilt squares that have been sewn into a truly marvelous quilt. (If you win it, can I please rest on it for a bit? There is even a drawing of me!) We are asking for donations for a chance to win this amazing quilt. The proceeds will go to next summer’s Summer Reading Program. Stop by The Pine River Public Library and look what the children created.

I consider myself rather erudite for a pussy cat. Erudition is a learned thing. Even cats must learn language in order to communicate. I am also a philosopher, and as I must from time to time, I will share my philosophy with you, my trusted readers. School is beginning. This is not a prison camp or a daycare center where children go during the day. It is a precious gift, this learning. Oddly, one must learn to learn. This, primarily, is the purpose of school. To teach children to learn. This lesson includes the invaluable gift of learning to find out things for ones self. It is freeing for a young person to be able to rely on self to locate answers to his or her questions. If you have never heard a child exclaim, “Guess what I found out today!” you missed the ultimate in the human experience. Parents, this is a gentle way of explaining why it is so important to let your children do their own schoolwork. Help them if they need help, for you are their parents and that is your job, but allow them the exhilaration of finding out things for themselves. Muriel and her staff at the library will happily provide gentle guidance when needed. I will now quote the passage about children from “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran, because it is beautiful:

And a woman who held a babe against
Her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s
longing for itself.
They come through you but not from
you, and though they are with you yet they
belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not
your thoughts,
for they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not
their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even
in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek
not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries
with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path
of the infinite, and He bends you with His
might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand
be for gladness;
for even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Your children are your future. Take very good care of them.
I remain,

Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal September 13, 2007

Christmas gift ideas at the library

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? No!!? It’s already August. I have a really wonderful suggestion. The Scholastic Book Fair is being held at your Pine River Public Library from August 7 through the 11 during normal library hours. One stop shopping. There are plenty of books for young people, but most of the time they have something for everybody. I remember from past years. You wanted to go to the library anyway, didn’t you?

And whatever did happen to Harry Potter? The last book, Deathly Hallows came out July 21st. A dozen children came to the library with their sleeping bags and jammies to listen to the book on CD’s that Saturday night. I was there. I know. They had a great time. Still, because it is such a long book, I only heard part of it. I still don’t know how it ended. Will somebody please read it and tell me?

When was the last time you came to the library? Have you seen the CHAIR? “Adirondack” chair to be precise. (“The mountains often included by geographers in the Appalachian Mountains, but they are geologically more similar to the Laurentian Mountains of Canada. They are bordered on the east by Lake Champlain and Lake George, which separate them from the Green Mountains in Vermont. They are bordered to the south by the Mohawk Valley and to the west by the Tug Hill Plateau, separated by the Black River. This region is south of the St. Lawrence River.” en.wikipedia.org) That tells you where the chairs originated. The library is where you can donate $5.00 to get your name in the drawing for our beautiful hand-made example. The drawing is September 1.


Now for the best part! You can get something for nothing at your library. It’s public, after all. Your new library cards are ready with the new logo. They haven’t been through the laundry yet or lost under the seat with all the fast food wrappers or reshaped in your wallet or lost in the bottom of your purse. They are new! Come get yours.
Until next time, I remain…






-Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 2 August 2007

Welcome, Readers and people of other media.

“Go Bananas @ your library is the Summer Reading Program theme this year. The program is for kids in K to 12 grades. Check out all the happening at the library.”

This message comes from our illustrious head librarian, Muriel. It prompted me to research. You know how I am. Bananas are grown in 132 countries around the world. They are a major source of Vitamins A, B6 and C plus a good source of potassium. Here’s something I really didn't know: Bananas have been used in Japan since the 13th Century for the fabrication of textiles used in clothing. In Tibet banana fibers are used to weave rugs. (www.wikipedia.org) What is the point? You may ask. Save those banana peals. You could be wearing them. The Facts On File Dictionary Of Cliches suggests that the phrase “to go bananas” dates from the 1960’s.

While we’re on the subject of consuming, the annual Wine and Beer Tasting and Silent Auction is being held at Driftwood Resort on Thursday, June 14th, 7pm to 9pm. There will be a silent auction. I hear there are wonderful things being offered this year. That’s all very fine and good, but what about the consuming? I have heard, though this isn’t confirmed by me, personally, that the Driftwood Resort has a new chef who will be preparing the hors d’oeuvres!

