Be Our Valentines

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and the MPL Decorinator (like the Terminator, only artsy) has once again done wonders with the library's décor.

Our resident "head writers" (you'll get the joke when you see their pictures) are all decked out for the upcoming celebration.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow & William Shakespeare

(our resident "head writers") are all dolled up for February 14

(Get it?  Head writers?  I crack myself up.  Or perhaps I "bust" myself up.  [Groan!].)

One of our faux slobberdogs graces the new book shelves in the grown-up people portion of the library.

Faux Beagle-Type Slobberdog asleep atop the new book shelves.

(Like Snoopy atop his slobberdog house in Peanuts)

Then there's this thing.  I'm sorry, but it's just plain wrong.

Bizarre and alarming some kinda monster, I'm sure

After being severely creeped-out by that last image, I am glad to return to something universally regarded as just too cute.

That's more like it.

The MPL Decorinator has certainly put our library staff and patrons in the proper mood for an affectionate holiday.  Remember that I especially like those cream-filled chocolate doodahs.  Don't skimp on the quantity; the family size box, please, for moi will do nicely, thank you very much.

You Can't Eat Flowers, So Make With the Confectionery Already,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Lonely Hearts Club Band News Beat

P.S.  When giving me boxes of chocolates, be sure to put them where Scowl-Face won't find them.  He goes after them like Forrest Gump.

Stop Nonhuman Animal Abuse in its Tracks!

In one of our Reader's Advisory blogs, we talked a little (very little, actually) about Fear of the Animal Planet: The Hidden History of Animal Resistance, by Jason Hribal (AK Press, 2010) (ISBN 9781849350266).  Our book trailer below gives a glimpse.

This is a story of nonhuman animal resistance to human exploitation and oppression.  The author presents compelling evidence of abuses in circuses, zoos, laboratories, and theme parks.  These examples illustrate intolerable conditions, and animals of all sorts (people included) should be outraged.  The book should galvanize public opinion and stimulate appropriate remedial action.

We among the feline community applaud Hribal's efforts to increase awareness of this problem and encourage readers to take a stand against animal abuse.

Ready to Defend Animals' Intrinsic Rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Editorial Commentary Division

Library's Water Volcano Exhibits Rapid Glacial Retreat

Clear signs of global warming were visible upon the library's water volcano, which has shed its glacial sheets to reveal the stark, metallic surface of its southwestern face (as seen in the photo above).  You may recall that the peak of this volcano, just a few short days ago, was encased in ice and snow.  This sudden environmental shift has concerned nearby residents, who are well aware that the water volcano was actively erupting until just a few months ago.  Is is safe to remain in the vicinity?

Scientists consulted by this roving reporter are convinced that, given the rapid melting of the mountain's ice and snow packs, all surrounding snow and ice will disappear by Valentine's Day.

Does this mean that we may expect an early spring?  Don't bet the family farm on it.

Seismologists from a possibly reputable university reported recent seismic activity in the area surrounding the water volcano.  This was discounted by local library officials, who indicated that the seismic readings were merely the result of Scowl-Face falling off his chair again in the Indiana Room.  Eyewitnesses claimed that the fall was associated with errant chocolate bar retrieval operations, but this could not be confirmed by press time.

We will continue to monitor this unfolding story and will alert readers of the latest developments.

Thinking We Should Name the Water Volcano,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Geology News Beat

Please [the] Cat, If You Please

In the MPL Staff Break Room there is a dry erase board that currently says . . .

Clearly, the second message (in the middle) states quite plainly that [whichever staffer is reading this should] please cat.  Take a closer look:

That, my friends, is cat, just as sure as I'm sitting here.  It is an imperative:  Please [the] cat.  As written with the banana nut bread reference, it is, of course, ungrammatical (or nongrammatical--both words are listed in an online dictionary), so I will need to make a minor edit to put things right.

 

Now it's grammatical, and it makes complete sense.  The meaning could not be clearer.  I'll be dropping by the library later to be served several delicious slices of the banana nut bread.  Remember to use the good crystal and china.

Sure to be Pleased,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Excellent Desserts News Beat

P.S.  Composed by songwriter John Hiatt, Sure As I'm Sittin' Here (1974) was a big hit for the 1960s/1970s pop band Three Dog Night.  (But shouldn't it be Three Slobberdog Night?)  Watch the old long-playing (LP) 33 1/3 r.p.m. record spin around and around while you listen to a great song (below).

Enough With the Snow & Ice, Already!

If I had wanted to live during an ice age, I would have experienced my first of nine lives about 15,000 years ago, instead of when I actually lived my first life (which will remain ambiguous, since a lady never reveals her true age).  Arctic and Antarctic weather are for polar bears and penguins, respectively, so I don't see why we should have to suffer through it as well.  So, whoever is in charge of such things, I am officially lodging a formal protest:  Enough with the snow and ice, already!

Yesterday, while the Lady With the Red Hair accompanied me to my library, she was kind enough to capture a few photos of the glacial conditions through which I must slog to cover the latest news stories for y'all.  Here are some shots taken from the MPL Indiana Room, where Scowl-Face usually hides out under the desk.

Abandoned Winged Dinner Huts:

Tell Horace Greeley to Go South, John B. L. Soule!

(This caption requires some explanation, so I relinquish this paragraph to Scowl-Face, who knows about such things.)  Horace Greeley (1811-1872), New York Tribune editor, is often credited with coining the phrase, "Go West, young man," since he included it in an 1865 editorial.  The phrase actually originated with John B. L. Soule, who used it in his 1851 editorial in the Terre Haute (Indiana) Express.  The correct phrase is, "Go West, young man, and grow up with the country."

(Now back to our regularly scheduled blog.)  The recent ice storm and incessant snowfall have frozen the library's water volcano solid.

Extinct Water Volcano in MPL Courtyard

(Yes, the Little Bump in the Middle)

It looks a little like a frozen troll, but it is, in fact, a functioning water volcano.  Mount Kilimanjaro it's not, but there are obvious similarities.  Both peaks, for instance, are snowcapped.

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

My library has a pathway to learning that connects the courtyard with the children's outdoor program area.  The trees and bushes along the pathway give some idea as to the severity of our recent winter weather.

You may think that this "small" amount of snowfall is nothing to get my tail all puffed out over, but let's see how you like it to be living outdoors in this stuff.  Walk around on your bare feet for awhile and see if you don't come around to my perspective.  This white stuff may be pretty when it is falling, but it chills us roving reporters to the bone.  Our paw pads are frankly frostbitten.  So make with the Spring, already!

Hey, Boss Lady, Where's the Outdoor Fireplace?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Glacial News Beat