The Best Interest

 

JOURNAL

The Best Interest

Bill Barksdale, Columnist

One of the founders of the United States of America was Benjamin Franklin.  He once said “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”  There you have it.  My column is done.  Well, not quite but that’s a good beginning.

As I sit here writing this morning it’s a crisp, sunny Fall morning.  Rosie, my sweet sweet little dog, is stretched out next to me on the fireplace side of my writing chair keeping us both warm and cozy.  Later on I’ll take a long walk to the library.  I have some things to return and I get to breathe in that fresh air and get my body moving.  Perfect day for that. The street is busy with walkers this morning.  I just love that about Willits.  It’s truly a great place to live!

On November 8, 1731, Benjamin Franklin opened the first library in the North American colonies.  Benjamin Franklin briefly served as a librarian.  That’s nearly forty-five years before The Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States, approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.  We still owe a great debt to indigenous peoples who inhabit the Americas.  Just saying. 

I was chatting with the Willits & Laytonville interim Librarian, Denise Jessie, recently.  I’m hoping Denise will be appointed to the position permanently.  I can’t think of anyone better.  She’s a dynamite woman who’s revitalized our library with lots of new and interesting groups and activities open to all.  You can not only get pretty much any book, but also dvd’s & books on cd’s due to the partnership with all Mendocino and Sonoma County libraries, use a computer or the library’s Wi-Fi, story time for kids, discussion groups and much more.  Our precious library is a hot-spot in town now. 

I asked Denise about herself.  She married young and had two kids.  She graduated with her first master’s degree when her son graduated from high school.  She told me she had the best of both worlds, getting to teach her kids to study and be on time.  She began to teach right away.  For fifteen years she taught at a Community College and Fresno State.

She trained in on-line teaching before the pandemic.  Still teaches at the college level and is still learning.  She told me she has purpose in life – family, teaching, the world of knowledge and curiosity.  Library Science opened her eyes to learning.  She’s currently working on a second master’s degree.  Old Ben Franklin would have appreciated this woman.

I asked her how she stays so motivated and productive.  “I have a drive” she responded.  “I had to learn how to learn because I didn’t think I could.”  She’s become good at helping others do their best and helping people figure out what they’re good at as a result. 

I asked Denise who was an important role model, someone who had a big influence on her.  “My Mom” she didn’t even have to think about it.  “She taught our family how to stick up for each other.  She demonstrated that by how she cared for her elderly Mother.  Family’s important. “

“My Mother taught me to be creative even with limited means.  She taught me how to sew.  For a period of time we sewed every day till I got it.  I made a lot of my own clothes.  She taught me how to arrange flowers and how to make a scrapbook.  She loved color and design.  She was a widow for forty years.  Most importantly, she believed in me.  She’s the president of my fan club.  You can do it!”  Wow!  Now that’s a role model.

“My Mother worked part-time.”  After her husband died she went back to school and eventually became the Director of Programs at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business.  “She did not allow adversity to rule her life.”   She earned an MBA in Business.  

I asked her about her role as a librarian.  “We have to keep the collection diverse on a limited budget and space.  Librarians have to do something called ‘weeding’ the collection of materials not used, to make room for books and materials that are demanded by the Community.”

“I talk to people to see what they want.  I look at what’s newly released.  It’s a challenge because it’s important to keep the collection diverse.  I read reviews and research authors.”

I asked what brought her and her husband to Willits.  “We wanted a small town with services.  A hospital was important.  We could afford Willits.  Utilities in Fresno averaged $800.00 a month.  We needed to downsize.  We wanted to be near a coast.”

“We made Coverdale our starting point.  We like Northern California.  Sonoma County was way too expensive.  Even Ukiah.  Willits is not overcrowded.  It’s green, lots of trees.  We found a piece of land we could afford and there was room for two houses so our son could build his own house too.  We built a house to our likes.” 

I’ve come to respect and really like Denise.  She welcomes everyone to the library, building on the work of Donna Kerr.   It’s become much more than a book repository with her guidance and seemingly tireless energy and enthusiasm.  Her Mother taught her well.  She’s a very special person.  A rare jewel who has learned to inspire others to be their best.  Such a gift.  Our community is fortunate to have her here, passing along the inspiration she learned to others. 

I don’t have to wonder why I love Willits when I meet someone like Denise. I get the feeling that she’s a person of nearly infinite interest.  Willits isn’t for everyone.  No place is.  I’ve lived in big cities like New York City and San Francisco, small towns like The Dalles Oregon next to the magnificent Columbia River and Lake Oswego Oregon – which was a small town when I lived there.  Even Florida for six months – not for me.

I learned a lot in each place.  Each place has its own special things to share and teach, but I’ve lived in Willits for nearly half of my long life.  Still going strong.  The people I count as friends here is a long list.  I know old-time ranchers, artists of all kinds (Willits is a treasure-trove of talented artists), professionals of all stripes, those on their spiritual journeys, all kinds who find the best that this place has to offer.  Some stay.  Some move on.

As Paul McCartney wrote many years ago, life is “the long and winding road”.  It’s a never ending journey, as interesting as you want it to be.  To be sure there are lots of bumps, even tragedy – but also joy and always learning.  What door that road leads to is the great adventure I guess. 

My special thanks to Denise Jessie and the great and dedicated staffs of the Willits and Laytonville Branch Libraries, and to all library workers.  Thank you Dear Ones for your investment in knowledge and sharing it with all of us. Now that’s a great interest rate. 

P.S.  She got the job!