A little closer to home – mine, of course – is the Annual Summerfest Book Sale. When? Guess!
Nah, I’ll tell you. I know there are a lot of people who wait with baited breath all year for this sale.
Friday, June 29th from 10am to 6pm. Saturday, June 30 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, July 1 from 10am to 2pm. Sunday is bargain day with everything going for $3.00/bag. See you there!

Browser, the library cat.

P.S. (this means “post script” or “after writing”): Those of you who wish to donate books, please do so during regular library hours and check with staff first. Please don’t leave them outside the library. Thanks.

Printed in the Pine River Journal June 14, 2007

Welcome, Spring!

Here’s a tribute I found surfing the net, something I like to do in the library off hours. (You’ve heard the story about animals talking at midnight on Christmas Eve? Well, not only is that entirely true, but some of us surf when nobody’s looking.)

For winter's rains and ruins are over,

And all the season of snows and sins;

The days dividing lover and lover,

The light that loses, the night that wins;

And time remembered is grief forgotten,

And frosts are slain and flowers begotten,

And in green underwood and cover

Blossom by blossom the spring begins.
Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837 – 1909)

That man certainly could write his poetry! Some day I hope to take it up as well. Not today, though. Today I must let you know about a few Press Releases issued by Kitchigami Regional Library.

1. The NoveList database of adult and children’s fiction is a wonderful tool for avid readers. It is available to registered library users from home, work, school or at any branch of Kitchigami Regional Library. Over the past year is has become the most frequently used database in KRL’s branch libraries, with more than 70,000 searches done last year... There is now a link from any title to the Kitchigami Regional Library catalog. Users can find out if the library owns a copy and place a request on it in one easy step. Just check the left hand column for the Check the Kitchigami Library Catalog and click on the button. It takes users right to the library’s catalog information on that title. Place a request for it and the library will let you know when it’s available for you.

2. The world of information available at the Pine River Library is bigger than ever. We now offer the web-based investment resource, Value Line. An independent research staff of investment analysts collected data on and analyzes the performance of over 8,000 stocks, 13,000 mutual funds and 80,000 other securities. A variety of investors will find it a wonderful source of objective and reliable information. Individuals, investment clubs – almost anyone will benefit from the information and educational materials in th is information source and its daily updates.

3. HeritageQuest Online is the first stop for online genealogy research. It includes the U.S. Census 1790 – 1930, a huge catalog of local history books, revolutionary war files and an index to magazine articles about family history. KRL cardholders can access this database from home, school or work.
Ancestry Library Edition is the largest and most comprehensive online genealogy resource available. It includes over 4,000 databases with 4 billion names. It also includes census data, maps, and military, immigration and DAR records. This resource is only available on public computers at any branch of Kitchigami Regional Library.

WOWEE! Lots going on, isn’t there? The days may be getting longer and the weather more beautiful, but on those much needed rainy days, get on that computer! Out for a walk in the spring air? Stop in at Pine River Public Library and check on some of this stuff. You could also view some really lovely art work on our walls and our display of kites. Who doesn’t love kites?

Until next time,
The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933) One would think he lived in Pine River!
By the way, today’s poetry comes from http://www.infoplease.com/
-Browser, the library cat.

Printed in the Pine River Journal May 17, 2007

Kitchigami Branches Provide Wireless Access!

Hail! Citizens all.
The Pine River Public Library has gone wireless. Is that at all like “unplugged”? Seems like it should be. That being the case, the first thing that comes to mind is “Unplugged” by Lois Grieman . After that, the wonderful missive, “Unplugged!: the bare facts on toilets through the ages/ Anna Ciddor” by, of course, Anna Ciddor and “Unplugged Kitchen: a return to the simple, authentic joys of cooking” by Viana La Place. Music? Sure. “Shakira, MTV unplugged” or “MTV unplugged EP” with Mariah Carey, or the very best, “Unplugged/ Eric Clapton”. Where, you might wonder, do I get all this information? Why, krls.org in the catalog section. All of this and more is available through your regional library. Just think of a title, an author, or a keyword and plug it in…The results will astound you.

But I digress. Actually, wireless has little and everything to do with unplugged. I received an email from Muriel, branch manager of the Pine River Public Library with the following news release:

Computer users at the Pine River Library now have another way to access the Internet. All branches of Kitchigami Regional Library now provide wireless access within the library.

