Downloadable

3 Ways to Enjoy a Minimalist Holiday

/ Mary / Leave a comment

christmas-fireplaceA blog post that dares to ask the question, is it possible to celebrate the holidays without the clutter and overabundance that characterizes most households during December? Let’s rephrase that: is it possible to do away with the clutter and overabundance and still have a fun holiday?

You bet! First, study after study has shown that happiness comes from experiences not from things. Second less stuff means less stress. Third, fewer gifts equals more money, and more money is the equivalent of greater peace of mind.

Of course minimalism does not mean no gifts. It just means less. It means fewer, more meaningful remembrances for loved ones. Think quality, not quantity.

Make and Give Homemade Gifts.

jacket-aspxFor instance, Country Living Christmas Joys: Decorating, Crafts & Recipes has chapters titled “Handmade gifts from the heart” and “Homemade Gifts from  the kitchen”. Gifts of food are great because they are an experience, both the making and the eating. And food is a gift that leaves nothing behind but good memories.

Enjoy Shared Experiences.

jacket-aspxShared experiences are another memory-maker that creates fun and costs little to nothing. Family holiday movie nights are a great way to celebrate all month long. Make special treats and check out a holiday DVD or blu-ray or stay in the warmth of your house and download a Christmas movie.

 

Give.

jacketAnd let’s not forget the gift of giving. The Giving Way to Happiness : Stories and Science Behind the Transformative Power of Giving by Jenny Santi discusses the wisdom of great thinkers past and present, as well as cutting-edge scientific research, and makes the case that the answers to the problems that haunt us, and the key to the happiness that eludes us, lie in helping those around us.

It’s simple. Cook. Eat. Share. Laugh. Give. Enjoy.

The Holiday Downloadable Song

/ Mary / Leave a comment

colourful-gifts-clip-art

 

 

Busy, busy busy! It’s that time of year again. If you are hankering for some good Christmas stories and music but don’t feel you have any spare time, try the downloadable Christmas collection from hoopla. You can listen to music and stories in the car, in the kitchen–anywhere!

And there’s more than that! Feel free to sing along (to the tune of Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer*)…

You’re dashing and prancing, eyes on your mission
You love tales of Christmas but have no time to listen,
But do you recall
A great source of stories for all…

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeersanta-and-reindeer
is a downloadable audiobook
And if you never heard it
You might want to take a look (listen doesn’t rhyme!)
There are plenty of ebook stories
to brighten your holiday
Cheshire Library has you covered
Login, download, and play!

Time is racing toward Christmas Eve,
I can hear you say,
Holiday music makes your day bright,
or stream a Christmas movie tonight!

Try downloadables, you’ll love ‘em!
Automatic returns means no fees.
24/7 access
Don’t forget, it’s all for free!

girlwithheadphone3Downloads are available to any Cheshire resident with a current library card. You can access all downloadable platforms from our website cheshirelibrary.org.  Just click the bright green Download It! button on the homepage.

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*“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is a song written by Johnny Marks based on the 1939 story Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer published by the Montgomery Ward Company.

Learning to Face Your Fears

/ Mary / Leave a comment

worriedOctober 11, 2016 is National Face Your Fears Day, a day for confronting, if not overcoming, things that scare you.

The Cheshire Library is here to help. Try some of these online classes from lynda.com. FREE for Cheshire Library card holders.  Login in via cheshirelibrary.com/elearning.

Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking. Although it may seem to come naturally to some people, public speaking is actually a skill that can be learned. Learn techniques to prepare yourself mentally and physically so that you can feel comfortable—or even enjoy—delivering your message to an audience.  26 minutes.

Learning To Say No. Learning to say no is about making choices about what is important to you. Learn how to classify your work into categories of importance and decide how it matches your own goals and values. Using these guidelines, you can choose what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to more effectively and in a way that is brief, honest, positive, and respectful.  22 minutes.

Learning to Be Assertive. We all get frustrated when we feel taken advantage of, or alternatively, respond too aggressively when we feel provoked or trapped. Overcome these knee-jerk responses by learning how to be assertive. This course reveals what assertiveness really means, and how it is different from aggression, and outlines specific techniques you can use to respond to challenging situations and difficult people.  55 minutes.

Building Self-Confidence. Confidence can help you accomplish your goals and build strong relationships. But the reverse is also true; a lack of confidence can hurt you personally and professionally. Luckily, there are steps you can take to build lasting self-confidence. In this 20 minute course, you will learn 10 techniques for building confidence you can apply at work and in your personal life.

Embracing Change. In this short course (12 minutes!), author and business coach Todd Dewett explains how you can harness the power of change and benefit those around you by avoiding quick reactions, adopting a positive attitude, and developing a 30-day plan to integrate change.

Or try some downloadable audiobooks books:

Fear Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm / Thich Nhat Hanh

 

Speed : Facing Our Addiction to Fast and Faster– and Overcoming our Fear of Slowing Down / Stephanie Brown, PhD

 

And downloadable ebooks:

Goldsmith, Barton.

