the following was posted in the lost and found section of my neighborhood website:
‘Help me neighbors! I found young Marcus Wilson’s geometry notebook on the way to work around Revena. Anyone know him or his family? I hope his homework isn’t due today!’
—
“the worst thing a kid can say about homework is that it is too hard.
the worst thing a kid can say about a game is it’s too easy.”
-henry jenkins
—
image credit: calvin and hobbes – bill watterson
in much the same way
that he appeared out of the blue
in the midst of a very heavy snow season
to ask if i would hire him to shovel my driveway
and disappearing just as suddenly
only to appear again
last weekend
wheeling his mower down the sidewalk
and stopping by
to ask if i would hire him to mow my lawn
soon after my lawn mower refused to start
the quiet, polite, hardworking kid with no name is back
and gone again.
—
“everybody is a hero in their own story if you just look.”
-maeve binchy
—
image credit: pincor products vintage advertising
A Little Wild Spot. The ramshackle old house pictured above, unoccupied for two years at the time this photo was taken in 1966, was Anne Mueller’s “rough box.” After her death at the age of 85, her wildflower garden on the corner was deeded to the city for a park. The house now gone, Postman’s Rest Park, was named as a tribute to Norm Kern and Bob Schlupe, the mail carriers who stopped each day to see that “Annie” was all right when she was widowed and left without family in her later years. (ann arbor news, 1972)
1972 postman’s rest park
2017 postman’s rest park
during my visit to this tiny park
situated on a quiet and peaceful corner
in a tree-lined neighborhood
filled with old bungalows, gardens, and lawns
i sat in the swing for a while
taking it all in
looking around
at the greenery and wildflowers
there was a very special
warm and welcoming feeling
i wanted to know more about this lovely space
and was so pleasantly surprised
to discover its touching story
a pioneering newspaperwoman, ann mueller
left this beautiful space
where her wildflower garden had once bloomed
as a tribute to those who cared.
—
“take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”
-ovid
—
credits: news photo and caption – 1966 ann arbor news, jack stubbs – 1972 ann arbor news
1st annual neighborhood block party
nice for all of us to mix together
rather than just pass on the street
get to know each other a bit better
police, fire, and ice cream people
the holy trinity of community support
came by for a visit
raised money for toys for our neighborhood park
lots of people, lots of food, lots of fun.
—
“nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor’s noisy party than being there.”
-franklin p. jones
shirley in her camp i.d. picture
have you seen this face?
—
once again
i am reminded
why
i love my community website
with all its sincere and heartfelt
eccentric charm
this time
there’s a notice about a turtle
who has ‘run away’ from camp
i have to wonder
could there be a slower animal
other than maybe a snail
to have made the great escape?
did anyone else know about turtle camp
or have i been living a sheltered life?
do you think she was homesick
or
just didn’t want to take part
in the arts ‘n crafts or talent night?
—
NEWSLETTER QUERY:
R.H. – 1 day ago
if you see this turtle, please phone — (see picture above)
Our turtle Shirley has escaped once again from turtle camp on J. Road, near V. Ave. She should be wearing a piece of blue duct tape on the back of her shell. She’s very friendly. She may have gotten pretty far – last time, she got to near J. Road and R. Road. before she was found.
Please call ——- (land line) if found. Or text ——-. Thank you!
Reward offered.
Probably will have lit out in the exact same direction as before.
RESPONSES:
W. H. – 1 day ago
I hope that neuroscientist didn’t get her for his experiments.
M. H. -1d ago
Oh my goodness we’ll keep our eyes out! (I read this and thought – oh my goodness, another person who sends their turtle to camp?! And then realized it was you!)
UPDATE:
as of today
shirley is still on the lam.
—
“take a walk with a turtle. and behold the world in pause.”
