That's Gneiss! #123 ~ Don't Anger the Witch-master
Also - Nashville Public Library (as promised), and #lifeduringcoronavirus
Hello friends!
Greetings from coronavirus central - it has been an odd week here in the Pacific Northwest. As the virus begins to spread to other areas of the country, I see that we’re just the trendsetters here. I’m not going to write too much about it, as I’ve promised to talk about the Nashville Public Library.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, I’m going to share with you my answer to University of Winds’ question of the week (which I answered a week late). The question was “what are you stocking up on?”
I'm going to answer last week's question, as a lot has happened here at the epicenter of the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak (western Washington). I live less than two miles from the hospital where the first case was treated, and our county has declared a state of emergency. I would like to first say that I am grateful to live in a state where government agencies at all levels are taking this seriously (I feel for the red states where this might not be the case). Anyhow, the possibility that we may be told not to leave our homes, or that we may need to self-quarantine feels to be increasing every day, as businesses and schools close their doors and more and more events get canceled. We took stock of what we have here at home, and did a big shopping run yesterday. We didn't go crazy buying things we normally don't eat or use. We simply shopped ahead and bought more of our usual items to last us longer if we can't go out. We went to the butcher and Costco (both needed anyhow). Costco was not terribly busy, but they were indeed out of TP and H2O (neither of which we needed). At the grocery store we needed two small carts instead of our usual one. My husband is going to cook a lot of large dishes this week that will provide us with several meals, which also have lots of veggies in them should it be hard to get fresh. We will have plenty of food on hand between our meat and made up meals, and won't be stuck eating ramen or boxed mac & cheese - two items the "experts" are suggesting people should stock up on. If nothing happens, we've got a nicely stocked freezer and my husband will have fewer cooking days for a while.
We'll be fine.
I spent much of last week in a state of anxiety unlike any I have experienced before. I became hypersensitive to every little thing I was feeling in my body (is it a sore throat? a headache?), and by the end of each day was almost convinced I was exhibiting symptoms. The next morning I’d wake up, do a mental check and discover that I was absolutely fine. People I’d spent time with in Nashville were staying home with cold symptoms out of caution, and the mood at work was one of uncertainty each day as our leadership decides what to do. Many events and programs have been canceled, and next steps are decided day by day. Sitting in that environment was stressful.
I saw this excellent thread on Twitter this morning, about telling folks not to “panic.” Click through to read the whole post. Naming your feelings during this time should be welcomed, not mocked. We’re heading into the unknown, and I worry more about the people who think this is a big nothing-burger. That puts vulnerable people at greater risk.
I’m feeling much better now with a long weekend to relax at home. Once we stocked up on food, there wasn’t much left to do but be normal.
Back to work tomorrow to start the cycle again…
Nashville.
It seems like a lifetime ago that I was there, yet it’s just been over a week since I returned home.
Tuesday morning I woke up to the news that a devastating tornado had ripped through Nashville, at most a mile from where I had been staying. In fact, I would have been able to see it pass by from my north-facing hotel window - just three and a half blocks SE of the capitol. That’s close. It’s been a rough week for the folks in Nashville.
Last week, I promised to write about the Nashville Public Library. The very beautiful downtown library opened in 2001 (it feels older). The historical timeline has some interesting tidbits: 1950 - Main Library quietly desegregated.
So. On with your personal tour, led my me and my camera. You can see all of my photos here: Nashville Public Library.
The 300,000 square foot library has a grand lobby - here it is seen from above.
There are various wings and rooms leading off of the lobby, and on the second and third floors. I spent about an hour wandering around, and ran out of time to explore some of the areas.
Around the balcony you can see the framed pictures that were part of the Saints or Monsters: Political Cartoons of the 19th Amendment show. This was a wonderful collection of cartoons from both sides of the argument of whether women should be allowed to vote (white women, that is). Tennessee was the 36th state to ratify the 19th amendment, the final needed to give the vote to women across the U.S.
Not all were in favor, and worried that men would be relegated to such unseemly activities as taking care of children (gasp). Progress prevailed - thank you, Tennessee.
The sinks in the bathroom freaked me out. Or rather, the lack of sinks.
After vigorously washing my hands for over 20 seconds, I moved on to the children’s area of the library. It was full of fun play areas and the cutest book drop you’ve ever seen!
