Community

You are probably thinking that the one thing this family needs is a community garden plot. No? Me either. Our neighborhood just put in a lovely community garden and I have been approached to join, but declined (because we already have an excessive amount of gardening going on).

When I found out that quite a few plots were still unclaimed at our favorite gazebo park, I got somewhat suckered into taking one and I am glad I did. I came to the realization, that while we don't need garden space, we are always in need of more community. I have met loads of neighbors and it is really fun digging in the dirt together and watching to see what they will grow.

Dirtiest Kid and I decided to plant a butterfly garden with special plants for the caterpillars (rue, parsley, fennel, dill) and plants for the butterflies (lantana, greg's mist, daisy, lavender). We really REALLY don't need more veggies and I figure this will help pollinate our neighbors' gardens. Plus no one on the planet dislikes butterflies.

Our neighborhood is filled with talented artists. Two of these artists, Diana and Hank, made a commitment to personally throw ollas for all the gardens. Ollas are porous clay pots that are not glazed on the bottom. You bury them in the ground and fill them with water. They slowly release the water into the garden when the soil is dry. This isn't something we have tried at home so I am excited to see how it works. These ollas are masterpieces! Truly. Dirtiest Kid got to pick out our lids. She was beyond excited. There was even an article in the newspaper about the project. Cool huh? I'll keep you updated.

What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.- Kurt Vonnegut