Here is something wonderful. Have you all heard of Free Little Libraries? People build a little covered book shelf and put it on a post in their front yard. (You should Google "Free Little Libraries". Some of these little book houses are incredible!) Anyway, the owner fills it with books for anyone to take. The deal is, hopefully, if you take a book, you will put something back in for someone else to read. My friend and I walk along the same route each day for our exercise, and one day, poof, there was a Free Little Library in front of someone's house. Intrigued, I took a look at what was inside, and was amazed at the great selection of titles I was interested in and hadn't read yet! I borrowed a book, called We Must Be Brave by Frances Liardet, which is just excellent. I went back with Eva later and she put in three books from her bookshelf and I put in three from mine.
What a find. I am so grateful to have discovered this gem. This book is set during WWII in Somerset England. Bombs are falling, and city folks are fleeing to the outer villages in the country. Right off the bat, newly married Ellen Parr unexpectedly finds a small child abandoned at the back of a bus after an air raid. Ellen never thought she wanted children, but finds herself fostering this child. Love grows in unexpected places, and the story had me hooked from the first chapter. I am really enjoying it.
Now this was a book and a half. Catherine Wainwright is a professional pianist in 1900's Dayton Ohio. Socially ruined by a scandal, she is desperate to start a new life. She accepts a marriage proposal from a childhood acquaintance who lives in Galveston, Texas. Talk about culture shock. Catherine has to get used to being married to a virtual stranger, to being a mother to his child, to the horrendous heat and what she perceives to be the lower standard of living in Texas. And then the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 strikes. Oh boy, give this one a try. The best kind of historical fiction is when you learn something that you had thus far not been aware of, and this book delivers. If you pick this one up and read it, I'd love to talk to you about the ending.
On the "shelter in place" front, my local grocery store has started Senior Citizen shopping time, when only old folks and those who are otherwise disabled or compromised may shop. That would be 6AM to 9AM Tuesday and Thursday. So, my husband and I bundled up and hit the store along with all the other old codgers. Lots of elderly men looking bemused and generally blocking the aisles. The shelves were surprisingly well-stocked. Still no disinfectant, bread, flour or sugar, but they did have eggs, chicken broth, and woo hoo, toilet paper!! For the most part, we got what was on our list and were home in an hour. People stayed six feet apart mostly, and were in pretty good spirits. One woman fussed when she was told she could only purchase ONE package of toilet paper, but that was the only exception.
Ahren tells me that the shops in Ireland have stuck yellow footprint stickers on the floor six feet apart so people can stand on them and stay distant while waiting in line to pay for their items. They have also erected little sneeze guard type shields that separate the cashier from the customer. interesting, right?
Hope your week is going well.
27 responses to “Free Little Library and a Couple of Good Books”
I too went for groceries yesterday, some for us and some for my Dad. There are plexi glass shields between customers and cashiers and six foot markers on the floors here. The store was eerily quiet despite the many shoppers. The stores are also allowing just so many in at a time.
My daughter is expecting in May, she and her husband are thankfully able to work from home and are well stocked up so are not leaving their home or allowing anyone in.
My husband is still working, I however am working in my studio here which I am ever thankful for!
I too went for groceries yesterday, some for us and some for my Dad. There are plexi glass shields between customers and cashiers and six foot markers on the floors here. The store was eerily quiet despite the many shoppers. The stores are also allowing just so many in at a time.
My daughter is expecting in May, she and her husband are thankfully able to work from home and are well stocked up so are not leaving their home or allowing anyone in.
My husband is still working, I however am working in my studio here which I am ever thankful for!
I too went for groceries yesterday, some for us and some for my Dad. There are plexi glass shields between customers and cashiers and six foot markers on the floors here. The store was eerily quiet despite the many shoppers. The stores are also allowing just so many in at a time.
My daughter is expecting in May, she and her husband are thankfully able to work from home and are well stocked up so are not leaving their home or allowing anyone in.
My husband is still working, I however am working in my studio here which I am ever thankful for!
I loved “The Promise”. I would highly recommend it.
I loved “The Promise”. I would highly recommend it.
I loved “The Promise”. I would highly recommend it.
Both books sound excellent; thanks for sharing.
The county north of us has a travel restriction ban – only be on the road for work, health reasons, or food. I drove anyway because I was delivering face masks to a friend who needed them. The roads were virtually empty; it was creepy.
Both books sound excellent; thanks for sharing.
The county north of us has a travel restriction ban – only be on the road for work, health reasons, or food. I drove anyway because I was delivering face masks to a friend who needed them. The roads were virtually empty; it was creepy.
Both books sound excellent; thanks for sharing.
The county north of us has a travel restriction ban – only be on the road for work, health reasons, or food. I drove anyway because I was delivering face masks to a friend who needed them. The roads were virtually empty; it was creepy.
