It's taken me a long time to process my feels into coherent (shareable) thoughts. And I am not entirely sure that everything has been worked through. But I'm going to share with you what I can, in the hopes that we can at least reach a common understanding.  

First, a wee bit of background: I am a fixer. If there is a problem or a conundrum, I love to untangle it and set it to rights. I like to say that undoing tangles is my magic (seriously, if you have a tangled chain from your jewelry box bring it on over). This desire is undoubtedly a huge part of what pushed me to join AmeriCorps after college. And so I went to work at the Cherokee Heritage Center--where I was served my first slice of humble pie. And rightly so. 

This may come as a shock to you, but there is a long and unpleasant history of white people showing up to "fix things" for Indigenous people the world over. And, bless my 21 year old white lady heart, I thought that I was different. Because I just wanted to help. Well, I was set down and gently explained that while I could assist with this one project I should mostly just keep my opinions to myself until I had a better grasp on the nuances of the culture and the ball-and-chain of history that everyone was dragging around. 
And they were right. They were 100% absolutely unfailingly correct. Everything that I knew up to that point I had read in a book. I could stand up and correctly point out overt injustices, but I was blind to cultural insensitivity and the way the system had been set up to disenfranchise a whole nation of people. 
So that was my first lesson in the difference between wanting to help and actually helping​. 

My next lesson came many years later when I was a mom. We had moved into a lovely neighborhood, with two playgrounds within walking distance and tons of children outside everyday--riding bikes, playing football, jumping rope. Our neighbors would sit outside in the evenings and converse across lawns while children played in the warm light of the setting sun. It was the kind of neighborhood I had always wanted to be a part of; where everyone looked out for everyone else. Can you picture it in your mind? 
Now let me tell you that we were the only white family on the block. 
It took a good long while for people to get comfortable with us--understandably. We were other. We were the physical manifestation of the oppressors. But once I had a friend on the block who was open and honest with me, I was set down once again and gently explained how it feels to send your kids into a world that is openly hostile to them. The same world that would throw open it's doors for my white kids had placed a guard out front to deter her kids. 

 So we circle back around to the recent events: Alton Sterling, Philando Castille, and the Dallas Police Officers. 
And again, I am a fixer. I want to help. But I know better than to stand on a chair and start yelling out directions. 
When Michael Brown was killed in Ferguson, someone (if you know who let me know!) suggested that I take my Twitter account, unfollow a bunch of cishet white dudes and replace them with people of color. I suggest ALL OF YOU GO DO THIS RIGHT NOW. It was through this choice that I was able to hear the voices of the people who live under the unfair social rules that us white folk don't think about. And it was through the amazingness that is Feminista Jones (@feministajones) that I learned my latest lesson.  She said the first question you should ask when reaching out to people is: Do you need help? 
(But wait! There's more!)
If the people say, "Yes! We need help!" Then you ask, "What kind of help do you need?"

Because the long and short of it is: 
People who are in the middle of the chaos know what they need most right now. 
To think or act otherwise is removing the power from and infantilizing the people you are trying to help. That's the opposite of helping.

​So take a deep breath and say it with me: 

Do you need help?

What kind of help do you need?  

There's something about a sky full of stars that is awe-inducing and humbling. Recently, the Girl Scouts went on a camp out and were given the opportunity to look up into a star-filled sky. It was fun to point out the different constellations and to show the girls Jupiter. 

There's a world of resources for star gazing; but I will share my favorites with you here. 

These websites were chosen for their ease of use and information contained therein. 

To see what's going on in the sky at any time during the year, check out StarDate.org 

For a free sky map each month, try SkyMaps.com. In addition to the map, there is a list of all of the celestial objects that you can see--with the naked eye, with binoculars, and with a telescope. 

To learn more about the mythology behind the constellations, download this PDF by Norm McCarter for the Tulare County Office of Education.

​ If you've had enough of star gazing from Earth, check out the website dedicated to the photos taken by the Hubble telescope.

Do you know who this is? It is the most fabulous Anna Wintour. Longtime editor of American Vogue, now artistic director for Conde Nast. She's fierce and flawless and she KNOWS it. 

Last year, Anna gave advice to a room full of fashion-industry hopefuls. It was excellent advice. It was advice you imagine receiving from someone who has walked the walk for 20+ years. It was also suspiciously like the advice I received from many successful women over the course of my life. 

1. Learn from the pros first. This was presented to me as: Don't Reinvent the Wheel. Which is really great advice--why would you pour your precious time into creating something that's already been done?
2. Think about your long term goals. Let's take this one step further--don't just think about them, WRITE THEM DOWN. Know what you want, so you can go out there and get t!
3. Your personality and presentation matter. Yes, we'd love to live in a magical world where you can look at someone and know how fantastically awesome they are. However, we live in THIS world where failing to shower and wearing clothes that are mostly holes don't fall into the "professional attire" category. When you are off the clock, wear what makes you happy. When you are on the clock, dress for the job on your goals list.
4. Get employed, even if it's not your dream job. Oh gods, yes. It's easier to get a job when you have a job. Additionally, use your current job to meet people and learn things--even if what you are learning is how not to do things. 
5. Make sure you have a mentor. I would like to say one thing about having a mentor: IT'S THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR LIFE. I have multiple mentors: for work, for Scouts, for art, for parenting. Everyone who is ahead of you in this game called life has a story that they can share with you. They can tell you when you are headed towards a cliff or when you are getting close to reaching those goals you set. 

