Mindfulness, Meditation, and More

November 2, 2015November 2, 2015 / Sharon Tyler / 1 Comment

Looking into ourselves using meditation and mindfulness is the big new trend. However, I know many people that use other things to center themselves and meditate. I know people who use yoga, running, cooking, painting, photography, gardening, knitting, or other endeavors. Anything can be meditation, if done in a way that makes you more aware of yourself and soothes you.

I crochet to meditate. There is something about the rhythm, the textures of the yarn, counting, and so on that help me center myself and slow my mind down after a busy day, or to get me ready to face a busy day. The simple act of using a hook to shape yarn to create something soothes me in a way that can only be matched with how lost I can get in a fantastic book or singing a song that I know so well I do not need to actually think about the notes or words anymore.

I have also tried traditional meditation and guided mindfulness exercises. While some have served to soothe and calm my mind, I much prefer using a tactile focus rather than sound or breathing based techniques. I think it is important for everyone to find a way to meditate; whether it with with the expected breathing and mental focus of meditation and mindfulness exercises, the rhythm of running or working with yarn, or the process of sifting flour and kneading dough for the perfect bread. There have been recent studies about how coloring is a wonderful form of meditation.

Here are some of the best books that have come my way that might come in handy if you are looking to learn about meditation, or to turn one of your favorite activities into a form of mediation or mindfulness.

How to Train a Wild Elephant: and Other Adventures in Mindfulness by Jan Chozen Bays

One Zentangle a Day: a 6-Week Course in Creative Drawing for Relaxation, Inspiration, and Fun by Beckah Krahula

Moving into Meditation: a 12-Week Mindfulness Program for Yoga Practitioners by Anne Cushman

The Mindful Mandala Coloring Book: Inspiring Designs for Contemplation, Meditation and Healing by Lisa Tenzin-Dolma

Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today’s Top Crocheters by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss

In Search of the Perfect Loaf: a Home Baker’s Odyssey by Samuel Fromartz

Turning the Mind into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham

Wherever you Go, There You are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Take a Deep Breath: the Haiku Way to Inner Peace by Sylvia Forges-Ryan, Edward Ryan

Meditation for Dummies by Stephen Bodian

If you would like a free class in mindfulness come to our Hypnosis Works! Hypnosis for Stress Reduction & Relaxation program on November 5th at 6:30pm.

Getting Outside More with The Kids

October 23, 2015October 13, 2015 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Now that the weather is cooler and the schedules for school and other activities are fairly stable, it is a great time to get out and more active with the kids. Whether this means hiking and exploring our state parks (don’t forget to check out the pass for free parking!) or just enjoying your own yard is not important.

My son loves playing I Spy as we take a walk, my daughter loves to have nature scavenger hunts, and they both love to make a mess in the dirt or by crafting with bits of nature that they discovered. I like just enjoying a walk on one of the linear trails, which often also includes chasing after the kids on their bikes. Whatever outdoor activities you like most, sometimes we all need some ideas for new activities that we just haven’t thought of yet.

Here are some books that might offer just the thing that will make your whole family happy.

Get Out!: Outdoor Activities Kids Can Enjoy Everywhere (Except Indoors) by Hallie Warshaw with Jake Miller

Go Outside!: Over 130 Activities for Outdoor Adventures by Nancy Blakey

Nature for the Very Young: a Handbook of Indoor and Outdoor Activities by Marcia Bowden

Outdoor Games! by Lisa Regan

Go Out and Play!: Favorite Outdoor Games from Kaboom

How to Raise a Wild Child: the Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature by Scott D. Sampson

The Adventurous Book of Outdoor Games: Classic Fun for Daring Boys and Girls by Scott Strother

Follow the Trail: a Young Person’s Guide to the Great Outdoors by Jessica Loy

And for the soon to be colder days:
The Kids’ Winter Fun Book: Homespun Adventures for Family Fun by Claire Gillman and Sam Martin

Taking Care of Your Houseplants

October 21, 2015October 13, 2015 / Linda / Leave a comment

I am probably not the right person to write a post about houseplants – I mentioned in a previous post that even though I love flowering houseplants, I just don’t have much luck with them. A few months ago, a co-worker presented me with a beautiful begonia plant for my new home. I was thrilled, but apprehensive, and asked my co-worker not to get upset should the plant not survive. Much to my amazement, the plant flourished and grew so many new, big, luscious leaves, it needed to be repotted into a bigger pot.

“Ok”, I said to myself, “I can do this.”

I bought a beautiful new pot and some potting soil, spread out some newspaper on my kitchen counter, tipped the plant over to gently remove it from its pot and…..nothing! It wouldn’t budge. I ended up taking a dinner knife and gently running it around the inside of the pot and was able to loosen the soil enough to pull the plant out. (Later I found out using a knife in this manner is quite common). I put the plant into its new pot, added soil and water, stepped back to look at it only to see what was once a proud, erect plant, was now drooping, its leaves touching the counter.

