Memphis Democrat
July 8, 2004

There have been such big changes around here, I hardly recognize the place. Irwin Zimmerman and company came with a backhoe and a big truck and removed several big piles of dirt that had come out of various foundations and cistern holes. What a change in the view!

Skyhouse made big changes inside their house, too. They poured the next third of the earthen floor. And Alyson tiled the kitchen counters. It looks great! Sara and Ted's house is moving along. Sara returned from her Columbia trip just in time to move in to the upstairs. I bet they are relieved after over a year of living in a tent. Dan bought a big load of reclaimed lumber from a fellow who takes down houses in Newark. And Laura has been busy digging out the foundation for the little building she will be living in this winter.

There have also been some changes that are harder to see. Cecil sorted through all the stuff in his room and got rid of box after box. I think I heard the house give a sigh of relief. Amy was accepted as a member of Dancing Rabbit. Alyson left Skyhouse community to join in a community of two with her husband Chad.

We've been enjoying a visit from Jeffrey's dad, Andy. He comes down once or twice a year from Chicago and jumps right in to helping out. We've also been appreciating our visitor Dolores, who is visiting us from Cleveland for the week. Penn has headed off to Mississippi to visit his family. Tom and Tereza are housesitting for some friends. Jacque brought Cecil and Amy to her family reunion in Huntsville, MO for the weekend. Don is off doing organic farm inspections in Illinois.

What I rarely write about is the day to day work that occupies most of our time. It isn't as exciting to mention the weeding, cooking, plastering and cutting firewood that's happening all the time. Not to mention shoveling. Ironweed gets the award for shoveling, whether it is sheep manure, municipal compost, gravel or mulch. I hear that Ed has made it his personal vocation to shovel everything in sight.

Back to list of Memphis Democrat Columns