Free Library

Being the kind of place that Portland is, there are lots of Free Library sites around. They are on the edge of the lawn, homemade, and filled with a variety of books. One problem with them are the people who drive around, grab the good stuff, and sell them. I don’t know if they stock their stores or take them in for sale. But, unfortunately, this happens.

Rather than getting disappointed one local free librarian has taken the matter into their hands. They had a stamp made. And a warning sign for the outside of their library. The would be reseller is warned.

Walking: New Height

After, it seems, a month I took off on another “big walk” to work up to my half marathon. A start of up to a horse in a horse ring and a free library with a warning about books being stamped with warnings. They were for reading, not for stealing for resale. Then I’d stop in at Plaid Pantry to pick up something to eat, just in case.

Road paving, which It sorely needed, was ongoing. This blocked cars from going through. Pedestrians were allowed and in an instance escorted. Complete with route suggestions and a warning that if “it started to beep, it’s backing up.”

On a whim, I decided to climb Mt. Tabor. It was the most arduous thing I’ve done so far. It didn’t look to be tough for others. Like cycling, I didn’t pass anyone. Not that on the edge of the morbidly obese person walking past me. Not a family of four. At the top of the mountain, there was a man walking with two canes and three poeple on the crest. There was a woman jogging to the top, while pushing her infant in a carraige. There were lotsof people to see. It was good.

Taking Lincoln street it seems as if we went further down. Did I really climb that high?

Off I went through the flat lands. Thinking of pie. I stopped at Laureta Jean’s for pie. And then it was time for home.

Book Lovers Day

August 9 is the National Book Lovers Day. What are you doing to celebrate? I’m celebrating with my current read, Soft Hearted Stories. Though I may pick up a copy of Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut. It’s currently on hold at the local library, waiting for me. Books are insanely cheap. Consider the price, the time it takes to consume, the enrichment of your life.

They’re the best.

From the article at National Book Lovers Day

BALLYCUMBER: Coined by writer Douglas Adams, “One of the six half-read books lying somewhere in your bed.”  

TSUNDOKU: And our favorite, a Japanese word describes piling up books to save for later … even if you’ll never actually read them. And which you can read much more about here: Tsundoku: The practice of buying more books than you can read.

Don’t Forget Childhood

My wife found me on the couch asleep with a crayon in my hand. You know them, wax sticks that come in boxes from 12 on up. They’re considered kids toys. Lynda Barry advocates using crayons in Syllabus. This is a mostly done piece froma book from The Dollar Tree. I say “mostly done” because Barry states for people to put as much pigment on the page as you can. I’m pretty sure I can get more to stick to it.

Minon

Asleep with a crayon in hand. How old was I when I last had this happen? What about your?