I am positively giddy when fresh local vegetables and fruit start showing up in the produce isles and, even better, at our farmer’s markets in town. Asparagus, rhubarb, new potatoes, broccoli, and so much more to come! And yet, sometimes I get the bounty home and I’m not sure what to do with it.  Sometimes I even buy too much and feel a bit stuck. Then in comes this lovely book by Tamar Adler that wraps up philosophy, cooking, memoir, and confidence-builder all in one package.

An Everlasting Meal: cooking with grace and economy teaches you how to understand and use your ingredients rather than only giving you a recipe to follow (although she does include a few classic recipes). Adler encourages you to use what you have at home and use up every bit of it, saving even those scraps for soups and stock. Her love of food, good ingredients, and simple cooking come through on every page. She sees amazing possibility in even a pot of boiling water.

• Eat more vegetables by roasting them. Get those vegetables home, roughly chop, drizzle with olive oil, season and roast them at 400 degrees for 30+ minutes in the oven.  They have so much flavor from roasting and you can eat them right away or cook with them the rest of the week.
• Revisit your salad. It doesn’t have to be cold.  It doesn’t even have to have lettuce.  But if it is a lettuce salad think of this:  dress and season the ingredients rather than the salad as a whole. This way it won’t just taste like salad dressing.
• Keep simplicity and good ingredients in mind. “People have always found ways to eat and live well, whether on boiling water or bread or beans, and that some of our best eating hasn’t been our most foreign or expensive or elaborate, but quite plain and quite familiar. And knowing that is probably the best way to cook, and certainly the best way to live.”
• Fill a big pot half full of water and put it on to boil. Then, and only then, look around and find ingredients in your kitchen and pantry (and garden) to throw in the pot. Surprise yourself with different combinations.
• Do you ask yourself “Is this done?” Of course! And while the fork test is good, the absolute best way to know if your vegetables or pasta are done is by tasting them. Tamar’s advice says that if you’re reaching in for another bite then you know it’s done.

These tips are just a fragment of her wisdom and I encourage you to find this book and read it! I was inspired from the very beginning and have been roasting vegetables weekly now with delicious results. In fact, I am in love with roasted carrots. Try them today!

What have you been inspired by in the kitchen lately?

Watch our SummerFest video below:

Summer readers earn rewards, like free bowling passes and chocolate. There are five programs that fit everyone in the family. Complete the following to receive an certificate of accomplishment and be eligible for grand prize drawings. Sign up here:

• Pre-reader: (birth to 18 months) 30 activities or be read to 12 hours
• Kids: (toddlers to middle school) read to 12 hours
• Teens: (middle school to 18-years) read 12 hours
• Adults: (18 and older) read 8 books
• Group: a perfect option for daycares and camps (not eligible for grand prizes)

After reaching the 12-hour milestone, kids and teens will receive a free book and a certificate. Summer reading is a great activity that helps combat the learning loss that naturally occurs when students go on summer vacation.

“Reading for some fun incentives at their library pays dividends for children, parents and teachers. We’re helping students maintain or improve their reading levels,” said LeAnn Petrie, Youth Services supervisor. “Over the last few years the library has partnered with several school districts to measure reading levels of students at the end of the school year and when they return in August. It shows that by requiring as little as 12 hours of reading during summer, there is an impact on a kid’s learning and reading skills and scores.”

Petrie said reading is reading whether it’s a comic book, listening to audiobooks or other reading-related activities and count towards reaching your reading goals.

