Author: Abra Cole

The Great Indoors: Things to Explore When You Take a Break from the Outdoors

Posted in Explore and Discover on July 6, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Ah, summer! The sun is shining (we hope), the grass is green, and pollen is everywhere. For some of us, this is the season when we head outdoors as much as possible, to dig in the soil, go on walks, explore nature, and get dirty every day. For others, none of this […]

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Giving Back: Explore These Volunteer Opportunities to Help Our Community

Posted in Explore and Discover on April 6, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? And since springtime represents fresh starts, new beginnings, and growth, it is a great time to consider adding volunteering to your routine. You can freshen up your schedule, make new connections, and grow as a human. How cool is that? In the Spokane […]

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10 Ideas for a Wonderful Winter (& to Conquer the Doldrums)

Posted in Explore and Discover on January 27, 2022 at 7:00 am

Wintertime can be beautiful, calming, and quiet. But it can also bring on the doldrums. Here are some ideas that you could try to help lift your mood. […]

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Good Food for Autumn: Wonderful Cookbooks with Comforting Recipes

Posted in Explore and Discover on October 13, 2021 at 6:00 am

Halloween, autumn themed soup with slices of bread Delicious, wonderful, comforting food. This time of year is perfect for enjoying all the warm tasty foods that we couldn’t make (out of season ingredients) or didn’t want to make (too hot for baking!) during the previously sweltering months. […]

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31 Ways to Explore the Marvels of Nature Each Day in August

Posted in Explore and Discover on July 28, 2021 at 6:00 am

BY ABRA COLE Summer is winding down, and August may just be our last chance to get outdoors and explore before the season turns to autumn. Since factors such as extreme hot weather and smoke may affect actual outdoor plans, I’ve compiled a variety of potential activities that fit different weather situations. Think you can’t […]

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Explore Random Acts of Art and Ways to Participate

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 2, 2021 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Have you found art out in the wild? If you’ve spied some art while out on a walk in your neighborhood, at a bus stop, or on a chair in a café, then you have probably found the kind of art I’m talking about. If not, keep your eyes open for the […]

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Winter preparation for your spring garden

Posted in Explore and Discover on February 17, 2021 at 9:00 am

BY ABRA COLE Gardening season is fast approaching. Whether you’re planning your second or first pandemic garden, or if you’ve been gardening for years, the library is here for you! Late winter is an ideal time for garden planning. It may be too early to start seeds in the still-frozen soil, but it’s not too […]

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Let’s go outside! Wintertime play & activities for everyone

Posted in Explore and Discover on December 17, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Winter officially starts next week on December 21. This fall, we’ve already had below freezing temperatures and snow. And in the months ahead, we can expect even more snowy days and below freezing cold. I propose the following idea: there is no reason to shelter inside until spring! As the Norwegians say: […]

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15 trivia questions for Banned Books Week

Posted in Explore and Discover on September 23, 2020 at 6:00 am

BY ABRA COLE Banned Books Week is next week, September 27–October 3. So, usually at this time of year, I would be working on a banned books display for the Teens section at the Spokane Valley Library. It is one of my most favorite displays to put together, not just because it is such an […]

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I went walking

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 26, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole By now, you’ve probably seen the memes, videos, and funny comments comparing us, during the pandemic, to our dogs—roaming the house in constant search for food (and while we’re pacing around the house, we’re also jumping up and down when we see the mailman and barking when we see people walking or […]

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