Memphis Democrat
September 22, 2005

Hello, friends and neighbors! This is Andrew writing about another wonderful and action-packed week here at Dancing Rabbit. We're nearing the end of the third and last week of our "Vizilla" program, hosting a large group of visitors for an extended stay. Most of the nine adults and two children who arrived three weeks ago have already departed as scheduled, but four remain: Al, Molly, Phil, and Tony. We've grown very fond of them in the short time they've been with us, and they already feel like part of our community. Phil and Molly have both decided to take their Dancing Rabbit experience to the next level by becoming residents, and Al says he might be joining us as well. We're thrilled that such wonderful people want to share their lives with us.

Work continues on the Ironweed kitchen, and its cob walls are really coming along with the extra help of our visitors. They've also been great help with path mulching, gardening, and food preservation, and we really appreciate it! It's also exciting to see all the progress Thomas has made on the Milkweeds' cottage. Tim got started on a new installation of solar panels and a gigantic windmill just north of the Timberframe, which will be pumping out a whole lot of renewable energy. It's only a temporary installation however, since the Johnsons plan to build a home of their own before too long. We also want to give a very warm thank you to Nicole, who has tirelessly prepared wonderful meals for our visitors every day for the last three weeks. Thanks for your dedication, Nicole!

On a sad note, three puppies were abandoned on our property this past week. We are not an animal shelter and we cannot care for them, so please be responsible and take your unwanted animals to a designated animal shelter.

On Monday, several Rabbits went to the Rutledge Square Dance. Penn, Tamar, and Al provided live music for the occasion, and Suzanne, Rachel, and Nathan got out there to cut a rug. I wish I could have been there, but my two left feet prohibit it! On Tuesday we celebrated Rowan's ninth birthday with a game of Ultimate Frisbee, a StarCraft LAN party, and a gigantic homemade dragon piñata with a 15-foot wingspan and great detail. A lot of work went into that dragon, but if you saw it, you'd know it was worth it! Fortunately, the awesome dragon was spared the usual fate of piñatas since the candy was contained by a large dragon egg it clutched in its talons. Then on Tuesday evening, Ted, Tamar, and Suzanne went to Truman University in Kirksville to see the Kansas City Symphony. I'm told it was magnificent. And nearly all of us turned out for the Rutledge Fall Festival on Friday evening and Saturday, which was great fun. Many thanks to all who contributed to bringing the Festival into existence!

Back to list of Memphis Democrat Columns