Feature

Healthy Paws: Dog Park 101

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic and winner of a 2017 Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Business Award. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

The dog park is a super fun place to bring your puppy for exercise and socialization with other dogs, but there are some things to keep in mind before heading out to the park with your pup.

First of all, not all dogs should go to a dog park:

  • Dogs that are under 4 months of age are too young. Dog parks put them at risk for contracting infectious diseases and parasites. Young puppies can also be at higher risk for injury when playing with older and stronger dogs. If a puppy has a bad experience at the dog park, they can also learn to be afraid of other dogs. That said, socialization for puppies is very important for their development, but best to introduce them to dogs you know well (friends, family or neighbors) and in one-on-one or smaller settings or at a puppy kindergarten class.
  • Dogs that are reactive around other dogs should keep away from the park. Reactive behavior (growling, biting or lunging) is a sign of fear in dogs. If a dog is acting this way towards other dogs in a park, this means they are scared and want to be away from the dogs. If these signs are ignored, this can progress to causing a fight and injuries between dogs and ultimately worsen their fear long term. Some dogs may do better with dogs their own size, if this is the case, look for parks with a “small dog” and “big dog” area.
  • Dogs that cannot be let off a leash should stick to walks. When dogs interact off-leash they are able to exhibit normal canine behavior. Being on leash can cause a dog to feel restricted and can limit normal canine interaction, potentially leading to stress and fear.
  • Female dogs in heat should take a break from the dog park. This is to avoid unwanted attention from male dogs, particularly intact males, as this could lead to an accidental pregnancy.
  • Dogs that are sick should stay home and recover. This may seem pretty obvious, but dogs that are showing gastrointestinal symptoms or coughing, runny nose, or excessive sneezing, could have infectious diseases they could spread to other dogs.
  • Dogs that are not up to date on vaccines should wait until they get all of their shots. If you aren’t sure if your dog has all of the vaccines it needs for the park, reach out to your veterinarian for advice.

Before you head to the Dog Park:

  • Make sure your dog is trained in some basic commands — most importantly a “come when called” command so you can always redirect your dogs attention and get them to come to you when needed.
  • Check the weather. Prolonged exercise in hot temperatures can cause heat stroke in dogs, even if they have water available. If it’s a particularly warm day, plan to go to the dog park in the early morning or after it cools off in the evening to avoid excessive heat.
  • Consider bringing a few helpful items — including water, ball or toys for fetch, and poop bags, in case these aren’t available at the park. Just know that toys will likely be shared and may go missing — so don’t bring anything you or your dog is attached to.

Basic Dog Park Etiquette:

  • Intervene when play between dogs gets too rough or a pack is ganging up on a dog. This is best done by simply calling your dog away to redirect their attention.
  • Pick up all of the poops and dispose of properly.
  • Don’t let your dog hump another dog… it’s just not nice and a little awkward for everyone.
  • Take off the leash — that’s the point, right? Most parks have convenient double gates that allow for easy leash removal.
  • Pay attention! It’s best to avoid talking or texting on your phone and just enjoy the view of your pup having a great time with his or her friends. If you are distracted you could not be aware of tense situations brewing and miss an opportunity to intervene and avoid problems between dogs.
  • Don’t carry your dog around the park. This is a very unnatural way for dogs to interact and can lead to fear and reactivity. Picking up your dog can also tempt other dogs to jump up on you, a very bad situation overall. If your dog doesn’t do well on all fours, then it’s best to leave the park and try again another day.

Avoid having treats or food. Dogs will smell it and you might have more friends than you want following you around. Also, some dogs have food allergy, while others are reactive to other dogs when food makes an appearance, so best to leave the food out of your dog park experience.

Legal Review: “Dancing Doctor” Faces Suspension and Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Dr. Windell Davis-Boutte, more commonly known as the “Dancing Doctor,” has had her license suspended and faces several lawsuits for medical malpractice for not using proper standards of care while treating patients. That was the reason given by the Georgia Composite Medical Board in June when they initially suspended her license.

