History Buffs and Possum Living
Hammond and I had a lovely chat to end my shift. We talked about World War II, family dynamics and simple living. He took a book called Possum Living that lays out simple solutions for urban street living.
Wilson, We Meet Again...
Wilson and I met at the rally on MLK Jr. Day, organized by Sisters of the Road. He was looking for Native American books. I remembered him and called him over to the cart. I didn't have the poetry set aside for him that I'd remembered, but he found two books that interested him. "It's so cool that you remembered me," he said.
Wyman and The Kite Runner
"I heard this is a really good book," he said to me pulling Khaled Hosseini's, The Kite Runner from the cart. "I'm going to try it."
A Book for Aaron
He stopped by as I was checking in returns and donations to the library from R2DToo residents. He spent quite a while perusing the cart, reading the back of most every book before selecting one for the road.
First Loan of the Day
Came while the Street Books library was set up at the Right 2 Dream Too rest area. Happy reading!
Restocking the Library
Operating the shifts has become so much simpler since we acquired a storage space for our back stock of donated books at the ecotrust building in The Pearl. I have taken to pedaling up to restock and rotate the trike at the end of each shift. It is a breeze to keep the rotation of books fresh for our patrons. Thanks again to the kind folks at ecotrust!
Busking for a Book
Mike was busking in the Park Blocks when I passed through with the library. He played me a tune and we soaked up some afternoon sun. In the end, he settled on a Piers Anthony book for the road. He slid it into his guitar backpack case and said, "If it doesn't fit in here, it doesn't go with me." Happily, he found a small spot to stash it.
Zalo Finds the Good Book
He requested some titles in Spanish because he says his English is not so good. We had no problem communicating, though. I promised to add some books in Spanish to the cart and he selected a copy of the Bible to take until we meet again.
It's a Small World
Mark is a military veteran who moved to Portland four months ago. He came from Florida, but we both had a chuckle over our common link: Middletown, Ohio. Mark was raised in Middletown and I spent many days of my youth visiting my grandparents on the very street on which Mark's parents had rental property. He didn't take a book today, though I issued him a Street Books library card. And he made a donation. Thanks, Mark!
Eric Came Back for a Louis L'Amour
After a spell in the hospital, and a temporary stay in a shelter, Eric has moved back in at the Right2Dream Too rest area, and was glad to find a good Louis L'Amour to settle down with. 
She Wanted Something Scary
And chose to remain anonymous as she checked out a Stephen King classic.
Chuck Finds a Little Reading Material for Lunch
I [finally] made it to Sisters of the Road for part of my shift today. It was perfect timing, just before the lunch rush. Chuck was excited to find a Dan Brown title he could take with him. "When will you be back," he asked me. We run shifts on Monday and Wednesdays, so ... soon. Very soon. Until next time, Bon Appetit!
Milton Stopped Me on the Street
He is a writer and a craftsman who makes bookshelves. We spent a good fifteen minutes together at the cart and he asked many questions about our street library. He selected two titles that fit his fancy and said he would find us again to trade up in a couple of weeks. See you on the flip side, Milton.
We Have to Stop Meeting This Way
Which is to say, with loyal Street Books supporter, William, chasing me down on the street. Each time I have met William, he sees me from afar and flags me down. I was halfway down the block when I heard him from behind. Close call. William wanted to know right away if I had received the books he left for us st the R2DToo rest area before he left for Salem. We looked in the cart and both titles were there. He was relieved. "It is important to me that you know I am responsible and respectful with your books," he told me. We do know. Thanks, William!
Louis L'Amour Finds Love in Old Town
Big Mike scooped up a Louis L'Amour immediately and said, "This is the book I want." It was love at first sight.
Glasses for Brooklyn
Many of our patrons have mentioned that they need reading glasses in order to read the books on the cart. Brooklyn, a new patron, was perusing the cart and saw a small bag with reading glasses. "Are those for loan too," she asked me. I told her they were. She found a pair that worked for her and two books to read. Donations of reading glasses will be well used -- just ask Brooklyn.