Library, week 1
I'm just finishing up my first week as substitute-librarian at the Municipal Library. This is the first time I've had an " outside" job in 20 years, as I've been working at home on my own all that time. I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to cope, but it has worked out fine, despite of my in-laws being in town.
I've met a lot of new people and am pleased that I've even been able to help some with their computer/internet problems, so I'm not a total waste of space.
The one thing that was bothering me was trying to cope with the French keyboard on the library computer. I decided that I had to give in and load the U.S. keyboard driver so I could go back to touch typing, and that is making my life easier. I suppose that I will eventually get used to the French system, but my fingers like the way things are for now.
I've been surprised at how many people are using the library on a daily basis. Clearly, it was important to keep it open. And, being the only cybercafe in town makes us quite a draw, especially since we're free. I know that there has been some discussion in the village of creating a media center, and based on this week's experience, I think it would be a great addition to village life. I hope they manage to find the financing to put it together.
We had a personal scare this week; Maggie woke me up twice on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. She really, really desperately wanted to be taken outside. This is very unusual behavior, which I think she may only have exhibited once or twice before when we were still in Los Angeles. She was having major stomach problems, and yesterday, in the light of day, I was so concerned that I took her to the vet.
I was relatively sure that the problem came from some vitamins I had started giving her, which clearly had brewer's yeast in it, even though that wasn't specified on the label. However, given that there is a very real problem here with piroplasmosis and leishmania, both of which can be deadly if not treated rapidly, I felt that it was better to be cautious.
My hunch turned out to be the correct one, and I will now be doubly careful about giving her any additions to her diet unless I am 100% certain that there is no yeast present in the formulation.
There turned out to be a rather amusing coda to the story; I made some boiled chicken breast and white rice to feed Maggie for a few days until she is better. After I cooked it, I turned it into a kind of pate. My MIL saw it, tasted it and said she wanted it for dinner! JM and I had to argue with her to convince her that we should leave it for the dog.
Ah, parents.
Ciao for now.
Randy
I've met a lot of new people and am pleased that I've even been able to help some with their computer/internet problems, so I'm not a total waste of space.
The one thing that was bothering me was trying to cope with the French keyboard on the library computer. I decided that I had to give in and load the U.S. keyboard driver so I could go back to touch typing, and that is making my life easier. I suppose that I will eventually get used to the French system, but my fingers like the way things are for now.
I've been surprised at how many people are using the library on a daily basis. Clearly, it was important to keep it open. And, being the only cybercafe in town makes us quite a draw, especially since we're free. I know that there has been some discussion in the village of creating a media center, and based on this week's experience, I think it would be a great addition to village life. I hope they manage to find the financing to put it together.
We had a personal scare this week; Maggie woke me up twice on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. She really, really desperately wanted to be taken outside. This is very unusual behavior, which I think she may only have exhibited once or twice before when we were still in Los Angeles. She was having major stomach problems, and yesterday, in the light of day, I was so concerned that I took her to the vet.
I was relatively sure that the problem came from some vitamins I had started giving her, which clearly had brewer's yeast in it, even though that wasn't specified on the label. However, given that there is a very real problem here with piroplasmosis and leishmania, both of which can be deadly if not treated rapidly, I felt that it was better to be cautious.
My hunch turned out to be the correct one, and I will now be doubly careful about giving her any additions to her diet unless I am 100% certain that there is no yeast present in the formulation.
There turned out to be a rather amusing coda to the story; I made some boiled chicken breast and white rice to feed Maggie for a few days until she is better. After I cooked it, I turned it into a kind of pate. My MIL saw it, tasted it and said she wanted it for dinner! JM and I had to argue with her to convince her that we should leave it for the dog.
Ah, parents.
Ciao for now.
Randy
