If I unscrolled my garden “to-do list,” I am certain it would roll out my front door and down my street. In any garden—especially a school garden as ambitious as ours—there is simply a massive amount of things to do.
Last week, I received two little gifts (I call them “bon bons”) in the midst of all the garden work. One is that I took my son’s kindergarten on a sensory tour of the garden. No fancy lesson plan or exciting activity—I simply asked the kids to quietly walk through the garden. Then I asked them to name something they “saw, smelled or heard” that was 1)new, 2)beautiful or 3) interesting. The kids were coming out of their skin in excitement as we took time out for sheer discovery. I came back to class, after three rounds of little people, just a little bit exhilirated.
Another story: On this blog I can check my “site stats.” Every day I can see how many views I’ve had, what posts folks are reading and even what specific “search engine terms” people typed in that led them to my blog. Readers, apparently, have found me by googling “mosaic art” and “photography and placemaking” and of course “school gardens.”
Last week I saw that someone arrived at my blog because he/she typed in the phrase:
“positive things that happen to people going to school.”
Bon bon.
I am reminded that the cure for feeling overwhelmed by– many things really— is often immersing yourself in the reasons you are doing all the little tasks in the first place. Remembering the vision at the core of your work, you then let that joy propel you into the next day and the next task.
First grade's sunflowers from last season, growing in a space that was formerly overlooked and neglected (photo courtesy of Marisa McFedries)
What's not to like? 
Hey Classmate (MG2012).
Love your blog. We should swap photos sometime. I’ve got tons of pics of 4-5 year olds digging potatoes, picking squash, eating sweet peas off the vine – discovering.
Liked the last sentence in your most recent post. A very healthy way of dealing with stress. See you in class Tuesday.
Stan
Hi Stan!
Thanks for “dropping by!” I look forward to hearing more about your work and maybe even seeing your Oceanside garden next time I’m out that way. Sounds like you do great work. 🙂
T,
I’m reminded about a article I read the other day about a little boy asking his father on what a particular flower smells like and the father says “Why don’t you get close to it and ask it”….
bon bon……dad
Sweet story! Kids love discovery!
Life lessons for all of us! Especially your last paragraph! I hope to remember it when I am stressed getting ready for whatever I am working toward!
“I am reminded that the cure for feeling overwhelmed by– many things really— is often immersing yourself in the reasons you are doing all the little tasks in the first place. Remembering the vision at the core of your work, you then let that joy propel you into the next day and the next task.”
I’m glad to read this. My preference/style in writing is to focus on small, specific things that, in the exploration, hopefully have wider relevance. Good reminders for us all! Thanks for so much good feedback.