In Icelandic culture, it is common for people to choose 10 or more occupations in a lifetime. This is not due to layoffs or firings, but a matter of personal choice.
Icelanders believe in refreshing the mind and spirit by expressing their multiple talents and interests, and changing careers is a great way to do that. Interspersed among these career changes are periods of several months or even years where they hold no job at all, focusing completely on what they want to do.
American author and podcaster Jillian Johnsrud expands on this theme in her new book, “Retire Often: How Anyone Can Take Multiple Career Breaks to Unlock Adventure, Advance Their Career, and Find Financial Freedom.”
By the time she was 40, Johnsrud and her husband had taken a dozen such mini-retirements, sometimes as sabbaticals from their jobs, sometimes by walking away from the jobs they had. They did it with careful planning and determination, and Johnsrud is determined to coach anyone who will listen to do the same.
“Why do we have to work for 40 years and only retire once?” she asks. “Why can’t we take occasional career breaks to focus on the other areas of life that matter: family, friends, adventure, rest, hobbies, our health, and achieving long-held dreams?”
So, if that epic adventure is calling, or if deferring your hobbies for one more year feels like too long, pick up a copy of “Retire Often.” It may just inspire you to finally live your dreams.
Collecting for local food banks
If you have an extra can or two of food you can share, or some dried food in sturdy packaging, please bring it to the library. Our local agencies will pick up and distribute the food to where it’s needed.
Tax forms and booklets available
Pick up Colorado tax forms and booklets, as well as federal 1040 and 1040A forms and instructions.
GED by appointment only
As we gear up for the grand opening of our new library space, we’re taking a break from regular GED hours. If you are working toward your general education degree or a high school equivalency exam, or if you could use a tutoring session to help you with your educational goals, give the library a call at (970) 264-2209 and we’ll connect you with our instructor.
Construction update
Our clerestory windows were almost finished before the big snowstorm. Just a few remain to be installed. Insulation and drywall are underway, and you will see the eaves clad in metal as soon as the weather cooperates.
The building should be ready sometime in August, and our grand opening is tentatively set for Labor Day weekend.
Follow us on Facebook for periodic pictures of progress.
Colorado Parks Passes for checkout
It may seem like the wrong time of year to visit Colorado state parks, but with our mild winter, why not get outside and enjoy the parks’ off-season?
The Ruby Sisson Library has free Colorado Parks passes for checkout that include a backpack with nature guides, binoculars and fun activities. Reserve yours today.
New Tumblemath for kids
Ask AI if good readers are good at math, and here’s the answer you get: “Yes, good readers are often good at math because reading skills like comprehension, vocabulary, and logical reasoning are crucial for understanding word problems, mathematical language, and complex concepts, with strong early reading ability being a key predictor of later math success. Both subjects rely on creating mental images, using context, and persevering through challenges, and brain areas used for reading are also involved in math tasks like multiplication, showing a deep connection.”
That’s the idea behind the library’s brand new online offering for kids, Tumblemath. Kids can learn math concepts through fun picture books that tell the story of why math works.
Concepts range from basic addition all the way through geometry for older readers. You can find Tumblemath in our digital library on the alphabetical list or in the homework section.
Meet us out in the community
Now that we have much less space for our operations and no meeting rooms during construction, several of our regular activities and special events are happening in other locations.
Please check the listings in this column and on your library’s website, pagosalibrary.org, for location changes throughout the construction. If no other location is mentioned, the activity will stay at your library.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library or check the website, https://www.pagosalibrary.org/events-calendar, so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Online author talks
Our free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in March with new authors.
On March 4 at noon will be “Humor, Heart, and Reflective Rural Stories” with Michael Perry, New York Times bestselling author of “Population: 485” and “The Jesus Cow.”
On March 12 at 5 p.m., join for “Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic” with Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of “The Alice Network” and “The Rose Code.”
On March at noon will be “America’s Failed Response to the Opioid Crisis” with author Shoshana Walter and special guest host Barbara Kingsolver.
Watch live on Zoom or via a recording later this month.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Conversational Spanish
The Conversational Spanish group continues on Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church at 225 S. Pagosa Blvd. This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a free, friendly group setting. No minimum skill level is needed.
Ruby’s Book Club
Ruby’s Book Club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles.
Our March title is “Educated,” a bestselling 2018 memoir by Tara Westover about her journey from a survivalist family in rural Idaho, where she received no formal education, to earning a Ph.D. from Cambridge University.
Anyone is welcome to attend.
During construction, it takes place at the new Harman Park Transit Center, 83 Harman Park Drive, next to the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Elementary school tutoring
Free after-school tutoring for first through third grades takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required because of limited space, so call your library now at (970) 264-2209 to enroll your child.
This invaluable tutoring involves one-on-one and small-group help for math, literacy, writing and spelling.
Note that because of construction at the library these sessions will take place at the elementary school.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m., Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for support, guidance, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
During construction the group will meet at the Pagosa Senior Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd. Enter through the left side of the building.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. Taylor helps with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources. No appointment is needed, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
English as a second language classes expand
Free in-person classes happen on Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and Thursdays, from 4 to 6 p.m. for students of all levels at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 225 S. Pagosa Street. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
New books collections brimming with interesting titles
For a full list of new titles and to reserve your copy, go to www.pagosalibrary.org and choose New Items under the Quicklinks menu.
New fiction
• Stewart O’Nan is back with a charming new novel, “Evensong,” about a group of elderly women who band together to help one another.
• “Where the Wildflowers Grow,” by Tarah Shelton Harris, described as “a poignant story of survival and redemption that questions what it means to stop existing and start living.”
• “So Old, So Young,” by Grant Grinder, stars six college friends and their relationships over a 20-year history.
Notable nonfiction
• “The Journey of Desire: Searching for the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of” by John Eldredge.
• “How to Live a Meaningful Life: Using Design Thinking to Unlock Purpose, Joy, and Flow Every Day” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.
• “American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union” by Jon Meacham.
New in large print
• “When the Cranes Fly South,” an international bestseller by Lisa Ridzen, is “about aging, and the quiet brutality of love.”
• “The Martians: A True Story of the Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America” by David Baron.
• “Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them” by Adm. William H. McRaven.
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