It started to get a bit warm in my apartment. After months of complaining cold-hearted Nebraska winter, the temperature suddenly did a hoopla-jump and my burn-notice apartment started to feel like an overpowering G power-chord stroke by a Madagascar lemur on an out-of-tune toy guitar. I declared war on high temperature and sneaked out as quickly as spider-man minus cool costume, deciding to visit the Rotary Strolling Garden instead of learning new Swahili vocabularies with a serious face as planned. The garden, I was told, got drought tolerant plants that might just be my new best friend for the upcoming summer season.

So on my way to the garden, I was listening to Tallinn Chamber Orchestra’s gorgeous rendering of Arvo Pärt’s Für Lennart In Memoriam and thinking about a quote of Aldous Huxley that “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” Admittedly, it was a bit difficult to mind Huxley and Pärt, as it was as hot as El Azizia in Libya (the hottest place on earth. 136 degrees Fahrenheit. Gee.) in my car. But the trip was more than just a hot-car-spa-special. I also got to experience Pärt’ music while wearing my sunglasses. First time in my book. Goody. Pärt’ music was still speaking to me, phew, faintly.

The Rotary Strolling Garden in the Rotary Senior Park, located near the Hamann Rose Garden, was established around 2008, featuring native Nebraska plants and shrub roses. The plants are drought tolerant, demonstrating a garden with low maintenance and watering requirement. The park was made possible by Downtown Lincoln Rotary Club #14. A plate with the Rotarian Four-Way Test inscription can be found in the garden.

The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?