Saturday Photo Hunting - Books - September 21, 1013

There were many traumas associated with San Franciso's massive cuts to
the Department of Public Health in early 2009.  My 21-year forensic nursing
position came to a crashing halt and, at 64, I retired.  My pension and 
social security weren't nearly adequate enough to stay in my home of 14
years.  I finally thought, "I'll live part of my time in India so I can see old friends
and live less expensively than in the Bay area.  It killed me, though, to part 
with so many belongings ( my boys always called my treasures "junk" but
they were precious to me.  I had hundreds of books - and 500 cookbooks.
I had to go through everything before I sent it off to Goodwill or gave it
away, hence, twice I rebooked my India flight, with a penalty.

Here are just some of the books that are no longer in my possession.
Hardest of all was discarding all my forensic books, conference notes,
and the like.  I just couldn't ( and still don't ) accept that my, profession of
almost fifty years, was over.

These boxes are merely a fraction to which I bade farewell.  The few I kept have

been in a foggy storage unit and are probably not worth keeping now.  

I am participating in Gattina's

Saturday Photo Hunting: Books

Join us!!!

Returning From the Library

Since my children have grown up, I haven't been a frequent user of the library.  With my forensic nursing job, I would be at the hospital all hours of the day and night, taking care of victims of sexual assault and, when I wasn't, I would try to grab a little sleep in the odd moments that I could. I absolutely love libraries but most weren't conveniently open to suit my neeed ( 4AM, midnight ).  I learned about new books via the internet - so conveniently available ALL the time.  If I saw something I liked, I would order it.  Now with the loss of my job of twenty-one years, in the horrible budget cuts to the San Francisco Department of Public Health, my retirement, and the major decrease in my annual income, I cannot afford to order books the way I once did.  Woe is me!!  Adjustment is not easy for an old lady!  However, it has forced me to rediscover libraries and what wondrous places they are.  I spend hours at the one closest to my house.  When it doesn't offer what I need, I venture further afield to downtown San Francisco, an absolute mecca of volumes to keep one entertained indefinitely. 

This poem was penned after one such visit.

Returning From the Library

An afternoon well spent,

In avid search of books,

From myriad various stacks,

And hidden little nooks.

I’m anxious to get home,

My treasures to peruse,

Viewing all the volumes,

Which one will I first choose?

For two weeks I will be,

Enmeshed in many tasks,

Mastering Balinese cooking,

Illustrated by exotic masks.

I have the new bestseller,

A favorite mystery sleuth,

Who keeps me waiting breathless,

As he searches for the truth.

I’ve a book on herbal medicine,

I hope that I can learn,

To halt the aging process,

And help my youth return!

There’s a travel volume,

With scenes of glorious Greece,

And a book of meditations,

To help find inner peace.

That will keep me busy,

But if I need a few days more,

I can do online renewal,

Without walking out my door!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright © 2009 Carmen Henesy. All Rights Reserved