SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

Most of the time Alex is a pretty darn laid back guy. He handles fire drills and tornado drills just fine, and he doesn’t even move a whisker when the bell rings even if he is sitting on the front desk right beneath it.

But vacuum cleaners — that is an entirely different thing. Alex hates the sound of the vacuum cleaner!

Most mornings, Ms. Verda comes in to vacuum the library, and when she leaves I know exactly where to look to find a hiding Mr. Alex. (more…)

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

Some of my favorite times in the Library are when it is fairly peaceful and I have kids in here that I don’t see as often and there is time to just visit with them.

Most of the time Alex is part of that conversation if not the main topic.

Today, Alex was in his bed on the front desk, decked out not in a bandana but in the tie he got for Dress-up Day during Spirit Week. His last place trophy was prominently displayed close by. (more…)

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

It was a calm day in the library. Alex had spent the morning chasing jingly balls around the reading room and rolling in the sunshine coming in the windows.

He then donned his real, thrown-from-floats-in-the-French-Quarter Mardi Gras beads. One of Big Footsie’s friends had sent them to him last year and, as Footsie did, Alex seemed to wear them with pride, not irritation.

Then it all changed, and now Alex is the talk of the school. (more…)