Memphis Democrat Column Week of 3/30/09
There is a notable feeling around the village lately. It is the feeling that arises when the building and growing season we have anxiously awaited for months is suddenly upon us. In my frequent passing through the common house, I overhear more and more chatter about timbers and strawbales, seed starts and greenhouses and it occurs to me that the chaotic song and dance we call spring has arrived. Mary Beth here, catching you up on this weeks Dancing Rabbit news.
As is typical of a Missouri spring, these past weeks seem to be made up of alternating days of summer and winter. It is hardly the smooth transition I always remember it being, though birds and flowers are often involved. Because of my short memory for such things, I am frequently taken off guard when after a string of sunny, 70 degree days... it snows.
But lucky for us, or rather, lucky for Ironweed Sub-community, the weather held off long enough this week to have a wood pile moving work party. And what a work party it was! To the soundtrack of some poppy eighties music there were around twenty rabbits who showed up for the life size game of pick up sticks. Because of our upcoming roads project, the accumulated piles had to be moved at least ten feet back from where they were to make way for gravel which will eventually be followed by grassy pavers that are going to replace our existing roads. For those of you wondering, grassy pavers are an road building alternative to gravel or concrete. They are honey comb like sheets of recycled plastic that allow grass to grow on roadways, which not only looks pretty, but produces far less runoff than a paved road.
I haven't caught sight of Amy and Juan since the 18th when little baby Borla was born, but in my imagination, they are spending the days cozied up in their room, admiring there son and enjoying the shift from couple to family. And though I haven't seen Juan, Amy, or Jolyon just yet, I have seen a happy grandparent or two pass in and out of Skyhouse, always grinning.
One of DR's favorite 'always there to lend a helping hand' residents, Tim, has been hard at work this week, contributing his time to a few projects that needed attention. As an unfortunate result of the icy winter, a few of the bricks on the front porch of the Common House shattered, leaving holes and dusty red gravel in their place. Tim spent several days carefully replacing them and did quite a beautiful job. And word has it that Tim is also making improvements in our recycling area, a place that despite its being used by everyone in the community, generally does not get a lot of love. Thanks Tim and keep up the good work!
In related news, Liat and I have made one of our goals for the season to improve the aesthetics of Dancing Rabbit. Last week we began our search for natural materials, as well as junk, to use in some found objects mobiles.
This week, Ziggy and Liat set out to make some improvements in the computer room of the Common House. With the help of Jeff and I, and some subtle redecorating, a major change in the feel of the room has taken place. Our plans for the coming weeks include making signs to help new folks navigate their way through the village, guerrilla flower planting, putting together various pretty things to hang from trees, and creating a road sign where our currently unlabeled gravel road meets the pavement.
Last weekend, Rachel arranged to have a couple of dance instructors give lessons in a wide variety of dance styles in the old Rutledge school house. From Folk to Polka, Salsa to Swing, our lovely guest teachers Gunter and Korah spent Friday night, most of Saturday, and early Sunday showing us some steps. They were great teachers and a lot of fun to boot.
Dancing Rabbit is going to make its debut on the Food Network this Saturday. The filming for the episode entitled “My Life in Food: Living off the Land” was done last summer and we have been patiently awaiting its airing ever since. It will be start at 5:30 Central/6:30 Eastern time this Saturday, April 4th. In anticipation for the extra traffic that this national broadcast will bring to our website, the webteam has been hard at work this week making improvements to our existing site, check us out: dancingrabbit.org.
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community in northeast Missouri practicing ecologically sustainable living. Tours start in April, so keep your eyes and ears open for dates. Visit our website http://www.dancingrabbit.org or give us a call at (660) 883-5511 for more information.
As is typical of a Missouri spring, these past weeks seem to be made up of alternating days of summer and winter. It is hardly the smooth transition I always remember it being, though birds and flowers are often involved. Because of my short memory for such things, I am frequently taken off guard when after a string of sunny, 70 degree days... it snows.
But lucky for us, or rather, lucky for Ironweed Sub-community, the weather held off long enough this week to have a wood pile moving work party. And what a work party it was! To the soundtrack of some poppy eighties music there were around twenty rabbits who showed up for the life size game of pick up sticks. Because of our upcoming roads project, the accumulated piles had to be moved at least ten feet back from where they were to make way for gravel which will eventually be followed by grassy pavers that are going to replace our existing roads. For those of you wondering, grassy pavers are an road building alternative to gravel or concrete. They are honey comb like sheets of recycled plastic that allow grass to grow on roadways, which not only looks pretty, but produces far less runoff than a paved road.
I haven't caught sight of Amy and Juan since the 18th when little baby Borla was born, but in my imagination, they are spending the days cozied up in their room, admiring there son and enjoying the shift from couple to family. And though I haven't seen Juan, Amy, or Jolyon just yet, I have seen a happy grandparent or two pass in and out of Skyhouse, always grinning.
One of DR's favorite 'always there to lend a helping hand' residents, Tim, has been hard at work this week, contributing his time to a few projects that needed attention. As an unfortunate result of the icy winter, a few of the bricks on the front porch of the Common House shattered, leaving holes and dusty red gravel in their place. Tim spent several days carefully replacing them and did quite a beautiful job. And word has it that Tim is also making improvements in our recycling area, a place that despite its being used by everyone in the community, generally does not get a lot of love. Thanks Tim and keep up the good work!
In related news, Liat and I have made one of our goals for the season to improve the aesthetics of Dancing Rabbit. Last week we began our search for natural materials, as well as junk, to use in some found objects mobiles.
This week, Ziggy and Liat set out to make some improvements in the computer room of the Common House. With the help of Jeff and I, and some subtle redecorating, a major change in the feel of the room has taken place. Our plans for the coming weeks include making signs to help new folks navigate their way through the village, guerrilla flower planting, putting together various pretty things to hang from trees, and creating a road sign where our currently unlabeled gravel road meets the pavement.
Last weekend, Rachel arranged to have a couple of dance instructors give lessons in a wide variety of dance styles in the old Rutledge school house. From Folk to Polka, Salsa to Swing, our lovely guest teachers Gunter and Korah spent Friday night, most of Saturday, and early Sunday showing us some steps. They were great teachers and a lot of fun to boot.
Dancing Rabbit is going to make its debut on the Food Network this Saturday. The filming for the episode entitled “My Life in Food: Living off the Land” was done last summer and we have been patiently awaiting its airing ever since. It will be start at 5:30 Central/6:30 Eastern time this Saturday, April 4th. In anticipation for the extra traffic that this national broadcast will bring to our website, the webteam has been hard at work this week making improvements to our existing site, check us out: dancingrabbit.org.
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community in northeast Missouri practicing ecologically sustainable living. Tours start in April, so keep your eyes and ears open for dates. Visit our website http://www.dancingrabbit.org or give us a call at (660) 883-5511 for more information.