I consulted my co-worker, who told me the drooping was expected and the plant should perk up on its own. And she was right! The plant eventually began standing up tall and was producing many new leaves. Success! Or so I thought. Not having much experience, I did one of the worst things you can do to a houseplant – I over watered it. Old stems started to rot and the new growth was very puny.

Once again, I consulted with my co-worker who patiently explained the best way to water my plant and suggested a wonderful book that the library had on houseplants. After reading this book and several others I checked out, I realized I should have handled the repotting and watering differently.

Here is the moral of this story – if you’re not experienced in a particular area, it’s a really good idea to read up on the subject before you plow ahead! The library is a great place to gather the information you need on almost any subject. When I looked at our library’s selection of books on houseplants, I was able to check out some wonderful books that helped me learn how to care for my plant. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to revive my plant, but in case it doesn’t bounce back, I got some great ideas on what types of houseplants would work best for my home and experience. By taking advantage of the library’s resources, I’ve gained some confidence in my endeavor to have houseplants in my new home.

Now that winter is approaching, would you like to have some houseplants to brighten up your indoor living space? Here’s a sampling of books the library has to offer.

The Indestructible Houseplant

Growing Healthy Houseplants

Complete Houseplants

The Complete Household Plant Survival Manual

Indoor Plant Decor

The Unexpected Houseplant

Gardens, Gardens, Everywhere

May 20, 2015May 13, 2015 / Deborah R. / Leave a comment

For most gardeners, there is no better season than spring. After a long winter, we forget about previous garden disasters (like those darn deer that ate their way through last summer’s flower beds…) and look forward to what will surely be our most fabulous garden ever! As I do every year, I spent part of last winter looking through gardening books and catalogs and planning improvements to my home landscape. One of the many wonderful aspects of working at a library is easy access to all of the best books on any subject, including lots of garden and landscape books. Here are some of my favorites from the last couple of years.

Coffee for roses : …and 70 other misleading myths about backyard gardening Garden “myth-busting” done with wit and style. Save yourself time and money–one of the tips I picked up from this book will save me both.

The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden This simplified approach to perennial gardening uses hardy, attractive plants grown on a 10×14 foot grid. Each of the 62 garden plans combines complementary plants that thrive together and grow as a community and are designed for easy maintenance, the goal of most home gardeners. Even if you don’t switch to this system, you will find some good ideas.

Landscaping Ideas That Work. Your yard should be an extension of your home and this terrific book covers front, back, and side yards and provides strategies for combining elements and creating spaces that work with any home. Some great before and after photos.

Lawn gone! : low-maintenance, sustainable, attractive alternatives for your yard. My husband and I have ongoing “discussions” about our too-large lawn. Every year I drag books like this home in hopes that he will give up the turf war. No luck yet, but I keep hoping!

The Shady Lady’s Guide to Northeast Shade Gardening. This is a great book for those of us whose yards are graced with large shade trees. The Shady Lady identifies best practices, best plants, and best information, specifically designed for the zones of the greater Northeast – and leaves out all the rest. Includes a large yet highly selective illustrated plant gallery that includes all the indispensable perennials, ferns, and bulbs.

Don’t forget magazines! We get many home and garden magazines in paper and downloadable formats, including Better Homes and Gardens, Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening and more.

This year, in addition to my own gardens and a period herb garden I help maintain at the Thankful Arnold House Museum in Haddam, I am assisting with a garden project here at the Cheshire Public Library. Cheshire Garden club member Anupa Simpatico has designed a low-maintenance garden with four-season appeal for the front of the library. This project supports and promotes a healthy environment for birds and pollinating insects and carries out the Cheshire Garden Club’s mission of garden education, civic beautification and the preservation of wildlife. Click here to see the plan and plant list. This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Friends of the Library, who are helping fund it with money donated in memory of Margaret Andersen, a long-time member of the Friends and an avid gardener. The Cheshire Town Beautification Committee and several anonymous donors have made generous contributions towards the cost of the plants and shrubs.
The garden will be enjoyed by library visitors as well as countless people who pass by the front of the library in vehicles and on foot. We are looking for volunteers to help plant and maintain the garden. Please contact me at drutter@cheshirelibrary.org if you are interested in helping.

More Picturebooks for Spring Fever

April 22, 2015April 22, 2015 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Are you in the grips of spring fever, or just wishing for warmer weather, gardening, hiking, or beaches? Well, I am firmly in the grips of spring fever and have found some fantastic picturebooks that both encourage my focus on the warm weather, and fulfill my craving for gardens and outdoor activities. Will these spring picturebooks help you focus on the coming sunshine?