Memphis Democrat
September 12, 2002

You didn't get to read my column last week because I was out in Virginia and Maryland. I was attending a cousin's wedding with Tony and going on nature outings with my parents. I've also been off the farm a lot because I began taking biology classes at Truman State part time. So writing this column will hopefully help me keep better tabs on what is going on around here even though I will often miss the big events.

You can't miss that two folks have arrived to be with us for awhile. Andra has returned from Kansas City to live here through the winter and beyond. Our last intern of the season, Kristen, was picked up in Quincy from his 24 hour bus ride from Ottawa, Canada. We're so glad to have a Canadian on the farm again to celebrate (and tease). He is staying here for the fall as our artist in residence and he's already cooking up some interesting ideas of art to create.

I can't believe I haven't been keeping people up to date on all the new housing starts. There are three small houses going up to keep people warm this winter, and for them to live in while they build their more permanent houses. Several people have thought that this might work better than trying to build a bigger house right away and risking living through a winter without a liveable house. They can turn their cabins into guest houses and sheds later.

Susan and Erik have been busy pounding away and have the floor and some of the walls framed out. Penn just started this week but he's already hand dug the trench for his foundation. Gare and Don are converting an old grain bin into a house by baling in the inside for insulation and building a ceiling to have two stories. The downstairs (Don's bedroom) is starting to really take shape. I never thought a grain bin could look so cozy.

Cecil traveled to Chicago to pick up our new Volkswagon Jetta. We now have two Jettas and a pickup truck for the twenty-ish people we expect to have living here this winter. Even now with just two vehicles, you'll often find one or both of them parked in front of the trailer. Its a testament to how hard we try to rideshare and minimize car use. Having two little fuel efficient cars will allow us to save the big gas guzzling farm truck for only when we need it.

By the way, my class schedule changed at Truman and I can no longer do yoga on Mondays. So Irene, Mary and I are doing yoga faithfully on Wednesdays at noon in the Rutledge Community Center. Bring a blanket and an open mind, and come join us!

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is a nonprofit and a residential community that demonstrates ecological sustainability in Rutledge, MO. We are not giving tours for a few weeks. Please come instead to our Open House on October 12th! Please call first before coming by, at 883-5511.

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