I’d heard from a coworker about the amazing puppet theater, where children enter on one side and are ushered out the other into a craft room.
“To be eaten by witches?” I asked.
I was assured that was not the case.
The puppet theater was quite something!
And they lied about the witches. I FOUND THEM.
Glass cases full of them. Just waiting for the next “puppet show.” Uh-huh.
I also found their terrifying witch-master.
EGADS.
A moment after I bravely took the photo some little kid was tempting fate, up there rolling its eyeballs around. Look out kid!
DON’T ANGER THE WITCH-MASTER
You can’t convince me children don’t get eaten when nobody is looking.
I moved on to another part of the library to try and find something less scary.
The archives and old books sections were fun - in a good way!
The ephemera displayed throughout the library was just as interesting as the old books. Here’s an original letter from Margaret Mitchell to somebody really hoping she had some pull to get her niece into the film cast of Gone With the Wind.
Of course, for no other reason than I am me, I stumbled across a random naked mannequin on the third floor.
She definitely does not eat children, but she might steal the clothing from the older kids. She also shared a room with a variety of old county records in crumbling tomes.
The final stop of our tour is the Civil Rights room.
Not far from the library is the Woolworth where in 1960 African American students sat at the lunch counter and asked to be served, in a movement to desegregate lunch counters in Nashville. The store still operates as a restaurant today, and I’m sad to say this is one spot I was unable to visit in the limited time on my trip. Future U.S. Congressman John Lewis was among the students arrested on February 27, 1960 - his first of almost 50 arrests for nonviolent protest during the civil rights movement.
The spirit of protest for a better world was celebrated in that small room that was full of books and historic images. I loved the reminder that we can all make a difference.
Use your powers for good!
It was a whirlwind tour and I didn’t have enough time to really appreciate the entire library. It was steeped in history and full of interesting nooks and crannies begging for hours of my time.
One parting shot from my visit - the seed “lending” library in an old card catalog.
Looking back at my time in Nashville, I know that I barely made a dent in the the things to see there. So many restaurants recommended and not visited, and I only spent time in a small part of downtown. I would love to take Michael back for a proper vacation some day, and include a visit to Memphis.
That’s it for today. Stay safe and healthy my friends - wash your hands, then wash them again. Longer.
Cheers!
Tidbits
Need a distraction? Some great suggestions here, and it’s not too late to share your favorite!
Prepper Camp - three days planning for the end o
The VHS Vault - over 21,000 bits and bobs from VHS tapes… from Blues Clues to The Law Enforcement Guide to Satanic Cults - there’s something for everyone! Quality may vary.
Scarfolk Council Health & Safety (1973-1974) - important tips for what to do in the event of an emergency
Books on GIF - My Sister the Serial Killer (review)
Making: I cleaned up my craft area and carved a stamp, then used it on one of my painted pages.
Recently eaten: birthday dinner at Terracotta Red!
Reading: so many articles and news about COVID-19. Choose your sources wisely.
Video of the Week
Friday on the way to the butcher we saw a man in a field working his dog and a few sheep. Michael was reminded of this show he used to watch every Sunday when he was young. It’s so calming to watch!
Here’s a full episode if you’re hooked like I am.
Question of the Week
If you feel like answering the question, hit reply to this email. Answers will be shared in next week’s newsletter - anonymously. Don’t be shy! General public commenting is available too.
Are you worried? How are you doing?
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Last week I asked what you would do in the unlikely event of a quarantine (it seems more likely by the day).
Being snowed in for a few weeks last winter was hard enough, so I bought enough books in case this last freeze was like the previous one, but then again there's always the overwhelming amount of media online. I'll exercise and garden, and I suppose run out of food because I'm one of those people who simply cannot become a prepper. I like fresh vegetables far too much to be able to live on preserved goods. So if we quarantine ourselves, let us do it well after I have my Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds order in the ground.
If I have to spend a couple of weeks on my own, my top activities will be reading and listening to music. I’ve got board games, cards, and puzzles, and could watch movies in a pinch. I really hope it doesn’t come to that, though.
It sure won’t be sitting at home - I’ll be off to the mountains and mountain streams! My camper is the perfect quarantine box.
So many art supplies and books to read... I’ve apparently been subconsciously planning for this moment for years.
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