Memphis Democrat
January 10, 2002

This week the residents returned from their travels, bringing us up to our full winter population of 16. Tamar returned from visiting her family in Massachusetts by catching a ride with Alyson in her Ryder truck full of her belongings. Alyson just joined us as a resident now with her cat Ingmar. She has been cleaning and insulating a little mobile structure we call "Ray's Trailer" for her and the cat. In the meantime, the cat has been keeping warm by living in the greenhouse that is attached to the living room in our trailer, which has been entertaining for everyone. Seems like we need to rename that little trailer Alyson is living in as there is no Ray here anymore.

Mark and Megan returned from visiting their families in Philadelphia and Minnesota. Rainbow was the last to return, from visiting friends in Virginia and then our friends Dan And Nancy in Canton. We gather in a circle before dinner every night to sing a song, and that circle is large and filled with smiling faces.

We all went over to Sandhill for a New Year's eve party. We skated on the pond under the nearly full moon. Ice hockey was fun but we kept losing the puck because it was black and the moon wasn't _that_ bright. Cecil helped us celebrate midnight with some trombone playing. And then many people went to bed shortly thereafter, as it was past most of our bedtimes.

Many folks have been going on walks. Our land seems particularly beautiful this time of year. Maybe its because there are no ticks and its easier to walk through the tall plants because they are all dead.

Don has done a fabulous job this year providing us with vegetables into the winter. Besides the winter squash and preserved vegetables, there are still fresh carrots and collard greens coming out of the garden.

Cecil has been going to church in Rutledge nearly every week. He noticed that Joe and Jackie Neese were not in church this week and heard it was because Jackie has been having terrible back pains. So Cecil made some soup and he, Baloo (our dog) and I walked over to deliver it. The Neeses invited us in and we had a lovely visit. We hope Jackie feels better soon.

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is a nonprofit and a residential community that demonstrates ecological sustainability in Rutledge, MO.

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