akofena

Call it what you want, but Yep! – I live in Buckeye – one of the more “challenged” inner city neighborhoods in Cleveland, OH. Things can be a bit crazy at times – noisy and gritty – but we ARE a community. I’m VP of the Block Club, heavily involved with the cultural and political in’s and out’s, a role model, and, I know my neighbors by name. We text each other when there’s an issue, look out for each other’s homes and I cut several yards on my street. My jazz band plays at the block parties! And to me, that’s living the “American Dream” – no? Ha!

Anyway, one of my deepest loves and times of refuge is …yardwork (along with meditation and Stoli). These photos are from summer 2023, but I wanted to put them out there as a personal challenge. I want to improve this yard every year and be an example to my community- to show them that we are going to be okay.. and that we can turn our chaos into an oasis. This is my zen moment, my refuge.. looking forward to the spring! salaam