daily rhythm

Originally uploaded by Jonathan Lawson.

April is Seattle’s most beautiful month — or at least our garden’s best month. Tulips abound, fruit trees are shedding blossoms, and our lilac tree is in full bloom.

J. just got back from a meeting of grassroots media justice organizers in San Antonio, including the Esperanza Center for Peace & Justice, Reclaim the Media, Media Alliance, Media Tank, Youth Media Council, and others. He’s got photos up here.

And I just returned from the Chicago Green Festival. This was my sixth Green Festival, and one of the best so far. The biggest highlights included meeting with new friends Michael Maranda (www.wrythings.net) and Michael Herman (www.michaelherman.com), and deepening connections with Mark Dixon (www.yourenvironmentalroadtrip.com) and In These Times publisher Tracy van Slyke. And, of course, I had a fabulous time traveling with Fran Korten of YES! Magazine, and Neva Welton and David Korten of the People-Centered Development Forum & www.greatturning.org.

What did I love about Chicago? The public art, the dramatic architecture, the wind, and most of all, the down-to-earth people. I met some of the inspiring folks behind Beyond Today, a neighborhood group working for peace, sustainability, and social justice, others working on permaculture solutions in Illinois, others rehabilitating bicycles and sending them wherever they’re most needed, and still others working at great independent bookstores like Transitions Bookplace.

It was fun making use of I-GO car-sharing (via my Flexcar membership) and the local bus system, CTA — and even more fun, dancing at the Funky Buddha. I missed out on seeing DJ Spooky at the Hothouse — next time! Can’t wait to visit again.