-bruce feiler
chris taylor atop a bit of art at ann arbor’s top of the park festival
—
i had a pleasant surprise
when i opened my front door
and standing there was
my mayor, chris taylor
he was walking around the neighborhoods
talking to people
about the upcoming primary election
we talked for a bit
and i thanked him
for all he’s done
and continues to do
for ann arbor
when he left
and i closed the door
i thought that this is how politicians should be
just walking around talking to people in their neighborhoods.
—
“the true privilege of being mayor
is that I have the opportunity to be everyone’s neighbor.”
-thomas menino
something is lost or wandering.
(*question and response chain on my neighborhood website – mixed in among the recommendations for contractors, giveaways, news and upcoming events)
—
*Anyone lose a peacock? peahen?
A. C. from Crest/Washington · 8h ago
Was leaving the house a little after 11 maybe and a large peacock or peahen appeared wandering through the Kenwood backyards heading north.
P. V. from Crest/Washington · 8h ago
are you sure it wasnt a turkey?
C. G. from Dexter-Miller · 7h ago
A wild turkey has been seen on the South West Side in the last couple days.
A. C. from Crest/Washington · 5h ago
A friend and I were at the end of the drive way when we saw it come through the spaces between the garages and at first I thought I was really losing it because it looked like a vulture perching and then for a split second I did think it was a turkey but it was gone. I swear sometimes you never know in this neighborhood.
S. P. from Crest/Washington · 5h ago
Yes, saw the turkeys last year ( or year before ? ) walking up and around Fair Street near Glendale. I thought there used to be three of them.
J. S. from Dicken · 1h ago
Well. I can think of even a few turkeys who think they themselves are peacocks!
—
—
image credits: eric carle, pinterest
went to the 4th annual water hill music fest, held the first sunday of each may
in a neighborhood filled with artists, musicians, and eccentrics of the highest order, music rules the day
founded In 2011, Paul Tinkerhess (folksman, craftsman, businessman) to spotlight the cohesive personality of the neighborhood as well as its musicians, this un-sponsored event follows only one rule: at least one member of each performing band must reside in water hill.
so excited to see my very talented carpool mate create some jazz with the neighbors
every kind of music and settings and audience members were represented
all in the front yards, back yards, decks and gardens of their homes
people of all ages were welcome to participate
friends bonded together by their music
and a community bonded together by their sounds
and many joined into the drum circle
and they were from all walks of life
and everyone joined in to support the day
and many saw music that was new to them and old to others
and people came on foot, on bike, and by car to sit and listen and take it all in
and everyone had so much fun
and the maypole dance was the perfect way to welcome in the season
“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.”
― Maria von Trapp
—
image credits: peaches, monte fowler, ann arbor.com
Washtenaw Dairy has been many things to many people in the community, and a home away from home for the neighborhood for almost 80 years. what began as a dairy, has continued on as a family-friendly gathering spot for locals and visitors from all over, with ice cream and home made donuts and coffee and smiling faces, always happy to welcome in anyone who stops by.
when they proposed raising the price of a cup of coffee by 10 cents, topping out at over a dollar,
to at least break even, some of the morning regulars were upset,
so they decided to keep selling it at the old price,
and see it as a service to their loyal community.
with the second generation of owners, one in their 60s, and his partner in his 80s, their quote sums up their approach “We won’t put on airs, we’re pretty much just workers,.” The workday starts early to make sure everything gets done. The first employees get to the store at two in the morning, the managers follow at four, and doors open at 5 a.m. “every day but Christmas.”
While ice cream is a big part of the business, the store also sells 150 dozen donuts a day.
“we don’t even know how to turn on a computer, we missed the whole tech thing and for us it’s really hard to get into.” despite the owner’s lack of technical know-how, they’ve been a major presence in the community for a long time. they donate ice cream or money to several hundred causes a year ranging from a the zen buddhist temple to the local high school hockey team. “we support the community, because the community supports us. that’s why it’s worked all these years. it adds up on your bottom line, but these same people come down with their families and buy ice cream. they’ve come for years and supported us.”
The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance.
Remember, the greatest failure is to not try.
Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it.
– Debbie Fields
I didn't have my glasses on.... 