Bookshelves Behind Couches
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Today I’m contemplating adding bookshelves behind couches, and thinking I might do this in my own home.
The snow fell in thin flakes yesterday, with the wind blowing them sideways. They looked like little pieces of Kleenex that had been shredded and tossed into the wind.
I’ve been snug here at home, with the portable fireplace going, reading, and listening to soothing music. Watching a bit of TV at night, and making sure the faucets are dripping.
I’m not going to get my washing machine fixed with the new parts until February 2. You don’t know how much you depend on your washing machine until it goes out.
I have only used the dishwasher a couple of times, so if it had been that, it would have been no problem.
More Tragic News from Minneapolis:
I read about the awful news that a male VA nurse was shot and killed in Minneapolis. Why are they allowing this carnage to continue?
Say what you will, and you know everyone will have a different take on it, but this was another human life taken too soon. And there were about five agents against one man.
Alex Pretti was 37 years old. He was a VA intensive care nurse. The Minneapolis Police Chief said he’s gotten no cooperation or information from the federal government on an investigation.
And why is that? It happened within their jurisdiction, and it should be up to them to decide on the next steps.
First, Renee Good, and now this young man. What a tragedy.
VA Nurse Alex Pretti:
Alex Pretti was exercising his right to protest. Peaceful protest is a constitutionally protected right in the U.S., guaranteed by the First Amendment’s freedoms of speech, assembly, and petition.
This allows citizens to express their views in public forums like streets, sidewalks, and parks.
Yes, he had a gun and a permit to carry it. But he never got it out or pointed it at anyone. Yet, now he too is dead. What is happening to free speech and expression? That is a constitutional right.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects our fundamental rights to express ourselves. To gather with other people and to protest our government.
The First Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
The news seems bleak these days. It’s reminding me more and more of the Homeland series I’m watching for the second time. I’m almost to the beginning of the last season. The first time I watched it some years ago, I recall thinking: Well, now that kind of thing wouldn’t happen here.
But now it is. I don’t care what your politics are. The shooting of two young people should not be happening in our streets.
The Snow:
Have you noticed that when it snows, the windows reflect the snowy white canvas, and it looks like moonlight has filled your home? I noticed that yesterday. And then, after dusk, the rooms have an ethereal glow, almost celestial.
And today, with the windows full of sunlight and the grayness gone, I have noticed I need to clean them. There are little specks on the glass that I need to take care of.
I sit here, and before me is the expanse of wall where I plan to put my bookshelves (they are my birthday gift next month). It’s fun to think about new additions to your home, even though bookshelves aren’t all that exciting.
Everything about books and reading is exciting to me. A book can take you so many places within its pages.
It kind of reminds me of the quilts I used to stitch, the seams stretching across the patchwork like a vast landscape.
And it was my fingers doing the traveling as I quilted those three layers together. Some of those quilts are folded up on the living room shelf in front of the window.
Bookshelves Behind Couch Design Ideas:
I went to Pinterest to search for bookshelves behind couches and found some arrangements that looked interesting.
I was really taken with this emerald green couch. I’ve often wished I had a couch this shade of green.
I recall that when I was in my thirties, I had a friend with a green couch. It stood out in the room because of the deep color and made quite a statement.
Here are three other images that caught my eye.
Of course, mine will be along the wall, leaving a path behind the couch to reach and access the bookshelves. But I like how these spaces are arranged.
Daisy’s New Behavior:
Daily has suddenly changed her behavior. She is more social, and for three days in a row, she has climbed onto my chest while I typed.
And once again, every time I tried to reach around her to get to the keyboard, out came her sharp little teeth to nip me.
So I just sat there and waited for her to decide to get down. Daisy is more outgoing, which really pleases me, and her play is more mischievous. My sweet little Daisy, the meekest of the bunch, is suddenly coming out of her shell and interacting with me more.
I like to watch their personalities shine through, each kitty unique in their own way.
