August’s work day was record-breaking from the quick work of the volunteers (we completed all tasks in just 1-1/2 hours) to the number of exercisers (the flow of stair runners was endless) to the countless ideas we had for the design of our new T-shirts.
Dang, Tom, Yoshi, Tola, Catalina, Ellen, Ruben, Barbara and I lopped and chopped, swept and prepped. Our prepping involved sculpting the bed at the lower plaza, tiering it with stones and logs to help deter those who’ve turned it into their personal ski slope, trampling vegetation and uprooting bulbs. My idea of adding a layer quicksand to catch the guilty parties was given the “Nay” vote, though it did bring a few laughs.
Five to six bags of debris were piled at Lake Shore, ready for Oakland Parks and Rec to haul away. Afterwards, we retired to our beloved Haddon Hill Cafe, where we snacked on Yoshi’s banana bread, sipped coffee and chai beverages and chatted about new T-shirts for the volunteers.
Our ad hoc brainstorming yielded clever messaging like Hella Stairs, Hecka Stairs, Whole Lotta Stairs Going On, just to name a few. We are open to any and all ideas, including design elements for the front and back so submit away, my friends!
On a side note, our hearts go out to our always-faithful volunteer Yoshi, whose husband passed away recently. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts.
There is peace within a garden,
a peace so deep and calm
That when the heart is troubled
it’s like a soothing balm.
– Rosamond, Lady Langham