Birthday Party!

Well, today's my birthday.  I turned 25 years old.  For the first nine months of my life, I didn't have a name.  My parents were waiting for me to "tell them what my name should be."  I was known as "Mr. Baby."  For most of the next 23-24 years of my life, folks referred to me as Nathan.  Though my aunt did call me Brian up until I was about 15 because she named me ahead of my parents and thought it would stick if she stuck to it long enough.  Of course, growing up, there were a few "NATHAN WILEY BALLENTINE's" thrown in there and a few "migit's," (I didn't break five feet until 9th grade).  (Just in case you didn't know, "Wiley" means "tricky and cunning.")

Then, last September, I took on this new persona, the Man in Overalls.  Promptly, I began doing things like standing beside the road to drum up business and to create a "buzz" around growing food.

And today's my birthday.

So, I thought, why not revisit the roadside?  Except this time, perhaps, I could make it into a birthday party.  So, I did.  People gathered, we made additional signs, and had a "Honking" good time by the roadside.  Take a look. 

Eshiva and Thomas-- both big into school gardens, school mini-farms to be more accurate-- made more signs.



 Other folks showed up and stopped by.  We had a party.



The young ladies (below) in traffic were beside themselves in celebration of my birthday.  They blew their horn in support of food gardens at least 50 times in a minute.  At least.


Oh, and instead of birthday presents I raised $45 for the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Big Bend via the fantastically generous donations of folks that joined me roadside. 

I appreciate those folks that stopped by, that donated to Second Harvest, that wished me a happy birthday on facebook, and that continue to support my-- our --work here in Tallahassee.  Thank you.

By the way, do you happen to know today's date?

Wait. What? 

That's right, I was born in November.

Gonight and good luck,
nathan WILEY Ballentine