SummerFest also includes entertainment for all ages. Free summer activities include:

Featured Programs (all ages unless otherwise indicated)

• June 2           10:30-1:30 p.m. – Sail into Summer
• June 6            9:30,11:00 a.m., & 6:30 p.m. – Sal Cruz Drumline:
• June 9           2 p.m. – Sunflower Music Festival – free performance
• June 12         7 p.m. – Easy Star Gazing
• June 27         4 p.m. –  Megan Leigh, Country Pop singer
• July 11          9:30, 11:00 a.m., & 6:30 p.m. – The La La’s
• July 14          3-4 p.m. – Playful Pianists from Around the World
• July 28         10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Dream Big Game Day & Biggest Storytime Ever

Every Week

• Readapalooza (grades 2-5): 10-11:00 a.m., Tuesday & Thursday
• Stories and Crafts (3-5 years): 10-11:00 a.m., Tuesday & Thursday
• Games, Brain Challenges and Crafts (5-12 years): 1-3 p.m., Monday, Wednesday & Fridays
• Friday Flicks: 2-4 p.m.
• Stories and Music with Kyler: 10 a.m., Saturday
• R.E.A.D. Dogs: 2 p.m., Sunday

Come aboard the Adventuremobile, the kid’s bookmobile, and meet a new critter each week. The schedule is in the June/July edition of ConnectNow Library News, and is also online at www.tscpl.org.

Watch and share our Summerfest Music Video online on our YouTube channel.

Summerfest programming and prizes are sponsored by The Friends of the Library and The Library Foundation, and many community partners who make this reading initiative possible.

The library will be closed May 28 in observance of Memorial Day, but we’re always open at www.tscpl.org and customers can sign up for summer reading here.

1.  Excellent biographies by Robert Creamer on Casey Stengel and  Babe Ruth are worth your time.  Creamers’ book on Babe Ruth is considered the defining biography on the Bambino.

2.  I reccomend picking up any of the outstanding collection of essays by Roger Angell.  One of the most striking items from Angell’s essays is one ultimately published in “Season Ticket“, involving a spring training trip to see the Baltimore Orioles. While there, Angell interviews Earl Weaver, then the former Orioles manager, about Cal Ripken, Jr., who was about to start his rookie season. Angell quotes Weaver as saying about Ripken that, at whichever position the team decides (between shortstop and third base), “his manager can just write his name into the lineup every day for the next fifteen years; that’s how good he is”. Starting that year, Ripken in fact was written into lineups every day for more than fifteen years, setting the all-time consecutive games-played streak of 2,632 games. Angell’s quote of Weaver stands as one of the most incredibly prescient (and well-documented) “first-guesses” in recorded literature. 

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3.  Ball Four by Jim Bouton.  Written during the 1969 baseball season, the author a once a star pitcher for the Yankees kept a diary about life as a baseball player trying to hang on for one more year.  Set in the 1969 season, the author is a struggling pitcher for the Seattle Pilots.   who keeps a diary of his season Published in 1970 Ball Four is a funny, often poignant look at the life a major leaguer.  Written in diary form the author tells never before told stories of what life was really like in a major league clubhouse.  Bouton has written several other books but this is by far his best.  In fact the New York Times listed this book as one of the most important books of the 20^th century.

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4.  The Glory of their Times, by Lawrence Ritter. You need to be a bit of a baseball historian to read this one, but it tells the story of the early days of professional baseball by the men who played it. The author spent a lot of time travelling and interviewing players, some of them great ones some of them obscure ones.   The Glory of Their Times was published in the mid 1960’s and has been reissued several times since.  Beyond a sports book you get a glimpse of what life was like in our nation in the first thirty years of the 20^th century

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5.  I Was Right on Time by Buck O’Neil and The Soul of Baseball, by Joe Posnanski.  Both books deal with the same person– the legendary John “ Buck” O’Neil.   In my mind these are not simply biographies about an old baseball player.  They focus on a remarkable human being.  In learning about O’Neil you will find an example of a man who refused to let injustices hold him back.    They tell the history of where we have been and where we are headed as a nation. Both of these books were written from the heart.  Without becoming too preachy, in my opinion if you read these books closely they will open your heart to live life in a better way.

