Lammas - What are you harvesting?

Ah, Lammas, the first of three harvest festivals for those of us following the wheel of the year. I love this time of year, my tomatoes are coming in, and my garden is lush.

So, what are you harvesting this time of year? I am seeing the benefits of some groundwork I laid awhile ago. Actually, it was unconsciouly done, but Spirit has a way of bringing it all together.

One of my goals was to be more articulate, personally and professionally - and you're reading one of my creations right now. I'm also passionate about social justice and taking responsibility.

Today, I made a second call to my city hall, and spoke with the city manager about a sidewalk that's been broken into pieces and tossed in it's hole, for two years. This week, the homeowner dumped woodchips in it. This street is the main route to the middle and high schools, and along the parade route of our little autumn parade. More importantly, we have zoning laws that are supposed to prevent this danger.

Also on the menu was the uncut weeds - thigh high - surrounding the Charter One Bank in the downtown. Now, I listened to the usual council won't enforce/we have no money blah blah, but I did get my point across regarding the sidewalk. Also commented that I may be showing up at city council, since city manager says they are the culprits who won't enforce our zoning.

Am I buying this? Not so much, because I'm a veteran of local government and especially zoning. But by expressing concern in a polite and professional way, I got his ear, and a possible invitation to sit on the downtown development committee. I've always said, put the complainers on the committee. Good for me.

And Charter One - yes, he said he'd get that baby trimmed up. ("They are not being good partners," said Karen.)

So you know I'm a passionate reader and closet novelist. One set of neighbors - both elementary school teachers with Master Degrees, tossed two cardboard boxes of like-new kids books, in the trash. They're moving - thank you Higher Power - and it's bad enought they don't recycle, but tossing books? You're teachers for heavens' sake. And, they just finished nattering to my husband about how much money teachers have to spend on their classroom.

I made a kamikaze raid on their trash and will deliver the books to my library this week.

So, why is this my harvest? Because I finally feel the courage to speak my mind, and have the 'knowing' that I can do this (act) in a responsible manner. It's standing in my power, from the heart and acting with Spirit.