Timberlake Christian Church Youth worked like dawgs!

Timber LakeWhat makes working with teens so is fun? It has been a while since I was a high school librarian, but it all came rushing back. It's their growing love of irony in humor, playfulness, extreme sense of fairness, constant probing for new ways to do things, and incredible optimism.

Saturday morning the Youth of Timberlake Christian Church from Lynchburg, VA arrived at the garden with their adult advisers and set to work. An added blessing was that one of the adults was an aborist so I got a two-fer! I was able to ask questions and he knew far more than I did about the garden which was wonderful!

The kids weeded, pulled out the old broccoli bed, laid down mulch, trimmed bushes, moved dirt, and all the while they provided me with a refresher course in teen humor and thinking in addition to a big dose of hope for the future.

The pastor, was obviously the kind of guy to stay focused and kept the kids on task as the temperatures soared. All three adults had a great rapport with the kids, and it was wonderful to see the before and after.....Thanks, Timberlake!

Ripening Summer at the West Nasvhville Farmer's Market

Saturday morning and a real farmer's market. Not the giant one downtown which has farmers from Kentucky, North Carolina and other nearby states, but one that has farmers and growers that are right here in Nashville.

I found three of my children from school, or rather they found me. There was a singer, folks doing yoga, makers of natural herbal soaps, lotions and other things in addition to food/caterers, farmers of vegetables, fruits, makers of cheese, local honey, flowers, meat from places which raise the creatures humanly on grass (as God intended), candle makers, friends....

I felt as though I had been transported to a medieval fair --- except there was no juggler or jester! Noelle and I wandered around making small talk and finding delightful things to put in our basket she found wonders to photograph (including the basket above). You can see her photos at Photography in a Different Light.

I realized how wonderful commerce can be when it is between real people. Folks with the flowers were bartering for merchandise as everyone wanted some sunflowers or daisies to brighten up their booths! I saw others bartering services and I felt somehow diminished that I was engaged in the gross exchange of mere money!

Check them out if you live on the west side! It was a beautiful morning filled with the joy of ripening summer!