A Day In The Life

The town I live in  has long been on the frontlines of diversity. In the 1960s it was the first town in America to integrate its schools voluntarily. It is home to more than 20 synagogues, a Bahai temple, an Ethical Culture Society, an Islamic mosque, a Kingdom of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Syrian Orthodox church, Orthodox Jewish synagogues, Conservative Jewish congregations, Reform Jewish temples, as well as Baptist, Christian. Science, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, and Catholic churches. Our Mayor is Muslim and the Deputy Mayor is an Orthodox Jew.

As I took my walk through town on Monday morning I noticed these signs on many lawns

The message “Hate Has No Home Here” is written in 5 languages along with English. I am proud to live in a place that sends this message in these turbulent times.

Here are some of the other sights I saw, sure signs that Spring is on the way

Then I paused for a moment under this Dogwood that is beginning to bloom. It stands in front of my neighbor Vita’s house. We always call it Vita’s Tree, and think of her when its blooms begin to show. She died about 7 years ago from a brain tumor and suffered a great deal for over a year before she died. I am always happy to see the blooms and remember how much she loved that tree and how happy it made her. Better times.

and of course my feathered friends. This Junco usually leaves come Spring, but I guess he likes the sights too.

Spring is upon us at last!