This post is part of a series called Thankful Thursday, where I list some things to feel thankful for. To some extent, focusing on what is wrong appears to come naturally to most people, who often complain, complain, complain when they get together with family and friends. (I’m no exception, that’s for sure.) So focusing on things to feel thankful for seems like good spiritual practice, a way to counterbalance the tendency toward negative thinking.
Mexican Food
After going to see the movie Sing Sing, which I wrote about on Monday’s post, Clif, Dee, our friend Joel, and I headed to Buen Apetito for Mexican Food. Along with the tasty food, one of the things I really like about Buen Apetito is how willing they are to let customers split a dish. Not only does this save money, but it also allows better portion control. While some things can be taken home for later, what we like to order doesn’t make for good leftovers.
And what did we order? Buen Apetito’s delicious potato flautases, which are shells stuffed with mashed potatoes and fried until crisp. I suppose day-old potato flautases might be worth reheating, but Clif and I prefer them hot from Buen Apetito’s kitchen.
Over dinner we talked about Sing Sing and other movies we might be interested in. We also talked about politics and did our best to solve the world’s problem. As usual, we fell far short of the mark, but nonetheless, we try.
Corn, Corn, Corn
I know, I know. I’ve listed corn in a previous post, but I just can’t help featuring corn again. Yesterday we received eight ears from our own Farmer Kev, and my oh my they were good. Soon, the corn will be done for the season, but until then, we rejoice in those sweet ears slathered with salt and butter.
The Return of Interlibrary Loan
I’ve saved the best for last. Maine has a terrific interlibrary loan system where participating libraries can freely order requested books they don’t have from other libraries. We have a lovely but small library with both a limited budget, limited space, and thus a limited collection. For someone who is an eclectic reader who, say, particularly likes mid-twentieth century British women writers, interlibrary loan is a godsend. I go online, see if the book is available at other libraries—often it is—and order it. The book is then shipped directly to my library.
But a terrible thing happened at the beginning of summer. The interlibrary loan system, run by the Maine State Library, was temporarily suspended. Most of the routes are run by vans that are hired from a private company. Every few years, the Maine State Library has to get bids for this service, and this year they chose a different service that no doubt charged less. The incumbent company decided to appeal the decision and this shut down the interlibrary loan service until the court made its decision.
Readers, I am not one to complain, but I have to admit it was a dark three months without interlibrary loan. No longer did I have the larger world of books open to me, available with the click of a mouse. My only consolation was that I knew this interruption of service was temporary and that eventually the system would be up and running.
That happy day came on Thursday, and giddy with relief, I promptly ordered seven books not available at our library.
“Greedy,” Dee observed when I told her how many books I had ordered.
Guilty as charged. When it comes to books, I am indeed greedy.
Thankful Posts on Other Blogs
Cimple celebrates the return of fall and cool weather.
Debbie, from Musings by an ND Domer’s Mom, also celebrates cooler weather.
Ju-Lyn, of Touring My Backyard, writes, “With each sunrise, I give thanks for another day of possibilities.”
Barbara, of Thistles and Kiwis, features food, glorious food, some eaten at restaurants, some she cooked herself.
Carol Ann, of Fashioned for Joy, shares a week of delights, ranging from tea and scones at a tea house in Virginia to trips to a museum.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Potato flautas? I can’t even imagine. I’m glad you enjoyed them, but I’ll stick with your corn!
Utterly delicious!
Corn doesn’t like me, Laurie, so I stay away from it. Not easy, living as I do in Central Illinois! I’m glad to hear your interlibrary system is back up and running. We have that here, and it really is something to be thankful for. Is it possible to be greedy when it comes to books?!? Oh, and thanks for the mention, too!
There are certain foods that upset my system, too. Darn it all!
That’s a darned good question, one that I will ask daughter Dee. 😉
Oh, to live without interlibrary loans is like slowly starving to death, yikes! The pandemic caused a similar blip and it is still a nightmare to remember. Glad your service is back. 🙂
You got that right! In Maine, the pandemic did mess up the system for a while, but the state did a good job of getting back in the swing of things with books in bags left for patrons in a kiosk outside. What a time!
