productivity at it's best

many times, I have the tendency to place multiple things (okay, more than a reasonable amount of things) onto our "weekend to-do list." I get a great deal complete in the week, but save the larger things for the weekend when I have the hubby home to help balance it all. this weekend was much like all the rest - and there were so many things I wanted to attend yesterday, it being Earth Day and multiple walks were going on! our day was beautiful and we completed the tasks we needed to and most of the ones we want to as well. I took the day as it came... one moment at a time, allowing for time to rest, drink water, and play.

hubby took our beloved Hilander in for all the wonderful recall work it needed, before we head out on a road trip this week while the girls and I began our day with Walk A Mile in My Shoes. This was designed to give walkers an opportunity to see the road that the homeless in Nashville walk each day. We walked as a part of Team Park Center. My sister has worked there for quite a while with the homeless, and we do all we can to be a part of the amazing work they are doing there. Just before the walk began, I saw a man walking towards us and realized it was my hubby. He had run from Broadway to LP field to meet us for the walk. that was a moment I was really excited about - I think I blushed I was so happy to see him. Our younger napped the entire walk; our older walked, danced, sang, jumped, played, skidded knees, and won some BBQ sauce!

As we walked, we stood beside many of the homeless in Nashville, we learned more about Tent City, and helped raise awareness about a growing need in our city.

Besides being a part of this walk, I felt more apart and fell more in love with Nashville as a whole. Walking down by Cumberland River, seeing many faces, some new - some remembered, I felt more apart of this city and more connected - something I have longed for.

After we finished the walk, we headed down for some lunch. The car was taken care of, we had walked, and we were all starving. Calypso was our stop - one of our favorites! They did not open until 11:30 AM, and considering we were finished with our walk by 10:30 AM, we were a little early, so we headed over the check out the Earth Day festival for a bit. we arrived just at the start, but walked around to see a few of the booths then headed back to lunch.

I love the awareness that the Earth Day festival brings to caring for the Earth, but some times it seems it's more about commercialism than anything else. I know most of the companies are out there to make a difference, but when people are taking down email address and trying to sell scented candles, my cynicism comes up. for me, caring for the Earth is not about buy more, but about buying less and doing more to be aware of the power of your purchases, where things come from and go when they are not in your possession and doing ones best to reduce your carbon footprint. commercialism can infiltrate even the grandest of causes! nonetheless, I know it's more good than harm and I can choose to walk away from the pieces that are of no value in my life, so I do!

Once we finished lunch, the girls and I headed to the Herb Society's Plant and Herb Fair at the Fair Grounds and hubby headed home to finish mowing (I mowed the backyard Friday afternoon with the little one on my back asleep - that was amazing, I might add). we walked in to find herbs and plants lined up, alphabetically in rows. so we began. our older got to choose a few plants she wanted. apparently, one of the plants she chose has a variety that has been banned from sale in Florida because people smoke it. who knew. after about an hour of walking, choosing, and tasting each variety of plant we wanted, we headed home.

we stopped on the way to see a dear friend and her family as they prepared to leave town Monday to move to Texas. my love flows for this family, as I have come to care for them so dearly. I love all of them. as the children were playing on the moving van, the baby of the crew (two-year old) fell from the ramp and landed in an ever-so awkward position on the driveway below. terror singed through my entire body. our older was standing at the top watching her friend on the ground in total fear and empathy. mama ran to her child, scooped her up, and they headed to the ER. tears were pour from the other children's eyes as no one was sure what was happening and if the little one was going to be okay. we headed out, as we were blocking their exit.

talking to our older on the way home, I explained to her what had happened and we talked about some things we were feeling. we discussed things we could learn from the situation. it was just a strange time! someone we care for so much! I began to think that it could have just as easily been our daughter and what that must feel like. I do not think ramps like that will be children play zone for me any time soon!

getting home, I was just beginning the brunt of my labor for the day - planting! our raised bed went in this week (thank you, Gardens of Babylon, my new favorite nursery!). I marked them off in square foot sections and began planting - okra, calypso beans, empress beans, beets, cucumber, zucchini, and a few carrots. I plowed up the land to later plant the herbs we got and our potatoes. Pole beans will go in today! As I planted, a dear, long-time friend came to visit for a few hours. that was one of the many unexpected gifts of the day, for sure! I have know this friend for almost nine years, and still am so grateful to have her in my life. It's amazing to me how some friends you talk to daily and others not, but the impression the make on your life is immeasurable!

gardening is truly a gift for me this year!

whew! just writing all that is somewhat exhausting. nonetheless, dinner was out-to-eat-again! not something I prefer to do, but I was so beat from the day I did not want to cook, clean or think!

blessings