Tag Archives: community

The Color And Light Of Randyland

Posted on by
6

Last year I finally made it to Pittsburgh’s famed Randyland but avoided writing about it because I honestly didn’t know what to say.

The truth is I loved Randyland but didn’t completely understand it even when I was standing there. All these months later and I can’t say my understanding is any clearer. 

It’s color and light, trash to treasure, and a sense that all are welcome. It’s the eclectic and commonplace colliding to create memorable outdoor art. 

It’s free to walk through but there’s a price to pay – the cost is that you’ll see and read things that are hard to forget and may cause you to think.

I feel like I’m not explaining this very well. 

Some call it an outdoor art museum. Some say it’s one of the most important art exhibits in the country. Personally, I think the place defies description. 

Essentially, Randyland is an outdoor space on Pittsburgh’s northside that’s filled with murals and repurposed stuff made into art with lots of words and quotes from Randy himself. 

Who is Randy?

We met him briefly and he is lovely. His name is Randy Gilson and he seems to have created this place to foster a community where he belongs. On a sign he wrote

Hello, I’m Randy Gilson. Have you ever been bullied? I’m different. I’m retarded. I’m a broken tape measure. My life understands ME. I will never be like you. I’m happy. Please be happy. Everyone is unique, a gift.

From what I gather, Randy has been homeless in the past. He has been a community advocate and has worked to bring people together through art, gardening and being kind to others. He reminds us all that we are ok. No matter what others tell us, we are ok, just as we are.

No matter where you stand in this museum, there is something fascinating to see. And no matter how long you look, it’s impossible to take it all in.

I know plenty of people who would just call it a pile of junk but that would be a mistake. There is beauty to be found in the wall of empty but still vibrant paint cans. There’s intrigue to be found in the way old crystal chandeliers sparkle in the sunshine. There’s wisdom to be found in the words and in the way random objects are united in unexpected ways. 

Not everything is meant to be defined or even described. Randy calls himself a broken ruler and says he will never fit in, will never be like everyone else. 

I actually find that admission and that acceptance a breath of fresh air given how many of us work to fit in where we find no acceptance where will never belong. 

If you’re ever in Pittsburgh, the address is 1501 Arch Street. Go see it for yourself. Meanwhile, check out Make The Journey Fun on Facebook. I’ll post more pictures there because there were too many to share here.

Thoughts On Community

Posted on by
4

The grocery store two days before Thanksgiving typically isn’t a pleasant place. I stopped by my local grocery on the way home last night to pick up supplies for homemade fudge and some random things that I needed to piece together meals for the next couple of weeks.

It was dusk when I arrived and dark by the time I made it to the front door. You see, I’m from a small town so it isn’t uncommon to run into people you know at the store. I ended up deeply entrenched in a conversation about how to address a community need and left with a few notes jotted on the back of my grocery list so I would remember to do some research when I got home.

By the time I made it through the store and encountered acquaintances in about half the aisles, I had several bags of items and it was completely dark outside. As I pushed my cart through the automatic doors, a blast of cool air hit my face, reminding me that it won’t be long before I’ll need to start actually putting on my coat instead of letting it ride around in the car. There are people in my community who will go without decent coats and shoes this winter and I briefly wondered what resources there are for those folks right now. 

I rounded the corner to find an Amish buggy just a couple of spaces down from my White Lightening.  The horse snorted and sighed and I could see warm breath rise from its nostrils. These are unexpectedly pleasant sounds and sights at unexpected times. 

Another buggy was entering the parking lot as I exited, making me wonder how many Amish neighbors we now have and if there are things we ought to be doing as a community to make things safer and more welcoming for them. Do they feel as welcome as I do? 

As a community member, I think it’s important to participate and to be useful in whatever way you can. That could be through monetary donations, volunteerism, or just making others feel like they belong. Is there a need in your community? Maybe you have a lonely neighbor or your church has ways for you to get involved to give back. There are tons of local nonprofits, schools and other groups that badly need volunteers. Maybe you can just smile and say a kind word to strangers. 

Community is what you make it. Gandhi told us to “be the change you want to see in the world.” If we all worked a little harder to contribute here and there, this world would be a much better place.

Wheatberry Wonders

Posted on by
4

There’s a bookstore in Chillicothe, Ohio that seems to be stocked with someone like me in mind. Every visit results in the purchase of some fantastic treasure.

It’s called Wheatberry and it’s located in the city’s historic downtown. This shop is small but packed with a vast variety of fiction and nonfiction. I try to stop in whenever I’m in the neighborhood and attempt to stick to a budget.

I was there yesterday and gave myself permission to buy one book. So I bought three books and a journal.

Ahem…. As you can tell, my self control is perfectly in check.

To be fair, everything I bought was something unique and possibly not found anywhere else. The above pictured Sean Dietrich book has been on my wish list for a while but I couldn’t find it at any other bookstore in my travels. I have become increasingly averse to buying from Amazon so I was thrilled to support an independent bookseller.

The clerk seemed genuinely happy for our business and had lovely things to say about my choices.

I tell you that to tell you this.

Amazon won’t sponsor your kid’s ball team or donate to your senior center. They don’t care about you or your town. They just like your money.

But when you buy from a small business, these people do a happy dance with every purchase. Not to mention, you’re supporting your neighbors and your community and the tax dollars stay right here.

So, if you think about it that way, supporting my local bookstore was the responsible thing to do!

A Friendly Chat

Posted on by
2

I’m fortunate to work for a company that encourages community involvement among employees. Last week, my department volunteered at an organization that serves local senior citizens. Here I met two very sweet ladies who I’m still thinking about days later.

I stopped by yesterday to drop off some prizes for bingo and Christmas cards for the ladies. One of them was there, providing opportunity to sit and visit a while.

She’s 96 and still lives alone. She cleans her home, orders her own medicine and is quite proud of her independence. Her grown children help with her laundry but she shakes her head and frowns when she admits they don’t want her going to the basement anymore.

Someone else cuts the grass now. She stopped gardening two years ago but has no intention of slowing down in any other way.

When asked her secret to a long life, she said that staying active and social has kept her going. She also advised living below your means and saving as much as possible. She doesn’t have a large income but says she doesn’t have to worry.

First of all, she is the sweetest lady and I was happy to talk with her. More importantly, she seemed happy to have someone to listen. It took no effort to sit there for a few minutes and show interest in what she had to say. And yet, I walked away with a wealth of wisdom and the feeling that the conversation had made a difference to us both.

It was one of the most positive human interactions I’ve had in a long time and I’m grateful for it. Older folks have wisdom to share and can benefit from having someone to talk with. Never discount the value of a friendly conversation.

Have a nice day, friends. Be good to one another.