"Staying Put" and Sense of Place

Tending Prospect Gardens causes me to reflect on the value of  "staying put" while feeling the sense of place.  Michael Schuler, now our Minister Emeritus at First Unitarian Society, in his 2009 book "Making the Good Life Last" laid out four keys to what he called "sustainable living."  His second key is "staying put" which means intentionally remaining in a neighborhood while developing deep roots and strong connections.  '"Staying put" is challenging given societal values of picking up and moving for jobs, and the fact that many neighborhoods are bedroom communities lacking amenities needed to develop roots and a strong sense of community.

Fortunately, Ann and I live in the Dudgeon Monroe neighborhood with the right mix of amenities. We have lived in our neighborhood since 1986. In 1996, we intentionally decided to remain after I turned down an attractive job offer in Lorain, Ohio. Two years ago, when we sold our home, we once again decided to "stay put", and we moved to an apartment in the heart of lower Monroe Street.

Among the amenities within are neighborhood are a bike/pedestrian path, a lake, several coffeehouses, a library, our bank, a bookstore, Trader Joe's, a public high school and elementary schools, a private school (Wingra), churches and restaurants all within walking distance. Equally important are residents who willingly volunteer and work to preserve and enhance community life. We are fortunate to have an active neighborhood association and a strong Monroe Street business association. I would be remiss not to mention volunteers who care for the prairies along the Southwest Bike/Pedestrian Path and especially those who show up regularly at Prospect Gardens.

On a personal level Wendell Berry's poem "A Standing Ground" suggests a value of "staying put". Wendell Berry is a poet, essayist, novelist and farmer, born on August 5, 1934, in New Castle, Kentucky. His literary works reflect his deep agrarian Kentucky roots and his keen sense of place.

A Standing Ground  

However just and anxious I have been,

I will stop and step back

from the crowd of those who may agree

with what I say, and be apart.

There is no earthly promise of life or peace

but where the roots branch and weave

their patient silent passages in the dark;

uprooted, I have been furious without an aim.

I am not bound for any public place,

but for ground of my own

where I have planted vines and orchard trees,

and in the heat of the day climbed up

into the healing shadow of the woods.

Better than any argument is to rise at dawn

and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup.

This poem points out the healing quality of solitude and how peace is gained through being grounded in an environment you create. Berry seeks refuge and finds peace on his farm with its vines, orchards and woods. He has "stayed put", planted and nurtured the environment. The result is savoring the peaceful moments of life, may these be as simple as picking "dew-wet red berries in a cup."

While I am a city dweller, I too have savored peaceful moments while caring for the Prospect Gardens along with  volunteers who are my neighbors. To refresh your memory, the Gardens are along the Southwest Bike/Pedestrian Path, commonly referred to simply as "the path." The path is more than a means of transportation.  It's a corridor teaming with life including human beings like this one speeding towards his destination. Perhaps unrecognized by him, are the countless daily human interactions taking place along the path, such as those that happened at Prospect Gardens during our August 25th work session.

Sharing food is an interaction that builds community. Once again my kind and generous wife, Ann, offered her homemade cheesecake tassies topped with currant jelly.

Ann bakes for every work session. All volunteers always leave after the work session with a treat to take home and enjoy. 

Ann does her fair share of weeding and taking care of the Gardens. She also often pays attention to the ramps, clearing them of leaves and other debris, making them safer for the bike riders.


Here's Steve, Laura (upper left), Ann N., and Joyce (in the middle) caught enjoying the cheesecake tassies. Joyce looks like she is in the middle of a bite. I too enjoyed one during the break and afterwards snitched another. The tassies were so delicious.  The standing joke is that these core volunteers only show up because of Ann's treats and I am starting to believe it. Regardless, their continued support is greatly appreciated.

Here's Jody relaxing in her comfortable chair while chatting  with Laima and UW student, Jessica(on the far right). Chatting always happens during breaks as well as while working. Through these chats we get to know each other and are informed about what's happening in our lives.

I feel very bonded to our core regular volunteers and of course, to Jody.  I have known Jody for at least a decade and served on committees that supported Jody during her studies to be a Unitarian Minister and chaplain.

This was Jessica's first time. She learned of us through Dane County United Way's Volunteeryourtime.org website. I post announcements of work sessions on the site.  Thanks for joining the crew. You worked hard and we enjoyed getting to know you.  I hope you return and become a regular as you complete your UW studies.

Here's Ken in one of our "Stewards of the Path" t- shirts, having one indicates he has been volunteering, when he can, for several years. A few years ago the Dudgeon Monroe Association provided funds for the bright green shirts. I plan to ask if we could again get t-shirts for those who have volunteered since the t-shirts were first distributed.

When Ken first volunteered he was concerned about his ability to distinguish weeds from flowers. I assured him not to worry because the Gardens would always fill in any flowers he accidentally pulled.

Ken has a sweet and lovely granddaughter who he regularly cares for. It's always a pleasure seeing him and his granddaughter. She always greets me warmly and with a big smile. During Halloween's trick or treat time, she now comes to our apartment with her loving grandfather, instead of our former house.

Here's Jessica and Laima removing the tenacious and persistent Bishop's Weed. The stripes in the right hand corner are from Laura's back. All season we have been waging battle against Bishop's Weed and I think the weeds won. Laura reminded me of this fact. Perhaps using Round-Up is next. Yet I am reluctant to use a herbicide.

Here's four crew members tackling weeds on the upper section of the Gardens located in the Regent Neighborhood. Purple Cone flowers were once abundant in this section.  This section hopefully will be replanted this fall. Purple Cone flowers will be included.

Thank you to all who shared August 25th with me. Because of your generosity, I experienced the joy of being connected with you that results from "staying put" in our neighborhood.