The rapid weather change has dramatically pulled my professional focus. We are now in fall routines at school and at work, I’m wrapping up our summer sales season, helping clients make transitions in this off season and look at systems for the spring listing season. It’s a new world— and one that is best suited to tea, soft pants and slippers. Here are three items that have helped my thinking about productivity this month.

August has always feels like it has two distinct personalities— it’s the core of summer and yet the end of the month clearly has a crispness in the air and displays the first turning leaves. It’s easy to feel like the glass is half empty with these fleeting days.

My recommendations this month fall along this very duality— such appreciation for the life and laziness of summer and also the imminent hustle of the coming school year. Parenting for me these days has felt like this too. My emerging adults are one moment carefree children and the next pause brings big emotions and insecurity.

Exercise is essential for helping to prevent cardiovascular issues, both now and later in life. The American Heart Association lists exercise as one of Life’s Essential 8: the eight most important, healthy lifestyle strategies for keeping your ticker in optimal condition. Along with getting active, this list includes eating a balanced diet, logging adequate sleep, managing blood sugar, and kicking tobacco to the curb.

Wow, that winter seemed to go by quickly because we’ve got Spring events starting back up! Join the Bainbridge Island Farmers’ Market x April Fools’ Day this Saturday; get your bellies rolling at the Seattle International Comedy Competition taking place at Bainbridge Cinemas, The Pavilion on Friday night; and come together with your community to remember the lives impacted by the forced removal of Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island on Thursday morning.

Featured Events:

Farmers’ Market - Saturday, April 1, 10am-2pm

Commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Exclusion - Thursday, March 30, 11am-12pm

Best of the Seattle International Comedy Competition - Friday, March 31, 7.30 pm-9.30pm

It’s time to start planning this year’s garden and that is our focus for next week’s featured events. Whether you want to nurture beautiful flowering shrubs or grow plants you can eat, Bainbridge Island has experts who will teach you how to have a healthy flourishing garden and a rewarding growing experience.

Learn how to buy the right type of plants to preserve water and maximize your productivity in the garden, graft your own fruit trees, and impress your family and friends with home-grown healthy vegetables.

Featured Events:

Drought-Tolerant Gems for the Low Maintenance Garden at Bainbridge Gardens - Saturday, March 25

Graft an Apple Tree at Bainbridge Gardens - Sunday, March 26

Veg Club: Gardening Classes at the Library - 1st Tuesdays ‘thru October.