Sharing the Seeds of Love

It's that time of year again and the window sills are lined with starters: beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash. The Green Committee is caring for the seedlings now that will become your family's food at the great giveaway this April. Earth Week at MdTL is my favorite time of year, embodying so much of what we all strive for: a strong community that shares with joyful, expectation-free abundance; an opportunity to learn from one another about how to simplify our lives through practical, responsible living; a time to celebrate the great Earth that we all inhabit; and an occasion when our children can inspire us with compost 'how-to' and planet inspired poetry! This living is a supreme gift and Earth Week provides the sprinkling of wonder, friendship, partnership and generosity that makes our community whole.

Help Bay Area Families in Need This Holiday Season

By Natalie Quinan, mommy to Shane (almost 5 yrs old) ~ Aspen Class

After a recent play date, I surveyed the devastation around our house and in particular my son’s room. Five boys in any small space can create fun chaos and quite a mess. Every toy box had been overturned and their contents strewn out about the room. We were so grateful when mommies and kids were thoughtful in helping with the clean up. But, that’s when it hit me. I realized I couldn’t even see the floor, as the toy piles were so dense, they blocked out the carpeting. We have too many toys. How many does any one kid need to be happy? Do we really need the entire Thomas the Train collection with working bridges and sound effects? My son Shane had the same realization.

So we decided to do something about it.

I shared with him that some little boys and girls are sad because they don’t have toys, food, a house; and some don’t even have a mom and dad. The look in his big brown eyes was of concern and sadness. Then he declared, “well, mommy this is an emergency! I have a solution! I can give them my toys! I want to go and share!” And there it is folks! I was so proud. He got the lesson of giving.

So together we just cleaned out his toy chests (which were bursting at the seams) and I asked him to point out the toys he still loves. We went from toy bin to toy bin in his room, plus a toy chest located in our living room, and made two piles: an “I Love Pile” and an “I Could Do Without Pile.” Suffice to say, the “I Could Do Without” pile was pretty big.

We’re now ready to deliver our “gifts of fun” to several needy organizations.

Shane told me that his heart “got so big” and I looked at him and told him that mine did too. It feels good to share.

Since, I’m not an expert, I have included a few links on great articles about lessons in giving and how it creates confidence and compassion in a child.

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/lessons-in-giving/

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/share-your-thoughts-the-gift-of-giving

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/raising-a-caring-and-compassionate-child

If you would like to take this opportunity to teach your child about giving and kindness, please find a list below of Bay Area non-profits that could use toys and other donations. Marin charities have been and continue to be blessed by its generous Marinite community. However, many Bay Area non-profits (in SF & the East Bay) have a resounding need for food, coats and blankets.

Please know that it is always best to call before dropping off any donation to confirm the current needs and that every item must be in very good condition and clean.

BANANAS, Contact prior to donation drop off. Likes getting high quality children's items, including clean stuffed animals, games, toys, etc… that they distribute to home day-care facilities (most of which operate on a very low budget), as well as needy families. 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA 94618. (510) 658- 7353 * www.bananasinc.org

Bay Area Women's and Children's Center services families, children, women, esp. in Tenderloin Please call in advance to arrange a drop off time and confirm items to donate. They will accept women's and baby/children's clothing and small household items. (415) 474-2400, 318 Leavenworth, San Francisco, CA 94102 www.bawcc.org

Books for the Barrios, accepts clean stuffed animals, children's books, games, puzzles, art materials, and working computers. This organization has sent over 9 million books to the most remote areas or “barrios” of the Philippines. 2350 Whitman Rd, Suite D, Concord 94518 * Phone is 925 687 7707 * www.booksforthebarrios.org.

Compass Community Services, a homeless shelter, family resource center, early childhood education/childcare, and other services for families desperately needs: Diapers, travel sized toiletries, new socks and underwear for children & adults, arts & crafts supplies, canned and other non-perishable items. 
WISH LIST: www.compass-sf.org/get-involved/donation-wishlist Please see website link for more information and for questions, contact them through a form available on their website: www.compass-sf.org * 995 Market St. San Francisco, CA

Help a Mother Out, dedicated to increasing access to diapers for families in need. Diaper "bank" is located in San Francisco and provides diapers to over 22 agencies in the Bay Area. Drop off location for diapers and wipes: Natural Resources (1367 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA) www.helpamotherout.org

Holy Family Day Home, provides affordable, high-quality early educational childcare in a stable and nurturing environment. Desperately needs range from diapers, toys & educational supplies, clothes, dry goods/non perishable items. Drop off times are between 10am-3pm M-F, they ask to call ahead to confirm. WISH LIST: www.holyfamilydayhome.org/getinvolved/wishlist.html * 299 Dolores Street, 415-861-5361

