We had the good fortune of connecting with H Christine Richards and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi H Christine, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
It is possible that have too many favorite quotes. One that comes to mind given the topics we’re discussing is “Nothing important comes into being overnight; even grapes of figs need time to ripen,” from Epictetus. We live in a world where people expect instant success or flash of brilliance that changes everything, when what led to that point is usually a lot of hard work and dedication. I find that even into my forties, I’m still growing, I’m still learning and I’m still getting better. Ideas that you have take time to grow and cultivate, and that’s what makes them so rewarding to pursue.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my professional work, I help communities and organizations decarbonize, which is a huge task on a huge scale. I work on things like developing electric vehicle action plans, training the global supply chain to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, or working with communities to increase their access to data and technology that will enable them to use cleaner energy sources. I love the work that I do, but often I’m working with people scattered across the globe. So, my second profession is that of community gardener and neighborhood volunteer. I like the tangible aspects of doing things like painting a 700-foot mural at our local elementary school, or developing a pop-up produce stand for The LoVVe Project, our local fresh food support program.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I really love my little patch of neighborhood in Southeast Denver, so I would probably start there. I’d take them on a tour of the neighborhood and show them where carnation greenhouses used to grow the clove-scented beauties (Denver used to be known as the Carnation Capital of the World), and then take them to some of my favorite hangouts here, like Esters, Viale, or La Fogata. Expanding out a bit more, I always love Clyfford Still’s massive murals and how the museum so eloquently shows the evolution of his work. Going out a bit further, I would drag them down to Southern Colorado to see the Sand Dunes and the Spanish Peaks. Such a beautiful desolate part of Colorado that is so rich in mining history. Can you tell I’m a history nerd?
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my dad. He passed away a few years ago from pancreatic cancer, and when remembering my dad, it is hard not to jump to his humor. Like the time my dad shot off a small cannon—in the kitchen. So, I could spend my whole time up here talking about his humor. and that cannon story And, trust me it is tempting. But I’d like to focus on another topic: how my dad shaped my love of learning. There were two key things he taught me: 1) Always be learning, don’t ever stop, and 2) Don’t be afraid to be bold in your learning. Learning to him was everything, and one of those things he love learning about was plants–how to grow them, how eat them, and how not kill them too often. He boldly planted giant banana plants in our front yard, turned our house into a mini-arboretum and fed us an indescribable number of homegrown tomatoes. Thanks, Dad.
Website: thelovveproject.com
Instagram: @TheLoVVeProject
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/h-christine-richards-2a559a6/