Public demand for wireless access has increased over the last year. Muriel says, “For example, people who are taking courses or writing reports found our Internet access too restricted. Our library has a limited number of computers available for an hour or less. Now people can bring their laptops to the library and have the extended Internet access that they need – as long as their laptop has a wireless card in it.” Muriel also says that wireless users must agree to follow Kitchigami Regional Library Internet policies before their wireless connection is activated.

Of course you are now wondering how it is that I have email, and can you actually communicate with me using it. Naturally! Simply write to me at pineriver@krls.org and put “to Browser” in the subject line. I’ll get it. Have any questions? Comments? Suggestions? Let me know!

And lastly, don’t forget to file your taxes. Forms are available in the lobby of the library and patrons can still go to www.irs.gov to download any forms we don’t have or any information they may need. Better get right on that. It’s getting pretty close to spring-like weather and you aren’t going to want to be indoors with a pencil and eraser and calculator, chewing your finger nails – or claws, whichever the case may be.

Until next time,
I remain,
-Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 29 March 2007

VISITING WITH FRIENDS

Brutus from Center Point Large Print came to visit the library this year. Here Browser is having a nice visit with Brutus. To see what Libraries Brutus has all ready visited, go to: http://www.centerpointlargeprint.com/ and click on Brutus.

Browser recovers from illness with literature

My dear friends and neighbors,

I find myself infirmed. (Je trouvaille moi-même malade.)
I thank all of you in advance for your many cards and letters wishing me a quick recovery. That address, again, if you have peut-être forgotten, is:

Browser
Pine River Public Library
PO Box 14
Pine River, MN 56474

My usual physician est des vacances. Actually, he is not on vacation at all, but rather is aller à l'école (attending school) in sunny Florida. I was thus escorted to Staples for a visit with the local docteur animal in that fair town. The outing was tres cher ($$). Without seeming too indelicate, contributions of quelques pièces de monnaie (a few coins) would be greatly appreciated.

You have, peut-etre, heard the term “excuse my French”? “…Please excuse the strong language. Exactly why French should mean ‘bad language’ is not known, but this usage dates from the late 1800’s. Eric Partridge speculated that the phrase was picked up by British soldiers in France during World War I and was first recorded during this period. However, given that language such as the F-word has become commonplace in popular entertainment and public life, this cliché is probably obsolescent, if not obsolete...“ (The Facts On File Dictionary of Cliches by Christine Ammer) I think of French as a beautiful and graceful language. Since my illness I have been doing a great deal of reading, since I can do little else. Ah, the classics! Jules Verne (1828-1905), Victor Hugo (1802-1885), or my personal favorite, Albert Camus (1913-1960), 1957 Noble Laureate for Literature.

Perhaps you have been reading as well. Did you know that the (“chaud lit pendant des nuits froides”) Hot Reads For Cold Nights has once again débuté. This is naturellement, the adult reading program. Mugs, this year, are tres joli! I hope Muriel saves one for me. (You weren’t expecting poetry, were you? I did mention, did I not, that I have been reading? I am nothing if not littéraire.) But enough of this foolishness. In plain English, Mugs will be given out for those reading 15 books in 3 months, starting January 1 and ending March 31. One mug per patron and sign up sheets can be picked up here at the library.

Here’s wishing you a very pleasant reading experience. With special thanks to world.altavista.com and their Babel Fish Translations, I remain,
Browser, the library cat


















Published in the Pine River Journal Feb. 1, 2007

Happy New Year

Italian Buon Capo d'Anno, Japanese Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu, Norwegian Godt Nyttår, Pilipino (Tagalog) Maligayang Bagong Taon, Polish Szczesliwego Nowego roku, Portuguese Feliz ano novo, Romanian La Multi Ani , Russian S Novym Godom, Spanish Feliz Año Nuevo, Sudanese Wilujeng Tahun Baru, Swedish Gott Nytt År, Turkish Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun, Welsh Blwyddyn Newydd Dda (Try pronouncing that one. I actually have very little trouble with it. There must be many erudite cats among the Welsh.)