The suspension came after many complaints were filed against Davis-Boutte. One of her patients has suffered permanent brain damage while under the care of the doctor. Others have cited infections after being treated by the doctor.

The most recent case involved a woman that suffered respiratory distress and severe bleeding from the lips after Davis-Boutte performed liposuction, breast augmentation, and a Brazilian butt lift on her on May 30.

These are just a few cases in the last two years that prompted the Board to take action. The fact that she has posted video of herself online dancing in the operating room only served as further proof that she was not tending to patients properly while they were under her care.

In one video, which has now been taken down, she can be seen with medical instruments in her hands while she raps and leans over a patient’s half-bare buttocks.

However, it is not just the suspension Davis-Boutte is facing. Several of her patients have also filed civil lawsuits against the former surgeon, claiming medical malpractice. Currently, four of those lawsuits have been settled.

“The suspension will keep any future patients from harm, at least for the time-being,” says Lyle Griffin Warshauer of Warshauer Law Group. “But there are so many patients out there that she has hurt over the past two years. Many of their injuries are serious and they have a right to seek compensation for those injuries.”

While the Board suspended her license in early June 2018, it was later that month that an agreement between Davis-Boutte and the Board was filed. Within that document was a consent order signed by Davis-Boutte, agreeing to give up her license temporarily for the next two and a half years. Once that time period has passed, she can then apply to have the suspension lifted.

In the meantime, she cannot call herself a doctor or in any way practice medicine. More lawsuits may also be filed as former patients continue to come forward.

Small Biz Focus: The Alcove Comes Alive

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/6

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

On a recent Thursday evening, The Alcove pop-up space in Rosslyn became an extra dimension for another seminar in the series ROC: Return on Creativity, an Arlington Asset.

The panel of creatives delivered on navigating the changing landscape of publishing, branding, libraries and learning; the Rosslyn BID, Arlington Public Library, Arlington Economic Development and the American Advertising Federation D.C. Chapter brought everything else.

Starting with Greg Kihlstrom’s launch of his newest book, The Agile Brand, library moderator Genelle Schuler led panelists Scott Williams (Newseum), Lisa Nirell (Energize Growth). Geoff Livingston (Livingston Campaigns) and Cynthia Connolly (who doesn’t love Banned in DC?) in a forum that was as lively as the space.

“I really enjoyed the panel discussion… It was great to hear from the panel that self-publishing is a more than viable option its often the better route to go down. I have often had the desire to dig deep on a subject matter and write a book. I think as I go through this period of self-discovery about my brand and purpose I will identify what that will be soon!” – Kat Azima, Denteo Marketing Group

Temporary pop-up spaces are taking on a sophistication — and a new role — that is shifting place-making and retail. If it weren’t for the occasional plywood flooring and the whirring vent fans, visitors to the Alcove would think they’d found a surprising new boutique. A full wall mural greets visitors, a rainbow of fibers floats along the windows and shoppers lounge in a mini living room.

This is way more than decoration.

The Alcove pop-up space is a two month experiential endeavor soon to be occupied by a long term tenant. But from the size of the audience at Return on Creativity, the constant flow of visitors to the book shop and the Etsy pop-up, these prototype spaces are combining consumers’ curiosity with a desire for an Instagram moment.

Supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses and creatives is all part of Arlington’s Creative Economy initiative. With public/private partnerships, growth of these endeavors is an important part of business sector diversity and economic sustainability.

Check here for ongoing Creative Economy listings and opportunities. More Creative economy stories on the blog.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by licensed broker Aaron Seekford of Arlington Realty, Inc. GET MORE out of your real estate investment with Aaron and his team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6116 today!

Please note: While Aaron Seekford provides this information for the community, he may not be the listing agent of these homes.

One… more… month… of summer left. Just when you thought the soggy 80-degree days would never end, I’m here to inform you that the first day of fall is September 22!

So, as a homeowner, what should you be doing with your most valuable asset as summer winds down?

