Wills Park- A Busy Place on Sunday Morning

Linda and I were out for our Sunday morning stroll today, and realized how fortunate we are to live within walking distance of Wills Park, a beautiful green space! As we walked down Rucker Road, we decided to include a stop at the Alpharetta Community Garden to check out the changes from summer to fall crops. The gardens were lush and plots were packed with ripe tomatoes and peppers. A new rail fence has been installed around the garden. Hard to believe that just a few months ago this gorgeous, food-producing spot was just another piece of plain ole' grass! Way to go green, Alpharetta!

As we walked around the path in the park, we came upon a canine agility show in the big arena. All shapes and sizes of dogs and their handlers were getting ready to compete. Then, as we headed back toward Greenmont, we noticed that Rucker Road had been blocked off for something. That something turned out to be the IronKids Triathalon! We cheered the elementary-aged bike riders as they rounded the corner to pedal back toward the finish line. Before we got home, we came across a yard sale and a road-side vegetable stand. I think I heard some baseball game announcing in the background, and, of course, the tennis courts were alive with players, too!

It was all great activity, though- one of the many reasons we love it here. Even though we live in one of the largest cities in the United States, there is a lot of small town feel left in Alpharetta.

So, Make Your Day a Great One! Look around your yard and neighborhood and find a few things that you are grateful for! We are truly blessed to live and work in such a beautiful, active, caring community.

I am grateful for Wills Park, a huge, diverse green space in the heart of Alpharetta- a place I won't take for granted anymore.

Make It A Great Week! Take time to visit Wills Park!

Steve

Bloom Where You Are Planted- sort of!

I've always loved the little saying, "Bloom Where You Are Planted". To one who has "bloomed" in quite a few different places and situations over the years, I have tried to take this advice to heart, and I think I've been pretty successful, if happiness is the measure of that success.

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers, so funky and fun, but Steve doesn't love them quite as much, favoring a little more orderly look in the front yard. So, this year, in an attempt at a more formal look in our landscape, I didn't plant any sunflowers along my little corner fence.

Well, as you can see, this "volunteer" sunflower from last year's crop, is REALLY blooming where it- wasn't exactly planted! I think it's so funny- and just a little bit of a poke of fun at all the other roses, zinnias and other more "acceptable" front yard plantings. This giant plant has to be at least 15 feet tall with a beautiful bronze blossom at the very tippy-top! The stalk is strong and straight with big, wide leaves jutting out all the way up.

My independent, non-conformist streak is really enjoying this giant "fun" flower! Sometimes I stand inside the door and watch neighborhood children pointing up at the big, green stalk, as their parents just shake their heads. "You never know what that Linda is going to be planting in her garden"!

So, what's my point? Only this: Sometimes, we just have to "bloom where we are planted", and we'll be big, and strong, and beautiful, like my one and only sunflower! We can make plans and plans and plans, but sometimes things don't work out quite as we planned. So, the best thing to do then is to "bloom where we are planted"! In fact, sometimes that works out even better!

Don't forget- Be like my Sunflower and Make Your Day a Great One!

Linda