Today, I have found my favorite place so far in this new territory. It is the Lake Placid Library. Before I arrived, I asked my housemates if they had been to this library. "Yes," they both replied, "the Saranac Library is much better." But I am not someone to give up on the library system so quickly. I mean, it's a quiet zone filled with free knowledge, stories, and adventures! How could one NOT love being here. So with a skeptical eye I approached what I have now found to be quite the treasure. It is two different building in the middle of downtown connected only by a tiny windowed hallway that peaks out to the street on one side and Lake Placid on the other. You are invited in by deep cedar wood all around and stacks of 1980s books. You know, the hardbacks with that awkward plastic covering. The best part about it is the structure. I imagine it used to be an old house because it is set up as if a maze. Little nooks turn into wide rooms and sudden turns become bare wall. You can sit by one of the large windows facing the lakeside and read your John Grisham while admiring the green trees nearby. The back of the library is an inviting retreat by the lake with wooden one-person chairs and tiny side tables to place your book or lunch while resting. Although it is raining right now, I plan on taking advantage of this spot very often.
Today I feel like a directionless wave of water. Here I am, in this little tourist town, too poor to buy anything from the dozens of boutique shops and too ambivalent to look. Before I left the car (thank you housemate!) I prayed for some kind of holy conversation to occur between me and well, anyone. It hasn't happened yet but I still plan on seeking out a tiny cafe to begin my Humungo wilderness therapy workbook so I have not lost hope. I am tossed like a silly, little wave by what used to be easy decisions. "Should I do my laundry today at the laundromat?" (PS I've never used one before). "And if I do, should I bring back the wet clothes to the cabin and hope that it stops raining so they can dry outside and I can save $3.50?" Or "Should I continue reading Willa Cather at the laundromat? Or write more letters?" When one is given a copious amount of time in which to do anything they'd like with the given limits of my situation they must either make strong choices for their day or go a little crazy. "Should I learn to identify plants today based on the information of my 'Edible Wildplants of the NorthEast' book? Or bake bread? Or attempt to do yoga alone based solely on the little I remember from the three classes I have taken in the past 5 years?" Daily decisions can be overwhelming even when you have been freed from the subtle nuances of life like paying rent or going to work. I am learning slowly that satisfaction based on one's geography is a silly connection to make. Again, it comes back to the heart, blah blah blah. All that stuff my pastor and leaders spoke of back in the day, well, it's true dang it.
I'm off to continue exploring this little gem. I have been taking pictures of my experiences and hope to be able to post them soon as soon as I can get a hold of the right computer. Blessings my friends!
Two important facts:
1) Today, someone encouraged me to "lead with a reckless love". I really want to.
2) I dreamt I was Hilary Duff in a new version of High School Musical with Zac Effron. I want to know what my subconscious is trying to tell me.
La Loba
Oh my sweet Jenna! I so look forward to your posts! Your blog is currently my very first bookmark on my internet browser. I am so glad about this refuge of a library. Favorite part of your post: "it's all about the heart, blah blah blah."
ReplyDeletePerfect.