The Columbia Press
January 15, 2021
7
Off the Shelf
Senior Moments
by Kelly Knudsen
with Emma Edwards
Quotes and kitties are motivating Some ideas for reading and getting involved
“Most folks are as happy as
they make up their minds to
be,” -- Abraham Lincoln
In a review of those words,
spoken about 160 years ago,
I suggest the aesthetics of life
need to go. Our lives simply
are not as they used to be pri-
or to the worldwide pandem-
ic.
Many of you have chosen
to hibernate or totally shut
yourselves in. Others put on a
mask or shield and tackle the
world. Think about it.
“Happiness is when what
you think and what you say
and what you do are in har-
mony.” That quote is from
one of Lincoln’s papers.
In reality, during these past
months of self-quarantine, I
think I have become my own
best friend.
I am one of the more for-
tunate in that my daughter,
Lynn, who lives in Warren-
ton, has literally become my
connection to the outside
world.
And if “we” need the big
guns (muscles), her hubby,
Wayne, comes over to assist.
Otherwise, I have been alone
so long I have noticed I’m
increasingly conversing with
myself.
But now I do have anoth-
er best friend. Some of you
may remember I wanted a
kitten at Christmas time.
Well, my wish came true and
three days before Christmas
is when Holly Holly came to
live with me.
It felt like I’d birthed a
new baby. She weighed in
at 1 pound, 5 ounces, on her
eight-week birthday, which
was when she took residence
in my home and in my bed.
Let me tell you. My life
probably will never be the
same.
“I know God will not give
me anything I can’t handle. I
just wish He didn’t trust me
so much,” -- Mother Teresa.
I doubt she ever had a kit-
ten so tiny and yet so opin-
ionated. Often, I kind of sing
Holly, Holly when calling her.
Her godmother is daughter
Lynn, who totally outfitted
her for my home.
She’ll remain a house cat
even when she grows up
since I live on a busy street
that’s like a highway.
“It’s not what happens
to you in life, it’s how you
choose to handle it.” I’m not
sure who said that, but I love
my little kitten Holly Holly.
I haven’t had a cat in more
than 20 years, so I’m in a
learning phase, too, as I try to
civilize this little kitten.
John Wayne summed it up
in this quote: “Courage is be-
ing scared to death, but sad-
dling up anyway.”
Peace be with you. Some-
times I think I have lost mine,
but adopting my new com-
panion is the best decision I
could have made.
I am a smiling, laughing
person anyway, but she has
increased the joyful aspects
of my life.
Call our local animal con-
trol. There just might be an
adorable little cat or other
animal awaiting your love. It
will bring back your joyful-
ness.
And, by the way, Holly Hol-
ly weighed 2 pounds 1 ounce
at the vet on Thursday of last
week. She has learned the
word “Eat!”
The library moved to drive-
through service only in the
middle of December, and it’s
been quite busy, with many
community members utiliz-
ing the window and picking
up items, including puzzles,
audio books and, of course,
the latest, best-selling books
and movies.
It’s super convenient being
in a building with a drive-up
window, especially during a
pandemic. And if you have
a computer, it’s simple to
search the online catalog and
place a book on hold for pick-
up. If you have difficulty with
the process, please call us.
Here are the top five titles
checked out for all three li-
braries in the Northwest Li-
brary Cooperative of Astoria,
Seaside and Warrenton be-
tween October 2020 and De-
cember 2020: “All the Devils
Are Here” by Louise Penny,
“Anxious People” by Fredrik
Backman, “Walk the Wire”
by David Baldacci, “Caste:
The Origins of Our Discon-
tents” by Isabel Wilkerson,
and “Masked Prey” by John
Sandford.
Next Monday, Jan. 18, the
library will close in honor of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
the only federal holiday ob-
served as a national day of
service. The holiday is con-
sidered “a day on, not a day
off,” encouraging all Ameri-
cans to volunteer to improve
their communities.
As MLK Jr. said, “Every-
body can be great, because
anybody can serve.”
The library is looking for
some volunteers who want to
be on the front lines, devel-
oping something new for the
community. If this sounds
like you, please join us at 6
p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, for a
virtual meeting and find out
what a Friends organization
is and what it does, both for
the library and the communi-
ty. Sign up if you are a con-
cerned citizen, interested in
the library, love books and
reading, and are interested in
sharing your ideas for library
programming, funding, and
more.
If you are interested in at-
tending this virtual New
Friends Group interest ses-
sion, call the library 503-861-
8156 or go to our website,
warrentonlibrary.org
and
look for the “Libraries Need
Friends” tab and fill out the
online form.
Consider volunteering next
Monday in honor of the day
of service and throughout
2021. Getting out into the
community helps enrich us
all. It gives us a sense of ac-
complishment as we get to
know our neighbors, who
may need a helping hand.
Read on!
Kelly Knudsen is director
of Warrenton Community
Library. She has a master’s
degree in library and infor-
mation science.
Man dies in Highway 26 crash
A Seaside man was killed
Monday when his car was
struck by a semitrailer on
Highway 26, according to Or-
egon State Police.
Lonnie Meade, 65, was pro-
nounced dead at the scene.
The accident was reported
at 3:40 p.m. Monday about
seven miles east of Seaside.
Meade was headed east and
had stopped to turn left into
a driveway when his Ford
Explorer was struck from
behind by a Peterbuilt truck
driven by Alejandro Flores,
43, of Tigard.
Flores was uninjured.
Highway 26 was closed for
four hours.
Special columns in The Columbia Press
Every week: Senior Moments with Emma Edwards
Week 1: Financial Focus with Adam Miller
Week 2: Here’s to Your Health from CMH
Week 3: Off the Shelf by Kelly Knudsen
Next week: History in the Making
Final week: Mayor’s Message by Henry Balensifer