Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Friday, March 17, 2017

Library Crimes

I rarely look inside my purse.
It’s true.
I don’t shop. And when I do, it’s so rare, I need instructions about where to slide or insert the little card thingy.
I also love to read.
All of this will become relevant . . .
When the kids were little, we went to the library.
A lot.
It builds character.
We had our routines. Which usually consisted of me hauling a great bag of books into the place.
And another great bag of books out of the place.
Why do so many of my life’s memories include me carting heavy loads?
Just wondering . . .
On many of our visits, several of the books I carried in and out were for me.
This is both good and bad.
Because I read a lot. Which was good.
But I also brought whatever I was reading with me wherever I went in the house. And, because I’m unorganized, usually left it there. So, when the time came for our weekly library trip, I couldn’t yell at my kids for displaced books because I was the worst offender.
Sigh.
On this particular occasion, I had lost the book I was reading.
Really lost it.
No amount of hunting and cleaning and interrogating family members brought that little beauty to light.
Finally, in desperation, I decided I would simply have to purchase said book.
During our library visit, I talked to the girl at the counter, explained my dilemma, and paid for the stupid book.
Then gathered my kids and headed toward the exit and my great bag of books that had been slid through and was waiting for me beyond the turnstile.
As we neared the gate, a great electronic shriek filled the room. Definitely not a ‘library’ sound.
It startled all of us.
Including the people behind the desk.
“Ma’am?” one of the girls said. “Do you have an unscanned library book?”
I looked at my children, all bookless, and shook my head.
“May we examine your purse?”
Nodding, I handed it to her and she opened it.
And there, nestled among the used Kleenex, lipbalm and hairbrushes, was the lost book.
I am not making this up.
Both of us gaped at it like we had spotted a snake nesting in the warm confines of my handbag.
“That’s it!” I exclaimed unnecessarily.
She pulled it out and looked at me.
I don’t remember what happened after that. I think they gave me my money and kept the book. Everything was a blur.
I should tell you I have no idea of how that book got into my purse.
Ahem . . .
I swear I’m not indifferent to rules. I understand how a library works—the whole borrowing and returning thing. I also know that when you wish to purchase a book, you go to a book store, pay your money, and then stuff your book into your bag.
Knowing isn't doing, I guess.
So, if you’re considering going to the local library to apply for a membership card and need a personal recommendation from a friend?
Probably you should look elsewhere.

Every month, Karen, of Baking in a Tornado collects words.
Then she distributes said words.
The result is Use Your Words and it is such fun!

My words this month were:  character ~ unorganized ~ indifferent ~ recommendationlibrary and came to me, via Karen, from Rena at Diary of An Alsheimer's Caregiver 



Here are the other participants:

9 comments:

  1. Oh, the door alarms. I've set them off one too many times myself. And it always scares you outta your skin!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ha, love this story. If all else fails, check your purse!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've had my fair share of stories like this one! I have to keep a list of places I'm not allowed to visit anymore lol
    Great use of your words!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oooohhh, you're not the only one. My Mom took my son to the library one day, and afterwards the went to a friend's house where THE BOOK was forgotten.
    By the time I was supposed to take back all the books, of course it couldn't be found, and I paid for it. Months later my son's friend's Mom called and said she found a library book that she had no idea how it made its way into her house, was it maybe my son's???

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well at least you had paid for it before the alarm went off so you weren't technically (ahem) stealing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You must have a large purse! At least the lost was found. That would be a small comfort against the larger embarrassment, for me anyway. I misplaced my watch a few weeks ago and it hasn't turned up yet. It's driving me nuts!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I always have a book in my bag. And would rather read than shop. Or clean. Or most anything.
    Loved this story. And relate to it v strongly.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've moved in and out of several suburbs during my years in Adelaide and in each one we have joined the local library. At one point I had seven library cards in my bag. Then came the day my daughter couldn't borrow any books because she had amassed fines for non-returned books all over town...I paid for her and cancel all her memberships except the library we were closest to. She's 40 now and takes care of her own fines, still reading more books in a week than I could ever hope to.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is a hot mess! I use my Kindle now! I miss the library!

    ReplyDelete

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