Thursday, October 30, 2014

Brutus Celebrates Emily Post's Birthday

October 30th is Emily Post's birthday so Brutus decided that he should check out etiquette for dogs.  He was surprised to find that there was not a chapter just for dogs, but that dogs and cats are lumped together as "pets".  (And why anyone would consider a cat a pet when dogs are so much more loyal and fun is beyond him.)  He also does not understand why some people apparently don't like animals and she suggests that they be put outdoors or in another room when guests arrive.  Everyone should enjoy having a warm furry friend with them at all times!  Staff tell him that he is naive and has a lot to learn.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Brutus & the Gnome

Brutus encourages everyone to complete and turn in their scavenger hunt answer sheets by 9 p.m. on Monday, June 30th.  A gnome has been visiting the Owosso Branch, and those with the most correct answers to his locations will be entered into a drawing to win the gnome.  Pictures & answer sheets are available on the library's Facebook page or at the circulation desk in Owosso's adult department.  Brutus is hoping to find a good home for the gnome; the gnome has enjoyed his visit, but is looking for a good family to call his own.  Brutus has had fun, though, sniffing out the gnome's hiding places in the library, and hopes that you are as successful as he was.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Casey at the Bat Day


 
June 3rd is Mighty Casey Struck
Out Day so Brutus is enjoying
 our summer weather by playing
 catch.  Unfortunately, he had 
to be told to take the ball 
outdoors before someone (or 
something in the library
is hurt.
 
Lots of fun is being planned
at the library this summer. 
Right now the 100 Years, 100 
Reads Challenge is going on 
as well as a Catch the Gnome contest. The children's
summer reading program sign up has begun,and story
hours start next week. There will also be a
centennial celebration in Owosso on July 1st, 
complete with cake & ice cream.  Brutus hopes to 
meet many of you at one of more of these events. In
the meanwhile, hereis the poem Brutus just 
discovered:
 
            CASEY AT THE BAT

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, “If only Casey could but get a whack at that—
We’d put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.”

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despisèd, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey’s bearing and a smile lit Casey’s face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt ‘twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt;
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped—
“That ain’t my style," said Casey. “Strike one!” the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
“Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted someone on the stand;
And it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, “Strike two!”

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered “Fraud!”
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn’t let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey’s lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Sniffing Out Some Good Reading

Brutus has may be running out of dog stories to read for the 100 Years, 100 Reads program.  This month he decided to try some titles he thinks are about the month of May.  He chose.  Willie Mays:  The Life, the Legend by James S. Hirsch, Marmee & Louisa:  The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother by Eve LaPlante, Bryant & May on the Loose by Christopher Fowler, My Heart May be Broken , but My Hair Still Looks Great by Dixie Cash, and Resurrection in May by Lisa Samson.   The staff are glad to see him expanding the genres he is reading, but he doesn't believe them when he's told that these books aren't about May.  Maybe he'll have some doggone good reading anyway.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Brutus Sniffs out the Candy


Brutus has found the jar of jellybeans.  Fortunately, he is unable to get a grip on the lid with either his paws or his mouth; but they sure smell good!  You can help keep the jellybeans away from Brutus by entering the contest at the Owosso Branch.  Whoever has the closest guess by National Jellybean Day (April 22nd) wins the jar of jellybeans.  Since Brutus has trouble counting beyond 4 (because he runs out of paws), he probably won't be the winner.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Brutus Celebrates National Puppy Day

Brutus learned about some libraries doing shelfies (an obvious take off on selfies) and wanted to do the same; but without a thumb he was having problems taking the pictures.  After much whining, he convinced staff to take a shelfie of some of his favorite books (dealing with dogs, of course).  As you might expect, he wanted to be in the picture, too.  Since today is National Puppy Day, he wanted everyone to know that the library has some good dog tails; (his spelling needs some work, too.  That should be tales rather than tails).  For anyone thinking of adopting a puppy, there are also books on choosing and training a dog.

Brutus is hoping to highlight some additional titles (and shelves) in the future.