There are other language choices, of course. Most countries want to wish everybody a Happy New Year! I do rather like Chinese (Cantonese): Gung hay fat choy, a New Year greeting meaning, "May you become prosperous." (www.enchantedlearning.com)

Where did I find all these marvelous translations? I regularly surf the web looking for information on things like tuna and salmon and other things that might be of some use in my articles. This brings me, in a round about way, to my next subject; that of the cookbook written by Sharon Corbin. Many of you may remember my very deal friend, Don. He was a librarian assistant at our Pine River Public Library. I have Don to thank for my years of comfort and friendship at the library. Don promised Muriel many years ago that he would clean out the litter box if she would let me stay. He may not remember this, but I certainly do. Thanks, Don! But I digress. Don’s wife, Sharon, has written a cookbook. While surfing the web the other night, I found just the biographical information for which I was searching:

“… Sharon Corbin’s roots in northern Minnesota go back many years when her parents, Kenneth and Katherine Peterson were charter members of the Faith Lutheran Church in Swanburg, Minnesota. Sharon moved to Crosslake as a permanent resident in 1999 after vacationing on Stark lake, Trout lake, Woman lake and Little Pine lake for many years. As a child she was interested in cooking and has collected recipes all of her life. It finally came time to convert the scraps of paper and old 3 by 5 recipe cards to a more organized format. So she converted the dream into actually writing a cookbook of her own using many of her favorite recipes over the years. Over a period of almost two years Sharon selected, re-wrote and clarified the hand written scribbles and notes into a marvelous collection of family and friends favorites…” (http://www.cookbooksforsale.com/)

But the compelling information does not stop there. Certainly not! The featured recipe on this particular website is none other than Halibut Lasagna, which the site claims is Sharon’s favorite recipe. Right on, Sharon! Find this and other wonderful recipes in Sharon’s book, “Crosslake Cooking”. We have a copy at the library, of course. If you wish to own your personal copy, order it online or ask Muriel at the library. I am pretty sure you can get one signed by Sharon. My friend and co-author, Cora, purchased several for gifts during the holiday season. Each was signed by Sharon. She – Cora – tells me that the gifts were received with great enthusiasm.

In closing, Aide shoma mobarak! (Happy New Year in Farsi, no less.)

-Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 1/4/07

Fa-la-la: Christmas is a time for feasting

It is that time of year again. Which time? You may ask. Dare I call it Christmas? If I recall from recent readings, it is no longer politically correct to call it Christmas. Okay. Fine. I am about to embark on what some might call “editorial comment”. Let it not be said that I have no opinions. (Incidentally, these opinions do not in any way reflect the views of anybody but me and my sometime helper.) During the mid-winter season, cultures for as far back as anybody can remember have had a festival of lights. The winter solstice was marked. It was and is a time to come indoors. The night is dark, cold and long. Inside the candles are lit. A large log is placed on the fire. For centuries it has been called a Yule log. …”To all Europeans, the Yule Log was believed to bring beneficial magic and was kept burning for at least twelve hours and sometimes as long as twelve days, warming both the house and those who resided within…” (wikipedia.org) It is the Yuletide. The word comes from the Scandinavian word, “Jol”, a forshortening of another name for the god, Odin. This tradition stood the test of time and became part of the Christmas celebration throughout Europe. Have I lost you yet? My point is that it is the Yuletide season. We have called it “Christmas” for a very long time. For those who choose, this name has religious significance. For others, it is a name for a season of warmth, lights, feasting, and giving. I like that. I have no quarrel with any of that, but especially not with the part about warmth and feasting. (For more information about Yule Logs and their tradition, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_log) Now for the giving part:

The library has a donation box for non-perishable items to give to the local food shelf. The library will be taking donations until December 22. At all times of year, giving to those less fortunate is very important. I know I never want for food, but there are kitties who do. This is especially difficult during the winter months. At this season of giving let us give a gift of food so that others may feast as well. (You knew I’d mention feasting, didn’t you?)

Again this year the Pine River Library is asking for Giving Tree donations. For each donation of $25 an ornament with your name will be hung on the tree at the library. Money raised through this will help purchase new books for the library. Gift tags will be placed in the books purchased. Personally, I’m terribly fond of the tree and its gift tags. Very festive. Yuletide spirit.

Take home a little Browser for Christmas! (No, I didn’t have kittens.) Browser key rings are on sale now at the Pine River Library. Each little cat is dressed in a T-shirt with my name on it. These make great stocking stuffers for all my fans. That would be nearly everybody. The cost of this family treasure is a mere $6.00.

