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Health & Fitness

From Simple Country Living to High Tech at the University City Public Library

Downloading books from the University City Public Library and doll collections

We were three girls and three boys growing up. Almost like 2 separate families. The girls were the oldest and then came the boys. We grew up on a farm of 200 plus acres but didn't really farm. Our next door neighbors had a little bit larger farm but our houses were right next to each other so we almost felt like "townies".

The boys next door, Chubby and Dale, were the same age as Phyllis and me. We were allowed to play together with permission from our parents (country courtesy among neighbors). One fine summer day, Chubby and Dale came over and wanted to play our usual game of cowboys.  Phyllis and I were getting sick of this game and suggested instead that we play "house." The compromise was cowboys first and then a session of "house." It turned out to be one of my sister and my first lessons in feminism.  After Chubby and Dale were finished with cowboys, they were finished with us.  So Phyllis and I grabbed our horses (brooms from our house) and started hitting them with the brooms as we chased them all over our yards.  Their mother was watching from the front window with tears of laughter running down her cheeks.

Whilst Phyllis and I were being tomboys, our sister Kathy was inside playing with her dolls. Kathy was the almighty saviour of dolls. She kept hers in their boxes (still has some of them) and she made sure they were very well taken care of.  She was pea green when I got the bride doll one Christmas and then didn't treat it right.  Another day she cried as Phyllis did a scientific experiment by putting one of her discarded dolls on the roof to see how long it would take to melt.  Kathy was able to save many of the dolls that Phyllis and I discarded and still has some of them in her collection. 

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Kathy has over 200 dolls in her collection, 69 of which are on display at the . At Christmas, she buys the biggest tree she can find and hangs the dolls on the tree.  It is quite a sight.

When Kathy and I went to the library yesterday to take some pictures of her library display, we got some more information about downloading books. What I have found out is that you don't need a Kindle or a Nook. You are able to download a software application to your PC, Mac and/or phone. Then after registering with the library you can go to www.ucpl.lib.mo.us, from the home page click on download, then access OverDrive and then pick a book. I downloaded a book to my mac.  I have it on loan for 14 days.  Apparently it goes away after 14 days, so NO more library fines.  I am very happy.

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The staff at the University City Public Library was very helpful and patient with me in getting this set up.  It does take a bit of time but oh so worth it so far.

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