You definitely saved the best for last, Laurie! Hurray for interlibrary loans.
My lifeline.
I have never seen that Mexican dish before. Sounds lovely. And YES corn! We’ve been eating it here too. Here in Michigan we have MelCat, the interlibrary loan program. I always thought the van drivers were employees, but probably they’re contract like you use in Maine. It would be sad if we didn’t have that as we also have many smaller rural libraries. When I worked for Genesee County libraries they moved material around in library vans. There were 13 libraries in the county, all used to be independent libraries that joined together to form the Genesee Co Library system. Those were employees that moved material…but I think the MelCat is different. Anyway….glad you got yours back!
Those potato flautases are our favorites. Not exactly healthy, but since we seldom eat out, we order whatever we want when we do go to a restaurant.
Sounds like your county has a good system for libraries.
I am not corn friendly but it looks so fresh.
Happy to hear about the interlibrary loan card. I never heard about such scheme in my home country. But anyone who lives in Norway and has a Norwegian ID-number can receive a national library card, which one can use at libraries across the whole country. This makes life easier in -ber and -uary months 😁.
Norway rocks! I love the idea of a national library card that one can use across the whole country. Easier in winter months, but easier overall, too.
Looking forward to corn season here! We get inter-library loans here OK.
Oh and thanks for the mention!!
My pleasure!
Yes, something to look forward to! Glad you, too, are able to get books through interlibrary loan.
The corn looks amazing. For some reason the only corn I’ve seen in the supermarkets here a already stripped and vacumed packed. They feed normal corn from the fields to the animals. What a waste!
Your library system is a great idea. There is not a local library here and I doube Portugal has an interlibrary loan system.
That’s too bad. No farm stands to get corn?
Must be rough to be without a library. Yikes!
I used to live in the library when we were back in the UK. isnce moving I have a bookcase full of reference books such as cookery, gardening, poetry, travel etc. Fiction I now read on my Kindle.
Yes, I can see where a Kindle would be very useful.
Did the library delivery firm win their case?
No, they did not. The State Library won their case in getting a new service.
A pity that it wasted time but a good result.
I am glad to hear the interlibrary loan service is back up and running!
Thanks, Lavinia! Boy oh boy did I ever miss it.
Hi, Laurie – I love your Thankful Thursday posts. This one is a great reminder of how much more mindful we often become of our gratitude once something is no longer there. I am delighted that you interloan library is back up and running. I am also greedy when it comes to library books. (Although I do try to return them as quickly as possible when finished). ❤
Thanks so very much! I expect many of my blogging friends are greedy when it comes to books. There are lot worse things to be greedy about, aren’t there? And I, too, return my books as quickly as possible.
I would be a definite starter for the potato flautas! Hooray for squeaky-fresh corn and a limitless library
Yes, yes! All three made my week.
Laurie, it’s never a good thing when the courts get involved, eh? I’m glad it’s been sorted out in time for your latest Thankful Thursday. Yay!
I love Mexican food, and we get plenty of it in the Bay Area. I never tire of all the wonderful choices, and how many of them are vegetarian or vegan.
As for fresh corn on the cob, it’s up there with fresh strawberries and garden tomatoes, all coming to an end soon. Enjoy after last ear you can.
No, never a good thing when the courts get involved, but they ruled in the State Library’s favor.
We don’t have lot of Mexican food in central Maine, but Buen Apetito is pretty good, and I love how they let customers share a meal.
Yes, corn, strawberries, and tomatoes are three of life’s great pleasures. Simple, but oh so delicious.
I’m happy whenever libraries land in the win column.
Those ruits and vegetables which only have a short season are really special I think. I know I can buy strawberries and raspberries all year round from the supermarket but I never do because part of the joy for me is the first one after nearly a year without, then the loads and loads phase and then back to none but by then I am beginning to tire of the.
I am greedy for books too. I can browse all the books in the county online and order them at no charge. But if my county doesn’t have the one I want getting it from elsewhere costs me a fee. Luckily I live near the county border so I can use both Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion libraries.
