Meinders Community Library

It’s a Sunday tradition for our family to eat a big brunch: typically egg bake, omelettes, egg mcmuffins, or the trucker’s special. In the busyness of work, school, ball games, and coaching, Sundays provide a quiet before the storm.

Thanks to my hubby’s line of work, I am fairly cognizant of the fact that my food has a long chain of workers that bring meals to my table. Knowing that I’m not the only one who makes breakfast seems especially important now.

Today, I am particularly thankful to all the unseen individuals who work tirelessly to provide us with food. My list will largely be incomplete because I don’t have a clue just how many people touch my bag of groceries.

That said, I’m going to try:

• Farmers for growing crops and raising our meat and milk supply
• Veterinarians
• Seed Producers
• Scientists
• Farm hands of all ilk
• Implement Dealers
• Technicians
• Packaging Plant Workers
• Packaging Plant Suppliers
• Truckers
• Shipping Centers
• Gas Station Attendants
• Food Processing Plants
• Grain Mills
• Bakers
• And all the rest who in some way brought my family cheese, butter, bread, eggs, milk, mushrooms, onions, and ham for this morning’s breakfast.

I am humbled that our world continues to take care of each other. Each day, these workers join grocery store staff in their quest to feed us.

They are essential. They are appreciated. And they are too numerous to fathom.

Thank you for putting yourselves at risk to make my life easier.

~jody

Scrolling through the postponements and cancellations of life right now can be downright disheartening. But if you are willing to brave the darkness, you will find so many examples of people pushing back, refusing to give in.

Last night was to be the Arrows first baseball game of the season. For many boys, 2020 is their last baseball season. Thankfully, Z refused to let the moment slip away. Despite the fact that the game would have been cancelled anyways due to the ice storm, he sent out “stats” for the game. My senior son pored over the virtual stat book, crowing at his RBI.

“Yeah, I can hit the ball. I don’t usually get on base, but I can bring a runner home.”

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• Coronavirus-0

As the library cancels, postpones, and reschedules programs, we are fortunate to be working with dedicated artists and performers–ones with heart and passion and compassion. As such, we are working to create virtual performances for our patrons to enjoy from the comfort of their homes.

One such is musician and composer, Kevin Sherwin who is graciously creating a mini concert for us in lieu of his May 5 performance.

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We are one week into our Stay At Home order. We are three weeks into our national social distancing directive. Standing at the plate, squaring off against an admirable opponent, is difficult on the best days. Now it is necessary.

The seasons of life are short, take the pitch. Even if you don’t score yourself, you can still help win the game.

stay home and stay safe~ jody 

In case you missed the good news, everyone in your household, on your block, or in the Plum Creek Library System can read the first Harry Potter book during the month of April. Better yet, they can do so in virtually any language.

French and Spanish students can enhance their studies by listening or reading in their foreign language of choice. Non-Native English speakers/readers can comfortably enjoy this delightful book that shaped an entire generation of young readers.

Thanks to Pottermore Publishing, PCLS has access to both audio and ebook versions of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. All you need is a library card, the internet, and a device. As well as a little time. Which, at the moment is nearly endless for many in Minnesota affected by the Stay At Home order.

This offer runs through the end of April and can be found here. Don’t forget, Meinders Library wi-fi extends to our parking lot.

Though it’s been years since I’ve dabbled in the magic of Hogwarts, I won’t let this opportunity slip away. Especially since I can dust off my two years of high school German and see just how much I’ve remembered forgotten.

join the social distancing movement to keep your loved ones safe with #HarryPotterAtHome~ jody

This year, April 1st isn’t just the day we all have to be wary of pranks and extra careful reading anything on the internet, it’s also Census Day. According to the 2020 Census website, 43.8% of Minnesotans have already completed their questionnaires.

If you haven’t had a chance to complete your 2020 Census yet, visit https://my2020census.gov to fill it out. Meinders Community Library is a registered Questionnaire Assistance Center, so give us a call at 507-825-6714 or email us at meinders@pas.k12.mn.us if you have any questions.