There is so much to write about this morning. Yesterday was full of such complete human goodness that I wish you all had been there. It reminded me that collective joy is possible when we set our minds to it. It was Corvallis’s annual Open Streets celebration. For four hours once a year, a different route through the city is closed to traffic. Bikes are encouraged, pedestrians wander, homeowners along the path put tables out with puzzles or games to play. People make music from their porches, live or with a guitar. Mandalas are created over entire intersections, trees are identified, homeowners offer garden tours, whatever people want to do. One guy built a small white single-prop plane that he hoped to pull kids around in on his bike. It turned out to be too heavy for that, so he made it so he could pull it on foot. He drew a runaway on the street. Kids got in and pretended they were pilots. Lots of joy there.
nice one / i wish i had been there too / what a great way to build community and have fun with your neighbors / we have cyclovia but it's not such a neighborhood oriented thing mostly people rolling around and lots of booths / thanks for sharing your open streets / i love the airplane story / made me laugh
Thanks Rohn. Maybe you could create a similar booth at your next Cyclovia? The idea came from a booth we heard about at some town's farmer's market. The hosts' banner said, "Free Advice. It may not be good, but it's free." Brilliant!
What a wonderful experience for your town and you and Brent personally. Congratulations on the idea and the response from the community. Love your stories, I learn something from each one.
That makes me smile, Barbara. If it means something to others, my writing means something to me. So grateful to hear that. It was a fun piece to write. Always easier when it's a joyful story.
I love this!!! So much better than Westcliffe's community dinner down Main Street. Yes, the community dinner is great, but typically, each table's host knows all the people at his table. I'm running with your Open Streets celebration - I'll print out your post, pass it on to some movers and shakers, and see if it takes off. Dinner with friends at Cathy Snow's tomorrow night - a good place to start.
I dream of doing this in Kingston. So many different neighborhoods to tap into. So many possibilities. Thanks for sharing that magic. Nice is magical...
Thank you, Carolyn. It was a great day. Filled me up. Glad you could be part of it in this way.
nice one / i wish i had been there too / what a great way to build community and have fun with your neighbors / we have cyclovia but it's not such a neighborhood oriented thing mostly people rolling around and lots of booths / thanks for sharing your open streets / i love the airplane story / made me laugh
Thanks Rohn. Maybe you could create a similar booth at your next Cyclovia? The idea came from a booth we heard about at some town's farmer's market. The hosts' banner said, "Free Advice. It may not be good, but it's free." Brilliant!
hmm great idea
go for it!
yes !!
That looks great, Bar. Perhaps we'll join you and Brent next year.
plan on it! We'll have the booth next year, too. Why let a good idea disappear?
What a wonderful experience for your town and you and Brent personally. Congratulations on the idea and the response from the community. Love your stories, I learn something from each one.
That makes me smile, Barbara. If it means something to others, my writing means something to me. So grateful to hear that. It was a fun piece to write. Always easier when it's a joyful story.
I love this!!! So much better than Westcliffe's community dinner down Main Street. Yes, the community dinner is great, but typically, each table's host knows all the people at his table. I'm running with your Open Streets celebration - I'll print out your post, pass it on to some movers and shakers, and see if it takes off. Dinner with friends at Cathy Snow's tomorrow night - a good place to start.
Good luck, Doris. I think every town could have a booth like Brent's. It's not hard and it the focus can be loose and welcoming...hard in these times.
Bar, a great story, a smart husband and delightful writing.
Thanks, Dan. It was a good day and fun to write about. And my sweetie is a smartie, too! Lucky me.
What a wonderful day! The mist satisfying moments in life are those when we meet others with their own perspective on “life”
it was a great day. We're all still a little high from it, wondering if it's possible to maintain the high. Hard but worth trying! :)
It warms my heart to feel this spectacular day through your eyes and ears.
Thank you, Terri. It was a really good day. I was grateful. Still am. Glad you got a taste of it.
So beautiful!
It was a beautiful day, Beth. Life works when people are nice. :)
I dream of doing this in Kingston. So many different neighborhoods to tap into. So many possibilities. Thanks for sharing that magic. Nice is magical...