Memphis Democrat
June 24, 2004

There have been so many trips, it's been sort of quiet for those of us left behind. Alline, Dan, Tom and Tereza went up to Wisconsin to attend the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair. They sell books for Community Bookshelf and learn about all the latest and greatest in alternative energy and sustainable living. Kurt's been gone helping our friend Kent do construction. Luckily, all of them plus Jeffrey, Alyson and Chad are returning soon, so we'll be lively again.

We also have a new work exchanger with us. Ingrid has been living in Northern California but she's been spending the summer biking around to learn about sustainable agriculture. Her last visit was to the Land Institute in Kansas. She was on her way here on her bike when it broke down. Someone stopped to help her and ended up giving her a ride the rest of the way. Again and again, our neighbors make me proud with their friendliness and helpfulness.

I've been busy with my research. I don't always like the early mornings, but when I scare up a mother quail and her babies, it is worth it! Tonya is a student from Truman who is helping me and she was a cheerleader in high school. She stayed after helping with the research one morning and she and Jacque led us in doing stunts.

Stefanie and Arjen hosted a potluck at their house. The theme was raw food, and everyone brought dishes that had been prepared without heat. I didn't attend but I got to taste a brownie made with dates and nuts, and it was delicious.

Sparky, from near Edina, has helped us with various projects over the years. Skyhouse hired him to build cabinets for their kitchen. He delivered them this week and they look gorgeous.

We've been supplementing what we can grow in our gardens with organic vegetables from Lloyd Ramer's family. I don't know how they have all those big beautiful cabbages already, but we took the opportunity to make the first sauerkraut of the year.

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