Memphis Democrat
January 3, 2002

Well, its been a long while since there's been a column. I've been coast to coast on the train, visiting friends and family. I highly recommend getting a sleeper on the train and taking it west. The scenery is beautiful. It was fun to visit all my loved ones, but the best part of any trip is coming home.

Tony and I arrived home to find all the rest of the members had returned from their travels as well. And coincidentally all the residents (shorter term folks) are still traveling. So we had quite a ball. Just don't tell the residents!

The weather has been clear and cold, so the pond has frozen smooth as silk. Very slippery silk! A bunch of us went out skating together, and most of us even had skates on. Now all we need is a zamboni.

Several folks went up to catch the movie in Memphis. We left early so we could have dinner first at Kelly's Kitchen. Cecil had purchased some vegetarian burgers and arranged with the folks at Kelly's to cook those up for the non-meat eaters among us. They were great! We're so pleased to have a place in Memphis we can all go out together to eat.

We also stopped by the new coffeeshop, Java Jitters. It looks great, and folks said the coffee was good. I'm more of a tea drinker myself and they supplied me with my hot beverage of choice, too.

At home, folks seem to have fully adjusted to winter mode. We work hard in the summer and in the winter slow down a bit. I've seen people do jigsaw puzzles, read, play video games, and hang out more than they ever do in the warm months. Its also a time of planning for us. We have more meetings, to plan out the coming year, including a week-long "retreat" where we all gather to talk intensively about topics important to us.

I hope everyone had lovely holidays and a happy new year.

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is a nonprofit and a residential community that demonstrates ecological sustainability in Rutledge, MO. We will begin tours again in the spring. You can always call us at 883-5511.

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