Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Joseph Addison

One year ago my children and a couple of West Point cadets helped install our little road-side library, digging a two foot hole, steadying the large bird feeder shaped box and its post with fist sized rocks, and tamping it in place with gravel and earth. As a steward, my official title as keeper of the library, I have kept it stocked and checked on it and wrote on the notepad to thoughtful users. I planted geraniums at the base, which are still alive, a small feat for someone with black thumbs. In the cold months, I could see the library and bench from the TreeHouse and enjoyed watching folks stop with their dogs for a rest, check their phones, and even skim through the collection.

Books are an addiction in our house and grow like bacteria, in corners and piles, taking over shelves and tables. We donate them to our town library, but wanted to have a place to share with friends and neighbors, as well as provide a way for them to share what they’re reading. So last year for Mother’s Day, I sent a link to the family and just like that, voila, I had a library.

What I Have Learned the First Year

Half the visitors are adults and half young readers. Our neighborhood has lots of family and a good third of the titles are for children, such as Blume, Dahl, and Flanagan. Most readers are walkers, dog sitters, cyclists, as well as people visiting. Occasionally, someone will take the time and write a note. I was thrilled to read a message written in cipher, something my younger friends know I love.  Here is a simple one for you with the solution in the caption.

Cipher:  The dragon Smaug sleeps below; Down the stairs where few dare go.

A cyclist was out on a hot day to visit free libraries in the area. She was grateful for the resting spot and wrote me later that she will install a free library by her office. Children scribbled sweet messages in stick letters and block print. It was easy to tell the adults because of the books they chose and the cursive, handwriting so obsolete young people today aren’t able to read it!

Thanks to all the visitors and happy reading.

Donated and updated collection! Children’s books stacked behind.

A year ago, this Labor Day!