Dear So and So

[shootingstar]

I miss having a social life. Since moving to FL I haven't met anyone I'd want to socialize with, the activities seem to center on drinking, and while I enjoy my beverages, going out to get sloshed just doesn't appeal. I had hoped once I got back to work that would change, but apparently, I work in the only library in the western hemisphere where the staff are all hard core conservatives. Libraries are normally bastions of liberal, free thinking, social justice type folks, so this is really bizarre.

So far I've been invited to a Trump rally, the local gun range, and church. *sigh*

Well true, Pax (since I am a librarian by formal training and career-wise, until I switched out nearly a decade ago), libraries should hopefully have staff that are more forward thinking folks in town. What makes people afraid....? That's how I see it..

[Pax]

Well true, Pax (since I am a librarian by formal training and career-wise, until I switched out nearly a decade ago), libraries should hopefully have staff that are more forward thinking folks in town. What makes people afraid....? That's how I see it..

I think they can "get away with it" here because it's a graduate school medical library. The students need little assistance beyond locating things like proper peer reviewed articles, and choosing anatomical models for the correct section they're in.

[shootingstar]

I think they can "get away with it" here because it's a graduate school medical library. The students need little assistance beyond locating things like proper peer reviewed articles, and choosing anatomical models for the correct section they're in.

Ah, those librarians are never faced with the reality of community "standards/values" and censorship, never have to deal with reality diverse information literacy, information gaps with those who don't speak English, never deal with homeless locals who visit the library for a warm place to stay, never deal with people who don't understand basics of govn't structure and how to find information on the 'Net, or even which organization /authority to contact by phone, never deal with helpless poor clients who can't afford a lawyer to deal with divorce, child custody (that's why law librarians might get walk-ins from public), etc.

Information is power and the right information serves to equalize and solve problems.

One doesn't have to work in alternate organizations so I am befuddled why some of the employees are so rigid. They don't want change...

[Pax]

Yes, and the head of the library had only worked in this and a private engineering school library, so he's very accustomed to being in a strongly male environment where his views may have had more traction. He has succeeded in hiring a very conservative staff, none of whom have academic library experience, which why (I'm assuming) he hired me. I actually know how to do the job, and tend to keep my interactions professional.

[OakLeaf]

Honestly, in that town, what passes for "liberal" bugs me a lot more than people who are unabashedly reactionary. You get people who you think are allies, and then something comes out of their mouth that makes you wonder whether you even want to associate with them.

Hang in there, Pax. You still might try hanging out with the old white men at Hottie's Coffee.

[Pax]

Honestly, in that town, what passes for "liberal" bugs me a lot more than people who are unabashedly reactionary. You get people who you think are allies, and then something comes out of their mouth that makes you wonder whether you even want to associate with them.

Hang in there, Pax. You still might try hanging out with the old white men at Hottie's Coffee.

It is a strange thing to find a liberal here, then hear what comes out of their mouths; rebel flags - no problem because it's heritage, Trump v Clinton - well, Hillary is the devil so they may just not vote, young man in trouble for destroying a pride flag - well, boys will be boys, he didn't really mean anything.

My upstairs neighbor is a regular at Hottie, his wife wants him to stop going so much because his blood pressure gets sky high from arguing politics.

[smilingcat]

It is a strange thing to find a liberal here, then hear what comes out of their mouths; rebel flags - no problem because it's heritage, Trump v Clinton - well, Hillary is the devil so they may just not vote, young man in trouble for destroying a pride flag - well, boys will be boys, he didn't really mean anything.

My upstairs neighbor is a regular at Hottie, his wife wants him to stop going so much because his blood pressure gets sky high from arguing politics.

I must be a flaming commie. I been touched by the Bern.

Dear weather,

what's up with high 50's and low 60's for the daytime high? Was it a fading memory or did we really have 100F about a week ago? I'm worried for my basil and other heat loving plants. Will they survive overnight when the temp drops into the low 40's. My tomatoes, peppers, zukes have stopped growing because its too cold. all the basil variety may die from the cold spell you are inflicting on us.

And last week, I've lost most of my cool weather crop such as bok choi, tat soi, to bolting and you've managed to wreck most of my lettuce, bitter and tough from the heat.

All of this with measures taken to protect the plants.

Tomorrow is going to be a down pour. Please don't make it sleet. Yes, it was sleet and hail the other day. Thank you so much weather, we've pulled out of one of the farmers market for the season. Now we are down to just two markets for the season.

YES! WELCOME TO THE VAGARIES OF FARMING!!