Thank you so much for continuing to post! You are my daily beacon! Those tiny libraries are so cute! We have many scattered around our neighborhood. Just wanted to recommend a terrific read… Station Eleven. Although it’s about a pandemic it’s about the aftermath and the people it effects. Being made into a movie.
Thank you so much for continuing to post! You are my daily beacon! Those tiny libraries are so cute! We have many scattered around our neighborhood. Just wanted to recommend a terrific read… Station Eleven. Although it’s about a pandemic it’s about the aftermath and the people it effects. Being made into a movie.
Thank you so much for continuing to post! You are my daily beacon! Those tiny libraries are so cute! We have many scattered around our neighborhood. Just wanted to recommend a terrific read… Station Eleven. Although it’s about a pandemic it’s about the aftermath and the people it effects. Being made into a movie.
My friend, who is also my long arm quilter, lives in the mountains 40 miles from our town. Last summer she put out a little library/book exchange on the highway to Yellowstone that passes her house. Not only are her neighbors using it, but she saw several tourists turn around & come back too! Our furniture thrift store offers books for free & she re-stocks using those as well as donations from friends & neighbors. Our grocery store has Sr. Day on the first Thursday every month. There are always elderly men with carts patiently standing in the middle of the aisles!
Thank you for keeping your blog going for your readers. It’s a wonderful way to begin the day.
My friend, who is also my long arm quilter, lives in the mountains 40 miles from our town. Last summer she put out a little library/book exchange on the highway to Yellowstone that passes her house. Not only are her neighbors using it, but she saw several tourists turn around & come back too! Our furniture thrift store offers books for free & she re-stocks using those as well as donations from friends & neighbors. Our grocery store has Sr. Day on the first Thursday every month. There are always elderly men with carts patiently standing in the middle of the aisles!
Thank you for keeping your blog going for your readers. It’s a wonderful way to begin the day.
My friend, who is also my long arm quilter, lives in the mountains 40 miles from our town. Last summer she put out a little library/book exchange on the highway to Yellowstone that passes her house. Not only are her neighbors using it, but she saw several tourists turn around & come back too! Our furniture thrift store offers books for free & she re-stocks using those as well as donations from friends & neighbors. Our grocery store has Sr. Day on the first Thursday every month. There are always elderly men with carts patiently standing in the middle of the aisles!
Thank you for keeping your blog going for your readers. It’s a wonderful way to begin the day.
Thank you for the book recommendations.
If you are interested- Erik Larson has written two excellent non-fiction books about the same topics. They read like novels.
The Splendid and the Vile- about Churchill and England during the Blitz
Issac’s Storm- about the Galveston Hurricane
Actually, all of Erik Larson’s books are excellent, especially Devil in the White City
Thank you for the book recommendations.
If you are interested- Erik Larson has written two excellent non-fiction books about the same topics. They read like novels.
The Splendid and the Vile- about Churchill and England during the Blitz
Issac’s Storm- about the Galveston Hurricane
Actually, all of Erik Larson’s books are excellent, especially Devil in the White City
Thank you for the book recommendations.
If you are interested- Erik Larson has written two excellent non-fiction books about the same topics. They read like novels.
The Splendid and the Vile- about Churchill and England during the Blitz
Issac’s Storm- about the Galveston Hurricane
Actually, all of Erik Larson’s books are excellent, especially Devil in the White City
Yes, the shopping has been weird. We didn’t stock up on anything before hand. We did not anticipate the hoarding.
I did try to get Clorox wipes b4 the hoarding with no luck. 🙁 We are just using soap and water.
Yes, the shopping has been weird. We didn’t stock up on anything before hand. We did not anticipate the hoarding.
I did try to get Clorox wipes b4 the hoarding with no luck. 🙁 We are just using soap and water.
Yes, the shopping has been weird. We didn’t stock up on anything before hand. We did not anticipate the hoarding.
I did try to get Clorox wipes b4 the hoarding with no luck. 🙁 We are just using soap and water.
Some of our local “free libraries” have been turned into “free pantries” Filled with can goods, boxed mac & cheese, etc., etc.
Some of our local “free libraries” have been turned into “free pantries” Filled with can goods, boxed mac & cheese, etc., etc.
Some of our local “free libraries” have been turned into “free pantries” Filled with can goods, boxed mac & cheese, etc., etc.
Stay safe, and a warm thank you from Romania! I have been reading your posts from the very beginning. I started to read We must be brave and find it very endearing. Wishing good health for you and your family!
Stay safe, and a warm thank you from Romania! I have been reading your posts from the very beginning. I started to read We must be brave and find it very endearing. Wishing good health for you and your family!
Stay safe, and a warm thank you from Romania! I have been reading your posts from the very beginning. I started to read We must be brave and find it very endearing. Wishing good health for you and your family!