Memphis Democrat
March 21, 2002

What a busy and exciting week! Half a dozen of us practiced a few songs and then headed over to the Scotland County Care Center to entertain for their St Patrick's Day party. The singing was fun, but I heard that more fun was getting the chance to meet so many nice people. Everyone enjoyed Laura Schenk's tour of the place and the jokes of the 101 year old comedian. And I was asked to say hello to Betty from Wyoming. Come on by for a visit when you're in the area.

While there Cecil paid a visit to the Neese's in the hospital. We all send our support in their difficult times. Cecil needs a little support himself. His grandmother who lives in Florida is very ill. We wish the best to him and his family as well.

Tony's mother stopped by on her way from Detroit to Kansas City. Tony and I took the train to join her a few days later. She went to present her thesis to NAN, a needlework organization to which she belongs. Her thesis is called "In Praise of the Needlewoman" and it is a study of the images of embroiderers in Western art since 1500. She had plenty of slides to illustrate her ideas. We had a lovely time seeing the presentation as well as catching up with Tony's mother and sister.

Unfortunately that means we had to miss the Fire Department dinner in Rutledge. But we heard nearly everyone else went and had a good time. We hope their auction and dinner raised lots of money to keep the Fire Department well funded to protect the Rutledge community.

I went to the Kirksville Quilt Guild's annual retreat. We took workshops, enjoyed meals together, had show and tell, etc. I'm always overwhelmed with how welcoming the ladies of the Guild are to a novice such as myself. I'm reinvigorated in my excitement for quilting and I will finish a quilt. Someday.

Folks went to see the movie in Memphis. The report was that Susan cried like a baby. That must mean it was a good movie.

Skyhouse has been putting together a tool shed. All of the lumber we use is reclaimed, so before building can even begin there has to be a fair amount of denailing. But despite the extra work, the shed has been going up lickety split.

With the gardening season picking up speed, we realized we don't have as many garden tools as we need. If anyone has some useable garden tools to donate or sell, please let us know. Also, we're planning to try and grow shitakes, which is a type of Asian mushroom. We need to cut 4-6" diameter oak logs to inoculate with the spores. If anyone has recently cut oaks or small oaks they'd like removed, we'd love to know about it.

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is a nonprofit and a residential community that demonstrates ecological sustainability in Rutledge, MO. We have Saturday tours beginning April 6th. Please call first, at 883-5511.

Back to list of Memphis Democrat Columns