As you gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, we wanted to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and offer observations from a wide variety of people with thoughts that range from inspirational to comedic:
“You know it’s a good Thanksgiving when your heart is as full as your stomach.” – Richard Paul Evans, American author.
“I started out giving thanks for small things, and the more thankful I became, the more my bounty increased.” – Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, TV producer, actress and author.
“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.” — Rumi, 13th century Persian poet, scholar and theologian.
“I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage.” – Erma Bombeck, newspaper columnist and author who used humor to describe American suburban life in her writing.
“I love Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday that is centered around food and family, two things that are of utmost importance to me.” — Marcus Samuelsson, Ethiopian-born Swedish-American celebrity chef, TV personality and owner of multiple restaurants from BBQ joints to bars and elegant establishments.
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust, French novelist, literary critic and essayist.
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens, English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic.
“[Our mother] never made it about what we didn’t have. She made it about what we did have. And how to celebrate that.” – Whoopi Goldberg, actor, comedian, author and TV personality.
“The turkey. The sweet potatoes. The stuffing. The pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we all can agree so vehemently about?” — Nora Ephron, journalist, writer and filmmaker, especially romantic comedies.
Library closure
Your library will be closed November 28, 29 and 30 for Thanksgiving.
Non-denominational talk
Next Wednesday, December 4 from 2 – 3:15pm Larry G. Allen will speak on adversity and loss, sharing short stories and offering personal tips based on his faith in Jesus about how to live your legacy with prayer. This is a non-denominational talk.
High school math tutoring
High school math tutors will continue to be available for ages 14 and up Mondays from 4 – 5:30 p.m. through December 16 for free tutoring, except for December 9 when it ends at 5 p.m. because of our regular monthly staff meeting. Registration is required.
Free math tutoring will resume in the spring, depending on demand and tutor availability.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, December 2 for amateur musicians of all abilities and expertise to jam and sing with others.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, December 3 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Elementary tutoring
Children ages six-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Pre-registration is required.
Dungeons & Dragons
Next Thursday, December 5 from 4 – 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens, tweens and young adults. Pre-registration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources. No appointment is needed, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. To access this free digital collection, download the cloudLibrary app, answer a few simple questions, select AspenCat Union Catalog for the name of your library, then enter your library card number and 4-digit PIN. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Christmas-themed novels
“Bright Lights, Big Christmas” by Mary Kay Andrews features a small-town North Carolina girl who comes to New York City to help her brother sell Christmas trees. We also have three large print Christmas books: “Evergreen Christmas by Janet Dailey is a holiday romance. “One Big Happy Family” by Susan Mallery begins when adult children want to celebrate Christmas at the family cabin.
Books on CD
“The More the Terrier” by David Rosenfelt is a murder mystery with doggy humor and courtroom drama. “In Too Deep” by Lee and Andrew Child is a Jack Reacher thriller. “The Grey Wolf” by Louise Penny is am Armand Gamache mystery,
Large print
“The Stars are Dying” by Chloe C. Penaranda is book one of a new dark romantic fantasy Nytefall trilogy. “A Song to Drown Rivers” by Ann Liang is an epic historical fantasy. “The Sequel” by Jean Hanff Kurelitz is book two in the Book series featuring a literary widow. “The Boyfriend” by Freida McFadden is a murder mystery set in New York. “The Last One at the Wedding” by Jason Rekulak features a father invited to his daughter’s wedding after three years of no contact. “Targeted: Beirut” by Jack Carr and James M. Scott is a behind-the-scenes look at the 1983 Marine Barracks bombing.
Nonfiction
“The Weight of Nature” by neuroscientist Clayton Page Aldern looks at the effects of climate change on our brains and behavior. “The 12-Hour Film Expert” by Noah and James Charney offers readers a guide to film history, how films are made and how to watch them in a more thoughtful way. “Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth” is a Lonely Plant guide to global grieving customs to help you live (and die) well.
Novels
“Katherine, the Wright Sister” by Tracey Emerson Wood looks at the vital role their sister played in Wilbur and Orville’s aviation success. “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk follows the lives of young men involved with secret boxing matches in the basements of bars.
Thanks for our donors
We are grateful to Johanna and Arnold Brooks for their generous monetary donation and to our anonymous donors for their materials donations.
Quotable Quote
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — President John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the U.S. and the youngest man ever elected president in this country.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs – and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home – please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org.