I'm preoccupied with the city of Boston, these days, perhaps because I have looming deadlines that I am avoiding, perhaps because classes begin in three weeks and I am looking for a distraction. In any case, as I was walking to work this morning through the Boston Public Garden, I was struck by the sight of palm trees. It seems that the glorious gardners of our public spaces made the most of our gruesome heatwave. Newly planted among rows of other tropical plants, the miniature palm trees greet you as you walk around the equestrian statue of George Washington. Tickled at the sight of the magnificent General on his horse surrounded by the palm trees, I thought this non sequitur was both humorous and inspiring. It recasts our national hero in new clothes, reminding me that even our founders have to change with the times. And it helped me recognize how crucial invention and creativity is in our daily lives, in gardening, in parenting, in politics, in law. (For those of you not familiar with the Boston Public Garden, it is usually planted more traditionally and with local or native flowers, trees and shrubs, perhaps in keeping with the historic nature of the place, perhaps as a sign of the conventional dimension of Boston culture.) The palm trees also made me laugh and, I thought, were meant to be lighthearted, both crucial demeanors these days (at least for me) in times of war. I am not suggesting that we take the current politics of our times -- our duties as citizens or advocates or teachers -- less seriously. I am suggesting that the need for change is strong; we might draw on our inventive capacities to imagine and make our communities better; good ideas might come from unexpected places (palm trees in the Common, flanking Washington); and keeping a sense of humor is critical to letting those good ideas flow.
Sorry, but those palm shrubs are there every year--at least for the last several years. If you pay attention, you will notice that there are several plantings each year. And never is indigenous the rule of the day. You wished for analogies that were epic, if not legendary; like every lib, however, you have constructed weak correlations, which, at their substarte, expose your ignorance.
Posted by: Brian | September 10, 2006 at 06:57 PM
A photomontage of the four sides of the Frieze of Parnassus, a large sculpted stone frieze circling the base of the Albert Memorial in London,
Posted by: generic cialis | April 26, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Chief Justice Robert's decision for the unanimous Court in in the law school/military recruiting
Posted by: Coach Outlet | July 28, 2010 at 06:59 PM
Thank you for your articles which let me think about my life and find out what to do. Your blog is like a mirror.
Posted by: chanel bags | October 28, 2010 at 01:17 AM
 One thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found
Posted by: Air Jordans | October 31, 2010 at 07:22 PM
well good. Now they are a city of trees.We are seeking the most beautiful city.We are leaving this city, and our future home will be in America.Despite its defects, city life still attracts more and more people to move into the city.
Posted by: UGG Ultimate Bind | November 02, 2010 at 07:57 PM
I agree with you . In it something is. Now all became clear, I thank for the help and I hope to see more such articles.
Posted by: coach outlet | November 04, 2010 at 11:35 PM
thanks for makin me want to diet as i sit here eating a bag of chips
Posted by: pandora bracelets | June 07, 2011 at 02:59 AM
I am suggesting that the need for change is strong, and therefore frequent problem of using fat burners is the fact that various have big quantities of stimulative ingredients that may cause you to feel tense and restless. Fat burners could assist you but you are required to implement some standard advices.
Posted by: Fat Burners | July 23, 2011 at 03:53 AM
That was my thought,too.
Posted by: supra vaider | September 27, 2011 at 10:16 AM
If you have been issued with a winding up petition for your company because the company owes money. You can pay the money owed before the court date and get the case droped or fight it if you believe it to be worth defending.
Posted by: Winding Up Petition | November 10, 2011 at 08:25 AM
Moe Nawaz is recognised as the UK's Most Trusted Insolvency Auditors and mastermind business coach. He has worked in the turnaround industry since 1989. Moe helps over 500 business people every year via a free advice line ukadvice.com. Moe is the founder of mastermind business coaching and a mastermind executive coach himself. His clients include high tech companies, manufacturers, financial services, entrepreneurs and family run businesses throughout Europe. He has been featured on TV, Radio and other Media.
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2011 at 02:48 PM