Whether we like it or not (If I had to guess who the fans are, most likely the Abominable Snowman and companies that sell winter gear, heating oil or rock salt), yesterday was another one of those bitter cold, throw-on-the-bad-weather-boots-begrudgingly days. In the end, Storm Harper was kind of a bust snow wise, but the single digit temps, wind chill, and ice we ended up with were brutal!

On a brighter note, there is a secret garden in Providence that you might want to venture out to this week to lift your spirits. Located curiously enough somewhere in (or in the vicinity of) the RISD Museum.

The lush living wall of plants in question is actually situated on the level below the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab, named for the artist, adventurer, and pioneering instructor who had begun curating what would later become her namesake (collaborative) space, where the worlds of nature and art meet, back in the late 1930's. (For the record, I could probably write a bunch of blogs about Ms Lawrence & the Nature Lab.) So bundle up and prep for a quick walk around the corner from the Cafe Pearl entrance, above the RIPTA bus tunnel, and directly across from the historic First Baptist Church.

You should also definitely check out the Lab itself and its collections of butterflies and other insects, taxidermy (!) and live specimens, and all those skeletons that are wildly popular among lovers of both nature and social. I first explored the space last winter. And yes, I did have to weave and manuver around some overzealous selfie fans congregating in and around the skeletons.

Situated in the aquaponics area - again, just below the ELNL - the green wall, or way, is 27 feet long and a cheery, uplifting sight during the particularly intense stretch of winter we've been experiencing in the OS.

Walls such as this are part of a whole biophilic design movement, with the intention of 'bringing the outside in', and reconnecting people (especially those who spend the majority of their days indoors in often times window-less office or work spaces) with nature. Apparently, among participating organizations or companies studied, the benefits of a green-er work environment include a decrease in call outs and a major increase in feelings of mental clarity. I mean, what's NOT to adore about all of that? 

Photo Credits: Additional photos of "the Green Way" courtesy of PattyJ.com

**This post has been updated and revised from one that first appeared on the site during the winter of 2018.