I picked this book up at the annual library used book sale, but realized shortly in that it was geared toward children. I love Andrew Zimmern and his shows, but I didn’t enjoy being talked to as if I were 10. Fortunately, there is a Little Free Library very near my home, right across from a children’s play spot. The library is only a few months old and the starter books are nature-oriented, but I still thought this would be a good fit.

Books? Check. Shady spot to read? Check. For more about the Little Free Library network including a handy locator, see littlefreelibrary.org.

This is by the front entry of the park, which I rarely use. I live four blocks from the back entry, by the urban wetland that waterfowl and noisy frogs frequent.

Like I said, cattycorner from the Little Free Library is a spot for littles to climb and hide and play. In the background is Keit’s, our neighborhood nursery and still my favorite spot to buy plants after nearly 25 years. Discovery Preserve was called the Linear Park until the Saginaw Bay Land Conservancy took it over. Signage, I understand, was written by Janea Little, a familiar name to Chippewa Nature Center fans (ask me about the pig skull story).

Just past the library shelter is the Magic Tree, named for Magic, a greyhound rescued from the race circuit. The box holds ribbons upon which people are invited to write the names of their beloved deceased animals, then tie around any tree branch they choose. (Yes, that is the Lab assistant in the background.)

I chose to memorialize my rescued cat, my most recent pet death, but likely will be back to inscribe ribbons for our first cats, a brother-sister pair. I’ll see if my husband wants to commemorate his two Brittanys as well. And then I hope we have no cause to write on ribbons for a very long time.