Memphis Democrat
September 13, 2007

Squash, squash, squash. Whoops. I mean, welcome to another week at Dancing Rabbit!

Perhaps it's only me, but squash seems to be taking over entirely. The tomatoes are under control, happily canned into submission (lots of pasta sauce and salsa). Even the okra has been put up with fresh garlic and hot peppers. But that darned squash keeps coming, and try as I might, to me the only good squash is a disguised squash. Slathered in butter, drowned in cheese or deep-fried in tempura batter squash is still barely edible. But that seems to be defeating the purpose of healthy living through eating vegetables, and daily I come face to face with my squash demons. I pray for frost, although even that won't kill the little buggers.

In more adventurous news, Brian is busy creating a 60-second video on global warming for an online TV network called Current TV (http://www.current.tv/). Current's programming features three- to seven-minute videos created by emerging filmmakers, citizen journalists and the viewers themselves. Brian's video is for a contest called "60 Seconds to Save the Earth." Oddly, the grand prize is a car – a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Go figure.

Thomas has begun construction on the much anticipated (and needed!) brick porch in front of the Community Building. The first step: dig a hole. After falling into the hole in the dark of night, Toby propped up a chair on the edge of the hole with a sign that read "Warning, hole ahead!" Today when I went to check on Thomas' progress, I noticed a sign on the other side of the hole that read "Warning, chair ahead!" Everyone's a comedian.

Speaking of Toby, he and Michelle have begun work on the area where their new home will be. It's been fun seeing them in a new location, and watching British Toby driving our great big Ford truck. I'm sure it's a challenge to do everything, including shifting, 'backwards.' It reminds me of all of the near-death experiences I've had in the UK, when I looked left instead of right before crossing a street. (Not that I'm comparing Toby's driving with near-death experiences…)

Thursday a group that included Jennifer, Thomas, Bear of Dancing Rabbit and Jacob, Mark and Jason of Red Earth Farm went over to Sandhill to help Gigi plaster their newly constructed greenhouse. The enthusiastic crew finished the interior cob walls by 3:00 and I am told the greenhouse is stunning. I can't wait to see it!

A group of Master Gardeners from all over Missouri came for a tour on Saturday. It was gratifying to hear them oooh and aaah over the Ironweed garden, which really is incredibly beautiful.

Music abounds at DR, and even more so since the arrival of the Carleton family. Amy (who met her husband Dave during a Gilbert & Sullivan production) has a degree in theatre and has also studied music education. She has begun teaching piano to Rachel and Cynder, and voice to Alyson and Tamar. In exchange, young Duncan Carlton is receiving fiddle lessons from Tamar, swimming lessons from Alyson, and sessions of prairie biology exploration from Rachel. We expect him to develop into a renaissance man much like his father, who introduced his homemade "Bunny Beer" this week to much acclaim.

Tereza and Tom installed new cabinets and kitchen counter tops this week, and they are absolutely gorgeous. Tom and Tereza love their new kitchen almost as much as they love Becca at Hopkins Lumber. We all agree that being able to do business with the friendly and helpful folks at Hopkins Lumber is one of the best parts of construction in Northeast Missouri!

Alyssa and Bear continue to wait for the arrival of their baby, who is due any day. Amy and Juan headed up to Minnesota to celebrate Juan's mom's birthday. Before she left, Amy made sure that the family would be well fed (when the baby arrives) by soliciting "meals on wheels" for the first two weeks. In exchange for signing up to deliver a meal I've been promised that I get to sit in the rocking chair and hold the baby. I already have my menu planned!

We are busy gearing up for our Annual Open House (September 29th) and the 10-year anniversary of Dancing Rabbit. It hardly seems possible. We are excited about the prospect of old friends and members coming to visit and celebrate with us.

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