think kit day three - share something strange

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Today's Think Kit blogging prompt: Share the strangest experience of your year. Did you do something new or unexpected, see something out of the ordinary, or have a unique experience? What was so strange about it?

In some ways my life is one big ball of strange.

I work for an amazing nonprofit agency, have two great part-time jobs, am a columnist for a terrific neighborhood paper, and a few occasional freelance writing gigs. I love each and everything thing I do, even though I'm occasionally overwhelmed.

Second Helpings is unique - there is nothing exactly like it in the country. My work day is always different and typically at least a little strange. We rescue two million pounds of food a year and within hours turn it into thousands of nutrient dense meals. Did I mention the volunteer force of 600? Or the culinary job training program for unemployed adults who are struggling with barriers including incarceration, homelessness, and addiction?

Applying pressure to a bleeding wound, giving a tour to a donor, figuring out what to do with pallets of cabbage (that's a lot of cabbage), interviewing potential students, mopping the floor, answering mail, and meeting with co-workers is all in a day's work. Today, as a matter of fact.

Both the Red Key and Marigold are one-of-a-kind jobs with their own brand of fun strangeness.

Since strange seems to be my normal, I went for "out of the ordinary" for this prompt.

How many of you had a wedding in your backyard this year? 

Robin and I worked years worth of Saturday nights at the Red Key together - in lots of ways she knew me better than anyone. We would catch up in the news of week in 90 second bites. It usually centered around not-so-great relationships and such. I was so happy for when she met Tony - I could tell she was smitten and soon they were planning their wedding.

Finding a wedding spot that had enough room and would allow them to bring their own amazing home-made food, family made wine, and craft beer was proving to be a challenge.

I was thrilled when they took me up on the offer of my backyard for their special day. I am lucky enough to have a yard that is large, full of mature trees, and opens to the Monon Trail. Robin and Tony did most of the work of whipping the yard into shape - I'd let nature take over the lawn the last few years.

It was a beautiful day of sunshine, love, and community. Not the least bit strange, really.

Who wants to get married in my backyard this year?