Merry….Yuletide.
Your friend,
-Browser, the library cat

Posted in the Pine River Journal December 7, 2006

Little Browsers available soon at the library

Little Browser key rings will soon be available at the library.

Happy Birthday, Browser!

Winter again, you say? Actually, far from it. Winter doesn’t actually start until December. Who thought that one up? I wonder. Obviously this is a fallacious fabrication of folks from Florida. (I love alliteration, don’t you?) In Minnesota where the real people and other creatures live, winter is with us always. It is either imminent or a recent memory. We are either preparing for it or cleaning up after it. It’s time to go looking for that pair of gloves you used in the garden that double as winter wear. It’s time go find anything in the yard you might want to see before May! I have a few of those things myself. I doubt, however, that Muriel would
enjoy my bringing them into the library.

Speaking of the library and bringing things, I have just had another birthday. It was randomly selected by Muriel. She calls it September 30th. My personal opinion is that it should be October 31st! What black cat wouldn’t want to be born on Halloween? An appropriate selection. I would always have a party. I love parties. Everybody notices me. I like being noticed. Since I couldn’t select my own birthday and since it has now passed, please come by the library and wish me a belated birthday. (Tuna is always an appropriate gift for belated birthdays. Consider this when you’ve missed your Aunt Lucy’s birthday once again…) While you’re there, peruse the new art work on the walls. Those lovely people of the Pine River Art Club have been decorating again. I have not noticed a preponderance of paintings of black cats, however. I have suggested this before, but wouldn’t it be grand to see our library walls filled with portraits of yours truly? Of course!
(Perhaps you would drop Muriel a note suggesting a contest? She works well under pressure!)

And speaking of Halloween, don’t forget the Haunted Forest. The dates, again, are Friday and Saturday, October 20-21 and October 27-28. The times are 6:30pm to 10:00pm.

This winter the library is offering classes on how to use the library computers. Both Kitchicat and MNLink, The Minnesota Library Information Network, will be addressed in separate classes. Stay tuned for dates for these, or if your interested let the staff know and they will put your name down. I’m pretty sure they’ll let me know and I’ll let you know. See, I told you winter is a constant thing in Minnesota! Already we’re talking about inter classes.

When winter is imminent, sit back and enjoy a good book!

Yours truly,
-Browser, your library cat

Posted in the Pine River Journal Oct 19,2006

I Bet I'll Like 'Animal Dreams'

Finally those book club people are reading something that makes sense to me! It’s called “Animal Dreams”. Now there’s a title I can fit into my lexicon. Perhaps it’s about an entire baked fish left for me on the floor of the library. Maybe it’s about thousands of little chirping birdies flying around inside the library. Or 50 children each trailing pieces of yarn behind them, running through the library trying to play with me. I wonder if Barbara Kingsolver would write about things like that. I had better consult Amazon.com and get a preview:

“Codi Noline returns to the sleepy mining town of Grace, Arizona, to care for her father, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It is a bad time for her: disappointed in her personal life, she has closed down her emotions in defense against a heart that cares too easily. "I had quietly begun to hope for nothing at all in the way of love, so as not to be disappointed," she muses. In Grace, she finds friends, allies, and a love that endures…” Amazon gives it 4 stars, but I see nothing about any fish or birds or yarn. Alas, this is yet another people book. The club will be meeting September 20 at 5:30pm.

For you younger people, school has once again started. This means I will be seeing you less often during the early hours of the day. I will sorely miss you. Still, come often, even if it’s later in the day. By the way, for some of you an assignment will be arising soon. It has to do with the state of Minnesota. Here is something to remember. The girl or guy behind you in class will get to the library before you do and will check out all the books about Minnesota, write the paper, put the books on the dining room table to return, and promptly forget about them. I know this because I have seen many panicked faces at our library frantically looking for some copy of an encyclopedia beginning with the letter “M”. Moral? Get there early. Let the other guy or girl panic! Also, remember to return your books so others have a shot at finishing their assignment.