Koret House, is a
home away from home for families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing physical comfort and emotional support, free from financial concerns. Needs are mainly household and food items. Contact: (415) 476-8321 or (415) 514-6660 to discuss or arrange donation.
WISH LIST: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/?p=wishlist

Oakland Children's Hospital donations of toys and supplies help supplement the activities and entertainment provided to the patients of Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland. Especially needed items are for teens and babies and they primarily accept NEW items that have been in a smoke-free environment. They will accept gently used books and DVDs (rated PG-13 and under) for their Red Book Cart program. Both inpatients and outpatients (in the waiting areas) can read the books while in the hospital, and if they like the book, they’re welcome to keep it. For more information and to schedule a delivery call (510) 428-3471, Extension 2, or visit http://childrenshospitaloakland.org/join/join_other-donations.asp

St. Anthony Foundation, accepts toys, clean stuffed animals, clothing, furniture and housewares 1185 Mission Street (at 8th Street)
415-241-2600 www.stanthonysf.org

Women's Daytime Drop-in Center at 2218 Acton St., Berkeley, 548-2884. Offers services for homeless women and their kids. They can come during the day and get showers, meals, counseling, and a supportive, warm place off the streets. They manage to get some of their clients into homes and jobs. Call them first and see if they can use your kids' stuff. They recently added a playroom/classroom.

Why It's Important to Know

Regardless of your political bent, there isn't a person in the world who should be using RoundUp weed killer (this means if you have gardeners that you should tell them as well). At this time in our history, not knowing is just not an option anymore. That I am still seeing neighbors and parents buying this product at Home Depots and the like, completely baffles me.
Naturally, there is a great deal more here to digest; and if it interests you in anyway you won't want to miss Food, Inc.--available on Netflix as a watch instantly or as a DVD http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Food_Inc./70108783?trkid=2361637.

Here's to being a conscientious consumer:

The World According To Monsanto - FULL LENGTH

A Student Gardener

I get asked a lot, always by non gardeners, how I find the time to grow so much yummy food. In a world that seems to gobble up one's day before it begins, gardening is my ultimate defense. Once your healthy soil is in place--compost being key in creating healthy soil--gardening is truly about planting seeds and waiting for the magic; with very minimal effort.
Gardening gives back. Simply it is one of the greatest changes that you can make for your health, sanity and family. Every minute that I put into my garden, creates an opportunity for nourishment. Whether it's watching two hummingbirds playfully swoop through the air; pinching a crisp, sweet bean off at the end of a long day of work; or witnessing my children creating a secret world of dirt, sticks, waterways and dried flowers--gardening restores my weary self and brings a sense of wonder and purpose to each and everyday. Sure there are days where we just don't get down to the garden, and I am not always the best person to tend to my crops, but right as rain, my garden just goes on growing and even in neglect, the tomatoes keep on ripening.

So the question that I now always ask is, how can you not garden? Even a small patch of fresh herbs can be life-changing! Start the journey, dive in, make the mistakes and become a student gardener! Long may I be a wonderful work in progress, and master of nothing indeed.

~Amy McKelvey

Earth Week Day Three: Clothing Swap

"There is no delight in owning anything unshared." ~ Seneca

Please join us for our second clothing swap of the year. When is shopping ever this fun? Especially for the children! All of my daughter's favorite clothing items have come from our MdTL Clothing Swaps, and what fun it is to see these shared treasures skipping around our campus.
Come enjoy the only fashion that doesn't leave a pollution footprint!

Shopping hours: 8AM-3:30PM

Cost: $0.00

Sustainable Thinking...

There are certain things that I can count on to reel me in when life gets a little taxing: my children, nature and poetry. Mary Oliver happens to be a personal favorite. Here is a little sampling from her newest collection SWAN:

I WORRIED

I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers
flow in the right direction, will the earth turn
as it was taught, and if not, how shall
I correct it?

Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven,
can I do better?

Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows
can do it and I am, well,
hopeless.

Is my eyesight fading or am I just imagining it,
am I going to get rheumatism,
lockjaw, dementia?

Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing.
And gave it up. And took my old body
and went out into the morning,
and sang.

~Mary Oliver

The Change in the Weather Will Keep Us Together

So here we are again with the rushing in of the fall. Back to school time, one routine I never grew tired of. Back to school: the anticipation of seeing old friends and meeting new ones, one gold and one silver, like the childhood rhyme. Pre-school, kindergarten, elementary school, high school, college, graduate school followed by law school. Fresh books, new teachers and professors, the first "grade"to be received of the semester or "quarter" as it were, the new rooms and later, new campuses and new buildings to study in all with their hallowed halls... Now, I am starting the cycle all over again; this time with my daughter, a pre-schooler and then, my son following in her footsteps.


