Met with the surgeon post-op and while the break was worse than X-rays showed, I now basically have a new left ankle complete with a “TightRope” Working on pain management and a strategy for 8 weeks of non- Weight-bearing on both legs. This ads new meaning to go big or go home. Waiting for insurance to sort itself and then I’m off to a rehab facility for a few weeks. Not sure what happens after rehab but learning to take things one day at a time. More tomorrow when my brain returns.

I know not everyone loves karaoke, but for those of us who do, here's a fun thing you can do if you go with a group of people. Each round, have someone generate a random number or letter for everyone else (a number if the karaoke bar uses paper song sheets or a letter if it's all digital). Whatever number or letter you are assigned, you have to pick a song either from that page, or from the song list or artist list with that letter! it forces you to pick some really ridiculous or creative things you would otherwise not choose. Has anyone else done this? What did you sing? Or do is this like most other parties where people hate karaoke ?🤣

Day 3: Down the Rabbit Hole Five Days of Reading Adventures I have a confession. I’m one of those people who can look up one tiny, innocent fact and emerge three hours later knowing entirely too much about medieval plumbing, the history of the paper clip, or why wombats produce cube-shaped poop. Don’t ask how I got there. I couldn’t retrace my steps if my life depended on it. And now that my ankles have temporarily resigned from active duty, my brain has decided to compensate by wandering absolutely everywhere. Welcome to Day 3 of our reading adventure, where curiosity is encouraged, rabbit holes are celebrated, and nobody is required to explain how they ended up researching the mating habits of sea slugs. Three Fiction Picks 1. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig What if you could explore all the lives you might have lived? One woman discovers a library filled with possibilities, regrets, and second chances. A fascinating invitation to wonder about the choices we make. 2. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt A widowed aquarium cleaner, a mysterious young man, and a remarkably observant giant Pacific octopus. An unusual friendship and a mystery that unfolds in unexpected ways. You may never look at an octopus quite the same way again. 3. The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd An old map, a family mystery, and a discovery that challenges everything we think we know about the world. Perfect for anyone who has ever looked at a map and wondered what might be hiding just beyond its edges. Three Nonfiction Picks 1. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson From the Big Bang to the tiniest organisms, Bryson explores how scientists figured out what we know about our universe. Science, history, eccentric personalities, and plenty of “Wait, seriously?” moments. 2. The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair Who knew colors had such scandalous histories? Discover the surprising stories behind familiar shades, from art and fashion to politics and poison. You’ll never look at your box of crayons the same way again.

Hi Everyone, I’m so excited to share several events being hosted right here in the community. On Oct 21, Chef @Andrew Brooks will be leading us in a Cook-along sharing tips to make healthy food bowls. Details in the calendar. A few days later Chef @Henry Hunter will be dropping a family fun baking lesson and we will schedule a bake-along shortly after the lesson to answer questions and share the joy. On Oct 30, I’ll be introducing a beginner RPG designed for families. Simple to play and you can learn more in the classroom #Story Quest: Become the Hero On November 7, @Paula Artis will be guiding us through a fun session using ChatGPT and craft supplies from home to create your own personalized Holiday Pop-Up book. Recommended age 8 and up (5 and up with adult help). More details in the calendar. Then @Celia Kibler and I will be co-hosting two sessions on Parenting through the Holidays. Stay tuned for dates and times. What other types of sessions or activities would you like to see? We have a very talented community and I want to see you shine.

Coming at you from my hospital bed and I’ve enlisted some help from AI as having coherent thoughts is a bit challenging right now. The next few days our focus is on books, both for the adults here and also those to share with the kids in our lives. Day 1: Have Books, Will Travel Well, this wasn’t exactly on my October bingo card. Apparently, breaking both ankles is one way to get out of doing the laundry. A bit extreme, perhaps, but here we are. Since my grand adventures are temporarily limited to wherever someone is willing to wheel me, I’ve decided it’s time for a different kind of adventure. The kind that doesn’t require shoes, a suitcase, or even leaving the couch. Books! For the next five days, we’re going to explore books for grown-ups. Because Connected Through Play isn’t just about what we do with the kids. Curiosity, imagination, and a little adventure belong to us, too. Today’s theme: Take Me Somewhere Else Some books transport us to another century. Others drop us into someone else’s life. And a few make us forget that we’ve been sitting in the same chair for three hours. Three fiction picks: 📖 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Two sisters, occupied France, and extraordinary courage during World War II. Bring tissues. 📖 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Four retirees, a cold case, and the delightful discovery that growing older doesn’t mean behaving yourself. 📖 The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune A wonderfully unusual orphanage, magical children, and a story about finding where you belong. Three nonfiction picks: 📖 The Wager by David Grann Shipwreck, mutiny, survival, and a true story so outrageous it could pass for fiction. 📖 The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown Nine young men, one rowing team, and an extraordinary journey to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. 📖 The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker A fascinating look at why bringing people together matters and how we can make those moments more meaningful. A Little Book-Picking Wisdom