Flat Five is Pine River Bound

"Flat" Cauli V, or Flat Five for short, is bound for Pine River Public Library, home of Browser the Library Cat.  Browser is a world-famous library feline, and he invented the concept of "flat feline" globe-trotting to libraries and other places we felines (flat or otherwise) like to visit.  Of course, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Flat Stanley and his creator, Jeff Brown, who created the whole flat-mail scenario.

Browser, the Pine River (MN) Public Library Cat

Browser with his Flat Counterpart

(Both quite handsome, I must say)

(Thanks to Browser and Pine River Public Library for letting us include these photos in our blog.)

Flat Five's Next Stop

on her World Library Critters Tour

Pine River Public Library, which was founded in 1965, has been a branch of the Kitchigami Regional Library System since 1969.  Prior to the formation of KRLS, the county library was known as Cass County Library (for those fifty-somethings who were, like Scowl-Face, visiting libraries way back then, although Scowlly lived in Indiana and frequented the Wells Memorial Library).

We are looking forward to hearing all about the exciting adventures that Flat Five will have with Browser and the Pine River staff, patrons, volunteers, and friends.  I, moiself, have never been to Minnesota, but I've read books by Minnesota authors F. Scott Fitzgerald, Garrison Keillor, and Michael J. Nelson.  From photos I've seen online, Minnesota looks beautiful, and I know lots of kind, intelligent, feline-loving people proudly call the state home.

Follow Browser on Facebook, Too,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

"Flat" Cauli World Tour News Beat

P.S.  We enjoyed Michael J. Nelson's novel, Mike Nelson's Death Rat! (first published in 2003), so we made a book trailer about it.  It's a funny book that you might enjoy, if you like Nelson's dry wit.  For Evergreen Indiana library cardholders, the book is available to check-out.  To see my book review, you know where to click.

Flat Five Visits Browser at Pine River

"Flat" Cauli V (or Flat Five for short) is currently visiting Browser, the Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library Cat.  Browser has kindly posted on his Facebook page about Flat Five's arrival.

Browser graciously shares his breakfast with Flat Five

Meanwhile, "Flat" Browser has been traveling to California to soak up the sun.  (Or is that real live Browser?  Photos make things look two-dimensional sometimes.)  California is one big sun patch, I'd venture. Plenty of sunshine for a feline to lounge around in.  (That's probably ungrammatical, but it is nonetheless true.)  Read all about his exciting trip in Browser's blog.

I'm looking forward to Flat Five's reports about her adventures at Pine River.  It is so cool to travel to such distant places!  Minnesota is on the other side of the world, isn't it?  When you weigh about 10 pounds and stand under 18 inches from the floor, geography seems more spread out than it does to people.

Of course I know where Minnesota is.  I can read maps.  I was taught as a kitten when I hung out with the local Boy Scout troop.

Put Flat Five To Work While She's There, Browser,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Flat Feline Library World Tour News Beat

P.S. Robert Allen Zimmerman was born in Duluth and grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota. He has written so many great folk songs (as Bob Dylan); I hardly know which one to choose as my musical closer. I'll go with my favorite: "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" (1963), which was unreleased until Dylan's compilation box set Biograph (1985). Sadly, I can't find a music video of Dylan performing the tune, so we'll move along to . . .

P.P.S.  I first heard Dylan's song as covered by the Byrds on the album Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965).  Was it the Byrds' folk-rock interpretations of Dylan's songs that prompted the master to turn electric?  I'll never tell.

Chit Chat With Browser

Browser, the Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library Cat, has a newspaper column with a catchy title.

Browser's Newspaper Column
(Click Image to Bigify) 

Besides Browser's award-winning blog and Facebook page, this newspaper column really makes Browser a true "feline roving reporter" at Pine River.  What a wonderful marketing tool for the library!  MPL minions, take note.

