A Bench- Season Tickets

A bench is an invitation to take a load off, an invitation to pause. If you have time to use a bench you’re in good shape. This means you have time to be, time to contemplate, time to observe. I support this. I promise that when you put a bench in the shade life gets a little bit better.

Find a beautiful but underutilized spot in your yard, find a bench or make one, sit. Watch what happens. You will see more and appreciate more- you will see your own life from a slightly different perspective. Give a gift to yourself and those you love.

If you do not have a shady place for your bench you will need to first plant a tree, or plant several. This is good- trees make quick shade if we let them. At this time more than ever we see that we need a bench in our yard. Think it over for a moment and then make a commitment to make a park in your yard.

Start by taking a walk around the yard. Bring a folding chair and test some vantage points- test drive some shade. If you find that you need some more shade, shop trees. Look around at your neighborhood when you’re out for a walk. Which trees do you love? You can have one of those too, I promise. Do some research and see various specimens of this same tree at different stages and in different settings. See what conditions she likes.

Get ready to plant a tree, place a bench, and enjoy the park in your yard. Build a daily taste of retirement into your schedule. Watch the trees grow. Retire every day to the park in your yard and watch the seasons change from your front row seat. We all have season tickets- don’t forget to use them.

The bench at Treetroit 1 has become a centering point for lots of neighbors. More benches / more time to sit.

People are finding the bench and the Arb. This is really exciting. This gentleman, Mike, comes way across town to sit here. He tells me it's his second favorite spot after Belle Isle. And then his friends showed up- they met up here. And the one guy is about to turn 90.