6.  The Boys of Summer, by Roger Kahn.  A  memoir and story of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1950′s.  Kahn who was a reporter for the Dodgers, tells of the players career and life after baseball.   I consider this book one of the best books ever written 

7.  Teammates, by David Halberstram.  Published in 2003, Teamamtes is a story of friendship of four great baseball players.  Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky, Dom Dimaggio, and Ted Williams.  The book centers on a road trip to visit Ted Williams before his death.  It ultimately is a story not just about sports, but about friendship, and staying connected with each other as they aged. 

8.  Wait Till Next Year, by Doris Kearns Goodwin, is her touching memoir about growing up in post war America.  The two loves of her life were her family and the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Goodwin recreates the 1950′s when the corner store was the place to share stories and discuss the virtues of your favorite team.

9.  Stan Musial, An American Life,  by George Vescey.   This is the most current book on my list.  Vesceys book tells the career of Stan the Man, arguably baseballs greatest living player. 

As a reader I’m hoping that the interest in quality baseball literature will never die. When I read and reread these books, I often find I’m reading more than a story about our national past time.  They give us a glimpse into issues our nation has had to live through and find ways to solve.   In so doing they become a medium to teach us about our history.  

Let me hear from you.  What are your favorite baseball books.  By the way.  These books and many more great reads are available in the Sports Neighborhood at the Library. Section 792.84 —796.756, in the West Wing of the Library.

President Obama has issued a Presidential Proclamation calling for this week to be National Small Busines Week.  Here is an excerpt: You can read the entire Proclamation here:

Our Nation has always believed that anyone with a solid plan and a willingness to work hard can turn even an improbable idea into a successful business. For generations, that powerful notion has been at the heart of the American promise, forging a legacy of bold entrepreneurship that lives on today and lights the path to a brighter tomorrow. During National Small Business Week, let us reflect on that proud history and resolve to carry it forward in the years to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 20 through May 26, 2012, as National Small Business Week. I call upon all Americans to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the competitiveness of the American economy with appropriate programs and activities.

So If you get a chance, patronize a small business this week. They deserve your support.

Of course, the first thing you will encounter is an initial interview. Most likely, you will be asked about the types of working environments you have experience in, and what you are comfortable with. This type of information refers to your “soft skills.” Soft skills, the people skills and experience you’ve gained in different offices, may indicate whether or not you’ll last on a certain assignment.

Monster.com offers the following tips for interviewing at the Temp Agency:

• If you can, arrive with a resume. But don’t worry if you don’t have one. The agency will help you formulate one.
• Plan to spend several hours there. It takes time for the agency to interview, test and work with you.
• Dress as if you were going to the office. Temp agency representatives will be able to determine immediately whether you need advice on how to dress appropriately in the work place

Temporary Agencies in Topeka : 

Key Staffing

2815 Southwest Wanamaker
Topeka Ks
(785) 272-9999
http://www.keystaffing.com/

Labor Pros
1634 Wanamaker
Topeka Ks 66604

(785) 234-9555

http://www.laborpros.net

Adecco Employment Service
3638 SW Topeka Blvd
ervice Topeka, Ks 66611
(785) 267-2342

http://www.adeccousa.com/Pages/Welcome.aspx

So, the following month, the cookbook that we were discussing for the Cooking by the Book cookbook club was The Pioneer Woman cooks: Recipes from an accidental country girl. There was a blackberry cobbler recipe in that cookbook as well and I just wanted to see if it was better. So, I tried it and brought it for the others in the book club to try.  And while it was good, it just wasn’t that great either.

Later, as I was looking through all the new cookbooks, I came across The back in the day bakery cookbook by Cheryl Day and Griffith Day. Lo and behold, there was a blackberry cobbler recipe.  I told myself that I needed to make this cobbler for entertaining purposes (friends were coming for dinner), but secretly I wanted to see if this a great blackberry cobbler. And I have to say, it was. The crust is buttery with just a hint of sweetness. The filling is really simple with blackberries (of course), cornstarch, a little sugar and lemon zest. It’s the lemon zest that really makes this so good. I served the cobbler warm with homemade ice cream and it was devoured by everyone that night.

