Tag: Books

Almost summer – therapy dog edition

May 15, 2026

Mid-May heralds the wind down of activities for the current school year. Sadie and I made our final visit to the local public library yesterday. Next week will be our EOY celebration at the elementary school where we visit each week. And then summer for us officially begins! Her highness will kick things off with a spa day while I attend my bee group meeting.

We’ll still be making therapy dog visits during the summer months. Our national organization requires 1 visit every 90 days to remain in good standing. For therapy dog teams who primarily follow an academic calendar, the months of June, July and August can quickly turn into a summer scramble as we try to find events to meet this requirement. Making a single visit in July will keep us in good standing, but Big Girl likes to work.

Our summer visit schedule looks different every year. This time, Sadie’s favorite assistant principal is in charge of summer school and invited us to make as many visits as we want in June. Just for fun, we’ll add in a local summer camp and Gigi’s Playhouse visits for July. There are two other events in which I’d like to participate; however they require 1-1/2 – 2 hours of travel time each way. Gas prices and ongoing road construction will determine whether or not we participate in those.

Standing therapy dog visits that follow an academic calendar typically resume by Labor Day. The school is already confirmed to continue for the 2026-27 school year. The public library is TBD. The current vibe seems to be one of changes ahead, so we’ll see what happens. My 11 year run as a therapy dog volunteer at this library has been wonderful, but I’ll be totally fine if this chapter comes to an end.

Helping out

April 26, 2026

Today, I helped one of my guild members with a teen sewing group that she runs. We were at the Peachtree Library in Midtown, directly across from the High Museum of Art. The library’s located on the third floor of an office building, complete with its own free parking (14 spaces) and dedicated elevator. The nearest MARTA train station is the Arts Center (behind the High Museum, Alliance Theatre and Symphony Hall).

Our assigned meeting room was WONDERFUL, with moveable furniture, plenty of electrical outlets and lots of natural light. We even had a visitor stop in to ask how she could join in. The library staff we worked with were thrilled to have the space being used. The only drawback to this location is that free, library parking is extremely limited. Surrounding pay lots charge $16-$25 per session – which they can, given their proximity to the Arts Center District and Midtown.

Many moons ago, I worked as a legal assistant/librarian two blocks up the street. I actually parked in the parking deck across the street from the library. The library branch certainly looks much different today than it did years ago when I stopped in on my lunch breaks. I enjoyed my trip down memory lane – just not the traffic going home.

This group previously met at the Buckhead Library until limited parking and frequent special events at the surrounding businesses became a real issue. Today’s location could certainly work as long as she can secure the 10-2 time slot. As an alternative, I suggested that she look into the Northside Branch – about 2.5 miles away – but with a lot more available free parking (not surprising as this branch is in a much more residential area).

One of the parents in attendance is teacher at Midtown HS. She lives closer to me and asked if her daughter might be able to join a future CraftLAB session. We’ll see.

Today really underscored my desire to find a stitching meet-up space in Smyrna that’s free or charges a nominal fee ($5 per person, drink order, snack purchase, etc.) where we can gather 1-2x per month.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Stitchy fun available with a library card

April 27, 2025

Do you have a library card? If not, get one! It’s usually free for local residents or for a small annual fee for non-residents. Takes less than 10 minutes to get one. Well worth the investment! Following is a sample of what’s available to patrons via the Cobb County Library System.

Inspiration Awaits
Would you like to visit one of the following places for free? It’s possible with a library card and a pass that you check-out from the library.

  • Alliance Theatre
  • Atlanta History Center
  • Chattahoochee Nature Center
  • Georgia Parks Pass (for ALL parks in the state)
  • Marietta – Cobb Museum of Art
  • Marietta History Center
  • Smith-Gilbert Gardens
  • Zoo Atlanta

Magazines and Craftsy Access
Download the Libby app, add your library card credentials and voila! You have instant access to many popular quilting, sewing and crafts publication. FREE. The library’s research and digital databases include Craftsy access, as well.

Maker Spaces and Creative Studio
Is your sewing machine acting up? Curious about a 3D printer? Want to explore a Cricut Maker? The Switzer and North Cobb Regional Branches offer maker spaces with sewing machines, Cricut products, button makers, 3D printers and a host of other crafty equipment for you to use. Sewell Mill offers a Creative Studio where you can work with audio/video equipment to create videos, record podcasts and transfer old family videos and photos to modern digital equivalents.

Learn Something New
Most branches offer free classes or take home kits in a variety of craft mediums. All you have to do is sign up.

Meet New Stitchy Friends
Want to hang out with like-minded crafters or learn how to crochet, cross-stitch and do macrame? Several branches host groups that meet on a weekly/monthly basis. Some are led by a volunteer instructor who will teach you how to crochet and supplies may actually be furnished for these events. Unless otherwise indicated, assume that any stitchy meet-ups will be limited to handwork only. Do EPP, cross-stitch, embroidery or hand-quilt/sew binding while you visit. Some people even bring small projects to cut out. This seems to be okay as long as there’s enough room for the cutting mat.

Meeting Space
Need a quiet place to plan projects? Reserve a study room. Sign up the same day. First come, first served. Need a place to sew with friends? You can reserve a room for $25.00 per meeting date. Given all the events at the regional libraries, I’d suggest trying to reserve a room at a smaller branch if you can’t be flexible with meeting date and time. The library also limits reservations scheduling to 3 months out. Working with a smaller branch and offering to be open to the public wanting to join in may give you a regular meeting space at no cost. This is how my Friday Sew Squad got their space.

Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio on Pexels.com