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Spring Peepers Freeze Three Times Before Spring

Posted on Friday, March 4, 2022 by MaggieM

A small, pinkish brown frog with a the large sack under its chin inflated to sing.
Photo credit: Missouri Department of Conservation

I recently learned a new-to-me Missouri saying, “the spring peepers freeze three times before it’s spring.”

At our house this year, we first heard the bright calls of these well-known frogs on a warm moist evening about three weeks ago. We knew the forecast called for the temperature to drop precipitously overnight, with the rain changing to sleet and then snow. The peepers did not seem to know this. They were silent the next night, and a good thing because the world was covered in six inches of snow. Continue reading “Spring Peepers Freeze Three Times Before Spring”

Read The Recipe! Vol. 6

Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 by Jason Delpire

Cooking hacks. We’ve all seen them on various social media sites, and we’ve all been lured to watching a video proclaiming to save time or simplify an overly-complicated technique. In my opinion, some hacks are just trying to sell us gadgets for specific tasks. Whenever I see a hack video or a gadget ad, I think of Rene Russo’s character from “Tin Cup.” When we meet her character, she’s laden with a variety of junk that’s supposed to make her a better golfer, but instead it just confuses and complicates the process. I think time-tested versatile techniques are vastly more useful than so-called hacks (but, if you’ve read anything I’ve written previously, you probably could have guessed that would be my opinion). Though, to be fair, there are some tricks kitchen folk use, but these are usually to avoid moving from our prep station or to avoid clutter, and not to magically complete a task. Continue reading “Read The Recipe! Vol. 6”

Finding Your Joy in Winter

Posted on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 by Abbey Rimel

If you pay attention to your library, you’ve learned by now that we provide books, movies, music and scads of vetted information through databases. One thing you may not immediately think of when you think of the library is personal fulfillment. A pandemic can do a lot to suck the joy out of everyday life and we’re here to help you recapture some small measure of enjoyment. This winter, squeeze some peace, calm and personal enrichment into your day, compliments of your library.

Join a Poetry Group

Books, Roses, Flowers, Mug, Cup, Table

I’m not a poet, but I’ve co-hosted a poetry open mic before and it’s an amazing, cathartic and warm experience. The poets who join us are always supportive and encouraging of each other. The poetry always comes from the heart and I come away inspired to find new ways to express my own feelings and experiences through words. Most importantly, I learn that caring, thoughtful people are all around me and it makes me feel better about the world.

Take a chance on the upcoming Virtual Open Mic Poetry Reading on Tuesday, February 22 at 7-8 p.m. Join us live viz Zoom at this open mic event co-hosted with the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild. Share your own original poems, or just listen and enjoy. Register to watch: www.dbrl.org/open-mic. If you’d like to be a reader, please also sign up at http://dbrl.me/rp. We will have a limit of 12 readers.

 

Explore Your Creative Side

Painting, Pencils, Paint, Pens

I’m also not much of an artist, but I’ve always really enjoyed entering the “flow state” with paper and pencil or brush and canvas. With art, there are no rules, only guidelines. It’s very freeing to mix your own colors, draw your own lines and create a world straight from your own mind.

If you need a little jump start, why not sign up for the upcoming Winter Paint-Along on Thursday, February 17? The session is in person and runs 6:30-8 p.m. in the Friends Room of the Columbia Public Library. Join Lisa Franko from Access Arts for an enjoyable evening of guided painting. Ms. Franko will lead you through the basic techniques of acrylic painting. All supplies provided, and beginners and all skill levels welcome. This program is for adults and teens, and masks will be required. You can register here: www.dbrl.org/paint-along. The Callaway County branches at Fulton (February 22) and Holt’s Summit (February 24) will feature the same program, led by librarian Lisa Stock, later this month.

 

Family Game Night

Board Game, Settlers Of Catan, Game

Family. You live with these people. Your relationship has weathered some of the worst days you’ve ever known and you’re still working your way through every day together. Let’s celebrate with some fun and games! Dust off your Monopoly or Risk game, pop a little popcorn and gather round! If your family also happens to be into chess, make sure you tune in for Chess: Opening Moves on Tuesday, February 8 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This event will be live via Zoom and it will be led by experienced chess player Jason Delpire, who will discuss the opening, why masters make certain decisions and how to decide on your first moves. Intended for players who know chess notation, though there will be a quick refresher. This program is for those ages 10 and older. Register here: www.dbrl.org/chess.

 

Explore Fiber Arts with Creative Bug

crocheted donut with yarn and crochet hook on pink background

Whether it’s knitting, crochet, weaving or sewing, CreativeBug has a course for you — and it’s all free with your library card! Beginners and experienced crafters alike will find projects and how-to videos for a wide range of fiber arts. I can’t imagine anything better than a nice knit pair of mittens as a lovely Valentine’s gift, or just an everyday way to say “I care.” As a fair knitter and a halfway decent crocheter, I love the sense of satisfaction I get after completing a cute little baby hat or a handy little pouch to keep special mementos. Find your next project today!

 

Plan Your Spring Garden

Vegetables, Basket, Vegetable Basket

You know it’s coming, but sometimes the darker days of winter can all but erase memories of spring. Break out of the doldrums and break out the seed catalogs! Browse the library catalog for garden inspiration. We’ve got great ideas for vegetable and flower gardeners alike!