While I was looking for new cookbooks, I also came across the new Martha’s American food: a celebration of our nation’s most treasured dishes, from coast to coast by Martha Stewart. Divided by regions of the United States, it has many recipes that are simple but look scrumptious. As always, the recipes are easy to read and the photography is beautiful.  No, it doesn’t have a blackberry cobbler recipe but the blueberry crisp looks divine. It also has a recipe for grilled chicken with a spicy peach glaze. Now, I can’t wait for for peach season so that I can try that recipe.

If you are interested in these cookbooks or any other cookbooks, check out the Cooking Neighborhood and the New Books area at the library. If you would like to join our Cooking by the Book cookbook club, be sure and mark your calendars for June 14th at 7:00 pm. We will be talking about and sharing different kinds of salads. We meet in the Anton Room for great conversation and great fun. If you have any questions you can call me at 580-4540 and I can tell you more about it. Happy Cooking!!

Jack doesn’t have the blackmail information or know what it is about, but the blackmail victim knows about Jack and thinks he might have the information. It’s a world of the mob and crooked politicians, and someone’s connections can keep them safe or get them killed, and Jack has lost his connections. Until Jack discovers the truth behind the blackmail, Jack must rely on his instincts and what few “friends” he has to stay alive. Hard Knocks is by Howie Carr who has also written the true accounts of The Brothers Bulger: How They Terrorized and Corrupted Boston for a Quarter of a Centuryand Hitman: The Untold Story of Johnny Martorano: Whitey Bulger’s Enforcer and The Most Feared Gangster in the Underworld.

The convent of Saint Mortain is a haven for young girls and women who are believed to be daughters of Death himself. They are trained to be skilled assassins who carry out the work of Death by killing people who are marqued as evil. Ismae Rienne had a terrible life before the convent found her and helped her escape her cruel father and vicious new husband. She has spent her entire life as an outcast marked with scars from a potion that her mother used to attempt to abort her and the people in her village hate and fear her because of her connection to death.

The nuns at St. Mortain’s empower Ismae, and her devotion to the fearsome saint of death gives her purpose and a sense of belonging. Soon she excels at creating deadly poisons, thanks to her magical immunity to them and learns countless ways to kill a man using various weapons. Ismae receives an assignment that sends her to the high court of Brittany, where she must determine who is trustworthy amid the lies and betrayal that surround the young Duchess Anne. Ismae is reluctant to be paired with the devastatingly handsome Gavriel Duval, who could either be a valuable ally or a dangerous traitor.

The political events in Grave Mercy, including the heartbreaking betrayals of trusted advisors, are based on real historical events of 15th century Brittany. However, Grave Mercy reads like a page-turner, not a textbook. I loved the political intrigue and adventure in this book! It was easy to get swept away in the dangerous and glamorous world that Ismae is thrust into. The romance was also swoon-worthy, although it’s not the only focus of the book. Grave Mercy is the first book in the His Fair Assassin trilogy and I am definitely excited to read more!

Local growers will sell their goods each Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. beginning June 4 through Oct. 8. Purchase items such as farm-fresh vegetables, herbs, flowers, bedding plants, eggs and other seasonal produce, and ask questions of the vendors, who include Shane Root of T&S Root Farms and Ed and Leah Shaw.

While their parents shop, children will enjoy a new craft activity each week.

The Monday Market is a Capital City Wellness initiative, a state program that aims to promote healthy eating and exercise, especially among Downtown Topeka employees. Customers are encouraged to walk to the market, if possible.

Meet librarians who will help you discover more information inside, whether it’s a new recipe from our collection of cookbooks or a gardening book on what herbs grow best in Kansas’ soil. Customers can also pick up recipes at the library’s booth at the market.

