Text The Times.

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Here’s what everyone is talking about this week:

I am an avid reader and over the years I have collected many books that are just stacked in the corner.

Is there an organization or group that I can give them to? Most of these are hard-backed books. [Editor’s Note: If you haven’t already done so, check with the local libraries. I’m guessing if you were willing to get them up there, they’d be happy to have them. I would add that you might want to start in the smaller libraries, such as the ones in Earle, Crawfordsville or Horseshoe Lake, as they might be in greater need of them than the larger ones in Marion or West Memphis. If that turns out to be a no-go, I would also suggest placing at least a few in one of the Little Free Libraries you may have seen around town. I know there’s one at the Methodist Church in Marion and one at West Junior High. Another option might be to donate them to the 8th Street Mission to sell at their thrift store. If you’re into social media, try putting them on the Crittenden County Swap Shop. You never know what teacher might want them for their classroom library. As someone who also reads a lot, I became somewhat of a book hoarder, never wanting to get rid of a book, but I reluctantly parted ways with my collection when we moved a few months ago.

Most of our books went to my wife’s classroom library. Some were, to be honest, simply trashed, but I hate the idea of throwing books away, and it hurt my heart a little to see a well-worn paperback of “Strange Sports Stories” just sitting there in a pile by my mailbox with the junk we were throwing away]

*** Please!!! Please!!!

Please!!! Now that the fourth of July is over can we stop shooting off fireworks… at least after 10 o’clock at night???

My dogs can’t take it any more!!! Isn’t it illegal anyway??? Think of the vets at least… [Editor’s Note: According to my sources, it’s OK to shoot fireworks in Arkansas through July 10th, at least where it’s legal to shoot them, which includes West Memphis.

Marion has an ordinance against them, but I don’t think I can think of an instance I’m aware of when it’s been enforced. I’ve seen several social media posts about dogs freaking out over fireworks but I don’t have any personal experience with it. My dog (my wife’s dog… I have no dog) loves them. But he also howls along when they test the tornado sirens, so he’s a weirdo. Regardless, even on the 4th of July or New Year’s, setting off fireworks late at night is not a very courteous and neighborly thing to do. Folks to have to work the next day, after all. You had me confused with the “think of the vets” thing. It came right after talking about dogs, and I had a funny vision of dogs needing to go to the vet for, I don’t know, doggy counseling to deal with fireworks. Then I realized you mean veterans not veterinarians, and that there might be PTSD sufferers that have issues with fireworks, so, not as funny]

*** Can’t we all just get along? [Editor’s Note: Short answer… Nope. Longer answer… you didn’t include your inspiration for sending in this often-used quote from Rodney King following the violence that erupted after the LAPD was acquitted in the case over his beating in 1992…

you know, back when not everyone had a camera on their cell phones and it was rare to have video footage of incidents like that one.

So, I can’t really offer an in-context response. But in general, there will always be a small percent of the population that is just awful. Whether it’s racism, sexism, bigotry, negativity, or just plain old being a terrible person. Unfortunately, we all have to put up with them, at least on some level. I often wonder why the terrible people feel so obligated to spread their terrible-ness. Sadly, the internet has made it all the more easy to do so]