ML> Libraries, strikes me, are one of the pillars of
 ML> civilization, and their closure in these times is
 ML> one of the more unfortunate side effects.
> The ones here in Anchorage, and Lake Havasu, are
> sort of open.  Basically I go online, put in a
> reserve for something, they ship it in if it's

We have two library systems with quite a bit of
duplication - the San Diego Public Library and the
San Diego County Public Library. Anyone with a card for
either can request books from either, but there is some
kind of administrative difference, and as far as I know
a holder of a county card can't just take out something
from the city library, and vice versa; it requires some
kind of hoop-jumping. Now it's kind of mooted, because
the county branches are all closed, with 1/3 of the 
city ones being open on an abbreviated schedule.

> not available at my local branch, I get an email
> telling me it's there, I drive over and call the
> local branch, they bring it out to the car. 

There are 25 city branches with pickup services; this
includes of course several of the closed ones. To the
best of my information, the county ones are all closed
except as dropoffs for ballots.

> I do it all the time.

I do it never but was thinking of joining Open Library.

> ... Sometimes it takes a lot of plotting and planning to be a recluse.

Yep, takes doing, either to be a recluse or not to
be a recluse.

Bess Truman's Ozark Pudding
categories: celebrity, political
yield: 1

1 egg
3/4 c sugar
2 Tb flour
1 1/4 ts baking powder
1/4 ts salt
1/2 c chopped peeled apples
1/2 c chopped nuts
1 ts vanilla
Whipped cream with a touch of rum or vanilla ice cream

Beat the egg and the sugar together until smooth.
Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Blend well. 
Fold in the apples, nuts and vanilla. Pour into a 
greased 10" pie pan and bake for 30 to 35 min. 
Remove from the oven; the pudding will fall, but 
it's supposed to. Serve warm with whipped cream 
or ice cream.