Monday morning the cleaners came so I got out of their way. I had dropoffs for the food pantry about which more later, then pickups at the library, so I stayed there.
When I found that the newer Brideshead Revisited had Emma Thompson playing Lady M, much better casting than the earlier miniseries with Claire Bloom, I decided to borrow it. Monday night at the movies.
The other pickup was
This inspired piece of writing, which I found out about on Sue from Suffolk's blog, thank you.
It's very engaging and I've already borrowed a couple of her book recommendations for my Kindle. She'd disapprove of this, preferring to be surrounded by actual books and handling them, even ones she's had for years and will definitely read one day.
And convent schooled ladies (!) will recognize this way to hold a book. Never press a thumb into the spine, gels!
Whenever I pick up a book I hear Mother Monica's Irish landowner sharp, loud, voice.. I daren't hold it any other way.
I used to be in a postgraduate course long ago with a Susan Hill and have often wondered if it's the same one. Turns out not, so it's not six degrees after all.
Outside the library, in the square where the fountain is located, they've been digging and tearing all summer and we're finally being let in on what they're up to. The fountain will move but will be there.
All kinds of fun big toys, some for picking up paving looking like hippos biting it and slinging it on a growing heap. There are also humble spades and rakes, I was surprised to see.
My walk today was around the square, dodging traffic because the sidewalks are gone for now.
Back home I realized that the food pantry can also use condiments and I thought I had a lot of turmeric accidentally over-ordered, and many malt vinegar packets, same reason.
I did indeed have extras and checked the expiration date on the turmeric. Oh. 2022. I was pretty sure it was more recent. I can still use it, it's vacuum sealed and good quality, but I can't donate it.
The many little packets of malt vinegar, serving sizes, are fine, and confectioner's sugar. So Tuesday, when I'm on the way to my needlers group, I'll drop them off. Time flies when you order too much by accident.
I also have vital wheat gluten, kept frozen, but I can't donate it, it's also well past the date. I may add in whole wheat flour, though, which is definitely good.
Happy day everyone, some of us are a little past our expiration date but who's counting.
Not I, sez Flufferina
I was taught to hold a book open like that, but it was at a Methodist Parochial school I went to for first and second grade. I never heard why.
ReplyDeleteLooks like they are really putting in a nice courtyard remodel. It will be so nice when it is done! :)
I wonder if it's a religious thing?? I'll be glad when it's done. It was just fine before though, perfectly nice design. I think they're just making it easier maintenance, less grass, so I'm not very enthusiastic.
DeleteYou might enjoy Reading Lessons by Carol Atherton; an English teacher going through set books that she teaches in school (Great Expectations, An Inspector Calls, A Kestrel for a Knave, Lord of the Flies and many others) and musing on the relevance and importance of them for today's teenagers. Made me want to reread them, or read them for the first time.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting recommendation, noted, thank you.
DeleteSo glad I live in a house with cupboards always filled with items past their expiration dates. I fit right in.
ReplyDeleteDon't we all!
DeleteI used to hold books like that but arthritis in the thumb joints means I can't now, so I lay the book as flat as posible with a heavy flat whatever-is-handy to hold the pages down as I read. I love watching large machinery doing its job.
ReplyDeleteMy inner little kid watched the big diggers for a while, then got my pictures when they stopped for lunch.
DeleteIt was a productive day for you, one way and another. We have a lot of expired herbs and spices - don't quite know how it happens, but it does. They will still be used.
ReplyDeleteTime flies when you don't read the labels. I was amazed at how long I'd had the turmeric.
DeleteI have read a Susan Hill who wrote Simon Serrailler novels. Oh yes, I see now that it is the same Susan Hill.
ReplyDeleteShe's apparently a thriller writer, but you'd never know it from her way of discussing her books at home. Very conservative thinker, deplores trade unions!
DeleteI found the newer Brideshead disappointing. I loved the first one and I thought Claire Bloom played her role perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThe completion of the library square sounds exciting.
I just can't with Claire Bloom! Almost a chemical reaction to her smug expression..
DeleteThe square was already designed and beautiful, and a lot of us are annoyed at its destruction. They're replacing lovely grassy areas with rocks and paving, probably easier maintenance, growl, mutter, mutter.
I have that book in my To Be Read pile.
ReplyDeleteRegarding dates, you're right: time flies.
I think you'll like it, and I hope you let us know how it works for you. Time totally gallops now.
DeleteWhen I had to throw all my perishables out after the hurricane last year, those from refrigerator especially, I noticed that the dates were rather old. But I'd been eating that mayo and jelly just fine up till then. Spices may suffer with time however, but I go in spurts of using them or not...so they sit on the shelf for years!
ReplyDeleteSome of those dates I think are about getting you to buy faster!
DeleteIt occurs to me that I may or may not be past my expiration date but am definitely past my best-by date.
ReplyDeleteI just wish my branch library would get more books by authors I love. Their landscaping is fine. Native plants, mostly, and I approve.
My comment vanished. Our extension service does great with native species, and I wonder if they've been consulted with this latest upheaval. Can you request inter library loan of titles you like?
DeleteYes. I can do that. For some reason I always just expect some will be there.
DeleteI would have driven Mother Monica mad, I lay my books open, flat. I picked up three books from the library yesterday and hopefully one of them will be excellent, or at least good.
ReplyDeleteI usually clean out my pantry once a year and find all those old best before products that are expired, but not always. The freezer is the worst though. I think I'm on top of it and then I find something from three years ago.
I'd pay money to see a face off between you and her! I always think I'm using foods as I go, and I'm surprised when I actually read the tiny print. What are you reading?
DeleteI'm reading Susan Hill right now but I'm reading her Simon Serrailler mystery series. There's lots in that series so it will keep me going for awhile. ;)
ReplyDeleteHer book on reading is so different from her writing, entirely different and more classical taste, it's surprising.
DeleteI know I have some very old spices in the pantry. They may lose some flavor over time but overall I don't worry about it. Freezers are another story.
ReplyDeleteI just use more spice if the flavor is fading.
DeleteI am hearing that food pantries are being well used around here.
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad for anyone wondering where their next meal is coming from.
Cathy
Exactly. That's why I make the effort to share my boxes. At least I don't have that grinding worry, especially with children to feed.
DeleteNor I, says Catalyst.
ReplyDeleteDeal.
DeleteThe RC holds his book like that and then complains mightily when his hands cramp. I've never been able to work that way because my hands are too sore most of the time. I'm a hold-by-the-long-edge reader.
ReplyDeleteOne wonders if the library needed to use up some budget money hence the revamp.
If you mean the outside work, nothing to do with the library. It's the town square. But I suspect they got a grant and had to spend it.
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