Memphis Democrat
February 27, 2003

Hi everyone! This is Alline filling in for Rachel again, who is busy studying fascinating things like Queen Mole Rats (really!) and other ecological wonders.

It's been another busy week at Dancing Rabbit. Lots of reading, nesting and planning for the future going on. We're pretty much all incorrigible readers, reminding me of Ray Bradbury's 'Farenheit 451'. For those who are unfamiliar, the story takes place in the future, when it is illegal to own books. The firemen spend their time burning books and starting fires rather than putting them out (go figure). The title comes from the temperature at which paper burns. Anyway, individuals memorize their favorite book, and spend the rest of their lives reciting it for those who are interested. How to possibly choose just one book? Which book would you choose?

Susan Brown is off to Denver for a few weeks to help a friend of a friend through a personal crisis. It's her specialty - she's amazing in a crisis. We hope she comes home soon in case we have a crisis or our own. Susan, Don and Bekka of Sandhill Farm have been reading a series of books by Lois McMaster Bujold - they must be good books because the three of them have been trading the books like mad, and dashing off to Memphis to pick us the latest in the series. I love watching Susan and Don read these books - they laugh out loud!

Tom's been busy 'playing' with his new saw - he's positively giddy. He also lent a much-appreciated hand when Kurt brought down a big (dead) elm tree in the Milkweed's front yard.

Tony moved into his room in Skyhouse, and is settling in nicely. He just finished Alice Sebold's "Lovely Bones" and liked it.

Cecil and Stan took in the Basketball games at the high school on Friday. Go Tigers! The two of them are very funny together, and we're waiting for them to take their act on the road. Cecil has been reading Winston Churchill's multi-volume autobiography and is enthralled. Stan was lucky to pry him away for a few hours.

While procrastinating about her studies, Rachel has been reading 'Refuge' by Terry Tempest Williams. TTW is a naturalist based in Utah, and 'Refuge' is a memoir contrasting her mother's death with the destruction caused by the unusual rising of the Great Salt Lake. Fabulously written, insightful and poignant.

Susan Wright has been busy making plans for spring, and thinking about what an impact how we spend our time and money has on our lives and the world around us. Possibly because of her serious thoughts, she'll only admit to reading what she laughingly calls 'slush', and refuses to name any titles. Erik has been doing a FANTASTIC job keeping our vehicles running. We can't thank him enough. THANK YOU ERIK!

Kurt has been working (sleeping, eating, and dreaming) the cabinets for the kitchen and dining room in our house. I may be biased, but I think they're coming along swimmingly!

I've been keeping busy quilting, working on the online bookstore (http://store.ic.org), and sweeping up during our house construction. It's dust city around here! I've been rereading Wallace Stegner's 'Crossing to Safety'. One of my favorite books ever. Maybe even my 'one'.

Andra has been making the coolest fleece gloves and mittens lately. I like when they morph into puppets, which Andra brings charmingly to life. She and Penn are planning a trip to Mississippi to visit Penn's family. Penn is reading a book with the best title of the week. It's called 'Stars in my Pocket Like Grains of Sand' by Samuel R. Delany.

Bob is working on plans for a kitchen being built this summer, and plans for his home. I love to get up early and go to the trailer - no matter how early it is, I can never beat Bob!

Steph's friend Jess came for a visit on her way home to Ohio. She's been in Bolivia where she just spent a year teaching. We all enjoyed her visit, and look forward to the next one. Steph has been learning a lot about power tools (a girl's best friend!) and has had fun putting all of her new knowledge to use. She's just starting Starhawk's 'Fifth Sacred Thing'. A great book!

Enough of our bibliomania. Thanks to Janet Graham for canning jars. Thanks also to Clarice Burns who very kindly donated some windows that the newly forming Bluestem coop will be using in the kitchen they plan to build this year (or they might use some in cold frames). Big thanks to Clarice, and we all hope she's feeling better.

We're still looking for glass gallon jars - let us know if you have any!

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community demonstrating ecological sustainability. Tours begin again in a couple of months. Please call before coming by 883-5511. To check out our website, please see http://dancingrabbit.org

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