Day 5

The art lesson with the second graders was soul-satisfying. I gave eight kids the project and they each taught it to two of their classmates. It was lines, white spaces, colored spaces, and zen-tangles. Watching the dynamics was precious. There was the hum that signals the right combination of interest, ability, and material. Since Hollie is retiring at the end of the year, this is my last chance to be part of teaching too. My career finally ends.

Here is my March column for Senior News.

Pets. One of my favorite subjects since I live with three dogs who make great housemates. My 23 orchids are pets too. I call them my orch-kids. They take time and care and reward me with beauty. I also have pet projects and pet peeves.

Most communities have public land that is undeveloped. There are groups of residents who have needs and wants that can be satisfied by creating new uses for the land. Look around and make a plan for the enrichment of your community.

Crescent City is planning new uses for Beachfront Park. So far it houses the swimming pool, horseshoe courts, picnic area, disc golf stations, and Kid Town. After a year of planning and gathering together tools, materials, and volunteers, Kid Town was built in a week! It shows what can be accomplished when people work together to a common goal.

There is no place at this time for dogs to socialize and run around free of leashes. A dog park would require fencing, benches, water and many trash disposals containers. There would be rules for keeping it safe and clean for our dogs. I know three dogs that would enjoy it immensely.

There are people who would like to build a labyrinth on the property. They know how much land they need, the amount of grading, fencing, surfacing so handicapped people could use it, benches, plantings for a meditation garden, and maintenance would go along with it. A place for contemplation and enjoying nature would serve many people.

One pet project of mine is getting people involved in the life of the community. As a volunteer, I know the benefits of being part of daily life here. Many non-profit organizations who serve many would not survive without volunteers. Everyone had an hour or two to donate to a cause that means something personal to them.

My pet peeve is drivers who don’t stop for pedestrians. They drive by as if I’m not standing there at the crosswalk. I have boldly pointed to the lines that are there for my safety and have been rewarded with obscene gestures or rude words. I do it anyway. The law says pedestrians have the right of way and that means any time a foot goes off the curb, regardless of the lack of a crosswalk, the driver must stop until the foot is safely on the opposite curb. It’s the law!

So pets are not necessarily four-footed animals, or fish, or birds. They can be actions and ideas. What are your pets? Find a group of like minded friends and plan a development in your community.