To make a deep mental path....

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, 

so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. 

To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. 

To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over 

the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."
~Thoreau

It's 85 degrees outside and this taste of Summer is intoxicating. It's what I needed to spur on the personal projects I have been thinking about. The garden is always there with its list of things that need to be done - at least for this first year or so, but after that, it won't require as much structural work...so what will I spend my time on then? I cannot put aside life to become identified with the garden, I am gardening to become more in touch with this life. This is so much more for me than planting a garden. It is a process of discovering what I value, what my beliefs are, what inspires me, who is on this journey with me in a positive way, and who is not. It's about investing my efforts where I work - to the end of being able to be at home more and enjoy this space that is being created in me and around me.

At any given moment - when inspiration hits - I have a few projects that I am working on. Guitar lessons, writing songs, making jewelry, downsizing and de-cluttering my home (and myself), continuing to develop the story I am writing, the garden plans, cooking and being creative with the wood cookstove, and this blog to document the trip.

I have some short term projects - putting together a 6 x 3 freestanding greenhouse to start seeds. Sawing up the remainder of sticks into kindling sized pieces to dry out - weeding out clothes, etc. to bring to consignment, etc. etc.

What has changed is my approach. I work on something, take a rest, move to something else, take a rest. Resting involves music, gaming, writing, sitting outside in the garden, spending time with family and friends. This pace allows me enough time to get to everything that *needs* to be done (clean clothes, dishes, and so on) and it allows enough time to get to the *wants* (spending time with people, different projects, etc.) but the resting also creates this space that has become miraculous for me. Space enough to just be and I find that when there is room in my day to sit and be still  - the ideas come fast and furious - such as outlining a complete story - designing a front garden - figuring a creative way to spend time with family and friends - or something as simple as an answer to "what are we going to do with that pile of logs near the fence?".

The logs became something useful - a garden border to keep the dog out (at least until things grow in) and a place where we (and others) can sit and rest - as well as defining the area where we generally work on wood, chopping, kindling, mulching, etc.

Log pile near the fence and mulch pile in the driveway.
All that is left of the Catalpa and Mulberry that we took down...

The log border (seats) and mulched path 

Mulched path (cardboard and straw) and the beds of peas.
Bark paths between the beds and the herb spiral.

There is also this realization - this craving of community that exists inside of me, and of everyone, I would imagine. We are so disconnected in this world and lonely in large groups of people who are in constant contact with us through technology. I imagine that we all need each other in a greater way than we even realize. It brings me great joy to know that there are people who understand the happiness of putting your hands in the soil and waiting until that first green appears, or that moment when the perfect phrase in a song or story comes together or the moment when you see your child or family member succeed or overcome in life. The benefit of technology is that we have access to people we may not have ever met in the past and the whole world has the potential to become part of our personal community. We also have the opportunity in a greater way to share ideas and information...as long as we remember to share our personal stories and make connections that are real.  I am finding that my physical neighbors have so much to teach me - about life - about myself.  It seems there is always something to learn...today I am grateful for each of the people who have been part of my life, for however long,  and make it such a rich and amazing story...

I love the view from my window...it changes every day!

Don't Worry.

During our walks in the neighborhood around Highland Street, over the past few years, we often stop for lunch at the Boynton and more recently, dessert at WooBerry. For many years, when the weather was nice, we would continue our walk and visit Elm Park to hang around for awhile and hope to catch a glimpse of the ever present Blue Heron. I have visited and played in this park since I was very small and it has a magical quality for me.

On one afternoon, we sat down and shared a bench with a man named Spiro. He introduced himself, he lived in the neighborhood and had for many years. He was almost 90! He had a lot to say about life and at first I wasn't listening. He would always tell similar stories, but each time we spoke, he would have something to share that was a little different. I started to listen.

What I learned from Spiro is that you should have a home and pay it off as soon as you can. You have to be willing to work hard - he told of us his different jobs he worked. Full time, and in addition he did work in  the Greek community during a time when very little music and not a lot of literature was available, he had a radio show and played Greek music. He was always dressed and went to church. He believed in being generous and that if you weren't - even what you had would be taken from you and given to someone who would appreciate it.

As time went on - we would stop and look for Spiro in the park and sit and talk. The most important thing I learned from him - was what he always said "Don't worry". Life is too good to worry.

I opened the newspaper this weekend and saw that Spiro had died. There was a large obituary detailing the stories he had told to us over all of our Summer talks. I didn't feel sad to see the obituary, but rather, I am so grateful to have had a chance to meet him.

My biggest concern for our society is our lack of connection. I think we are starving for it and filling that need with a constant connection electronically, but eating and consuming and never feeling full...so many other things that will not replace our need as human beings to belong to each other. It isn't a weakness to need someone - or to be needed. I needed to know Spiro.

I have collected a few people in my travels in life that are vital to me. They show up at different times for awhile and  I am better off.  I hope that they are also left feeling better about life.

I love this crazy city, and all of the ways it is trying to be beautiful and unique - just like the people who live here. Just like the people that live in every city in every country. We have to put down our phones and shut off our computers and televisions and realize that what we need is each other. Whoever that other is - we need to find that out and build the community that has been lost. Please, take a walk and meet your neighbors and participate in the city you live in!

I won't see Spiro again on the park bench, but I will remember him every time I walk past it. He is part of me now.  He's part of all of us.

Don't worry...