Simon is the wild card. You never know what he will do next. He walks around, loping really, and looks like a panther in the wild. Simon has a long-reaching stride and looks more grown-up every day.
He makes the funniest sounds as he goes about the house. It kind of sounds like a high musical note. Now he and Daisy are chasing each other. Daisy makes a slightly different sound. Hers is stronger, more strident, like she has a point and plans to make it.
It seems like yesterday they were just kittens. I’ve had them for one year now. They have enriched my life so much! Those two, with my Ivy girl, are my little world.
Staying Indoors:
When you stay indoors, as we have here during the snowstorm, you get a different view of your dwelling. It becomes more of a sanctuary, the thick walls protecting you from the weather.
You aren’t in a rush because the weather is keeping you indoors. Today, the sunlight fills the windows. Birds are flying in groups across the sky.
Everything seems a bit more pleasing, the angles of the furniture defining your rooms and the things you have in them.
The place you call home.
Hello Brenda. After reading your previous post, I have am curious as to why you turned off comments. Shouldn’t we have a give and take? As you can guess, I whole heartedly disagree with you. However, I want to understand. I’m not trying to be argumentive or disrespectful. I truly don’t understand your stance with illegals. And why you have given so much time to Alex Pretti and Renee Goode and none to the women who have been raped and murdered at the hands of illegals. One being 12. Where is your outrage? Their families are going through hell. Also, when Obama was using ICE and gave Tom Homan the Medal of Honor were you just as outraged? Again, I’m not trying to be argumentative. I’m just so far away from your positions and want to honestly know why you haven’t spoken of the women who have lost their lives. Do they not deserve respect? Thank you!
Mr.Pretti was fired several weeks before this incident.
His family’s statement said he had been acting strangely after getting involved with the anti ICE crowd,he was injured previously from interfering in their work.
While he was legally able to carry a concealed weapon,you are supposed to inform law enforcement and be able to produce the ID card.
I don’t understand why these people are so against trying to make their town safer,these agitators are being paid by someone on left.
If both him & Rene Good had stayed home & minded their business,they would both be alive.
I am baffled by the hatred for our country and our president.
Thank you so much, Brenda, for using your platform to stand up for what is right.
Brenda, you wisely cut off comments in the post following this one, but I just wanted to thank you for the way you eloquently expressed the thoughts of decent, God fearing people. I didn’t want to read the nasty ravings and threats of people who don’t agree with you even tho I was disappointed at first. I think you’d have received a huge amount of applause!
I can’t help but note the disdain people still have for those who remained silent while Jewish people were dragged from their homes. We’ve learned from that, yet today’s protestors are reviled as “domestic terrorists.”
Thank you for mentioning the unrest in Minneapolis. I wonder if people in other parts of the country do more than skim the news. Maybe I’m wrong and they really care what happens to people they don’t know. My city is full of kind and caring people and I am proud that we have protested peacefully and continuously. I have family and friends who have gone to vigils for Alex, and continue to help those who are targeted and persecuted. I don’t protest in person because I’m 76 and can’t run very fast. I’d be a sitting duck for tear gas blinding me, and tripping over snow banks. But I can call and write and express my outrage on facebook. So far two friends blocked me. I guess they were surprised that I stepped out of my comfort zone and addressed the contempt I have for ICE. One went so far as to tell me to leave a mutual group we both belong to. I’m blonde and blue eyed and middle class, so I’m safe. That makes it even more important for me to speak up for those who aren’t. It’s a nice respite to see the pictures of your beautiful home and hear about the antics of your cats. Thank you.
I love the idea of bookcases around the sofa. The three images you showed from Pinterest, I really like the first two, the third one is too busy and cluttered looking for me. You may have seen this on your local TV stations. There is a hero in my eyes in Tulsa – a man who bought a vintage fire truck from an auction some time ago has been driving in it around the city giving homeless people rides to shelters. It was reported on by a local TV station and is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vavb9tHDLiY He has people calling him telling him where they see homeless ones wrapped in blankets sleeping on the streets!
