WHY Because?

We’re here because livable places are better.

Soooo…what’s livability, then?

Livability means being able to take your kids to school, go to work, see a doctor, drop by the grocery or post office, go out to dinner and a movie, and play with your kids at the park – all without having to get in your car. [emphasis mine]
-Ray LaHood, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation

The way we’re ordering our communities right now in North America Just isn’t working all that well for a whole lot of us. Have you ever ever…

• juggled work schedules and carpools to your teenager to practice
• struggled finding time (or money) to go to the gym?
• gone well out of your way to give a friend who couldn’t drive a ride?
• wistfully remembered how you knew your neighbors when you were a kid?
• woken up a baby to go pick an older sibling up from school?
• lost a tire to a pothole?
• wondered how you’d keep your job when your car died, or
• had to insist that a much-loved family member stop driving?

… then you know that the system we’ve set up has become doggone inconvenient – not to mention expensive!

We’ve sidelined everyone who is “too” young, “too” old, “too” poor, and anyone else who either can’t or doesn’t care to drive. Our family. Our friends. Our neighbors. We didn’t mean to. But that’s where we are.

This drags down our communities financially, erodes our physical and mental health, and places unnecessary burdens on us as individuals and families.

Together, we can fix this. We can do better. Here, we tell stories that inspire us to do just that. I hope you’ll join us. Hop over to the sidebar to have our posts delivered directly to your inbox, find somewhere to walk today, and introduce yourself to a neighbor. Small steps, here.

My daughter and I picking apples

My name is Meika. In addition to being the main author of this blog, I’m a wife, a mother, and an advocate for livable communities. I believe this to be my vocation, meaning that this is the specific work that God has called me to do in this phase of life. If you’d like to get in touch with me, comment on any of our posts or e-mail me at tulip dot lane at outlook dot com.

My educational background is in political science (B.A.) and theology (M.T.S.). I’ve worked with the Michigan state legislature, at an expat church in Japan, and with the local transit agency, among other things. Right now I prepare young souls for their debut on the world stage, and also fold a whole lot of laundry.

Welcome.