I can't help but be nostalgic about this time. The ushering in of a new season, particularly autumn, conjures up great moments to behold. The first taste of butternut squash soup with fresh cream and cracked black pepper, a football game of your favorite team, roasting pumpkin seeds with sea salt after carving those beautiful pumpkins and that first fall hike when the season has unmistakably changed. The "er" months slowing unfolding like a "en plein air"artist's canvas.


So, what does the fall really bring to mind in those initial thoughts. For certain and in my mind, the deep imprint will forever be the premature birth of my son. It was a mostly unexpected early birth which came subsequent to an extremely filled 24 hours preceding his birth.


There was the "stress test"in the early morning; a must for any mother "over-35." The sandwich cart at UCSF; one not to be missed. Lots of work on the computer: drafting motions; preparing letters to clients; phone calls and emails. The day's "billing" to be accounted for; no rest for the weary. Then, there was the facepaint that needed to be located at the local art store on Haight; the preparation of a big steaming pot of Crawfish Etoufee from scratch; the arrival of my mother and father-in-law; then picking up my daughter from her playschool and dressing her as a brightly-colored peacock.


But, as it turns out, the day had only just begun. There began the Halloween party at our neighbors. Lots of pumpkin cut-out grilled cheeses; I ate five. Some sparkling lemon soft drinks; little hot dogs enveloped in a puff pastry assembled to resemble small "thumbs"; a sea of gourmet cheeses, some spicy Jambalaya and my spicy Crawfish Etoufee.


There was lots of good food to be had and for a pregnant person who had gained the weight of our family's Golden Retriever, it was entirely welcome and befitting. The feast of the senses did not end there. There was the onward march to Belvedere Street for all of us costumed revelers. Ask anyone and they will tell you Belvedere Street is the place to be for families with children in San Francisco. We were to be no exception. From festive orange, black and white balloons, to live human outfitted character shows in windows; to a disco circle playing EW&F's "September;" to Frankenstein on old-school large pull-down screens which projected the iconic movie, there was this real McCoy Halloween to be had in all its ghoulish glory.


I told my father-in-law as we made the ascent with our blue and green glittering little peacock leading the way, that " the baby would come very soon." Little did we know that would happen the very next day. Because after hours of climbing the San Francisco hills and taking part in more revelry at our neighbors complete with our children counting their candies which had been set out in large piles in the floor, our little boy had made up his mind to rush into the world, a whole six weeks early!


The evening then started to wind down. We made our way back to our flat and put our daughter down for the night. She wanted to sleep in her face paint. Who was I to argue at this point of the night. I was then able to soak my tired feet and heavily pregnant body in some warm water and settle down for some late evening reading only to arrive in bed and find my water had broken. With a huge sigh of exhaustion and somewhat disbelief, I made my way to our living room. I found that my husband had just opened a brew to share with my Hungarian friend (one of my dear "study abroad" old friends was visiting from across the Atlantic) and he happened to be staying with us for the week.


"My water just broke," I announced."Time to get packing and to the hospital. "

My husband just sat there staring at me like this was some type of joke. Having already been through a terribly long labor and emergency delivery of our first-born daughter, he knew what he was in for. My erudite European friend, who can play Liszt and Mozart on the piano like nobody's business, gave a perfect nudge to my husband and said, "I think you should start packing now." My husband got the picture. He set his beer down and starting running around in circles. My European friend, called Csongi, said some comforting words and gave us the strength to get going.

We didn't know the sex this time around. We were gearing up for another round in the ring.


Add another grueling day, two weeks in the hospital to account for our son's "complicated course" in his first weeks on the planet, and then, home, home at last. My European friend gone, the pumpkin cheesecake still in the refigerator (he had requested an "American dessert"when I asked if there was anything I could pick up for him,) and we finally arrived at home with this newly minted "It is son!"in the delivery room. Now, the fall will forever remind me of the birth of our son, Sebastian, and all his prefatory and colorful history.


All the Best,




Loren

RESPONSIBILITY

Parents are queuing up for the sustainability movement. Why? Well, regardless of your party line, we all know how to carry responsibility--and change it, and feed it, and worry obsessively about it; and at the end of the day...madly love it. Truth be told, we can't get enough of it.

The earth has always been and is becoming again--a parent's best friend. When we are tired and operating at 11% we need only to walk outside and all is restored. Ever notice how being outside means saying 'no' less, or how for some reason your leg doesn't become the most interesting thing when dirt is present?

Nature calms us all; she is the perfect tonic for the young and the old and it is our responsibility to protect her and care for her––and properly introduce our children to her. When parents respect their environment, children do too. When we take the time to compost, recycle, garden, and support one another, our children learn firsthand about the beauty of responsibility.