Hi all!
Wonderful things are happening in Middle Tennessee, Nashville, and especially
in my East Nashville Community. I am writing this as an inspiration, not as
much as a brag, but I am also proud and hopeful. How audacious!
I January, I walked away from a well paying stressful job and an abusive boss,
sick with depression and despair to a series of even worse jobs. Then got fired
from sales (was not selling enough) and from appoint setting (was not setting
enough appointments).
In my desperation, I prayed for purpose, and boy, did I receive!
I finally landed a job with a greenish (green by accident) company, again in
sales, but not as much pressure, and this is something I can actually live
with!
Due to not spending my every waking hour thinking about my job, I have been
able to do volunteer work for food security movement, for community gardens,
for local organic farmers market, for a food co-op movement. And then I got
involved in an urban farm project. Finally, my life actually has meaning. TV
has lost its hold on me.
There suddenly is an abundance of green things to choose from. I've befriended
some hippies and other green types. Went tent camping in an organic orchard
that has any kind of fruit tree one can imagine and then some. Going to a lake
for a weekend of camping and fun later this month. Carpooling with gals, of
course.
I have never been this poor, but neither have I ever been this happy!
I also started a little garden of my own, inspired by a neighbor's flower
garden. It then started to expand. Our landlord lets us dig as much as
we wish! I wake up at dawn and inspect the garden with my cats. It is watered
with gray and rain water only. Watermelon, okra and sweet potatos are new
plants to me. In addition to veggies and flowers, I have about 30 different
herbs, and my garden is not that big. Two of my neighbors have since started
their own little gardens. And the remaining two renters have potted plants. We
all now have recycling containers as well. And there is a neat and tidy
composter, Earth Machine, that our city sells at cost. My two cucumber plants
produce enough for the six families.
Tomorrow, I am leading a community garden tour to some of our most precious
gardens right here in the city. It will be hot, so the mint tea from my herb
garden will come handy.
On August 30, we will have a Cool Cucumber Candle Light Martini Party in the
Humble Rental Duplex Gardens, at dusk. Folks will bring their favorite martini
glass, a plate, a cloth napkin (best napkin wins a prize) a dish or drink to
share. I am making some of my weird Finnish food. Every party has to have some
kind of curiosity, right?
Who says one person can not change the lives of others for the better? The way
I see it: you only need to save one (and I am not talking about religion - but
gardening, farming, and kindness to your neighbors). If we all would make the
life of ONE person a bit better, maybe more meaningful, a bit less painful,
what a life that would be!
Kate, on her soap box (the soap is from local organic farm!)
- The more you do, the more you CAN do! -
Lucille Ball
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