New Zealand Woman Returns Library Book 67 Years Late

In the U.S. this would be a story about how this elderly woman was hauled off to jail. 

A library book that was due more than 67 years ago was finally returned to Epsom Library in Auckland, New Zealand. 

“Myths and Legends of Maoriland” by A.W. Reed is a collection of indigenous tales, and it remains in print today under the title “Maori Myths and Legendary Tales.” The volume was due on Dec. 17, 1948, as the stamp on the old-school library card showed,

Epsom Library wrote on Facebook:

“A wonderful customer came to see us with a confession today! As a child she was a patron of Epsom Library until she moved out of Auckland — and accidentally took a library book with her! Today she finally managed to return it to us. It’s a fair few years overdue but in excellent well-read condition.”

Auckland Libraries said this was the longest overdue book it had ever seen returned. The organization was not sure what to do with it, but the book may go on display at Epsom Library. 

Compare and contrast with the recent story about the couple facing jail time for two books borrowed last year:
Although the couple admitted they were negligent in returning the books, they think it's unfair to each be charged a $105 "diversion fee" to the Lenawee County Economic Crimes Unit in addition to fines owed to the Tecumseh Public Library.

Friday, April 29, 2016

Friday links

Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington: here's some glorious music and a brief biography.



ICYMI, Tuesday's links are here, and include streaming Netflix through a pork loin, a muskrat cooking competition, menus for 1st, 2nd and 3rd class passengers on the Titanic, legendary plant-animal hybrids, and a roundup of funny (but not gross) colonoscopy videos.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Baby Horoscopes

As many of you know, in addition to several older and well-used grandchildren (ages 17, 16, 12, 12, 12, 12 and 11, plus an extra 5 step-grandchildren), I have two brand new granddaughters in the family  - Addie, born February 4, and Charlotte, born April 14. 
Related: Grandmothers gave humans longer lifespans
As a result of these recent additions more than a decade after the previous batch, all things baby-related have been very much in our thoughts and conversations recently. Artist Jim Benton also seems to know his way around babies:
Napping together: Addie, age 11 weeks, and Charlotte, age 10 days. ;-)


Horoscope via Neatorama

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

This 1926 Poster Predicts London's Transportation Future

Via the Guardian (over a year ago, but I'd never seen it), which has more information:

In 1926, London Underground published a poster painted by Montague B Black, a publicity artist who also created images for Liverpool’s White Star Line, which imagines London in 2026. A golden sky enfolds a cityscape of skyscrapers over which various types of flying machine hover.

We've still got 10 years to go...

Click here to embiggen


Related, also at the Guardian: the London skyline 1616 v 2016

Tuesday links

Scientists Stream Netflix Through Pork Loin.

The Art and Science of Muskrat Cooking - Do you have what it takes to win a rodent cooking competition?

Titanic Food Menus For 1st, 2nd and 3rd Class Passengers.

Roundup of funny (but not gross) colonoscopy videos.

4 Legendary Plant-Animal Hybrids.

Bed Bugs Are Picky About Certain Colors.

ICYMI, Monday's links are here, and include the anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli (with recovered footage and a Lego re-enactment), a gallery of photos from the massive 1917 Halifax explosion, the 28 fakes species made up by Audubon to prank a rival, and Oliver Cromwell's speech tossing out the corrupt Parliament (plus the post-mortem adventures of his decapitated head, and some bonus Monty Python).

Monday, April 25, 2016

Monday links

April 25th is ANZAC Day, the anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli: here's some history, a documentary, and a Lego re-enactment.

Gallery of photos from the Halifax explosion - the naval accident that erased an entire city in Canada.

Audubon Made Up At Least 28 Fake Species To Prank A Rival.

It's Oliver Cromwell's birthday - here's his excellent speech throwing out the corrupt Parliament, the posthumous travels of his head, and bonus Monty Python.

The evolutionary origins of laughter are rooted more in survival than enjoyment.

Japanese/English Phrasebook Is Absolutely Hilarious.

ICYMI, Friday's links are here, and include the Earth Day co-founder who killed and composted his girlfriend, the costs of keeping Lenin's corpse on display, construction workers from competing companies fighting in the street with bulldozers, and Teddy Roosevelt's white rhino hunt.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

My two new granddaughters sleeping together ;-)

For those who asked - Addie, age 11 weeks, and Charlotte, age 10 days. ;-)