The Green Frugal

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Reading is great. I like reading. Cats are great. I like cats. Combining the two can be a pain in the neck. My cat loves attention. If I’m paying attention to anything other than him, he gets jealous. He even gets jealous of the books that I read.

1. Petting Himself with Books.

Whenever my cat sees a free hand he rubs his face against it. I like to think that he’s stealing some petting. Usually, I think it’s cute and scratch his head. It’s not so cute when I’m on the couch with a book in my hands trying to read. He rubs his head against the book and I lose my place.

2. Biting the Books

When rubbing books doesn’t get the results he wants, the cat moves to more drastic measures. He bites the books, mostly around the spines or the book edges. Maybe he thinks it’s a new pet vying for my affections. I imagine this creates much anxiety in him and he must kill the new pet.

3. Sitting in Front of the Books.

If he can’t kill the new pet, the cat will climb on my lap and sit in front of the book. He does this when I sit at my computer, too. He sits nobly and stares at me. Almost as if he’s reminding me that cats were worshiped in ancient Egypt.

4. Running Like Mad

After I explain to the cat that I’m not going to worship him, I pick him up and put him on the ground. He’ll wander around aimlessly for a bit, and then suddenly remember that he’s supposed to annoy me. He starts running around; darting back and forth. Leaping on and off me like I’m part of an obstacle course.

5. Meowing

Eventually, he’ll run down the hall. And get lost. I don’t know how he gets lost; he’s less than ten feet away from me. But he can’t find me, so he starts meowing and meowing. Then, he paws at the bedroom door, because he thinks I’m in there. But I’m still on the couch. So I take pity on him and call him over. He sprints over and jumps on the couch and settles down for a nap. And then I finally get to read my book.

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Do you remember the scene in “Grease” where John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John’s characters broke out into song about what they did during their summer vacation? I think it went a little something like this…

OK, so that didn’t really happen in the movie.

Wouldn’t it be cool though if people sang the praises of summer reading? Fortunately, there have been recent studies doing just that- albeit without the musical numbers. The reports indicate that kids who read over the summer have better retention on what they’ve just learned and an advantage for the following school year.

I know reading is the last thing on young people’s minds during this time of year. But there are more and more incentives out there for them to pick up a book.

Libraries nationwide are inviting kids and teens to “make a splash” and participate in the many summer reading programs they are offering. In turn, there are prizes to be won based on how many books or pages they read.

Some bookstores are giving out free books after kids read a certain amount on their own. Barnes & Noble has partnered with Scholastic and multi-media series “The 39 Clues” to launch their program. Borders, with “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney, has put out a “double-dog dare” challenge for kids to read 10 books this summer.

Grown-ups shouldn’t feel too left out. Some libraries have summer reading programs aimed specifically for adults. At McKenzie Books, we are extending our Facebook and Twitter Book Giveaways to you- our Green Frugal readers. Comment on any post for your chance to win a $5 gift certificate to use on our site. There’ll be one lucky winner per week all summer long!

Showing by example is a great way to get kids to read. So what are you waiting for? What’s on your summer reading list?

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Hello Everyone,

Our Sidewalk Sale is fast approaching. It will be next week June 23, 24 & 25 from 10am – 6pm at our warehouse located in beautiful Beaverton, Oregon.

We will have 4,000+ books for sale in all types of categories with inventory refreshed daily so we don’t have slim pickins’ come Friday afternoon. Also, this has been posted as an event on our McKenzie Books facebook page, so feel free to RSVP to it so your network can see it on your page.  We really want to spread the word and raise as much money as we can for DonorsChoose.org!  Also, we will be accepting credit cards.

Below is a copy of the flyer we are handing out. If everyone could forward this flyer on to everyone they know locally so they can forward it on to everyone they know locally and so on and so forth that would be awesome!  Also, it would be great if everyone posted an actual paper flier at at least ONE location around Beaverton in your nearest Starbuck’s, grocery store, gym, cafes, library, local/family/friend’s businesses, schools, local charities etc. Flyers are also available at the McKenzie Books customer service counter.

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Every year I struggle with what to buy my dad for Father’s Day. He never wants or needs anything! I usually end up getting a gift certificate or some useless tool he will stow away in the unused toolbox I bought him the year before…that or underwear.  This year, instead of golf balls, socks or a tie, I have decided to give my Dad the gift of creativity, and save my pocketbook at the same time!

Because I work at a bookstore, I am always on the lookout for great ways to reuse old books. As is turns out, there are several ways to convert your old tomes, or that great bargain bookstore find into a homemade gift for Dad. Here are a few innovative ways I found to recycle your used books into memorable Father’s Day gifts:

1. Father’s Day Frames -

Take your dad’s favorite title, author or even genre and turn it into a picture frame in just a few easy steps. Several blogs have outlined detailed instructions and tips to convert your used books into easy gifts:

fototiller.com Blog - DIY Book Frame

The Red Chair Blog- DIY Old Book Photo Frame

2. Father’s Day Journals –

Use your used books to create journals, and give your hardback another life at the same time. It’s easy; simply sandwich blank pages between interesting covers and rebind (sometimes it is even fun to leave in some of the original text.)

If your Dad is a big golfer, or a fishing fan, you could create a journal to keep track of those great shots or unbelievable catches! Likewise, you could create a themed journal to log those beers or wines he loves, or even to note his favorite movies or books. There are even sites to make planners!

Here are a few blogs which outline step-by-step journal creation:

HGTV.CA – Journal from old book covers

Just Something I Made – Vintage Book Planner Tutorial

Book Journals

Good luck with your projects and Happy Father’s Day!

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I’ve been using websites to find great free stuff for a while now, and it surprises me every time I talk with someone who doesn’t know about them. While some go out and spend $200 on a new dining set, I found mine for free – and it’s nicer looking!

Just a few things I’ve snagged:

• A toddler bed in great condition
• Clothing for my kids
• Clothing for me!
• Two BIG bean bag chairs in new condition
• Food
• Plants
• A really cool kid’s art desk

Generally you have to go pick it up, but sometimes they’ll be nice enough to deliver.  What’s a few cents lost on gas when you get a free TV!

These are the sites I visit most often:

www.freecycle.org

www.craigslist.org (the free section!)

www.freesharing.org (this one has another list of even more free-recycling websites!)

You can even specify what you want by posting “Wanted” ads! Of course, it’s all local to whatever town, county, state, etc. you live in, just specify!

When you’ve satisfied your “gimme gimme” craving, give back and free-recycle your unwanted but still in good condition (or not) stuff!

Happy sharing!