Monday, December 24, 2012

This is so Portland…

Have you heard of Poetry Posts? Basically they’re posts installed in a hell-strip or front yard with a small box tacked to the post. Inside is a poem, sometimes written by the owner of the poetry post, sometimes not. They are updated often enough to keep people coming back for more. I've heard they started here in Portland but have no facts to back up that claim (here’s a good blog post about them and here’s a map of the boxes around town, sadly it only works in Firefox, Chrome or Safari…no IE). But I’ve got a neighbor who’s taking it one step further…

A lending library in a hell-strip!

I love it.

I wanted to take Al Franken’s “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them” but I didn't have a book with me to leave behind, I know the sign doesn't say you have to but I felt like I should. I hope it’s still there when I go back (and go back I will, I think they need a few gardening books don't you?)

Here’s the best part (did you already spot it?)…the library has a little green roof!

Which reminds me of this quote (does that mean it’s a “quote post?”) I saw the other day on a walk with the husband…

27 comments:

  1. Love it! We've been considering something similar on our street. The succulents on the roof are the icing on the cake.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you'll share a picture or two if you do it!

      Delete
  2. I have not heard of or seen anything like those poetry posts anywhere else. What a cool idea! I love the little lending library too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe you should start them in your neck of the woods?

      Delete
  3. That is such a wonderful and whimsical idea. I love the green roof.

    This is the first time that I've seen a poetry post and I'm definitely going to add one to my front yard. I live eight houses down from a grade school and the kids and parents would love it. Thanks for your post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay, I hope you'll share it when you do!

      Delete
  4. I have a Little Free Library across the street from me! I patronize it regularly, and lots of individuals and families out walking stop to check it out. Sometimes the children insist on pulling the parents over to it. My neighborhood has at least two Free Libraries, plus a number of Poetry Posts. But none of them is as delightfully green as your example.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How lucky you are to have a couple so close!

      Delete
  5. Portlandia at it's best! What a cool idea. Hope your book is still there when you return!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be very Portlandia if it was full of self-help books and DIY books....

      Delete
  6. very cool idea, and I love that quote, it's so true

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've seen one of these here in Houston and thought it was some new kind of weird birdhouse. Thanks for this post...I feel so much better.
    So, you don't carry books around on your walks? LOL
    I think I'm going to start. :0)
    Have a Merry Christmas and a Florally Happy New Year
    From your blogging friend,
    David/:0)

    ReplyDelete
  8. OMG this is so cool! It would have to be a nicer neighborhood I would think. But I really like the idea. And of course the succulent rooftop just makes it so much better!

    Have a Merry Christmas honey!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Replies
    1. It had Christmas lights on it the next time I walked by!

      Delete
  10. That is something totally new to me! Cool idea though! Merry Christmas, hope it was a blessed day with friend and family!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very Portland and simply amazing with the mini green roof! I wonder if Austin will imitate and bolt small stock tanks to posts in such places, for passersby to" take an agave pup / leave an agave pup"? (I should do that with my volunteer plants and some garden books!) A merrily-thorny Xmas to you, and a spikier NY...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH I love that idea! (agave pup exchange with books)...and all the best for you in 2013!

      Delete
  12. What a lovely idea! I discovered an English village last summer complete with old fashioned red telephone box. These are no longer in use in the UK but the village had retained it for its character and uses it as a village information point with bulletin board holding adverts and notices inside.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The little lending library has been around for awhile. I saw an article on it (and posted about it)several months ago. I think it's a wonderful idea. Love the roof garden too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had one (a lending library) in the laundry room of the apartment building I lived in YEARS ago in Seattle...such a nice tradition!

      Delete
  14. If that is so Portland, then Portland is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!