Another day, another step. 

It's easy this time of year to think about the cold weather and the winter coming along soon. 

Marquasia and Marquez, brother and sister, work in the park

However, these fall days in New York are often among the most beautiful, the most calming weather, the most beautiful as the leaves turn red, and orange and meander to the ground. 

Saturday was one of these days. Rain during the week meant that the plants didn't need much water. The park was clean, as folks from the neighborhood have begun to hang garbage bags from the fence, and begun to put garbage in the bag so we can keep the park clean for the kids. 

We turned the compost pile, ate apples, and plums. 

Malik, Sean and Marquez wrote out some notes with chalk on the concrete:

"Plant seeds"

                 Malik looks on as we erase one of the attempts at a lower case "e"

"Throw Food in the Compost"

Malik had some trouble writing the lower case "e" and would get frustrated. He persevered though, and figured it out. It was great to see the three boys taking turns writing, so excited and determined to learn how to write and how to spell the words correctly.

Dominique, Briana, Markayla and Marquasia all worked turning the compost and picking up trash. 

Marquesha turns the compost

At the end Markayla asked that we take a group photo, Dominique took this one so she's not in the picture:

Briana blows a kiss as Markayla, Marquasia, Malik, Graham and Marquez look on :) 

l  e  a  v  e      i  t       b  e  t  t  e  r   !

p.s. Happy Birthday to my sister, Elizabeth :)