Browser has conquered almost all writers' media--newspaper, blog, Facebook, documentary movie--leaving only books.  That should be your next project, Browser!  Tell your minions to make all the necessary arrangements.  Why should Dewey the Library Cat corner the book market?  Just asking.

I've got a suggestion for your book.  Do what other journalists have done:  Publish your newspaper columns in book form!  It worked for Erma Bombeck, Art Buchwald, and Dave Barry, although they, too, wrote books with entirely new material.

My Library would DEFINITELY purchase a copy of your book, Browser.  We love cat books.  We have a bunch on our shelves (636.8, in Dewey-speak, as well as many more in fiction).

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  See the world from Browser's perspective in this video, "Browser's Town Adventure (Part One)" (2012).

Library Journal Showcases Browser

Browser, the Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library Cat, has been featured in the July, 2013 edition of the prestigious publication, Library Journal.

Click Images to Bigify

Quite impressive!  Browser has been a media whirlwind lately, what with his documentary movie and newspaper column.  Pretty soon, I expect to see Browser riding the TV talk show circuit.  Just have your minions demand special kitty treats in the greenroom.

I'm telling you, Browser, you need to get your book of newspaper columns (or some other subject--it's up to you, really) out there soon.  As the old saying goes, strike while the iron's hot.  A bird in your paw is worth two in the bush.  How now, Brown cow.  Okay, I'd better stop before we're overrun by proverbial phrases.

Great job, Browser!  Paws up! (as Sparkle the Designer Cat would say).

Hey, Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library!  I assume you've submitted Tober's photo and bio to Library Journal.  Indiana's most famous library feline deserves a share of the national spotlight, I'd venture.

Hey, Library Journal editors!  How about other library critters being showcased?  Say, for instance, Morgan the Library Bunny (at Morgan County [Indiana] Public Library)?  Just saying.  Of course, we library cats are clearly entitled to be honored in Library Journal, but I think other library critters deserve mention, too.

What about moi, you might wonder?  I probably wouldn't qualify for LJ's feature.  I don't actually live inside my Library.  I'm outside doing the roving reporter thing.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Here's a video clip from Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library showing Browser doing what librarians call a "shelf-read," by which he assures that the books are reshelved in the correct order (by classification designation).  He's also looking for a safe way down, says the video description.

"Flat" Cauli V's Library Critter Tour

Morgan the Library Bunny (at Morgan County [Indiana] Public Library) (MCPL) had a grand suggestion after reading my blog post about "Flat" Cauli V's upcoming trip to visit Tober the Library Cat.  Morgan said Five should embark on a library critter tour.  Lots of libraries have resident critters, and Five should meet them.  Of course, this is what Browser the Library Cat's flat counterpart has been doing for over a year, but we think Browser would be down with our borrowing this great travel agenda.

After visiting Tober at Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library, Five plans to visit Morgan in Martinsville, Indiana, at the main MCPL branch.  Third on Five's itinerary will be Browser at Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library. Say, we haven't featured a Browser video yet.  Now is the time.

Browser the Library Cat Enjoys Some Snowfall

(Video courtesy of Pine River, MN Public Library)

Where will Five go after Browser?  We'll have to wait to see.  Wherever she'll be bound, Five will have a truly exciting worldwide adventure traveling to see other library critters.  I guess I'm a library critter, too, although technically I'm an outdoor feline that hangs out at MPL. Boss Lady doesn't allow me to stay inside because of patron allergies. Fortunately, what she doesn't know won't result in my "firement," as Tober would say.

But, first, there's the trip to Thorntown for which minions must prepare. Are those letters of introduction done yet, minions? Honestly!  Do I have to do everything moiself?

Glad There's No Snow Here Now,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

"Flat" Cauli Travel News Beat

Flat Five Bears Gifts From Browser

Browser, the Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library Cat, has sent gracious gifts along with "Flat" Cauli V (Flat Five), who has just returned in the U.S. Mail.  Click images below to bigify.

