Coffee shop Monday

Atomic Bean Cafe, Central Square.

Reading about the social, political, and economic issues brought on by Hurricane Katrina. This year will be the 10th anniversary of the storm.

Emailing a student an article about the riots in response to police brutality in Baltimore, an issue he's talked about and seems intrigued by.

Contemplating what's next in my life, and how I can find time and passion for blogging again. Supposed to be planning and grading, now in our 3rd to last week of school. Fantasizing about coming to this same cafe without a load of papers to give feedback on, to sit and work away on articles, curriculum plans, maybe a novel. And looking forward to working on garden curriculum for Somerville Public Schools this summer through the Urban Agriculture Ambassadorship I am currently completing, thanks to our mayor.

In the meantime, lately, I've been taking walks to soak up all the spring things that are happening.

New lime green leaves popping out of dark ones on rhododendron shrubs. People stopping to smell white britches-shaped flowers on the Lowell Street bridge. Finding Somerville's very own Ponte Vecchio with its 5 "love locks" hanging from the fence of the Cedar Street bridge. Curious-looking rock on the side of the new part of the bike path, dense, dark rock with flaky layers. Is it sedimentary, which is supposed to be unusual here? Or is it metamorphic shale?

Also on Cedar Street, I've been seeing a woman painting a mural that looks like a big branching tree on the circular pavement. The other day, 3 people stopped by, seeming to be meeting the artist for the first time, and began helping with the project. A little googling helped me to find out the project is being funded by Somerville Arts Council and led by artist Crystal Burney. She's inviting community members to help on two consecutive Saturday mornings in June, including this coming Saturday. Maybe I'll join.