This year marks the fourth annual Monday Farmers Market @ your library®.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Art Gallery, the Millennium Café, the Chandler Booktique Gift Shop, meeting rooms, and free computer and Internet access and training.

Library hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.

Kevin was so engrossed in carrying out his reading of the initial grant proposal that just relieved of her duties Evelyn Blackmon had left behind for any unwilling, unenthusiastic, bored-to-death beneficiary such as himself that he hadn’t noticed Kate entering his office. Kate chucked the morning classified section of the Topeka Capitol-Journal on top of Kevin’s desk. Underneath the folded newspaper was her completed first draft of what she had assembled together as “ghost stories”; one which was chronicled to her by a woman and many of her family members who had numerous experiences with ghosts throughout their lives.

With the expression on his face, he successfully communicated to Kate that he was highly annoyed by her aggressive personality as he gazed up at her over the top rims of his Buddy Holly frames. Releasing a deep sigh Kevin set free the words from his lips, “Good morning to you too, Miss Sanchez. And what is this, may I ask?” He lifted both items off his desk to take a closer look.

“Those are the tasks that I have completed on my list of to-do’s.” Kate plopped her body down into the squeaky office chair across from Kevin; taking a few spins gleefully.

Looking up from the documents in his hand, “And when did we assign you a to-do list, Miss Sanchez?”

She stopped her spinning and looked at Kevin as if he was the most depleting supervisor she had ever known. She continued, “Since you have not said much to me since I’ve gotten here nor given me one assignment since I’ve been here, I am bored out of my mind.” Both hands slapped against her thighs as she begin pacing the room back and forth in front of Kevin’s desk. “How am I supposed to work with someone like you?”

Kevin watched her until he felt dizzy then dropped his head into his hand.

Kate used her hands to express herself, “I mean…I come here to Topeka to get away from “Crazy Town” Florida only to drop into the hands of “Craziness”. She continued, “I mean…it was great to get away from all those Mickey Mousers to come to the Land of Oz. But when I finally get here, all that I have noticed are snooping co-workers whispering behind my back who sneak a quick look out of their tiny little cubicles looking for the next big interesting office story while my so-called “superior” sits here holding his head in his hands as if he has absolutely no clue as to what to do.”

And with that she had the audacity to ask one or two particularly don’t-go-there questions, “By the way, I have been very curious to know whatever happened to Ms. Blackmon…the woman I was very proud to soon one day call my boss…Ms. Evelyn Blackmon? What did you all do to make her leave? Because quite frankly I’m beginning to wonder why I ever wanted to choose Kansas to do my internship?” With her one hand on her hip, she stopped just short of sitting in Kevin’s lap as she waited for his lips to move.

Jerking his head up, Kevin responded with a surprisingly deeper than usual yet stern voice, “Miss Sanchez!”

Startled Kate jumped back from his gangly presence which now hung high over her as he stood. His gaze implied to her that he was no longer the pushover type. He sighed deeply before speaking realizing he had lost control of his character for a moment. “Miss Sanchez, I have listened to you banter from the moment you arrived. I have patiently waited for you to realize that you are in Topeka and not Florida. I have also allowed you to come up with the ideas for this project; ideas which in fact are totally meaningless and have no magnitude of affect to topic of the project at hand…which by the way if you recall at all is, “Topeka is Awesome. I have not been unable to understand why ‘ghost’ would make Topeka so awesome. Ghosts are everywhere! Anywhere you look just about!”

Kate’s mouth closed and opened again as Kevin turned his back. He was not really looking for an answer or allowing her to speak.