Well, it’s an optimal time to ensure your HVAC unit is in tip-top shape. Where you need a blast of cool air now, you’ll soon be needing some heat in no-time. An easy fix that anyone can do is changing the ole’ air filter. If it’s been a few months, it’s time for a change.

Also, how are those gutters looking? If they’re unsteady or full of leaves from last year, there will soon be more leaves on top of what’s already there. Now is the time to clean them out and make any needed repairs.

A final thought: Insulation. The last thing you’ll want to do during the fall (or dead of winter) is seal any openings or add any weather stripping. It’s time to be proactive folks!

As of August 20, there are 201 detached homes, 42 townhouses and 251 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 30 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week.

Here is this week’s selection of Just Reduced properties:

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Aaron Seekford.

Ask Eli: The Case For Condo Fees

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Rosslyn resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!

Question: Why would anybody waste hundreds of dollars each month on condo fees?

Answer: I’ve seen a version of this statement/question numerous times in the comments section of my posts and I regularly have clients who are a great fit for a condo purchase, but rule it out because they consider condo fees to be a waste of money and bad investment.

The truth is that most people are looking at condo fees the wrong way and condos can offer huge financial advantages over a single-family home or townhouse.

Home Maintenance vs Condo Fees

Condo fees should mostly be bucketed in the same category as home maintenance and utility bills for a house/townhouse. The average condo fee for units sold in Arlington in 2018 is $484/month, which calculates to an annual fee of 1.3% of the average condo purchase price.

The nationwide rule of thumb is to expect home maintenance costs to be 1-2% of the cost of your home. The D.C. Metro has some of the highest labor costs and a large supply of older homes, so I generally recommend budgeting 2% of a home’s purchase price for annual maintenance.

The benefit of condos is that you are only responsible for the maintenance and repair of what sits inside the walls of your unit (plus a bit of plumbing outside of that) and possibly your heating & cooling system. Most condo fees also include utility costs like water, trash, sewer and gas while some also include electric or TV and internet.

When you compare the projected cost of condo fees, limited system maintenance (HVAC, water heater, appliances), and any individual utility costs against the projected costs of home maintenance and all utilities, you will almost always pay a lower annual percentage of your home’s value if you own a condo instead of a house/townhouse.

Predictable Expenses

Another under-appreciated financial benefit of condos is the ability to project your monthly housing expenses with a high level of confidence and stability.

With the majority of your maintenance and utility bills included in a fix monthly fee, you have very little risk of taking on a major, unexpected expense. Your biggest financial exposure in a condo tends to be HVAC (est $3,000-$10,000), appliances ($2,500+ for a full package), and water heater ($1,000-$1,500) and you can purchase a renewable home warranty for $400-$600/yr to alleviate an expense spike caused by one of those systems.

On the other hand, the unpredictability of major maintenance, repair or replacement costs in a house introduces another level of financial risk for home owners, often forcing them to hold a substantially higher emergency savings balance.

Damage to your main water or gas line? Better come up with $10,000+ quickly and that doesn’t include rebuilding any landscaping or hardscape that gets torn up in the process. Big storm exposes a leaky roof and basement? Possibly tens of thousands to fix and replace.

For many home owners, especially younger buyers with less savings and older home owners on a fixed income, the benefits of stable, predictable condo expenses are a smart financial choice.

Evil Condo Boards

Another concern I hear about condos is that the notoriously evil condo Board/Management (kidding, I was the Treasurer for 1800 Wilson for a few years and have all the respect in the world for condo Board/Committee members) will increase fees or bring special assessments (one-time fee levied against all owners, on top of their condo fee) on a whim just to screw owners over for thousands of dollars. This simply is not accurate.

First and foremost, the Board members are also owners and pay the same fee increases and special assessments as the rest of the owners. Second, most Boards try to limit fee increases to 1-3% annually. Proof? The average condo fee in Arlington has increased by less than 10% over the last five years. Finally, special assessments are generally a measure of last resort and uncommon.