We have a special travel log for Flat Five as she journeys on her library critters world tour.  Browser's thoughtful gifts will be included, for sure.  We would have included Tober, the Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library Cat's kind gift of swimming dinner shavings, but we ate them.  (Burp!)

To where is Flat Five next bound?  (That sounded more poetic in my head.)  You'll have to follow along to see.

Flat Five Had a Great Time, Browser; Thanks For Hosting,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Critters World Tour News Beat

P.S.  Check out this video of Browser the Library Cat meeting Bo (or Beau) the Hardware Store Slobberdog.  Everyone was friendly, but, as Browser demonstrates, "meet 'n greet" with slobberdogs should be "short and sweet."

Sure to Boost Adult Program Attendance

UPDATE:  Since this blog post was written, Browser has sadly passed.  He was a wonderful friend and library spokescritter.

 

 

Earlier today, I was chatting with Boss Lady about our adult programming. Sometimes, it's tough to get a solid turn-out, since people are so busy all the time.  What could we do to boost attendance?

Browser the Library Cat attends a quilt program

at Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library

Browser the Library Cat illustrates the perfect solution!  I just saw this on Browser's Facebook page (You'll need to be logged into Facebook to see Browser's FB page, by the way.)  Although this appears to be a youth services quilt program, the principle is the same for adult programming. Having a resident feline present will surely boost attendance to any program!

Now to the canned tuna, Boss Lady. Browser is an inside-the-library kitty. I, on the other paw, am an outside-the-library-only (unless I sneak in, which I sometimes do) cat.  Maybe that should change.  Just saying. People would be knocking the doors down to attend programs to which I am presenting moiself.  It just stands to reason.

Minions, Make It So,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Programs News Beat

P.S.  Three Dog Night made this film for "The Show Must Go On" (1974), co-written by Leo Sayer (who first recorded it) and David Courtney.  The song appeared on the Three Dog Night album Hard Labor (1974).  The original LP cover art was considered too controversial at the time (a patient giving birth to an LP record), so a large bandage was added to cover the "birth."

Will Travel 4 Bookmobile (Viaggerà Per Libro Veicolo)

Lots of libraries have shared this photo on Facebook, but I saw it courtesy of Browser, the Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library Cat.  Thanks, Browser!

Library Bookmobile in Ferrandina, Italy

(Click Images to Bigify)

We need one of these, Boss Lady.  Why not have the Library Board of Trustees (or the Friends of the Library) pay for moi and a couple of minions to travel over to Ferrandina, Italy to see if we could purchase this one?

It couldn't cost all that much for a feline roving reporter to fly first-class to Italy.  Minions could ride with the baggage.

So where is Ferrandina, anyway?

What's it look like around there?

Ferrandina, Italy

I might need to stay awhile to scope out the bookmobile and negotiate a sweet deal.  Six months, at least.  Probably a year.  Or two.  Maybe I could get a job (minions, too) working at the local library.  I could even drive the bookmobile!  I'm an excellent driver, as I've previously shown.

Setting the Pace at the Indianapolis 500

Definitely Not on Mondays

I'm not sure about my Italian translation for the title of this posting, however.  I used one of those free online translators.  I hope it doesn't say something bad.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Speaking of Italy, here's a music video of Lucio Dalla (1943-2012) singing "Caruso" (2003), which he composed in 1986, and which has been covered by a gazillion musicians and performers.

31,557,600 Seconds

   60         seconds in a minute
x 60         minutes in a hour
x 24         hours in a day
x 365.25 days in a year (more or less)
________________________________

31,557,600 seconds in a year

That may not be scientifically accurate, but it is close enough for us felines.  That's how long this blog has been up-and-running.  An entire year!  Seems much longer, somehow.

Humans like annual celebrations, so I think my people readers would appreciate something deeply meaningful and worthwhile.  So would I, but I've got to finish this blog first.  Then I'll make for the canned tuna-in-oil, big-time.

