What a week! Society Hall hosted a Candidate Night on Tuesday. Wednesday night was a meeting on the homeless issue in Alamosa, Thursday the Hall hosted a talent show by PALS, and tonight is helping set up Peyton’s Lemonade Stand for Summerfest on the Rio (and no…it’s not the Sunshine Festival).

In between planting flowers I got to be part of ordering some really cool cards that Peyton will be able to hand out in the park. That dang tumor has made it difficult for him to talk—not as much as he wants to anyways. And so…the gang over there at O&V Printing helped with a card that says “Even though a lot of talking is difficult for me right now, from the bottom of my heart thank you for supporting my Lemonade Stand”! How special is that! Peyton dreaded the idea of not being able to do much, and not being able to stand up, AND not being able to visit as much as he wanted to, so these cards are pretty much perfect! Stop by and get a lemonade. Say hi, and it would be great if you don’t ask questions—just tell him how wonderful he is! Thank you!

I have been working pretty hard at the Visitor’s Center, with my helpers Christina and Rachel. Will have the planters by the tracks planted by the end of the weekend. It feels good. The only sad thing is the ongoing disrespect from folks passing through who think it is okay to throw their socks, and other clothing around. And leave their trash (white Styrofoam containers) from lunch or supper on the benches. Even as I showed up to water, early one morning, a man came out from either under the train or out of one of the cars. Kind of scary.

I don’t have any answers for the homeless issues. I just want everyone to work. If they are passing through Alamosa on their way someplace and they want a free meal, is it fair to ask them to do an hour of community service? Or could they buy lunch at a local restaurant instead of a “free lunch”? Could we take care of “our own” homeless who become that way because of a fire, or domestic abuse, or serious loss of income due to illness, etc. Are we enabling people when we expect nothing? Could we build pride in our community if we did expect the creation of something beautiful in the Boyd Garden—that feeds the people? If you want 20 free meals in a week, is it too much to ask for 10 hours of work in a garden? Is it?

I don’t have the answers. And I know there are many individuals with mental issues who cannot work, and should be helped out. I do find many folks with issues like that come to the Green Spot, and sometimes I have little jobs for them to do. Or sometimes they are given little lectures or encouragement to take their meds, and be good. I have given rides home and to AA meetings. I try and do my part. There were a lot of different ideas and suggestions at this week’s meeting. Many of them have been suggested for over two years. Time will tell if anything happens this time around.

If you haven’t joined the Pumpkin Challenge, I have seedlings available at the Spot. You still have plenty of time, and I’m thinking we have 15-20 entries so far. The end of the competition will be about the 20th of September and all pumpkins will be on display at the 2nd Annual Celebration at Society Hall on Saturday, Sept. 22! It’s going to be a grand celebration as the Colorado Farm Brewery and Square Peg Brewerks are already on line for some great SLV beer. And…five wonderful bands! Be on the lookout for more information.

If you are thinking about trimming your lilac bushes, I’m thinking that right after they bloom is the best time. They put on the flower buds for next year, pretty soon after this year’s bloom. When I look at old lilacs it’s really difficult to figure out what to do. Sometimes they just need to be pulled out and you need to start over. I think plants are like people—sometimes they just get old, and nothing you do can make them look younger (that’s how I feel too).

I have been meaning to tell the Kip Walker family THANK YOU for fixing up that little cottage/house on Fourth and Cochetopa! I love what you have done with that place and only wish I could win the lottery so we could fix up about 500 little houses just like that! Thank you for putting pride back on that corner!