There is plenty of affirmation forthcoming when I am in the public sphere. This, I know, is what keeps me going. A kind word here or there; it definitely spurs me on of course rather than the other way around.

Today was a day of affirmation. It began with my turning on the computer and noticing that Logan sent the video (https://f.io/Sy6bQKab) that he had made in the Colony Barn. It is really short, but succinct, and very well done. I will have to ask him if when he’s taking footage, if he is thinking about what the end product will be. Pete and I immediately sent it on to Rebecca, who we hope will post it on Facebook.

The affirmation continued with my talking with a fellow, I think in his thirties, who was the son of Emily Higgenbottom, a Palmer resident. Emily wrote a children’s book and died last year. He gave me a copy of her book. He obviously is very fond of his mother and misses her a great deal. I have not yet decided what to do with the copy – I guess for now I will read it then stash it in the literacy library, which right now is my office.

Melina

Onward, to the Palmer Pool where I entered with a handful of books. On my left were benches, upon which sat a handful of children who were reading books. Seeing this I thought – making books accessible to children IS working in that they are reading them. I definitely felt good, seeing this.

Next stop, the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel. As planned, at 1:00 p.m. Milena appeared, and we retreated to my office where she talked about her job-related future. We also looked at the schedule for the next few days and clarified things. Tomorrow, the next go around of the Alaska State Fair takes place. I don’t know why we only get two days off and why this fair goes so long. But I do know that there will be a lot of affirmation in this venue.

Milena and I finished our meeting at 3:00 p.m. Cathy, the artist in residence, appeared with Zooey, her grandchild – and Cathy and I spent the afternoon together, her working on bookmarks, and me cutting my article out of the People’s Paper and preparing it for insertion in the packets that I have previously prepared for this event.

Cathy always has good things to say about me and about the project, which is most likely why I am attracted to her like filings to a magnet.

Later, more affirmation in checking out and restocking the Amoosement Park and Bugge Park little libraries, and as well, the Big Dipper ice cream store. I am, of course, fond of saying that the books in the hotel are not available to appreciative readers – we have to get them out there, which is exactly what I am doing.

Pete, of course, as usual, provided me with a great deal of affirmation. If he was the opposite and did not provide me with affirmation, I would have given upon this very labor intensive project a long time ago.

Next: 225. 8/16/25: Fair Enough