Memphis Democrat
August 17, 2006

Juan here. August 22 will mark a year that I've been living at Dancing Rabbit, and things are starting to feel just a little familiar. That said, this is some strange weather we've been having - or is August always 85 and rainy around these parts?

Whether it's normal or not, the garden plants have loved the rain. Our garden has finally borne some of the more interesting crops - eggplants and cantaloupes have joined the tomatoes, peppers, and okra we've been harvesting recently.

Food canning and drying is in full swing, as we prepare the food we'll need when the colder months arrive. Canning tomato sauce is something I did my second month here at DR, so seeing hundreds of tomatoes sitting in boxes or bowls brings back some memories of last year.

Former Dancing Rabbit member Jacob came by and stayed in Skyhouse for most of the week with his daughter Indigo. Jacob's presence seemed to trigger forgotten memories in those DR members who were here when he was, and I think that if I wanted to describe Indigo, I'd need to invent some new words for "cute".

Also, a group of people from the Lawrence Coalition for Local Self-Reliance and Sustainability came to visit Sandhill and us for a couple of days this week.

On Saturday, a number of us made it out to the Rutledge Fire Department Dinner to show our support and see the new med-evac helicopter. Even those of us who are vegetarian were able to partake of the veggie-dogs that were made for us. Thanks, Rutledge Fire Department.

Tony B. and Alyssa's home-building project is coming along nicely; it may not have walls or a roof, but it has a floor, which was enough to schedule a dance party on Sunday night to celebrate. Unfortunately, the aforementioned rain had other plans. Maybe when it has a roof?

Speaking of floors, Skyhouse's dining room floor is being finished this week. Tony, Thomas, and others have been seen working outside and inside Skyhouse, and the results are impressive. In another couple of weeks, we'll be able to stop eating in the living room.

On Monday, we'll be seeing another crop of Dancing Rabbit visitors show up and see what we're up to for a week.

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