The Goodness Of Others...

 Driving past our old stopping grounds today we ran across something really cool.

Something to help others.

I've seen Little Free Libraries before, but today we saw a Little Free Pantry. What a wonderful thing.

This structure took some time to build. The builder obviously wanted to make it last, make it survive the heated summers and the harsh winters. Inside were items people need, food, hand sanitizer, and books which I would imagine contain recipes. 

What's cool about this is they didn't have to do it. They could have just stayed inside and never took the time to build it or provide the things people need. Even if they had items inside and even told people who needed things to stop in and pick them up, going to the trouble means something else, something special.

I didn't say long enough to see if they're accepting donations or if the owners stock it themselves. Either way, it's a testament to the goodness of others.

So...I Want To Build A Little Free Library

 You've seen them...or maybe you haven't. They're called Little Free Libaries and they dot the map of many communities. There are a few where we used to live, and after a quick internet search, there are no little free libraries in the new town in which we now live, at least, not one registered in the LittleFreeLibrary.Org website.

I'd like to change that.

I think deciding you want to build and install one of these things is the "easy part." Because there's a lot of new construction around us, I've gathered some building materials and stowed it in our garage waiting for me to take action. What's holding me up is...

What kind of little free library should I make?

There's as many different kinds as there are people, which makes sense It is an expression of the person making it. The supplies I've gathered will be adequate for a simple version. I'm thinking that's what I'll most likely end up doing. After all, I can always make another one in the future. Then again, it might be so much work, I may never want to do it again...time will tell.

Some of the ideas are genius. I've picked just a few and included them here. If I had the time and talent and means, I would LOVE to build a Tardis little free library if for one reason...it would be bigger on the inside. To me, books make the world--and universe--bigger.

I'm in the early early stages. Hopefully, I can update everyone on this blog as thing progresses. For now, the decision's been made. On with the show!

Well, Someone Checked Out My Little Book...

Tonight, I stopped by our community's second largest library (it's also our community's smallest library...) to see if my book might still be there.

It wasn't.

And I think that's a good sign.

Back in August of last year I dropped off my short story collection Speckled. A few weeks later, I stopped to see if the book was still there. Nope--it was gone. I thought at the time that it was either borrowed, or someone tossed it. I don't know if anyone decides which books are worthy to be included in the Little Free Library. I suppose my sense of inadequacy thought the book might not belong. It was self-published and maybe they have a rule against that.

Fast forward about eight months and I dropped off another book, this time, Chaser. This book's different. It's a novel published by a real publisher! It's been a few weeks since I dropped this book off so I thought I'd check again.

Same result.

I'd like to think the book is currently being enjoyed by a middle grader (the target audience...), or a middle grader's older/younger siblings as well as their parents. One can dream. Of course, the book might not be coming back to the Little Free Library and I'd be sad if that were the case. I wrote the book to be read and enjoyed by as many people as possible.

In each book, I wrote a little note. On August 16, 2017 I blogged about dropping off Speckled. You can read that blog post: HERE. With this latest book, I again wrote a note, but I asked for the reader to send me an e-mail with their thoughts. I haven't received any e-mails yet, and I may not get any feedback. Still, it would be cool to hear back from someone.

One can dream.

Well...My Book's In One Library

My mother-in-law first told me of the little lending library on Main Street in our town, but it took until last week before I visited it. I decided to check it out, and I thought it would be neighborly to help out.

So, I took a copy of Speckled and donated it.

I put it among the others. There were some westerns, a few political books, and even a Robert A. Heinlein in the collection. There was a cowboy poetry book that I'd like to check out, and the book Christmas Jars that I've always wanted to read.

Before I dropped off my book, I wrote a note to all my fellow Farmington-ites. I hope if they do choose to read my book that they enjoy it, and I'd love to hear what they think.

Tonight, after cub scout pack meeting, I stopped by the little library to see if my book was still there. I'm happy to say it was not. Of course all the books had been re-organized. When I saw that I wondered if maybe I had violated some rule of the Little Free Library I didn't know about and they took it out. Maybe I can't just add books whenever I want.

Then again, maybe some fellow towns member took a chance, picked up my little collection of stories and gave it a shot. That would be cool. But, hey--if anyone asks me if my book is in any libraries, I can honestly say it is.