With the beginning of school come thoughts of autumn. What fun holiday falls in fall!? My personal favorite is Halloween. A black cat is featured in this holiday. That would be me. This year The Friends of the Pine River Library are sponsoring a contest. They want groups to decorate and operate “Fright Stations” at the Haunted Forest Fundraising Event. The dates are October 20-21 and October 27-28. Booths will be voted on by the public. That could be “you”, or, on the other hand, you could be competing for cash prizes. These will be awarded November 1, 2006. First place is $150. Second place is $75. Third place is $50. Call my friend, Cleo Kinnunen for details. She’s pretty important at the library. I know, because she’s here a lot.



Until next time, I remain
Your friend,
-Browser, the library cat.

Posted in the Pine River Journal Sept. 14, 2006

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Book Club Alert!

BOOK CLUB ALERT!

This could mean many things. Lets examine it from a few perspectives…
Book: 1. A set of pages fastened on one side and enclosed between protective covers.
2. The Bible.
3. A volume for recording financial transactions.
4. A record of bets placed on a race.
5. To record charges against a person on a police blotter.
6. To arrange for in advance (as an airline ticket).

Club: 1. A heavy stick of wood used as a weapon.
2. A stick used to his a ball in certain games: ie. bat.
3. One of a suit of playing cards marked with a black figure shaped like a clover leaf.
4. A group of persons organized together for a common purpose.

Alert: 1. Vigilantly attentive: observant.
2. Mentally perceptive and responsive: quick.
3. Lively or brisk.
4. A warning signal of danger or attack.
5. To inform.
6. To warn.

Let the games begin! See how many ways you can arrange these simple words using synonyms indicated by the definitions listed above. Isn’t language fun? At least from my purrospective.

Meanwhile, let me tell you about the approaching Pine River Library Book Club meeting.
It is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th at 5:30pm. The topic will be “Three Junes” by Julia Glass.
“…This narrative of the McLeod family during three vital summers is rich with implications about the bonds and stresses of kin and friendship, the ache of loneliness and the cautious tendrils of renewal blossoming in unexpected ways. Glass depicts the mysterious twists of fate and cosmic (but unobtrusive) coincidences that bring people together, and the self-doubts and lack of communication that can keep them apart, in three fluidly connected sections in which characters interact over a decade…”

Happy reading.
-Browser, the library cat.

Printed in the Pine River Journal, August 10th, 2006

Browser's Library Lore for July 20th 2006

Greetings, fellow bibliophiles.
“I Pledge Allegiance to the flag…” Did you know, “Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist. In his Pledge, he is expressing the ideas of his first cousin, Edward Bellamy, author of the American socialist utopian novels, Looking Backward (1888) and Equality (1897).”? To find out more, check our wonderful collection of books at our library or one of three computer terminals.
This is relevant because The American Legion Fraser Nelson Post 613 has given the Pine River Public Library a new flag, replacing the much tattered former one. Thank you so much.

The Wine and Beer tasting was a great success, by the way. Thank you to Driftwood Lodge and thank you to Kim from Ultimate Liquors in Pine River, for making this event such a grand one. I didn’t get to go, of course. I prefer cream. I understand, though, that those who did attend enjoyed it enormously. [How about an ice cream social next time? No? But why not?]

The library book club met July 5 and discussed the book “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult. There were six attendees who talked a lot. I know this. I have not read this particular book, however, so I was unable to participate. The next book the club will be reading is “Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. It begins, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975..."
About the author:
“Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1965. He is the oldest of five children and his mother was a teacher of Farsi and History at a large girls high school in Kabul. In 1976, Khaled’s family was relocated to Paris, France, where his father was assigned a diplomatic post in the Afghan embassy. The assignment would return the Hosseini family in 1980, but by then Afghanistan had already witnessed a bloody communist coup and the Soviet invasion. Khaled’s family, instead, asked for and was granted political asylum in the U.S. He moved to San Jose, CA, with his family in 1980. He attended Santa Clara University and graduated from UC San Diego School of Medicine. He has been in practice as an internist since 1996. He is married, has two children (a boy and a girl, Haris and Farah). The Kite Runner is his first novel.”

The summer reading program is rolling right along, as is the summer. Seems it happens every year like this. Just when I get used to being outside summer leaves again. A little pun there. Did you catch it? But I digress…There are only three weeks remaining. Keep up the good work.

Until next time,
I remain,
-Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal July 20th, 2006

Time for a nap!

The book sale is all set up! Now time for a good long nap!

Checking out the titles at the booksale

Wonder if there are any titles with cat in them.