Today is the inaugural National Little Free Library Day, marking the beginning of Little Free Library Week, May 17–23. This day also commemorates my 10th anniversary of being a steward of my own "Little Bird Feeder for Humans". This is a day worth celebrating!

Observed on the anniversary of Little Free Library becoming a nonprofit in 2012, May 17 highlights the organization’s mission to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access via their global network of more than 200,000 book-sharing boxes. Through this nonprofit program, thousands of Little Free Libraries and books are provided to individuals and organizations in “book deserts”—areas with limited or no access to reading materials.

I actually hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony when my library was installed. The attendees were all literary and all very amazing (L to R) Dr. Peter Mires, Karen Cutter, me, Gary Noy, Stephen Robison, Joanne & Gene Abshier and Steve.
The most powerful indicator of my Library's worth came during COVID. Our public library was closed for quite some time. Everyday, I'd look out my kitchen window and see customers. Some would socially distance themselves while waiting patiently.
Others would arrive cutely dressed with matching face coverings. I took great joy watching readers depart with a literary distraction.

I have seen Little Free Libraries all over during our travels. This one, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, has to be my favorite. Talk about a giving tree! When this 110-year-old cottonwood tree needed to be removed, Sharalee Armitage Howard—a librarian, artist, and bookbinder—transformed it into an amazing Little Free Library. Now, instead of providing shade, the tree shares books. How incredible!

Our Saturday began in Folsom at la festa meravigliosa- Italy on Wheels. This free, annual car and bike show is hosted at the Murer House, a place we have been trying to get to for years.

As our conversation went on, Mr. Wright shared a great deal of this special car's history. You can read it here. Wow.
For those unaware, this is a very impressive compartment with a very valuable engine within it. Ferrari fans were duly impressed. 
In 2015, I had the opportunity to meet and hang out with Garth Stein. Oh man, I'm still incredibly in awe of this happening.




It was here, at the Murer House, where we got to meet Giuseppe (Joe) Murer. Born in Crespano del Grappa, a small town about 30 miles east of Venice, as a 12 year old, he was apprenticed where he mastered cabinet making and finish work.
It was also here where we met up with our old friend/neighbor Linda. What fun to be somewhere new to learn its history with someone withwhom you already have history.
Back to Joe... After the San Francisco earthquake of April 12, 1906, news quickly spread to Italy of the plentiful work available for carpenters to come and rebuild the city. Murer, then 21 years old, decided overnight to go to California with three other young men from his hometown.
After a few years, with money he had earned building small hotels, he came to Folsom. Once in Folsom, Murer became a hotelier, followed by earning his American citizenship in 1913. He became involved in the local community, developing long-lasting ties.
"Giuseppe was a builder/owner/manager, responsible for most of downtown Old Folsom. During WWII, he sold his hotel and sent the money to help family members in Crespano del Grappa, ravaged by Nazi aggression. He continued to own and operate other properties for the rest of his life. He gathered the spring asparagus, summer cherry, fall grape, and winter chestnut and walnut harvests at his home every year. Through all those years, he also had big steak dinners on the grounds of his home with fellow expatriated Italians from his region of Treviso, creating strong friendships with the Italian community in Sacramento. Joe passed away in November 1972." What a neat sounding guy. I am so glad we came here to learn about his accomplished life (and get to sit in that Ferrari).

We took a roundabout route for our way home, stopping at one of our favorite patios, that of River Ranch.
Live music, a pop-up market, and a river view seemed an idea way to end this day.

We just had to accept this invitation, "Join us for an exclusive evening with the visionaries behind the Spurlock/Evers Environment & Education Center. Discover groundbreaking sustainable design concepts, innovative building materials, and experience a live timber demonstration."

"Learn how this once-dated structure was transformed into a modern, community-focused space, and what homeowners, builders, and designers can take from the project. From recycled denim insulation and a living roof to salvaged wood from the Caldor Fire, the panel discussion will spotlight practical building strategies that are beautiful, durable, and better for Tahoe." All very cool, right?
The League to Save Lake Tahoe’s new home is the Tahoe Basin’s premiere environmental facility and a hub for collaboration, volunteering and community engagement focused on fulfilling the League’s mission to Keep Tahoe Blue. It is a LEED-certified showcase of Lake-friendly urban redevelopment. The site features an outdoor amphitheater, native plant educational garden, citizen science laboratory, and environmental center... All open to the public. This was our first visit and I'm now a fan.
This evening was incredible. First, we were fed. We were blown away by the visually stunning, and equally delicious treats provided by Tahoe Charcuterie Co. Their motto is "Grazing Made Gorgeous".

Sitting on the gorgeous patio was a delightful way to spend our afternoon.
That said, we came to learn and of course we arrived early for a live demonstration by Erika with the Tahoe Earth Institute. We were shown how to make nail-laminated timber, a low-cost engineered wood product with inherent fire-resilient qualities that can make use of wood sourced from local forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation activities. She provided a brief overview of code-compliant manufacturing techniques, how this product can be used in local construction, and how strengthening local wood supply chains can support a range of local environmental, economic, and community resilience goals. What I found most interesting is that this process is utilizing wood that is stock piled and not loved. I was so intrigued by this repurposing/upcycling. Very, very interesting.


The panel included Cory Hannaford, Sierra Sustainable Builders (construction); Ron Larkins, Ward-Young Architects (design); Kristiana Almeida (COO); and Darcie Collins (CEO). What a panel!
We learned so much about how this beautiful building came to be. Each stressed the importance of early collaboration and true sustainability.
Since 1957, the League to Save Lake Tahoe has been the leader in environmental protection, preservation and restoration in the Tahoe Basin. Also known by its slogan “Keep Tahoe Blue,” it is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that protects and restores the Tahoe Basin’s unique natural beauty and environmental health – today and for future generations. The League is dedicated to community engagement and education, and collaborating to find solutions to Tahoe’s environmental challenges. It seems the League has found its perfect home. We can't wait to come back.

This was one of those diverse and interesting days that makes me feel extra fortuntate.

After coffee al fresco, Sharon and I headed to the newly launched Lake Tahoe Community College’s Annual Student Art Exhibition. This very fun exhibit features work from across the Art Department. It highlights student achievement in drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, and mixed media. The opening reception and awards ceremony celebrate technical accomplishment, creative thought, and the diverse artistic voices of the LTCC community. All amazing!

I am very partial to ceramics. Jessica Aster's Cheeseburger Bird made me smile. For those who don't live in the land of vocal chickadees, right now the quiet of the day is interrupted by their mating song, "𝅘𝅥𝅮Cheeeeeeeese burger𝅘𝅥𝅮". So clever.

The realism of Exodus by Penney Garrett was exceptional.


There was something very poignant about No Screens by Paul Mueller. The hammer was so realistic. Such talent.


I enjoyed Agnes Knight's Deep Brew Dive.
I was drawn to 49 Pistachios in a Serving by Kelly Fisher & Wendy Cook not only because it was clever but also for its coincidence. Just yesterday, Steve and I were discussing the health benefits of this particular nut and learned that a serving size is indeed 49 pistachios. Wild.
Interestingly, Andrew Budd's Black Knight won best in the show. What a truly unique exhibition.