I really enjoy the Shop. The garage door open, the smell of sawdust, the sounds of the tools, the sight of a new project taking shape, a handsome man working. I will often take my cup of coffee out there and just sit and watch and soak in the atmosphere. Sometimes I might help out with the circular saw or in the finishing process. It's a very Zen place to be, both physically and mentally.
If you are looking for a reason to spend some time in your Shop this Spring, I suggest building a Little Free Library. Never heard of a Little Free Library? The movement started in Wisconsin in 2009, and by 2015 the number of registered Little Free Libraries around the world topped 22,000. You build the house for the books, put it in your yard, fill it with books, and people borrow them, and leave their own. It's a great way to re-purpose, build community, and share a passion for reading and books.
Plans for Little Free Libraries can be found for free online at LittleFreeLibrary.org. But what if you're not so handy and still want to get in on the action? There are lots of ideas for re-purposed Little Free Libraries. Pinterest has a lot of ideas to spark your imagination. How about an old suitcase (best for sheltered areas)? Or an old mini-fridge? Metal bread boxes, mail boxes, tool boxes-basically anything weatherproof will work.
What to put in your library? Fill it with your own books that you no longer read. Some folks choose a theme, like children's books. And you will find that as people take a book they will leave another in it's place. If you need some "seed" for your library, the Superior Public Library always has books for sale in the Friends of the Library corner. And the annual Friends of the Superior Public Library Book Sale is coming up April 29 from 9 am to 7 pm, and April 30 from 10 am to 2 pm. You can pick up more items than your Little Free Library will hold and help the Library out at the same time.
If you need a refresher in Shop class, the library has all the info you need. Check out our display at the back desk. I know it just snowed, but Spring starts officially next week. Really, it does. Enjoy an early project in the Shop, and then watch what happens. If you build it, they will come.
Some locations in Superior: 76th St. and Ogden Ave.
59th St. and Cumming Ave.
57th St. and Ogden Ave.
21st St. and Ogden Ave.
Find more locations in the Twin Ports at LittleFreeLibrary.org
