Memphis Democrat
March 1, 2007

Hi. This is Alline reporting for Dancing Rabbit.

One of my favorite lines is “if the phone doesn’t ring, that will be me.” Two weeks ago, when there was no word from Dancing Rabbit in the local paper and nary a peep in your email box (depending on how you read this column) – well, that was me. The DR column writers divvy up our assignments alphabetically. Since my name has been Alline since, well, practically forever, and since I’ve been singing the alphabet song equally as long, one would assume that I would understand that “Alline” comes before “Alyssa.” Alas, this was not the case. Sigh. My apologies for all of the goings-on that you missed!

I hope that this week will make up for it. The big news: weather. So much of our lives revolve around the weather. When it’s sunny we’re happy because our solar panels are soaking up those rays and our battery systems are filling up. When it’s windy our windmills are roaring, adding more electricity to our banks. When it rains we smile to ourselves as we listen to our cisterns filling up. And when it snows? Well, then Tamar, Rachel, Tom, Sara and Ted go skiing, creating another kind of joy.

Many of us keep birdfeeders filled with seeds this time of year, and are constantly entertained by the antics of our feathered friends. Nuthatches, chickadees, sparrows, juncos, cardinals and goldfinches all make appearances. And that phrase about “eating like a bird”? Ha! These critters eat like my brother when he was 14 (in other words, like great big pigs). Suzanne is keeping fit by hauling the ladder back and forth to keep her feeders filled. That’s dedication!

On Monday evening we gathered in the Community Building to watch the movie “Little Miss Sunshine.” I can’t remember laughing so much at a movie. If I were a milk drinker it would have spurted out of my nose. The movie was delightful, and we heartily recommend it!

One day this week was actually balmy enough for a rousing game of Ultimate Frisbee. What was most impressive, however, was seeing Suzanne, Rory and Thomas (and there may have been more!) on their way to the ice-covered pond after the game. Intrepid doesn’t begin to describe these athletes!

On Tuesday we had our weekly dinner with Sandhill Farm, which is always a delicious experience. Thursday was our weekly sewing night. While it isn’t officially a women’s only event, the pretense of handwork is required. Suzanne crocheted, Michelle knit, Amy worked on her brother’s wedding present (“I have up to a year!” she’s been heard to shout), our friends Judy and Alyson caught up on mending, Alyssa knit a baby diaper cover and I worked on a quilt square. It’s always wonderful to chat and see what everyone else is working on.

Each Sunday we have a meeting and go over the “WIP” (Week in Preview). This is our opportunity to schedule fun events, business meetings, figure out who is using one of our shared vehicles when, who will take the recycling into town, etc. Jennifer announced that she’d like to have another women’s lunch at Zimmerman’s Café. The men responded with a tongue-in-cheek proposal for a sewing circle of their own – men only. Tony B. even offered to give pedicures. When Friday rolled around and the women were off in Rutledge, the men of DR brought their lunches and gathered in the Community Building. They had a great time – male bonding at it’s best. While I was disappointed to hear that there were no pedicures, a little bird told me that there was lots of camaraderie and even some high-tech discussion of water catchment systems with words like “seepage” and calculations of gallons-to-cubic-foot ratios. Whoooeee! Those guys sure know how to have fun.

As for the women, well, we had a marvelous time. Gigi from Sandhill and Alyson from Red Earth Farms joined us, which is always a treat. Sara and Aurelia, Amy, Suzanne, Jennifer, Michelle and I trooped in to Zimmerman’s and settled at one of the long tables. It was already partially occupied, but the two women already seated there graciously welcomed us. They turned out to be Bette Wiley, author of “Our Miss Ella,” and her long-time neighbor and friend, Paulene Austin. There’s something very special about a friendship that endures over decades! It was a pleasure to meet them, and we hope our paths cross again.

On Friday night Skyhousers Juan, Amy, Cecil and Tony had dinner in Fairfield, Iowa, and then dropped Tony off at the train station in Ottumwa. He is on his way to California where he’ll meet Rachel for a week of socializing with old friends. She’s already there, spending some time with her parents and having grand adventures in the Channel Islands, Joshua Tree National Park and Las Vegas.

That same evening Jennifer and I joined the Memphis Book Group (this week consisting of Pat Wiggins, Gwendolyn Lohman and Margaret Musgrove) to discuss our February book “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamont. A fictional account of Dinah (daughter of the biblical Jacob and sister of Joseph of the coat of many colors fame) it is a fascinating look into another time and culture, told from the woman’s point of view. Gwendolyn demonstrated what spinning wool would have been during Dinah’s time, and then served a delicious repast that included her infamous Monster Cookies. Our next book is “The Glass Castle: A Memoir” by Jeanette Walls. We’ll be meeting on March 16th. Call if you’d like to join us!

Saturday we braved the rain to celebrate Sara’s 30th and Ted’s 32nd birthdays. To mark the occasion Sara decided to cut her hair, which will make her life as the mother of a very inquisitive 9-month old daughter much easier. Long hair or short, we still think she’s quite glamorous. The party had a lounge theme, with martinis and music, and of course a chocolate cake. Tamar, Alyson, Ted and Alyssa serenaded Sara with the birthday song in their best Marilyn Monroe fashion. Dancing and talking kept folks celebrating into the wee hours. Special thanks to Thomas for building a dike to keep the raging waters out of the Community Building. Next on the books – drainage systems!

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