My fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Paulsen, always encouraged me
to write. She thought I had a talent for it. She also said something I haven’t
forgotten. She said I should always be true to myself when I wrote, so that
I would never be ashamed to have other people read my words. I admit that
at that time, I never figured anyone would ever read my words
except teachers who would correct my grammar and spelling. Now I have
spell check and an audience, but I still try to keep the promise I made
Mrs. Paulsen all those years ago.
And I recently had proof that my words are out there representing
me. A couple weeks ago I wrote that the book group at the library was
reading Charlotte Paul’s books. Several days later, I received e-mail from a
woman in Rincon, Ga., a little town of about 2,700 people north of Savannah.
She had read the books I mentioned, and wanted more information. A
Web search for Charlotte Paul brought up the on-line Valley Record and my
column. She wanted to know if I could help her find more information.
I ended up sending her a copy of the handout that group leader
Lois Hartwig had put together, but it still amazes me that someone so far
away is reading our local paper.
PPP
There will be a gardening program at the North Bend Library on
Tuesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. Master Gardeners Keitha Owen,
Margy Bostwick, Beth Burroughs and Second Street Gardens’ owner Karen
Lee will be present to answer your questions.
There will be display tables set up, mini-seminars, booklists, Web
sites, samples and more. If you are new to this area and wondering what
grows well here, they can help. If you just want some new ideas for your
garden, they will have those too.
And speaking of Master Gardeners, Margy and Keitha identified
my climbing plant as honeysuckle. It should be beautiful in a month or
so when it blooms. I have contracted to bring back several more cuttings
for the library staff. This time of year we have our own little “farmer’s
market” going. Everyone brings in extra
plants and we share them around. In the summer, there will be extra vegetables
to share. We run rather heavily to zucchini, but doesn’t everybody?
PPP
There are several regular weekly programs at the North Bend
Library that are open to all ages. Monday night at 6 p.m. is Gaming Night. Learn
and play role-playing games. Mondays from 4-5 p.m. and Tuesdays from
1-3 p.m. are Talk Times. These are informal classes in English for
Spanish speaking residents. And Thursday nights at 7 p.m., the North Bend
Chess Club meets. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
PPP
Funky Fact: Here’s one for the Panther Pride kids. A school
in Newbury, Ohio, has unicycle riding as part of its curriculum. Gym
teachers require all kids to ride and encourage them to practice as much as
possible, even in the halls between classes. Tell that one to Mr. Tepper!
PPP
Thought for the Week: I consider the common hug to be grossly
undervalued. I know of no other gesture that can offer love, comfort, empathy,
sympathy and joy like a hug. Go out and hug someone this week. As a
four-year-old once told me, you can never run out of hugs, because every
time you give one away, you get one back.
Please submit items for
North Bend Nuggets to
Pat Simpson at P.O. Box 857,
North Bend, WA 98045,
or by e-mail to patsimps@hotmail.com,
or drop them by the library.