If you are concerned about fee increases and/or special assessments, I strongly encourage you to attend Board meetings and participate on the Financial or Building Committees or as a Board member to personally oversee your investment.

Conclusion

Just because this column is pro-condo does not mean it is anti-single-family home/townhouse, but somebody had to stand-up to for the oft-bullied condo fee! I do hope this message reaches buyers who are a good fit for condos, but hesitant to consider them because of misinformation about the fees.

If you are considering buying a home or investment property and would like to discuss what type of property makes the most sense for you, feel free to send me an email at [email protected].

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at www.EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, (202) 518-8781.

Legal Review: Why 2018 May be the Year of Divorce

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Couples that are considering getting a divorce may want to finalize things before the end of 2018. And with new tax laws that have recently been enacted, many may do just that, possibly making 2018 the year of the divorce. There are four new tax laws that will impact a family’s finances after any divorce that is finalized on or after New Year’s Day 2019.

The most talked-about new tax law affects alimony payments that were once tax-deductible by the spouse making the payments. While Texas law does not provide for alimony, in certain cases spouses may be entitled to spousal maintenance, which is treated as alimony for tax purposes.

While spousal maintenance payments have previously been claimed as income by the spouse receiving the payments, that spouse typically fell in a lower income tax bracket, so the total taxes on alimony were lower than if the payor spouse had claimed the same income.

That will change in 2019. As of January 1, spouses paying spousal maintenance payments will have to claim those amounts as income. That will not only hurt the person paying maintenance, but also the person receiving it, as they may face lower maintenance payments to make up for the increased tax cost.

The division of assets has also been affected by new tax laws. As of the new year, the amount of interest on mortgage payments and the amount of property taxes that can be deducted on tax returns will be reduced. This will make home ownership more expensive.

To make matters worse, those who sell a home while married can make a profit up to $500,000 without tax penalties. Single individuals can only realize half of that, up to $250,000. Those who will not be able to afford a home after divorce may wish to sell it before their divorce is finalized, depending on the anticipated net profit.

When children are involved in a divorce case, it always makes things much more difficult. The new tax laws have not helped here, either. The new code strikes out the exemption rule for children during the years 2018 — 2025.

While this will be true for any parent that claims children on their tax returns, that parent may also be eligible for new child tax credits in the new year. As of 2026, the exemption will revert to $4,000+ allowed per child.

Finally, the new tax laws also affect those who have already divorced or are considering it and also have pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreements. The new laws may have nullified some of the arrangements outlined in these contracts, meaning couples that hold them should review them with a family lawyer that can explain what will and will not stand when the new tax laws come into play.

“It is important that any couple serious about divorce finalize the proceeding before 2019,” says Sharon Ramage of The Ramage Law Group. As there is a 60 day waiting period, it is important that couples wishing to finalize divorce during 2018, file before October 15, 2018. “While this may sadly make 2018 the year of divorce, acting now can potentially save families thousands of dollars down the road.”

The Chew: Dos and Don’ts of Introducing Your Pets to Each Other — Part 1

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

The following bi-weekly column is written and sponsored by Bark + Boarding, which provides a heart-centered and safe environment for your pets. Conveniently located at 5818-C Seminary Road in Bailey’s Crossroads, Bark & Boarding offers doggy daycare, boarding, grooming, walking and training services, plus in-home pet care.

by Chelsea Pennington, Bark + Boarding Writer and Animal Enthusiast

Having multiple pets can be fun for the owner and keep the animals from getting lonely, but can also present problems. The best way to avoid these problems is introduce the animals to each other slowly and give them time to adjust to this change.

Do get to know your animals individually beforehand.

You may think your dog is friendly, but if they’ve only ever interacted with a couple of dogs, they may not be as social as you think.

Likewise, some cats are just more social than others. Make sure you choose animals with matching personalities. A rambunctious, playful dog may overpower a shy cat or possibly even injure an older cat unknowingly.