 

 

 

Or some books off the shelf:

RewireRewire Your Anxious Brain : How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, & Worry / Catherine M. Pittman, PhD, Elizabeth M. Karle, MLIS

The Science of Fear : Why We Fear the Things We Shouldn’t– and Put Ourselves in Greater Danger / Daniel Gardner

Growing up Brave : Expert Strategies for Helping Your Child Overcome Fear, Stress, and Anxiety / Donna B. Pincus

Audiobook Picks for a Family Road Trip

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

If you are planning a fun family road trip this summer, or anytime really, it could involve many hours trapped in a vehicle with bored, overtired, and otherwise cranky individuals. Let’s be honest, no matter how fun the trip, there are moments in which the boredom or irritation levels rise. So, instead of fighting over radio stations and whatnot while on the road you might want to listen to an audiobook (or more) to pass the time.

I usually check out a selection of audiobooks for my children to choose from and make them take turns with said selections, before I even start the car if only to avoid arguments later. You can also download audiobooks to listen to via OneClick Digital, Overdrive or Hoopla. The good thing about the digital audiobooks is that if you finish earlier than you expected or do not enjoy the book and want a new one, you can always AIDIO1download a new one anywhere you have internet access. With the digital version you also do not have to worry about due dates or missing discs, which can be a big bonus.

If you are willing to give some family listening a try during a road trip you might need some suggestions. Here are some of my favorite reads and listens that are entertaining for the entire family.

audio3The Bad Beginning and rest of the The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, read by Tim Curryaudio6

Fortunately, the Milk written and performed by Neil Gaiman

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, AUDIO2read by Simon Jones

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L Konigsburg, read by Jill Clayburgh

How to Train Your Dragon (and the rest of the audio5series) by Cressida Cowell, read by Gerard Doyleaudio4

Wonder by R.J. Palacio, read by Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, and Kate Rudd

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, read by Paul BoehmerAUDIOB1

Further suggestions include revisiting some classics like; Because of Winn Dixie, Charlotte’s Web, Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass, The Wizard of Oz,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,  Chronicles of Narnia, The Tale of Despereaux, audiob3Fantastic Mr. Fox, and other favorites. Some newer or unexpected but wonderful listens like; Skulduggery Pleasant, Chasing Vermeer, Little House in the Big Woods,  Savvy, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (and the rest of the series), Nicholas St. North and the battle of the Nightmare King, The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell, and Half Moon Investigations might also keep your vehicle full of happy listeners.

Technology Is Good for Seniors

/ emily100101 / Leave a comment

senior-man-and-woman-using-a-computer-laptop

I’ve tutored many seniors in using technology, and our sessions typically begin the same way. The student announces, “I’m no good with computers! I’m computer illiterate. I can’t learn this stuff.” I then disagree and say anyone can learn technology, no matter their age, and in fact, everyone should learn. Just because you didn’t grow up with internet and touch screens doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to use them. We all have to start somewhere.

Once you begin learning, you’ll be very glad you did. From email and social media to advanced topics in file management—seniors are embracing tech as they see the value it can bring to their lives. The next time you feel like saying, “I don’t use computers” or “I have no use for a tablet” consider this list of reasons to start learning tech today!

  • You can bring the world to you. As we age, our mobility is sometimes restricted. Some seniors no longer drive, and others have health issues impeding their ability to go where they wish. Technology can even the playing field by bringing the entire world to your doorstep.
  • You can keep up-to-date on news and current events through online media.
  • You can research the latest information on topics from medical conditions to travel to cooking to gardening—the sky’s the limit.
  • You can stay in touch with friends and family through social media, messages, and email. Apps like Skype, FaceTime, and other video chat applications allow you to actually see and talk with friends and loved ones who may live far away.
  • You can stimulate your brain with hundreds of thousands of games. Many seniors especially enjoy Words with Friends, a form of Scrabble, that lets you play against people all over the world.
  • You can buy clothes, prescription eyeglasses, medical supplies, laundry detergent, olive oil, cat food—anything you can think of, and usually with free shipping to your doorstep. You can even order perishable groceries through services like Stop & Shop’s PeaPod and ShopRite from Home and arrange a day and time for them to be delivered.
  • And most important to us libraries — You can READ! Tablets like iPads and Kindles and e-readers are wonderful for those seniors who enjoy reading but struggle with aging eyes. Book text can be made larger and brighter allowing a more comfortable reading experience. E-readers are also very light. The newest Kindle is only 6.3 oz, much lighter than a standard hardcover book. Thousands of titles are available right now for FREE through your local library.

Are you ready to start learning? No excuses!  4abc340cf5d893ff4bf6ebc17b29c221

Technology Help – Need device advice? Schedule a one-on-one lesson in the basics of computers, laptops, tablets, and eReaders. Call the library at 203-272-2245 to make an appointment or come to our monthly Drop-in Tech Help program.