We could review my inaugural blog posting.  Good for a few laughs, I'd venture.

We've covered considerable ground during this past solar revolution.  Over 400 blog posts with roughly 50,000 viewings.  I'm pleased with the results.

We still need something special as a celebration, however.  Let's see what's on YouTube.

I know exactly what they're saying.  So do my loyal feline readers: Sparkle the Designer Cat, Tober (the Thorntown [Indiana] Public Library Cat), Browser (the Pine River [Minnesota] Public Library Cat), and my British kitty pals Bea, Buttons, and Timmy.  I suspect that Morgan the Library Bunny (at Morgan County [Indiana] Public Library) and Keisha the Spaniel also know what this feline pair is talking about.

But we're not telling.

What will the next year bring?  Lots of canned tuna-in-oil, I'm hoping.




Thanks For Following My Blog,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Annual Anniversaries News Beat

P.S.  Reminiscing about the past year reminded me of "Goin' Back," written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King (1966) and performed by the Byrds as a single (released October 20, 1967) as well as on the LP, The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968).

P.P.S.  I would be remiss if I didn't include as a musical closer "Reminiscing" (1978), by the Little River Band.  If memory serves, this was the group's biggest hit single.

P.P.P.S.  Reflecting upon passing years made me think, as I often do, of George Harrison (1943-2001) and his first solo album, All Things Must Pass (1970), which included the title track on side three, track five of the three-disk LP set.  You may not have known that the Beatles first recorded a demo of the tune, but it was not released as a Beatles song until The Beatles Anthology 3 (1996).

30K, My Way

Sometime during the wee hours of this morning, my blog topped 30,000 viewings.  Thanks to everybody who reads my blog!  I'd give each and every one of you canned tuna-in-oil, but who's got that kind of money?  So, instead, I'll share some great videos about fellow library felines.  First, the most famous library cat ever--Dewey Readmore Books.

Dewey Readmore Books, the Spencer (Iowa) Public Library Cat (1988-2006)

Tober, the Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library Cat

(Sorry, only have a photo stolen borrowed from Tober's blog)

Browser, the Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library Cat

 Follow Browser's Blog

Pumpkin, the Camden (N.Y.) Public Library Cat

 Pages, the Valley Center (Kansas) Public Library Cat

Melvil, the State Library of Kansas Cat

Visit the SL of K Website

Somehow, Melvil doesn't seem as feline-genuine as the other library cats.  Can't quite put my paw on it, however.

[VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE]

Tomo, the Flying Library Cat

(No library location given with video;
possibly a private library)

Although not a library feline, here's a video of world-famous author (and long-time, loyal reader of this feature) Sparkle the Designer Cat receiving her 2011 Pettie Award.

Visit Sparkle's Website

Let's close with a cute library cat animated video.

Designed by Corentin Dombrecht

Where's the Celebratory Tuna, Boss Lady?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Statistics News Beat

Yes, It's STILL Snowing! Grrrrrrrrrrr . . .

Yes, it's STILL snowing at my Library!  Lightly, I'll admit, but really, this is getting ridiculous.

 MPL Courtyard

(Looking North)

(Click Images to Bigify)

 MPL Courtyard

(Looking East Northeast Toward

Our Outdoor Digital Sign)

 Heavy Snow, Says That Pine Tree

Warm & Cozy Inside My Library

Here in Indiana, we don't expect nearly a foot of snow a week before Easter.  If we lived in Minnesota, like Browser the Pine River (MN) Public Library Cat, we would be accustomed to snowfall until June (well, not quite that late, but late enough).  When Scowl-Face and the Lady With the Red Hair moved to Montana a quarter century ago, it snowed in late May and again in August.  But that's WAAAAAY far north compared to where I live.

