yesterday was a great day. it all really started when I went over to the gardens and sat on a concrete planter, designed to be part of the prayer garden. then jen leonard arrived, then eric stetler, then eric skidmore. we planted seed for the fall. kale, spinach, etc. it was high 90s and high humidity, but it is was somehow refreshing to work in those conditions for a period of time. all kinds of soil in my fingernails. good stuff. then i walked back over to bellows ave, to which everyone became wide-eyed at the different thoughts as to why I was so grossly sweating through my clothes. "planting for the fall", I said. I then put some "morning glory" seeds in water to soak for 24 hours. I planted those today (too late in the season, but you never know - we were just too excited about the new planters that came with good soil).

although it was refreshing to work in the heat for a bit, it was just gross and excruciating the rest of the day. so it was nice when we went to see the free "Wailers" show at Promowest Pavilion (intimate outdoor venue - where "Arcade Fire" will be playing in October), and the sun was going down, but the humidity was still rising, threatening to rain. Most of the show was average, but that all changed when the downpour came after 10:00pm, right as "No Woman, No Cry" began, followed by "Three Little Birds-Don't Worry About a Thing". It was exhilarating to sing "everything is going to be alright" with everyone else, dancing in the downpour, as the heat finally broke.

Last time I saw "The Wailers", was in 2003, right before I left for Boston - while Kelsie was pregnant with Canaan. So yesterday was symbolic for me, and gave me hope for our time here, our relationships here, and our purpose here. The Fall harvest will be meaningful for our family (spinach, kale, our home, and our new child). We hope to be able to share all of those.

John Ballenger and Wes Humble also came to visit Bellows Ave today, and we had lunch with them at the Stetler's home, served by Heather. It was a very engaging time. Looking forward to that established connection/relationship.