Have you finished your baking yet?

Greetings, friends and neighbors and patrons all,

I am delighted that the winter season of lights is upon us. I absolutely adore the holiday adornments. I always have. They give me a variety of items with which to dally, often to Muriel's dismay.

Here is, however, a phrase I hear repeatedly here at the Pine River Public Library, usually uttered by the female of the human species, "Have you finished your baking yet?" "What" I ask myself "does this mean?" According to http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/baking, this means, "...ardent, blistering, boiling, broiling, burning, fiery, heated, red-hot, roasting, scalding, scorching, searing, sizzling, sultry, sweltering, torrid."

I have studied these women both fleetingly and with blatant stares, and I see absolutely no signs of scalding, scorching, or any other form of burning. Apparently it is simply a human expression of greeting during this holiday season.

After you are finished scorching yourself, humans all, January is a time for drinking from mugs after reading 15 books. Yes, indeed, the library's Adult Winter Reading Program begins in January and ends on the final day of February. Pine River Library's theme this year is "Curl Up With A Good Book." After reading 15 books and delivering your list to the library, you will receive a mug. Limit of two per person.

Note the picture of the mug in question:

Recognize that handsome creature on said mug? One small thing, though. What constitutes a "good" book? I have no answer for this. Perhaps you do?

In addition to the above, there are a few changes for 2009 here at Pine River Library.
1. Now in place is a limit of audio and video materials a person may check out. Limit of 7 each. You may mix tapes and CD's and mix videos and DVD's to equal 7.

2. Patrons may now renew material over the phone or online. Renewal is for one time only per item as long as the item is not on the waiting list, a high demand material, best seller or book club in a bag. Renewal of books can be done within 7 days of due date. Other materials can be renewed within 4 days of due date.

3. New hours, once again because of budget cuts. Hours remain the same, the exception being Monday 1-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Confused? Check our hours on krls.org under library hours.

In conclusion, may I say, "Have you finished your baking yet?"

-Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 17 Dec 2008