Yes, seasonal fruit is the best. We don’t buy oranges in July or strawberries in January. Every season, we look forward to something new.
Libraries are wonders, that’s what they are. Worth every penny of taxpayer money. Long may they live! And,there are worse things to be greedy about than books. 😉
The local corn this time of the year is fabulous … and we had some the other night. Good timing! Plus I’m all in for Mexican food. Such a variety, reasonably priced, and delish!
Good toast to the inter-library system. Years ago I did a self-study and Ohio’s system came in handy!
Local corn is so darn good!
Very glad the interlibrary loan system is back. Boy oh boy did I ever miss it.
So glad you get your books back Laurie!
I go to my library every week, and they are always delighted to find the book I want through inter-library loan. Librarians are very helpful people!
Yes, they are! Our library has a wonderful staff that is always willing to help.
I was looking at an out-of-town rural restaurant’s menu online (being Gluten Free and vegetarian can be challenging!) and saw in their extra orders, a $.50 charge for an extra plate! I guess they feel better about that request; but I had never seen it. Given that our American portions are waaaay too big, splitting an entre sounds like a great solution. I try to remember to tip the server as though I have bought two entres.
That would be a challenge to not have access to Inter-library loan! I have a fairly large library, but they seem to let go of books as they age. They are great for most of the new books.
What I am intrigued with your seven-book request, is that you plan to have them all read in three weeks. With my local library, I cannot renew ILL books. I don’t know that I could read seven in three weeks. Can you renew your ILL’s? Or read seven books in three weeks? If so, impressive!
Yes, I can renew ILL books so that I have them for six weeks total. Plus, sometimes it turns out that I don’t want to read the books after all. With ILL, no harm, no foul. Plus, I am a fast reader. In the end, it all works out. 😉
Oh, being able to renew them is sweet!
Thank goodness for Interlibrary Loan. I’m glad yours is back on track.
And one needs to eat corn on the cob on every occasion that presents itself. It’s one of summer’s tasty gifts.
Yes, eat fresh corn as often as possible. Good advice!
I am with you on both counts: corn slathered with butter, and having a good supply of novels to read!
Such wonderful, simple pleasures.
I’m thankful every single day of the week for my local library, and I’ve used our interlibrary loan system a couple of times. I will admit that I usually have a dozen plus books on my hold list at all times, and when I get the email that one is available, I feel like I just got a Christmas present. 🙂
You got it! Just like Christmas.
Mexican food is a favourite in our family. Sadly we don’t have a Mexican restaurant anywhere near us. We do try to visit one every time we go to a bigger city. I make Mexican food for my kids almost weekly. That is usually their choice for every special occasion that we celebrate as well.
Always a good way to celebrate!
It was going to be very difficult to top your wonderful Mexican food, but the return of your interlibrary loan system and a fabulous stack of books certainly topped the great Thankful Thursday!📖🙂
Sure did!
I wonder what our library system would do if the same thing happened here. I would be just as frustrated as you were.
No fun at all!
I’m delighted to know that your Inter-Library Loans Service is back. I spent pretty much my whole career working in, and then running, library services, and ILLs were an essential part of the offer. Without them it’s simply impossible to meet customer expectations, so any suspension of the service is a disaster for serious readers. “Greedy for books” is a good thing. Enjoy!
Such a wonderful career! Interlibrary loan is my literary lifeline. How I missed it when it was gone. Yes, impossible to meet customer expectations without this essential service. I’m with you about “Greedy for books” being a good thing. 😉
Food always makes me happy, Laurie, and I’m glad you’re enjoying some feasting and autumn harvest. I’m glad the library is back to finding books for you. 🙂 Our town is pretty small and we have an annual fee to use the library, so I don’t, but I’m always tempted to sign up when I read posts like yours. Happy Reading!
My library and interlibrary loan are my lifeline. My life would be so much poorer without them. I read a lot of older books, and I’m not sure how many of those books I could get as ebooks. Anyway, I keep Maine’s library books churning. 😉
🙂