Memphis Democrat
October 9, 2003

October first was the sixth anniversary of us purchasing our land and officially settling down here in Scotland County. The celebration of that historic event spanned a whole week. It started with last week's open house. Then on the 1st of October, we gathered together, as we do every year, to share stories of our history. It was fun to laugh together about the good times and the bad. Then on Saturday night we hosted a Land Day party, complete with potluck, musical performances, dancing and a bonfire.

Besides the usual gang, we have been blessed with the presence of several old friends. Stephanie and Jillian biked in (most recently from St Louis) right in the middle of our story telling. We stopped for a round of welcome-back hugs and then asked them to chime in with their stories. They intend to stick around for the fall. Jacob, Timothy and Indigo are visiting for a week, too. Jacob and Timothy were members here a few years back. They left when Indigo was just forming in Timothy's belly, to move up to Detroit to be closer to family. Indigo is now a walking, talking cute little girl.

Every time we gain someone we love, it seems we lose someone else. Maikwe and Jibran headed back to New Mexico for the winter. They stole Alyson and Bob and took them with them to attend a natural building symposium there. Alyson will be back with a bunch of Russians in tow, as part of a natural building exchange program.

Kurt and Alline headed to the west coast for a few weeks, to fulfill their Sierra Club responsibilities and visit family. Though before they left, Cecil helped them move their power system from the shed outside (where it has been sitting since 1999) into the cabinet in their house. That's one big step closer to finishing their house.

Speaking of finishing, they put the last windows and doors on the Common House. It's still a long way from finished, but it was done enough to be the comfortable site of our Land Day party. We were afraid it was going to be cold, but the weather warmed up for a beautiful evening. That early frost did have an impact around here though. The gardeners were out harvesting everything that might get damaged. And at Sandhill, they worked dawn until dusk trying to bring in their sorghum, before it could damaged by the frost. Lots of folks from over here chipped in to try and help them save the crop. They did an amazing job, though they are still milling and cooking all day every day trying to deal with all that cane.

We were also the recipients of some neighborly help this week. That cold frosty morning, Tereza, Tom and I piled into the truck. We made it as far as the pavement before the truck just died on us. Just about everybody passing by stopped to offer help or ride. We feel so lucky to be in such a helpful, friendly place. Then poor Erik spent most of the day diagnosing the problem (water in the fuel) and trying to make things right.

Speaking of friendly, the Dillavous have again given us a terrific gift. They potted a couple dozen wayward trees that were trying to grow in their garden and gave them to us. Laura has been busy getting them in the ground before it gets too cold.

Tereza and Sara went to Knox County high school to speak to a class there and reported a warm reception.

Richard Stallman, a celebrity computer programmer, spoke at Truman on Friday and two carloads of folks went to see him. Now doesn't that speak volumes about how many geeks there are here?

We also have tours the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at 1pm until it gets too cold. Please call before coming by, 883-5511.

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