Memphis Democrat
June 20, 2002

Hi everyone! Rachel (along with Jeffrey, Tom and Tamar) is still cycling the Katy Trail, so this is Alline filling in again.

Things here at Dancing Rabbit continue to be bustling. In addition to all of our volunteer work for Dancing Rabbit (and there’s so much of it!) we all have to earn a living, too. We don’t write about it much here, as skating parties, butterfly counts, singalongs and vegetables seem much more interesting. But, work we do! Here’s a sampling of how some of earn our income:

Jeffrey, Cecil and Tony run Skyhouse Consulting, doing website design for businesses both here in Scotland County and across the country. Tony is also coordinating all the work on the Skyhouse building, which takes a lot of his time. Until recently, Cecil was the office manager at the non-profit Fellowship for Intentional Community (FIC) – after four years, he’s now figuring out what his next adventure will be. Mark, Erik and Tom work for Skyhouse doing construction. Erik is also our favorite grease-monkey, keeping our biodiesel vehicles up and running.

Tamar and Megan both do booking and publicity for Allette Brooks, a folk singer-songwriter. All of this work is done by phone and on the computer, so it is a perfect job for out here in the country. They are both also proficient with power (and hand) tools, and are on the Skyhouse construction crew. Additionally, Tamar has her own market garden and is growing greens and other veggies for folks at DR. Megan is responsible for the Dancing Rabbit Herb garden, too.

Don has his own CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and grows most of the veggies for Dancing Rabbit, including produce for the 1,000 or so quarts we put up for the winter. Additionally, he is an inspector for OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association) an organic certification agency. Susan Brown has her hands full with a number of jobs – she is our intern support coordinator, does correspondence for Dancing Rabbit with the hundreds of people who email or write us, is a remarkable writer and editor, and also does personal assistance work for folks with disabilities, which often takes her to far-flung and exotic places. Kurt is a carpenter and cabinet maker, and is currently working for a contractor down in Newark.

I run an online bookstore, Community Bookshelf, for the FIC. We sell books on sustainability, community and getting along (on the web at http://store.ic.org). We also travel to events to sell books – five of us are on our way this week to the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair just north of Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to selling books, I am a certified Massage Therapist, and also do quilting. Susan Wright also works for the FIC, doing most of the accounting and organization. On the side she has her own specialty baking business, as she's a dynamite cook.

Whew! See what I mean?

I’d like to end this column with some of the words to my current favorite song, "Fireflies" by Allette Brooks. It sums up perfectly how I feel about my new home here in Scotland County.

"People here are sure nice They smile big and seem to really care But they ignore the one thing I adore most The fireflies glowing in the air

Except for the little ones They stare just like me At the light brighter than the starlight Up by that tree Down in the grass And then right by my nose Fireflies everywhere, oh how they glow

This is the heartland Of thunder and corn Summers are long and wet and warm See the fireflies dance Against a distant lightening show Fireflies everywhere, oh how they glow

Seems to me out here It’s all about the sky Clouds are pure art Migrant birds flying by Sunsets of streaks and wisps and fades Then comes the night and we’re In the earth’s shade lit by Fireflies…"

Have a great week.

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is a nonprofit and a residential community that demonstrates ecological sustainability in Rutledge, MO. We give a tour every Saturday at 1pm. Please call first before coming by, at 883-5511.

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