Lawns

A beautiful lush green lawn requires ample time and resources. Why waste water and money on a carpet of green? This question regularly baffles me. That same water could be hydrating nutritious produce or gorgeous flowers.

Lawns and the various perils that could lead to its demise were topics of conversation at driveway parties in middle class suburbia. When one neighbor fired up their lawn mower it triggered a chain reaction until the whole street was on board. I have a jphoto that shows four lawns being mowed at once

I thought this lawn mowing infectiousness was middle class silliness. However I was with my family in a low-income neighborhood where the lawns were neglected. Perhaps the residents have more pressing problems than pretty little flowers that dot brown lawns. Yet when my family commenced an ambitious lawn revitalization project a neighbor followed suit that very night.

In Summary

It's been a goodly while since I last wrote. The things I've learned and done are many so I'll give a general recap. I've decided to revive weekly blogging. Time was more abundant when I started this, but I really enjoy it and so I will make time.

• School ended and there is much more I want to contribute. I remind myself that "people come into our lives for reasons and seasons." Hopefully others will come along and help my students through their journey. Initially I was certain that teaching was not in my future. Now I'm considering it.

• I spent 6 weeks doing conservation in the Mark Twain National Forest. It was beautiful! Mostly I stayed in cabins, but one week I camped out. I survived ticks and 100 degree weather by reminding myself that I was in training for travels in Africa. I learned about plants and bugs. I swam in great places and saw pretty views. Most importantly I feel better prepared for future adventures I've been plotting.

• I start a new AmeriCorps position on September 7th. this time I'll be with Sea Mar as an Arts Empowerment Educator. Two days a week I'll be at a drug treatment facility for adolescent men. Two days a week I'll be connecting Alzheimers patients with the child development center. In both cases the goal is to use creativity as a means to heal and educate. Every Friday there will be a training. I'm hoping this new opportunity will lead to clarity about a career path.

• I love Mike, and he's moving to Seattle in October. This too will undoubtedly provide many opportunities to grow.

Thanks for reading!