An older, relaxed cat might get annoyed by a kitten who insists on playing, and while they might grow out of this stage, it could be stressful for the older cat and lead to fights. Some dogs or cats just may not have the right personality to put up with the other one and should be single pets.

Don’t forget that scent is very important.

When introducing one dog to another, walk the dogs going the same direction with a safe distance apart, but still within eyesight of each other. Then allow each dog to smell where the other dog has walked. If either of them snarls or lunges toward the other consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behavioral specialist before having the dogs meet.

For cats, begin by feeding both cats on either side of a door. Start with each bowl a couple feet away from the door, and slowly decrease the distance until they are eating directly on opposite sides of the door without reacting.

Next, take a blanket that each cat has used and give it to the opposite cat, again, allowing him or her to become more familiar with the other one’s scent. From there, allow the newcomer cat to explore outside of their room while confining the resident cat to the newcomer’s room.

Use a similar approach when introducing dogs to cats. Give the newcomer a room of their own to adjust to their new situation. Then begin feeding the animals on opposite sides of the door.

If your dog obsessively digs or barks at the barrier for more than a day or two, you may want to consult a behavior specialist before allowing them to meet face to face. If both animals seem comfortable, allow them to switch spaces, giving the newcomer time to explore the house and the resident to get used to the new scent.

Do have the animals meet in a controlled setting.

For dogs meeting dogs, it should occur on neutral ground, like a park or pet supply store. Both dogs should be on a leash as they are introduced and allowed to sniff each other.

The first interaction between cats can occur by partially propping open the door to the room where the new cat has been staying. It should be wide enough so the cats can see each other, but without being able to really interact or claw at each other if things go poorly.

When introducing dogs and cats to each other, keep the dog on a leash. The cat should be able to leave the room if they wish. Eventually, your dog should be able to ignore the cat and stay calm, and the cat should be able to eat and use the litter box regularly even with the dog nearby.

Check back in two weeks for 3 more tips on introducing your new pets!

Looking for more tips, interested in adorable pet pics or just want to get more information on what we do? Stay connected with Bark + Boarding on Facebook, Instagram and our website!

Click here to check out our short video about this article!

Mention this article for a FREE evaluation and click here to sign up for one today. If you have a question about your pet, feel free to come in, or email [email protected] any time.

Crystal City-Based PayKii Reduces Barriers for International Payments

By Melanie Pincus

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

(Updated Aug. 23 at 8:40 a.m.) For people living in countries where many banks have yet to set up shop, even the simple task of paying the bills can require waiting in long lines.

Compounding this problem, family members living abroad, in places such as the United States, can face difficulties sending payments home. And when payments do get sent, there is often “no ability to see where it’s being spent… or peace of mind to make sure the basic services are being paid,” Nelson Irizarry said.

Enter PayKii. Founded in 2015 by Irizarry, Fabian Saide and Daniel Barragan, PayKii processes cross-border bill payments to allow “individuals living outside their home countries to directly pay expenses” for family back home, said Irizarry, who serves as the company’s chief operating officer.

To make this possible, PayKii builds relationships with money transfer operators like Xoom along with local “bill payment aggregators,” which can include technology companies and banks, Irizarry said.

“On one end, our clients are primarily the money transfer operators, and then on the other end we have… a local partner, and they’re the ones that are connected with all the utility companies,” Irizarry said.

PayKii’s transfers are “primarily what we call from rich countries to poor countries,” Irizarry said. “U.S. outbound is one market that we’re very active in.”

Since its founding, PayKii’s staff has grown from three to twelve members, divided between headquarters in Arlington and Monterrey, Mexico.

Just last month, PayKii closed a “Seed Series” investment round worth $1.5 million, Irizarry said. Through that round, they brought on Alta Ventures and Assembly Capital Partners as investors, he said.

In all, PayKii processes over 100,000 transactions per month in 13 markets. By the end of the year, the company hopes to establish a presence in “upward of 24 markets,” Irizarry said.

“Our primary focus is building a platform and building relationships,” he said.

