As the weekly blizzards keep bearing down on Rock County this winter, the library is providing me with some needed sunshine.
Thank goodness for an electronic connection to the Plum Creek Library System.
I haven’t needed to worry about not having a good book available, and with road closures being a weekly occurrence, there’s no stress of returning books on time.
The easy access is much appreciated as I’ve devoted myself to the “50 States Book Club” challenge through the Rock County Community Library.
Since the challenge began on Jan. 1, I’ve read 22 books based in 22 different states. I am well on my way to completing the challenge by the end of the year.
As snow swirled about outside, I stayed safe at home while enjoying some out-of-ordinary experiences.
I’ve traveled to the tropics of Hawaii, learned about a hermit who lived in the woods of Maine, and what it was like living with the Branch Davidians during the Waco, Texas, uprising of the ’90s.
I’ve traveled to Alaska (I didn’t like their winter conditions any better than ours), learned more about growing corn in Iowa, and walked on stage during a teenage Miss America pageant in New Jersey.
In the recently completed pageant story, the author epitomized a common book theme: People generally emerge wiser and stronger from their experiences.
“Life is like an arrow — sometimes you get pulled back only to be launched into something beautiful.”
From all our weather woes, we will also emerge stronger and wiser from our experience.
We will emerge from this winter less likely to be under drought conditions. Our lawns will be lush and our farmland recharged for the upcoming growing season.
The calendar will soon turn to April, and with it a more pleasant reality emerges. With the warm weather, snow is less likely a possibility.
We will soon return to more pleasurable outdoor activities that don’t involve moving snow.
When needed, however, the library will be right there.
For I’d rather read about the struggles of winter through a good book than experience the feeling myself.