We didn’t get a blizzard where I live in SE Wisconsin, maybe about 2 inches of snow yesterday morning, but we did get bitterly cold weather, I don’t think it got above zero F yesterday. Today the Sun is back and the few plants I have in the house look happy again, but it is now 1 above zero F, woo hoo! I have an electric space heater going in my kitchen which is the coldest room in the house, maybe because of the patio door. It helps keep the furnace from kicking in every five minutes, geez. I don’t even want to think about what my gas and electric bill will be at the end of February. And get this, the Federal government issued an order a few days ago that electric power can be diverted to keep data centers running. DATA CENTERS would get power first instead of homes, hospitals and nursing homes where people live if there are power shortages.
I didn’t know that! I will have to see if I can locate that. Of course, only the billionaires matter, and they will get power for sure.
What a fantastic post! Loved reading it all. Thank you so much. So perfect on a cold, stay at home day.
When I have to be inside, my mind wanders all kinds of places! Certainly, ways to decorate my home.
Thank you for acknowledging the current events and death of two protesters – I appreciate the authentic you. Also, please remind your ‘snowed-in’ Readers to feed the birds if they’re able. I stand on my covered porch and throw seeds and suet packs out without leaving the shelter of home. Can you share where you got the gorgeous coverlet covering your Recliner. Pretty and practical.
That is actually a pet couch cover to protect furniture. Here it is: https://amzn.to/45y7ZMt
I love hearing about your cats Brenda, its a happy relief in a world that has gone mad and people who think it alright to kill others just for protesting.
The book shelves are lovely, I used to have one but now I only keep a few which I know I will want to read again or for reference.
I have just prepared ‘breakfast’ for my group of squirrels which arrive in the garden at around 8 am. I do try to get out there on time for them. Today I will have to clear snow before I can put any food down. There are two rabbits that come by in the evening and still seem to find things to eat.
How nice of you to feed the outdoor animals when food might be scarce.
I too have a green couch much like the picture. If you told me in the past I would have a green couch, I would have definitely said no. No green, gray, black, or brown was my personal decorating guide until I found this particular shade of green, a cross between a green green with a tad of teal. It’s lush and cozy and soft and welcoming. Paired with your bookshelves, well, it would be perfect. Now if I just had room for bookshelves…
It sounds beautiful, a highlight of the room!
Your bookcases will look beautiful behind your couch. I can’t wait to see it when it’s done. I have always loved green velvet couches, too. Though I wonder if I would get tired of the color after a few years.
Your kitties are so sweet. I really miss having the companionship and antics of cats. Maybe we’ll adopt two later in life. We’ll see. I don’t know if I can handle anymore heartbreak of when they get older and sick, and then their inevitable death.
The death of Alex Pretti is horrendous. I hate what our country has become. Here he was, an ICU nurse, protecting a woman. And he gets shot. I feel like we live in some dystopian nightmare.
How much snow did you get? I hope you didn’t lose power.
I haven’t lost power, and I’m not sure how much snow fell. What a loss of life in a world that has become somewhat, as you mentioned, dystopian. Margaret Atwood had a similar idea of what can happen when religion is politicized and used to form policy. It’s truly a sad time in history.
Your bookshelf will look awesome in your living room! I would have to build on to be able to do that! Lol!
I feel so bad about the shooting victim today. His family has to be devastated. It’s weird how we can all see different things. I saw someone helping a lady. No aggression on his part. But that is just my view.
I love that grey blanket that you have on the chair!
In a comment above, I mentioned the pet cover that is on the chair. Yes, it is odd how everyone saw something different. I saw a man going to the aid of a woman when five or so men piled on. They didn’t just shoot him once or twice. These goons are sadistic and need to be removed.
You and I share our intense love of books and cats! I have started a list of your book recommendations and have made a goal of reading every one.
Thank you for bringing joy and happiness to your followers.