“They say that I can find ghosts all over the East coast. Even in places in the South like Louisiana or Georgia. But you Kate, you think the ghosts in Topeka make Topeka awesome. Like the ghosts here are so much more special than anywhere else but I don’t think so. As a matter of fact, I don’t even think Topeka is awesome if you haven’t noticed through all of your witty chitchat.” He now paced back and forth across the office floor. “Oh and also in all of my haste Miss Sanchez you obviously do not realize that you are the intern here and …” He turned abruptly in her direction as she stood unmoving, “I AM your superior!” Now Kevin stopped in his tracks squeezing the area between his eyes above the bridge of his nose for a moment. Then he raised his head continuing with, “Please step out of my office and return when you have a more dignified way of speaking to me.”

The room was so quiet that you could hear the sweat drop to the floor from the tip of the chin of someone participating in yoga class in the fitness room on the lower level of the company building. Kate was beginning to think that maybe she should have signed up to be included in the yoga class instead of here in Kevin’s office. She was speechless for once. And in spite of all that was just said and heard between her and Kevin, she wasn’t quite sure if she was turned on by Kevin’s aggressive behavior or if she was more willing to slap him for insulting her avant-garde style and level of intellect. After all she had planned to be a professional hair stylist before becoming an intern..

When he realized Kate hadn’t moved from where she stood, he took the initiative, slowly walking around his desk to the office door as his desk phone begins to ring. He opened the door politely for Kate indicating to her that he was done with his speech and expected her to leave without any response.

Unfortunately when he opened his office door Nora was leaning on the wall nearby Kevin’s office pretending to be paying close attention to Vicki, her partner in crime. They both were taking mental notes on more to add to the office gossip of course. “May I help you ladies? Don’t you have some type of work to do at all around here? I do wish you’d go and take care of it instead of standing around eavesdropping.” Kevin took another deep long breathe and let it out at a snail’s pace. Nora and Vicki scurried away.

Turning his attention to Kate once more while standing holding the door handle he used his other hand to direct her out with a gentleman’s gesture. His desk phone still ringing, Kevin prayed his voicemail would pick up because he was not in the mood for any conversation at the moment; but it continued to ring loudly.

Kate quickly blurted out, “May I say something?”

“Miss Sanchez. Please come back when you are more well-mannered and respectable with your words. Please???” Sarcastically he added, “And may I ask when you return please find another way to inspire others to love Topeka as much as you do.”

The phone on Kevin’s desk continues to ring. He inhales then exhales. It stops.

Now on the other side of the threshold Kate stands with a strange smile. Remembering… when a woman smiled, pain usually followed gave Kevin the sudden urge to either protect his lower extremities or close his office door quickly. But instead he asked, “Would there be anything else I can do for you? I must get back to my work…” He pointed blindly towards the two-inch three ring stuffed binder. Continually smiling, Kate took another step backwards away from his office threshold and watched as Kevin nervously waved his hand. After closing the door he turned his back and pressed against it while he listened for activity stirring outside but there was none.

The phone rings again disturbing Kevin’s peace. He leans over to glance at the caller ID…so much for crawling under his desk and hiding for the rest of the day. He shakes his head back and forth as he answers regrettably, “Hello Dad.”

“Hello to you my young man. How’s it going over there in City Hall?” He chuckled questionably, “I heard something about that…that young lady Evelyn…Evelyn Blackmon got the boot.”

Kevin eyes rolled to the ceiling as he thought this may be a good time to start making something up right now, “Yeah dad but I promise you I know nothing about it,” came out instead. Kevin loved and respected his father. He could never find himself purposely watching his father’s head explode over what he could possibly turn into one of the best ever lies he ever told his dad.

“Come on now. You always were zipping up your lip just when I needed you the most, son.”

Kevin nonchalantly nods without answering back.

“I betcha if your sister had the opportunity to work over there where you are I would know what type of pajamas Topeka’s mayor wore before he’d be gone off to bed. Hell, I’d even know just how many of his teeth are really his and what his grades were like in high school.”Still nodding Kevin walks over to his window to watch the cars roll by on I-70 as he listens now to his father poke fun at the comparison he often makes between him and his older sister.

