Autumn does not officially begin until September the twenty-third, and it is still hot here in Florida, but I feel like summer is over. Maybe in part I feel this way because now I drive back and forth to work with the yellow school buses. I remember those buses from my youth. We did not have air conditioned buses in my day. It was hot in there and sticky. And often it was decided on those bus rides who were to be bullied and who were not.

Public school was a long time ago. And it certainly feels like a long time ago. But the memories of yellow school buses are sharp and clear: driving past a graveyard all covered in fog like an old horror movie, seeing the flashing lights of a fire engine zip through the dark. On the first day back I was nervous. And it is the first days that I remember the most.

The character of the library changes as the new school year begins. The mornings are quiet. Senior citizens come in for the morning papers and to check email. Young mothers with the children too young for school look at books and movies. Late afternoon brings students with homework and sometimes special research projects. The photocopy machine and the printer are busy. A new school year begins.

Today I was working on the web page preparing for next month, and something occurred to me. Why not post our events calendar for September on this blog in advance for anyone who wants to plan ahead? So here it is:

Afterschool Fun with Crafts: Fridays, September 8 and 15 at 4:00 p.m.

Scrapbookers Club for Adults and Teens: Saturday, September 9 at 1:00 p.m. Bring your pictures, books and questions, and prepare to have a great time! Scrapbookers meet on the second Saturday of each month. Make beautiful pages of memories for yourself and your family. Some supplies available, but you need to furnish you own 12x12 scrapbook album. For more information, call Kay Boatwright at the Library, 893-1074.

Socrates Café: These monthly discussion groups were inspired by the book The
Six Questions of Socrates. Author Christopher Phillips traveled the world to lead informal groups, engaging people in the manner of the ancient Greek philosopher, for whom “the questions are more important than the answers.” Thursday, September 14 at 10:00 a.m., and Friday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m.

Suncoast Computer Users: Thursday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m.

Storytime and Crafts: Saturday, September 16 at 3:00 p.m.

SummerCoffeeTalk: Our summer season of monthly book discussions, “Long Ago and Far Away,” continues with Diamonds are Forever, by Ian Fleming. Join us for coffee, light refreshments, and lively conversation on Thursday, September 21. Coffee is ready at 9:30 a.m., discussion starts at 10 o’clock. Copies of the book may be reserved at the Reference Desk. (Our Fall season of CoffeeTalk begins October 19 with The Flamingo Rising, by Larry Baker, this year’s “Read Around Pinellas” community-read selection.)

Genealogy Discussion Group: Saturday, September 23 at 1:00 p.m. This is not a formal class, just an opportunity to meet and share experiences and information with others interested in delving into their family history. FMI, call Kay Boatwright at the Library, 893-1074.

Gulfport Creative Writers: Wednesday mornings, 9:15 a.m.-12:00 Noon.

G.E.D. Classes: Prepare for the high school equivalency examination. Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 p.m. (except City or school holidays), through Lakewood Community School. FMI, call 893-2955.

Great Minds Think Alike


I was thinking about putting together a discussion group about the paranormal, esoteric and supernatural. I was inspired to do this my own interests and by the number of patrons who asked about these subjects at the reference desk. Patrons have asks for everything from texts on the tarot to aliens to magic spells.

Considering these interests I was surprised and impressed when I was looking at the monthly schedule of events here at Gulfport Library and saw a group was coming in to discuss P.D. Ouspensky and the Fourth Way Spiritual Path. Ouspensky was a Russian philosopher with interests in the mystical. He combined geometry and psychology in what he called higher dimensions of existence. He is best known for his early work with the mystic teacher and author G. I. Gurdjieff.

I have always had an interest in the esoteric, paranormal and supernatural. I am a fan of supernatural horror fiction. My favorite writers include: H. P. Lovecraft, Algernon Blackwood and M.R. James. I have also had an interest in the stories and practices of those who believe they have actually experienced something paranormal.

The Fourth Way Spiritual Path: Video and discussion based on the book The Fourth Way, by P. D. Ouspensky. Presented by the Fourth Way Study Group. Saturday, August 19, 1:00 p.m.