He was actually obstructing justice. Not only can you not carry a firearm in MN while committing a felony, which obstructing justice is, and antagonizing law enforcement, a MN permit to carry requires that the permit be in their possession along with a valid photo id, which he did not. But even more importantly, the training stresses that when carrying, your DUTY is to make every attempt to avoid interjecting yourself into any potentially violent situation. Packing a 9mm, with two extra magazines, and then antagonizing officers, and moving towards them, violates that principle. So some news outlets would love you to believe that he was being peaceful which was not the case.
Bookshelves are such a homey addition. I have a wall of them! It is my favorite piece of furniture I own!
As was previously said; everyone sees details differently, many based on their choice of the news channel they watch. But it seems the actual fact is a man who did not threaten with his gun is dead. And no matter what our opinion of this killing; ice thugs should be better vetted and trained.
Obstructing justice?! Antagonizing law enforcment?! Are you watching Fox News?! Watch the videos and see for yourself. He was protecting a woman from being hurt. While he was protecting her, he was attacked and pepper sprayed by ICE, his handgun (which he had legal concealed carry) was removed from his waistband, then he was shot numerous times.
Get your head out of the Democrat sand. He was obstructing justice. You must be watching CNN the Comunist News Network.
I did not watch CNN and am not a Democrat, but I did watch videos from different views and there is no way that this man attacked ICE or obstructed justice.
You claim not to be a Democrat then if you really want to know the truth I suggest you read The Durden Dispatch and the ConservativeTreehouse article which explains the so called government in MN is involved.
Dear Joellen, I follow the news and watch multiple channels. I am moderate. ICE was originally supposed to arrest convicted felons and deport them to their home countries. But there were 3000 agents sent to one city and they got bored and cold. So they started following the cars of people who looked like they could possibly be illegal. Puling citizens out of cars, after breaking the windows. Slapping phones out of their hands. Taking then to the detention center and “sorting it out”. 73% of the arrests were not convicted felons. I know this because I live in a suburb of Minneapolis and they have been in my neighborhood.
I don’t watch CNN and I’m not a Democrat. (Neither am I a Republican.) I simply stand up for the TRUTH.
I don’t know what’s more terrifying. The fact that ICE thugs are terrorizing innocent people who are simply trying to protect others and to make their voices heard – or comments like this that are so blatantly biased. The fact remains that an innocent and very good man is now dead for no good reason. A whole lot more I could say about this but I’m not interested in getting into debates with misguided keyboard warriors. And sorry Brenda for hijacking your lovely post. So very proud of you for standing up for what you believe in. You may lose some followers but I hope you know that many, many of us are in total agreement with you. And I too am looking forward to seeing how you decorate around those new bookcases1
Thanks, Nan, for your comment. How did this country become so completely divided? No matter what happened, no one deserves that many people jumping in and firing their weapons multiple times. What a loss of a young man and a nurse. People seem so angry.
Amen!!
So well said Ann. Thank you!
And Brenda, were ICE “thugs” when Obama, Bush and Clinton deported over 10 million illegals? Where was your outrage?
Also, we mourn for these lives. However, what about the women who have lost their lives at the hands of illegals?
Talk about horror for their families. Please speak of them as well.
Obama, Bush, and Clinton did not use Gestapo tactics to evict illegals. That’s why you never heard much about the process. It was done in an orderly, respectful manner by well trained officers, not gangs of thugs sent out to politically targeted states for “retribution.”
As for innocent Americans who lost their lives at the hands of illegals, where were YOU to protest their deaths? Did you invite others to join you? No. You did not.
Because of people blocking my official ICE business Joyce. Hatred for Trump has caused all the disruption and loss of life. It’s a federal offense to touch a police/federal officer. Pretti was not acting acting appropriately nor was Goode. Loss of life is a horrible thing. They made very stupid decisions. And Joyce, how do you know what I was wasn’t doing?
Thank you so much for your comment Ann! So well said. We cannot have illegals in our country. No other country in the world allows this. I also think of the women who have died at the hands of illegals. Where is the outrage for them?