Swapping my lab coat for garden gloves, I've also had the privilege of serving on the board and being a member of the Maxwell Street Community Garden right here in the heart of Chicago. This vibrant garden is not only a green oasis in the city, but also a thriving hub for local wildlife.

In our garden, you'll find native flowers blooming, bees buzzing in their hives, and even a dedicated waystation for majestic monarch butterflies. It's our little way of balancing the ecosystem in the midst of the concrete jungle.

I love sharing in the daily duties, whether it's weeding, watering, or helping to nurture new growth. It's a constant learning experience, picking up tips from master gardeners and sharing my own insights with gardening newbies.

Of course, it's not all sunshine and roses. One unique challenge we face is dealing with city pests. Turns out, when you remove their natural predators with city buildings, bugs love to take over. But it's just another problem to solve, another puzzle to crack – kind of like robotics, but with more dirt and fewer lines of code!

Being part of the Maxwell Street Community Garden is a grounding reminder of the balance between nature and technology, and a testament to the power of community. It's a joy to see our shared efforts blossom into something so meaningful for our city and its critters.

But the garden isn't just about nurturing plants and wildlife. It's also about sharing the fruits (and veggies!) of our labor. When harvest season rolls around, it's a joy to share our bounty not just among the gardeners, but also with friends, family, and neighbors in our community. 

It's a tangible way of spreading the love, from our green oasis in the heart of the city right to people's dinner tables. Whether it's a sun-ripened tomato, a crisp cucumber, or a handful of fresh herbs, each share is a testament to our shared efforts, and a delicious celebration of community!