Photos via Facebook

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Looking for a home? There are plenty of houses and condos open for viewing this weekend.

Check out the Arlington Realty website for a full list of homes for sale and open houses in Arlington. Here are a few highlights:

929 N Daniel Street
6 bed/4 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Ronald Cathell
Listed: $1,799,900
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1847 N Columbus Street
5 bed/5 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Debbie Kent
Listed: $1,399,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1411 N Key Boulevard
3 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: John Kirk
Listed: $949,900
Open: Saturday and Sunday 12-4 p.m.

 

13 S Abingdon Street
3 bed/3 bath, 1 half bath villa/townhouse
Agent: Casey O’neal
Listed: $695,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1800 S Stafford Street
3 bed/1 bath single-family home
Agent: Michael Webb
Listed: $569,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

2831 S Glebe Road
2 bed/1 bath, 1 half bath multi-family
Agent: Adam Adamovich
Listed: $465,000
Open: Saturday 9:30-11:30 a.m.

 

750 S Dickerson Street
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Elizabeth Crawford
Listed: $150,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

Flying Colors: Plan In Place, Gorgeous Chaos — Part II

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Flying Colors column banner

Flying Colors is a sponsored column on the hobby of backyard bird feeding written by Michael Zuiker, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store at the Lee Harrison Shopping Center. Visit the store at 2437 N. Harrison Street or call 703-241-3988.

For Part I of this article, click here.

I would suggest you have a plan in place. Maybe start out with a cutout at the corner of your lawn.

That is what I did when I lived on 6th and Monroe. The small front lawn faced south; which was in full sun. It was also on a slope which made it tough to cut grass.

The full summer sun did its job. Plants thrived. Insects flocked to the flowers. Soon a pond was installed with a pump and running water and the birds came soon after. Within three years, the grass was gone. In its place was a beautiful garden with plants exploding all over.

Because my street had no sidewalk, I made a gravel path so commuters walking to the newly opened Metro, could come in to my garden and explore and enjoy. It was a magical little place for many years. When I sold my house, I found that years later a dead, grass zone was installed; where once life lived.

Change is tough. But knowledge and science and a willingness to not conform and be like everyone else can be freeing of one’s mind and heart. Not to mention one’s body when they do not have to mow the lawn every ten days.

My front yard in Silver Spring is Gorgeous Chaos. Even I do not know what is coming up. I do know that milkweed has taken over a large portion of the garden and someone (hopefully caterpillars) are eating the leaves.

Maybe not this year, but the next, the larvae will pupae and monarchs will roam my garden. Bees are definitely pollinating the tops of the milkweed. Goldfinches have visited my purple coneflowers. Ruby throated hummingbirds are darting in and out of the milkweed stands to drink at the red petals of the bee balm.

All in the chaos of my wild and gorgeous garden. It may not look like anyone else’s garden, but it is alive. It is safe. It is non-toxic.

When I was a little boy, growing up in the Roseland area of Chicago, every fourth block in the neighborhood had a 2 lot, corner wide, wild prairie. The insect and bird life, in this two-lot size prairie, was incredible. It was wild and untamed and brightly colored and bursting with life.

Lots, in our urban world, are too expensive to leave to nature to embrace. Yet each house could embrace nature and turn blocks into prairies. Prairies that vibrate with the life of living things. Those living things will call out to more living things in the form of birds, box turtles, bats and bugs, bugs and bugs.

I gladly open my windows and sensitive ears to the morning calls of cardinals and mourning doves and evening songs of cicada and crickets then to have my ears abused by the sound of angry engines grinding the dead grass to smithereens.

Walk around your neighborhood. Look for the color of gardens. Look at the life those gardens hold. Visualize what your garden could be on your lot. Embrace the thought of six months of freedom from sweating with lawnmower in hand. Freedom from poison flags saying beware — stay off. Freedom from noise and dirty air.

Freedom to sit in a field; your field; of flowers and insects and birds and color and life. There is “Glorious Chaos” waiting to be built in your yard. One dig is all you need to start.

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