The Pretty Sights around University City Regional Library

I have been exploring some places around the University City Regional Library and the best discovery so far is the beautiful lake. It's the perfect place to go for a walk. In order to walk a couple of miles, I do have to plan and leave home earlier.

My first walk was refreshing  invigorating...   I did end up sweaty...and had to stand in front of one of a fan at work. 

 I loved seeing the ducks and there really was not much of a mess on the walking paths. The ducks are used to people.  I was able to get really close to this one.

 Feeding is not allowed.

My goal is to walk on the days I'm not able to go to the gym due to my new work schedule at UC.

Looking forward to more walks......The full circuit around the lake is more than two miles.

A New Era for the Library

The beautiful cherry trees create a perfect frame a few steps away from the Library where I work.  The change is striking and one I look forward every spring.  Other changes have also taken place and a new era has begun for the Library.  Due to the County's budget shortfall more than 80 employees were affected by the reduction in force (RIF).  The hours of operation open to the public have been cut as well as the salary of those that still remain working.

The Library saga has been featured in the paper and the public the many who love coming to the Library have voiced and expressed their concern. As a result of the public response and the monetary donations all locations remain open. That may soon change after June 30 and the new fiscal year begins. A much larger shortfall of money will make it difficult for all locations to offer services.

Who would have thought that the existence of the Libraries would be threatened in any way? It is all taking place not only in my town but all over the US.  Just like this cartoon characters...many are saddened by these changes. For me it was sad to see four of my co-workers loose their job. 

An appreciation card made by children at the United Methodist church near the Library.

 

Book marks to remind us of the many who care about the Library.

Popular reading area at my Library.

 The Fiction and Non-fiction stacks.

 The board at work.  I will miss you Dave, Marion, Gay and Debi.  Good luck in your new locations, Debbie and Jessica.

Day 2 Winter Hibernation

In the 29 years I have lived in Charlotte, we have never missed going to church do to winter weather.  I'm calling this my Winter Break (from work).  My day off was Friday, then came the snow and the ice and just as I thought the libraries closed, so I got Saturday (my day to work) off.  Yay

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸Snow is rare in Charlotte and even though it's mostly ice, it's still beautiful¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

Took this picture of the front of our house.  There is a one inch sheet of ice and our driveway is totally covered. The Library I'm sure will probably delay opening.

View of our back yard

Icy Palm Leaves

 

Cold weather and ice doesn't hurt this 25 year old Windmill Palm.  My husband does not like one bit to see the covered of ice.

Look carefully, there is a thin sheet of ice covering part of the pond.

When it's cold outside, I do get in the mood to cook.  I doctored this recipe from the Cook Yourself Thin book I got from Donna. The recipe is on page 115 and it's called Healthy Potato Skins.  It called for sweet potatoes; I only had one so I also used regular potatoes.  It turned out pretty good and healthy it is with the addition of spinach. I omitted the bacon and used regular milk instead of buttermilk.  They were delicious.  Cliff made the turkey burgers.

٩(-̮̮̃•̃)۶ Wonder What I'll cook tonight....I may running out of food ٩(-̮̮̃•̃)۶