Perhaps we're just softies, but snow this late in the season is a real bummer for us Hoosiers.  Flowers have already started popping out of the ground to be greeted by Arctic cold last week and a ton of snow now.  Not very welcoming, Mother Nature.  Just saying.

Visit the Library to get (and stay) warm!

This winter blast will all be gone by week's end, but that's not the point. It's a matter of principle.  The end of March is no time for December/January weather.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  "First Snow on Brooklyn," by Jethro Tull, was featured on The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003).  It seemed like a good choice as musical closer, given our weather lately.  Maybe this is OUR first snow of next winter!  That's just grim.

"Flat" Cauli V Returns! With Shaved Swimming Dinner!

"Flat" Cauli V (Flat Five for short) returned today from her adventures with Tober, Boss Cat at Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library.  She brought a nice note from Tober and--this was simply fabulous!--a bag a real shaved swimming dinner!!!

Click to Bigify

N'yum, N'yum, N'yum

This was the real deal, folks.  No faux-flavored treats for moi.  Tober sent real swimming dinner shavings.  These were fresh, even if my minions thought they smelled fishy (what else would they smell like?  Sometimes humans can be kinda dense).  I decided to share this delicacy with my special correspondents.  Boy, I've never seen so many felines come running so fast!  It's like people when the chocolate comes out from the desk drawer.

Thank you so much, Tober and his AB and AABs, for this wonderful surprise.  Flat Five got a portion, too, by the way.  Since she's flat, she has to eat swimming dinner shavings.  'Cause they're flat, too.

Tober has posted more adventures with Flat Five.  This is simply must-read, so be sure to click here.

Where will Flat Five be heading next?  Well, remember, she bilocated to also see Morgan the Library Bunny at Morgan County (Indiana) Public Library.  But that doesn't mean that she can't continue on her library critter world tour.  Next stop--Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library to see Browser the Library Cat.

Flat Five Can Be In Two Places At Once, Which Is Pretty Cool,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

"Flat" Cauli Library Critter World Tour News Beat

P.S.  In 1975 John Lennon released a singles compilation album called Shaved Fish.  It included "#9 Dream," which was released as a single in the U.S. in 1974 and the U.K. in 1975.

I've Got Mail!

Although there's no movie starring moi, like the one starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (You've Got Mail, 1998), it is still mighty exciting to report that I've got mail!  Ellie and Miguel, two of my kind and loyal readers, have thoughtfully sent moi a postcard from the U.K.  That, my friends, made my day.  Do share, you say.  Glad to.

Hey, that's French on the postcard with the (naturally) beautiful black cat.  That's pretty famous poster art by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, if memory serves.  Check it out and his other poster art, too.

Follow Ellie's blog, Kitty Tracks, which chronicles the adventures of three felines, Timmy, Bea, and Buttons.  While I'm talking about other feline or library critter blogs and websites, you should follow Sparkle the Designer Cat, who is a famous published feline; Tober the Library Cat at Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library; Browser the Library Cat at Pine River (Minnesota) Public Library; and Morgan the Library Bunny at Morgan County (Indiana) Public Library.

Getting mail is, quite simply, the cat's PJs.  It is more fun than a catnip toy.  Well, that's a pretty close contest.  Better than canned tuna-in-oil?  Let me think about that one.

Thanks, Ellie and Miguel, for the terrific postcard!  If any of my other readers would like to send moi a postcard, please mail to:  Mooresville Public Library, Attn: Cauli Le Chat, 220 West Harrison Street, Mooresville, IN 46158 USA.

Now to find an extra special place to show off my postcard.  Maybe on my desk in the MPL Indiana Roving Reporter Room.  Stop by and say hello, if you're visiting my Library.  If I'm out gathering the latest headlines, leave a message with whichever of my minions is working the desk.

Why Not a Movie Called Cauli's Got Mail?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Mailbag News Beat

P.S.  I've already used the song "Please Mr. Postman" as a musical closer, so this time I'll use "The Letter" (1967), by the Boxtops.