What's the best advice you've ever received? 

Way back in August, I started keeping a Bullet Journal. I liked the flexibility of the system & how easy it is to keep all of your various notes in one place. I started with a notebook that I bought on clearance at the Walgreen's but in March I upgraded to the recommended notebook.

In addition to the weekly task tracker pages, you can customize pages for notes or phases of the moon or menus. The front of the journal has a place to record page numbers and titles of pages so that you can easily find what you are looking for.

I am a dyed-in-the-wool note taker, so the ability to have my notes for work, Girl Scouts, and everything else in one book was awesome. Then I started looking around at how others were customizing their journals and I got even more excited about the possibilities. I have yet to take up a page for an entire day, but knowing that I can feels pretty liberating. I also find that having a bullet journal ties in nicely with the other new routine I have adopted: The Miracle Morning. 

I first heard about the Miracle Morning from BohoBerry, and I thought back to last year when I was daily practicing Early Wake, Daily Write. I was much more productive when I started my day before everyone else. The difference between Early Wake, Daily Write and the Miracle Morning is that there are more components to the Miracle Morning. In addition to writing, there's meditation and exercise and reading. There's a cute little acronym to help you remember the order of events--which is great at 5:30 am, when I'm not fully functional. 
SAVERS
S- Silence
A- Affirmations
V-Visualization
E-Exercise
R-Reading
S-Scribe (because SAVERW isn't a word)

I LOVE starting my day with the Miracle Morning method. It's great to be able to head off to work knowing that I have already gotten in my exercise. I use the affirmation/visualization portion to set my intent for the day so that I have a clear picture of what I will accomplish. 

Now, you can go out and buy this book, or you can see if your library has it. As I am a note-taker, I didn't feel the need to own my copy. I wrote down what I needed to and then returned the book so that others could have their turn. 

And guess what! Just like the Bullet Journal, the Miracle Morning is something you can customize to your own needs. There are mornings when I use the writing time to paint. And it feels SO GOOD in my soul. 

Maybe being productive isn't your thing. That's okay too! But if you are feeling stuck or like you don't have enough hours in the day, I highly recommend adopting some new practices. 

I can hear you all now, nodding and murmuring, "Ah, yes, Stonehenge." And yes, well done you! Stonehenge was (we suspect) built to mark the seasons as well as a place to bury your (most important) dead. However! Stonehenge is not my favorite. My favorite is a place far north of Stonehenge, built on the Orkney Islands. It's called Maes Howe. 

And every year there is a live webcam of the sun penetrating the long tunnel into the chamber on the Winter Solstice. Before you roll your eyes at me, there are a few things you need to know. 

1. It was built around the year 2800 BCE (How did they engineer this thing? HOW?)
2. It is a burial chamber, and can fit 15 people comfortably inside with plenty of head room. 
3. When the sun shines fully into the chamber, there is a display shelf on the rear wall that gets bathed in sunlight (What?!
      HOW DID THEY DO THAT?!)
4. There is graffiti on the walls, in RUNES from when some Norsemen got snowed in one winter. It's fairly vulgar, and thus
​      hilarious.
5. Maes Howe and surrounding neolithic monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The Maes Howe website has some great information (and pictures!). The website itself was built a while ago (and thus lacks bells and whistles), but it is my favorite thing this time of year. 

I should mention that I have BEEN there, but all of my photos are analog and around here somewhere. If I can locate them, I will share with the class. 

I would be remiss in my librarian duty if I didn't share at least one title with you! I found two delightful nonfiction picture books that cover both the scientific reason behind the Solstice and the ways it was celebrated. 

The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson

Covers both the scientific reason for the Solstice and folklore associated with it. Offers historical perspectives from Europe and South America. 

The Shortest Day by Wendy Pfeffer

Discusses the holiday traditions that are tied to ancient Solstice traditions from all over the world. Includes a clearly illustrated explanation of why winter in the Northern Hemisphere has shorter days. 

I am a creature of habit when it comes to starting my day. I set my coffee pot to start my coffee before my alarm goes off so that I can start my day with the least amount of fuss possible. I also don't like making decisions about breakfast, which is why I eat granola almost every day of the year. I can hear some of you gagging now, but hear me out. The result of year-round granola is a variety of recipes that I can rotate through the year. And from December to February, the winner is gingerbread. It's slightly sweet, slightly spicy and very much like having cookies for breakfast.

You know you want cookies for breakfast.
It could not be easier to make AND making your own is super thrifty.

Are you ready? Of course you are.

