everything is manicured. status symbols abound. the homes here range from mansions to massive estates. people recreate everywhere. everything is clean. there are amenities all around us. people recreate all the time. there are security systems everywhere: gates, cameras, hedges, guards. luxury shopping and dining fills the commercial center. half the people will greet you, half won't acknowledge you. it's green: gardens, trees, and planters throughout the whole town.

some of the elites i speak about, you may not know their names, but you will definitely know the names of the businesses they started: pillsbury, general mills, con-agra, and more. wayzata's early settlers paved the way for new generations of wealthy families and celebrities to settle here.

you can learn more about the history and historical significance of wayata here: https://wayzatahistoricalsociety-org.depotmaps.com/index.html

https://steamboatminnehaha.org/

https://www.lakeminnetonkahistory.org/

i don't live in wayzata, i work here. i take care of people's pets here. so while i am here seven days a week, i only sort of belong. like, transactionally belong. this work has rewired my brain on my definition of health, especially my own.

so many of the notions of health held by the residents of wayzata have been out of reach for me because i am from a different social class. but because i am paid to be here, i get to recreate and exercise every single day. i get to be in nature every day. i have access to healthy food, clean air, and happy people. you simply cannot be unhappy in such a beautiful place, right?

i have lost 60 pounds walking the dogs of wayzata. i drink tons of water. i don't each much fast food anymore. i breathe deeply, smile, and interact with people more. i am happier now. because of this place.

i think year two in wayzata, i will believe i truly belong here.

this town only has about 4,000 people year round. but it has world-class food, hospitality, culture, and recreation.

this is where i feel apart from this community. i suppose if you don't have to work outside, who cares if you don't take care of it? i love where i work but summer reminds me of how different i am to this place.

i love dandelions. i pick up litter every day. i am a good visitor to this community because i am exposed to it intimately, every day of the week. seeing 90 degree days in may in minnesota scares me because i think the people here and their behavior of not caring and taking places for granted, is causing climate change. and that could have severe implications to my work and ability to support my family.

i think it's ironic that it says love local and they've shut down 4 local businesses to do this. one of my clients owns the little shop on the corner. she signed a lease in march of 2024, did a ton of work inside to make it look beautiful, and by Thanksgiving they were given notice the property was sold.

i love the evolution of places but i really love when places protect the little guys.

i really love the "bloom where you're planted" mantra. mushrooms find opportunity and jump on it. because mushrooms don't produce chlorophyll, they have to destroy organic material to gather nutrients. and when the nutrients have all been extracted and the source of that nutrition is all but destroyed, it turns into the elements of soil. soil to grow new things to feed on when the time is right.

i think i'm like a mushroom. i found a place like wayzata and began extracting what I need out of it. i might not belong here, but i will continue to make a living here. this symbiotic relationship i have with this town is allowing me to bloom. my team, my family and my clients as well. we will feed off of each other for as long as we can and when that nutrition dies off, i'll find a new way to keep blazing trails for myself.