Quote of the day:
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?' -Martin Luther King, Jr.
Credit: ©AFP
Ever since Jose Alberto Gutierrez from Bogota, Colombia, discovered a copy of a classic book while emptying the bins over 20 years ago, he's continued since then -in his job as a garbage man, to collect Bogota's discarded books. He has since amassed over 25, 000 books in a free library -all from his collections and donations from people. Now a whole floor of his house is overtaken by books -which he opened as a free library, with neighbors often stopping by to borrow books to help their kids with schoolwork. Although Jose never got past primary school himself, he has been dubbed "The Lord of the Books," and is in great demand from schools across his country.
Credit: Infinite Cat
If you are ever waiting for the right time to pick up writing or blogging -just remember if a cat can do it, you can do it too.
As seen on ArchDaily, Ruby Bay House
Architects: Parsonson Architects
Theme: Glass, sea views, wooden panels
Location: Richmond and Motueka, New Zealand
Hope you enjoyed the 3 inspirational themes for this weekend. Do feel free to share.
Have a great weekend folks!
Peace. Love. Light*
Current Listen: Billie Holiday -All of Me
53 Comments
That quote is so on point, and I love it! How wonderful is it to have so many books and to share them so others can enjoy? Some wonderful thoughts to start the weekend, and hope yours is great. Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteThe Lord of the Books is a gift to his people. Lack of education doesn't limit ones spirit!
ReplyDeleteWhat Jose did is good, to share the books with his neighbours and opening his house to act as a library. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDelete(last shot) What a horrible view to have to put up with, eh?
ReplyDeleteBooks, books, books....gotta love em'! I am so glad that my great grandsons read (ages 4 & 5) and I hope they continue to love books. I also have a 17 y.o. grandson who still reads books too. I like to give picture books away to kids who come to my yard sales with their parents. Just my little way of promoting reading.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
That Gutierrez story is quite remarkable.
ReplyDeleteGood for Mr. Gutierrez---a true book lover and good person. Love the cat cartoon too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog
MB
that house is amazing, and I did know cats can blog and so can dogs. God bless the King of the books for finding and sharing them and saving from the trash piles..
ReplyDeletethe quote by king is a great one and very hard to do... it is all about caring more what happens to others than to ourselves and in these days and times, it is easy to pass them by
ReplyDeleteWonderful story with the books. Have a great weekend, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI have been remiss and not been reading your blog lately. Thanks for reminding me by commenting on my blog. I go back and forth on whether to keep blogging. I get so few comments yet when I look at page views people are stopping by. Your cartoon of the cat blogging has inspired me to keep at it.
ReplyDeleteExcellent King quote.
ReplyDeleteGood for that man and his free library... a well-deserved moniker!
Mr. Gutierrez starting this free library and collecting books over the years is the type of person we should all strive to be, he is definitely a blessing to his neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteMr. Gutierrez starting this free library and collecting books over the years is the type of person we should all strive to be, he is definitely a blessing to his neighborhood.
ReplyDeletehumor can get u through everything, love it! happy a super great weekend ( ;
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, fun to stop by today.
ReplyDeleteI fully understand the quote, my thinking aligns. Nice to hear from, blessings
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post.
ReplyDeleteGreetings and a beautiful weekend.
Love the cartoon.
ReplyDeleteVery inspirational quote! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderful that he rescues and shares the books! It's a beautiful quote as well.
ReplyDelete"The Lord of the Books," quite an interesting tale
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog today
much love...
Excellent post (as always)!Thank you very much :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift that man has given to his community through those books! Thanks for sharing positive thoughts and inspiration today.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I love the thought of my winnie writing her own blog
ReplyDeletehaha - Where's Pat Hatt his blog is run by a cat?
ReplyDeleteFrom one book a seed was planted and now has grown into a library. That is all it takes one person to make a difference.
Peace, light and love always...
This is very impressive. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCool weekend inspo! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJeanne
♥ Slide Story ♥
Fashion Musings Diary
Thanks a lot :D
ReplyDeleteamazing and inspirational post as usual. love this kind of quotes!
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Hi Blogoratti - what an amazing man - how fantastic you've told us about him ... now I'll look up more. Lovely quote - so often we need to turn things around and look at life from the other angle ... so so true.
ReplyDeleteThe cat and his blog - brilliant ... cheers Hilary
What a man! Truly evolved!
ReplyDeleteWith all those books, I'd be worried the floor would cave in...but I'm a worrier by nature. Interesting story. Love the cat blog meme. My dog used to have his own blog.
ReplyDeleteI think the book collector has done an amazing job, but maybe he needs a librarian to help him organize. And I love that house. It doesn't look very deep but its really quite a handsome place-with a nice view too-more the better. Hope the weekend is a good one and continues to be a god one.
ReplyDeleteLove the quote.
ReplyDeleteWay to go on the book collector. That's impressive.
Love the house. I also love the car.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
What would happen, indeed... if we forget we are here to help each other. Love the José Alberto's story, the invitation to blog... and all the implications dancing around this post.
ReplyDeleteHave an inspired weekend. ;-)
Great quote, great post, very inspirational. And I love that cartoon :)
ReplyDeleteIt's astounding that so many books were discarded, but a true blessing that Mr. G recognized their value and is sharing them with others. As he proved, a person doesn't have to be well-educated or rich to make a positive influence on his community.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
A cat can with ease, it's a breeze. That is a lot of books.
ReplyDeletelove the NZ home - that would be fantastic to see. What a view. Thanks for visiting me and now I'm following you. Very fun. And bless that Mr. G for his love and sharing of books - a lot of work for so many to benefit.
ReplyDeleteGreat story about the book collecting man. Shame that in the UK many abandoned books end up in land fill.
ReplyDeleteThat's a brilliant idea. Books open minds. In the same way that in a big city a taxi driver is your best guide, in a small town the local bookshop owner is your best chronicler. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
There is always hope and there should always be love. Thank you and my hello to you Blogoratti from Rachel
ReplyDeleteWhen I no longer need a book, I donate it to the public library. I would never throw something as precious as a book in the trash.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie Junebug
Love the quote you've used today, and so good to read about the books too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend Wishes
All the best Jan
My cats actually have their own Instagram account--run by my daughter. It's hard to admit my pets are more hip than I am.
ReplyDeleteDo like that cat at the computer :)
ReplyDelete... smiles ... cat.
ReplyDeleteExcellent citation on the top. And the cat is great :D.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice time.
What a great idea to collect books and now helping people in his neighborhood. Good inspirational post.
ReplyDeleteThat first quote is one I should ask myself....and I too love the idea of collecting books for others to read.
ReplyDeleteHope your weekend was a good one!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful house and view!
ReplyDeleteLove the story about the Lord of the Books! :) Definitely inspirational.
Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!
~Jess
How lovely those thoughts are. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for visiting my blog earlier.
Marianne from
Let's Read
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