 

 

 

While I’m not a Pollyanna, I am relentlessly hopeful that the library can make a difference for our community by showing them that there are little bright spots in the world, no matter how cold or dark winter may be. Keep looking for them and we’ll all be there together when the sun shines on us in the spring!

Crafternoon-To-Go: Adult Relaxation Kits

Posted on Monday, January 31, 2022 by cs

Making time to relax is hard — particularly with the grays and browns of winter surrounding us, dark evenings, dealing with the pandemic and all of the other tasks that make demands on our lives. As part of our Winter Reading Program, our kits this month are designed to help you relax. We have included an easy coaster-making craft for your favorite beverage, lavender sachets, adult coloring pages/colored pencils, a link to free relaxation music and some beginning instructions on meditation.

These kits will be available while they last in all of our branches on Friday, February 4. You may pick them up at the second floor reference desk at the Columbia library and near the service desks at our other branches. You can try these library resources for more assistance in helping you relax. We hope this helps you make time for yourself.

 

 

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Crochet: Knitting’s Less Popular Sister

Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 by The Biblio-Buckaroo

It’s a new year and it’s cold outside! It’s a good time to pick up a crochet hook and some wooly yarn and get cozy. Whether crochet is new to you or you have a stash of yarn that you have neglected, there are a lot of fun projects, with different levels of difficulty, to dive into. Is crochet as popular as knitting? It is not. Judging by the ratio of knitting books to crochet books in the library’s collection, crochet is mayyybe half as popular. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its charms. For example, you don’t have to count stitches, you use one hook instead of two needles and who doesn’t love a groovy 1970s granny square afghan? Continue reading “Crochet: Knitting’s Less Popular Sister”

New Horse Books

Posted on Friday, January 14, 2022 by MaggieM

close-up picture of a mule's nose
Take some time this winter to get a new perspective on your equine. Pictured is the author’s mule, Mikey.

We recently added several horse-related books to our collection! Check them out to give you a fresh perspective on your equine friends and partners.

Winter is a great time to slow down and try something new with the equines in your life. As my horse (and mule) and I get older, I’ve found a lot of satisfaction, joy and success in learning more about the mind of the horse and the mechanics of their bodies.

Even if you’re not a horse owner or active equestrian, if you love and are fascinated by horses, you may find might find some of the training books interesting. Continue reading “New Horse Books”

Indoor Plants

Posted on Friday, December 31, 2021 by Reading Addict

reddish pink flower blooming“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” — Lady Bird Johnson

We recently packed up our daughter (and her 30+ plants!) to move to the far edge of the country for college. It has been an emotional time for all of us and we have definitely felt a hole in our home. Both my husband and I have found a strange connection with her through houseplants. We have found ourselves enabling her in her quest for more and more plants while simultaneously trying to fill the space she left with more plants. It’s our way of trying to stay connected without hovering. Continue reading “Indoor Plants”

Resolutions

Posted on Monday, December 27, 2021 by MaggieM

The most common resolutions in our country are exercise more, lose weight, get organized and get finances under control. If these are the goals that call to you, then come to the library. We have tons of books about each of these.

I like the idea of resolutions that make my life feel fuller or richer. Check out this list of books to inspire resolutions. Whatever your plans for 2022, we probably have resources that can help you. Here are a few ideas:

book cover loving sportsbook cover: the 80/80 marriagebook cover" badass habitsbook cover: the home edit

Continue reading “Resolutions”

TBT When the Web Was a Place

Posted on Friday, December 24, 2021 by Nathan F

White text on blue DOS computer screen with ascii art of a whole apple and welcome message for "COIN" the Columbia Online Information Network

“When was the internet a good time for you?” I posed this very unscientific question to a few coworkers around the library. A Gen Xer, who only really got online around 2009 (but clarified they’re “not a Luddite”) said around that time, when Googling became second nature and Facebook was still new and not yet a source of FOMO. A fellow millennial said the early 2000s, instant messaging on AOL with middle school friends and perusing MySpace. One baby boomer I spoke to said it was after  upgrading to broadband from dial-up, uploading photos to Flickr and trading music (CDs and LPs) with fellow fans online. Another boomer said, actually, now and during the pandemic, which gave her an excuse to reconnect with friends around their shared hobby/passion for art. Continue reading “TBT When the Web Was a Place”

Read The Recipe! Vol. 4

Posted on Thursday, December 23, 2021 by Jason Delpire

butterbut squash dish

The New Year is nearly upon us and with the changing of the calendar comes motivation to set goals and improve oneself. With this in mind, I have finally agreed with my partner that a move toward eating less meat is in order. So, my focus was on vegetarian cookbooks.

This month, I looked at two books in particular. “Greenfeast: Autumn, Winter” (there is a companion volume “Greenfeast: Spring, Summer”) by Nigel Slater (you may recognize the name, he has written some amazing cookbooks and is a long-time food writer; there was even a movie made from his memoirs) and “Everyday Vegetarian,” by Jane Hughes. Though I did not yet make anything from the Everyday Vegetarian book, I did read through it and noted dishes I will make in the future. I quickly became enamored with “Greenfeast.” Continue reading “Read The Recipe! Vol. 4”