The Main Library is my ticket to extended family!

The year 2005 was probably the worst year of my life. It started out being exciting with the birth of my new grandson in January and when I went to help out my son’s family I fell and broke my right arm and left knee. My husband had to drive to Miami to retrieve me and it was during my recuperation I noticed how weak he was and could not help me at all. Here is where my library family came to my rescue. Jani French came and bathed me and washed my hair and also cut it even though she was scared to death to do it. My coworkers came all the way to Orange Park to cheer me up and after 2 months I came back to work only to have my husband in bad health. That summer when Main closed for preparation on the “Big Move”, I was allowed to stay at Main so I could visit my husband twice a day at either the hospital or nursing home. His passing in December closed the year. So many of my library extended family came to his service and I never would have gotten my life back together without them. When I retire I will miss the friends I have made here you are definitely my extended family.

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Tim Bowers' secret, super high-tech drying system

Because of the sprint to publication, these paintings were done at super-human speed. Instead of cutting corners on quality, I went into my 24 hours a day, seven days a week schedule (taking food and sometimes sleep breaks). My family is not too excited about the schedule but we make it work. The artwork was created with oil paints on canvas, which typically dry very slowly. I add a drying medium but still, it takes time. To speed up the drying process, I created a secret (until now), super, high-tech drying system to help finish the job. (It’s amazing what you can do with a hair dryer and some masking tape) -T.B.