Free Plants🍃

Hi, everyone!

I hope you enjoy reading about these things that caught my attention this month. Moments like these renew my affection for my local area.

"The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention." —Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way, page 53

• I had the most delightful conversation with an older gentleman at a nearby Little Free Library. I was browsing the titles when he walked up. He was soft spoken and kind and offered an intriguing review of the book he was dropping off for sharing. He explained how the World War II story related to something in his life, and in exchange I shared some of my own family's military history. It was kismet. I couldn't resist taking his book, The Arsenal of Democracy by A. J. Baime, to add to my stack waiting to be read.

• You know that feeling when someone has a passion so strong it expands your own enthusiasm? On one of our neighborhood walks through South Utica, my daughter showed me a home whose owner has an affection for growing beautiful plants and a desire to spread those throughout her community. Her yard, front and back, is beautifully maintained. On any given day she's outside thinning her gardens and placing free transplants out for passersby to take along their way. It's a lovely gesture, and I'm eager to watch the plants I've acquired come to life next spring. I know I'll think of her kindness when I admire the blooms.

• The bike score for the town where I live is 48. "Somewhat bikeable. Minimal bike infrastructure." Honestly, I'm surprised it ranks that high. Until recently, the town's only bike racks were on school grounds. Thankfully, the Kirkland Town Library installed a rack and repair station. I was there a couple days ago and paused at the beauty of the rack tucked amongst the late-summer flowers. Another reason to support the local library!

• I was sipping tea in an overcrowded Utica Coffee when someone unfamiliar squeezed through on her way toward the single restroom. Our eyes connected and she gestured with such precision I knew exactly what she intended to ask: Is there anyone in the restroom? Without skipping a beat, my nod and expression replied, Yes, someone's already in there. She understood and stopped nearby awaiting her turn. A couple seconds later, I giggled and asked, "Do you like how we just had an entire conversation without speaking a single word?!" She laughed too, and I departed with a feeling like I'd just run into an old friend I hadn't seen in ages.

Till next time!

—Melody 💟

If you enjoyed reading this, please sign up below to receive my weekly newsletter. Your support helps this site continue.