Gingerbread Granola Recipe
Makes 4 cups

Preheat oven to 350 F

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/4 cup nuts, chopped (use whatever floats your goat. I'm using a mix of walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
2 large egg whites (this is what makes the clusters in the granola)
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 cup molasses
2 Tablespoons agave nectar (or honey)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup dried fruit (I like cranberries, but you do what you like)

It's almost time for the kids to go back to school! I love back to school time. For me the start of a new school year signals new beginnings and new opportunities. It's the chance to learn new things, make new friends, and wear my favorite sweaters again.

If you have kids who dread back to school, it may be that sitting still isn't their favorite activity. I hear that. It may be that their attention wanders before the lesson is over. Been there too. It may be that being talked at doesn't match with their learning style.

I'm here to offer alternatives!

My favorite YouTube channels for learning! This list is geared towards kids in grades 3 and up.

Up first is Crash Course Kids, a site that offers short videos to give kids a basic understanding of the world around them. The enthusiastic host and fun animation make this channel a go-to for me. The script is well written and engaging for all ages.

SciShow Kids is much like Crash Course kids (both are produced by one of the Green brothers) in that there is fun animation and the information is broken down into easily digestible bits. Whereas Crash Course Kids examines systems and relationships, SciShow Kids answers questions one at a time, such as "What Are Clouds Made Of?"

For your animal lovers, I recommend Animal Wonders Montana. The host, Jessi Knudsen Castañeda, runs an animal rescue and rehabilitation center in (surprise!) Montana. She covers training, behavioral enrichment, and of course introduces a wide variety of animals to the viewer.

You know that I had to include something about art in here, right? Artrageous with Nate is aimed at an elementary to middle school audience. I like the enthusiasm of Nate and the field trips that he takes. The series is part art history, part art instruction. Nate explores a wide variety of artist and their work from Michaelangelo to Dale Chihuly, there's a lot to see here.

Now for your high school kids and curious adults, I have a few favorite channels of my own.

Veritasium focuses on science and engineering. If you have ever wondered: What's the deal with DNA? Or, How radioactive is Chernobyl? Veritasium has answers for you. The channel is aimed at people who have a basic grasp on scientific concepts and knowledge of historical world events.

Minute Physics does what it sounds like: explains physics and the world around you in a small amount of time. For me, it takes the scary out of physics. (I took it twice in school and I still can't say I understand it) The format is fun, the host Henry Reich knows his stuff and can make it accessible to the rest of us. Definitely recommended for anyone in a physics class.

SciShow is one of my favorites. It has short explanatory videos as well as talk show sessions, and it was here that I discovered Animal Wonders Montana. Hank Green is the host, and he is enthusiastic and entertaining. There is something for everyone here.

And lastly, Crash Course! Hosted by John Green. Divided into history, philosophy, science, and literature. The fun, often irreverent, animation and short format offers just enough information to give you a basic understanding of the subject matter and the global/historical context. It is a great resource for anyone who is interested in the world around them. The channel is aimed at high schoolers and adults.

YouTube's search offers further ability to seek out new educational content. Just type #education into the search bar and click on the channels tab at the top of the results page. There you can find channels dedicated to just about everything under the sun, from poetry to face painting.

Just a reminder that in order to have a YouTube channel of your own you must be 13 or older. There's channels and subject matter that are not intended for children, which is why YouTube has a sister app called YouTube Kids, available in your friendly App Store.

Happy learning!

It is a thing and I am certain that I have it.

It is being full of good intentions and having no motivation.

It is feeling like you are swimming in a circle.

It is also known as ennui. Not boredom, not depression, just feeling listless. Embodying the meh.

How do you get your groove back?

I have determined that burying myself in books is enjoyable, but not the answer.

I am trying to get back into a daily art practice, which I am finding helpful.

I am also working on some projects that I hope to turn into tutorials.

And I am trying to learn some new things, spend time with loved ones, and remember that ennui never lasts.

I have been loving the art journal backgrounds that I created in the online class I took. I love the idea of pulling color combinations from life and mixing them up in new ways. The background above was inspired by a geometric print throw pillow I saw. But once I saw the colors in my journal, I knew that the pages needed an octopus.

And this page was just where I was getting rid of excess paint that was on my brayer. But how great does this pelican go with those shades of green?

And lastly, I received this gem in the mail on the same day that I got a gift of sharpies from a dear friend.

I am enjoying working my way through the compositional prompts. I have some ideas for holiday gifts that need a little polish and I think once I get through this book I will be good to go.

What are you working on?

I went and got myself a ukulele a few weeks back and have been enjoying it tremendously. I was able to play the Happy Birthday song for my youngest on her birthday (which is both incredibly cheesy and incredibly fun). I know about 7 or 8 chords and can play a bunch of different silly songs (I totally rock the Hokey Pokey). The ultimate goal is to be a ukulele playing Storytime librarian, so I am going to keep plugging away until I have the confidence necessary to play to a room full of small, eager faces.