“You know that your mother worked with Evelyn a few years back at Shawnee County Courthouse in Register of Deeds before she retired and Evelyn got that promotion to over there in City Hall where you are now.”

Continuing to nod and roll his eyes, “Yes, I know dad but what does that have to do with me right now?”

His dad coughs chronically, “Well you know your mother didn’t much like her and I know she’d love to hear the juicy on an old co-worker like Evelyn.”

“I know, I know dad but how are you getting along? That cough of yours doesn’t seem to be getting any better.” Kevin sits in his old tattered chair, “Have you been to the doctor like I asked you to a thousand times.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, I just think I was laughing too hard and sucked in too much air. Don’t be worried about me. I’m fine. Your mother’s fine too.”

Looking over at the computer monitor, Kevin realizes it’s about lunch time. “Hey dad have you had lunch yet?”

Coughing, “Well, no I haven’t. But your mom made me some of that bland old chicken she baked last night for dinner. I don’t know how other men function when their wives start worrying about their health and start treating them like one of the children ‘round the house.”

Kevin smiled. Reminiscing. His mother and father had one of the best marriages he’s ever seen. He has seen many of his family members divorce within one year of marriage and sometimes less. He has also been a witness at many marriages of his friends and none of them last very long. Marriage just isn’t sacred anymore. That’s exactly why he hasn’t taken that step toward it because he has not found anyone who was willing to hang in there; to see marriage through the hard times and good times; to not give up on marriage as easily as others.

After all, he had heard his mom and dad arguing oftentimes. He had seen where they wouldn’t even talk to one another for a few days. But he also witnessed them coming together in prayer and asking to be forgiven by one another. Then they would even ask him and his siblings to forgive them for misbehaving. Mom loved his father so much. Kevin saw his mother’s love toward his father and vice versa daily as he grew up. Kevin knows that it is that love that makes his mother care enough to prepare that bland chicken for her husband so that she can have him around much longer to keep her company.

“Well dad, listen up. Can you be ready in about 20 minutes?”

“Yes, I think I can son,” he coughs.

Kevin begin checking his pockets to ensure he has his car keys and wallet, “I’ll pick you up in 20. Then together we will head over to Brad’s in North Topeka for the best home cooking and the most amazing pie ever for lunch.” Kevin was feeling like his joy was coming back.

“That sounds good but don’t tell your mom we don’t love her home cooking and pies.”

Kevin laughed along with his father’s coughing laugh, “I won’t. Anyway she still makes the best pecan pie I ever tasted.”

They both laughed, “See you soon son.”

“See you soon dad.” As Kevin was putting on his sport jacket he interjected before hanging up, “Hey dad…do me a favor and don’t tell momma I treated you to lunch. She’ll kill me.”

Kevin’s dad chuckled, “I won’t. If you don’t tell her I didn’t eat that chicken she sent me for lunch.”

“I won’t.” Laughing with a pleasurable smile on his handsome face, his eyes sparkling through his black frames, “I Love you dad.”

“Same here son. Same here.”

Download and print Chapter 4 by Antonette Coffee (5 page .pdf)
Watch for Chapter 4 next week at http://tscpl.org/community-novel/

Author bio:

Antonette Coffee, formerly from Chicago, has resided in Topeka now for 22 years where she met her husband of 17 years—Don. Together they have six children and four grandchildren. Antonette received her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems at Friend’s University in Kansas and an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Allen County Community College where she was first informed by her college professor that she had amazing writing ability.

She first began writing at the age of 14, inspired by life experiences and faith. After winning a poetry contest for “Heartbroken” her motivation grew. Antonette loves to write in her spare time and has led teenage book reads at her local library. Loving the opportunity to mentor to young people–she volunteers at local community centers coaching volleyball; teaches youth Sunday School at the church she attends; along with all of the various other duties keeping her occupied in her young girl’s school sports and activities. She keeps smiling wherever you see her.