Memphis Democrat
November 27, 2003

Hi everyone. This is Alline reporting in for Dancing Rabbit.

First off, is there anyone out there looking for a 4-H project? Or anyone who would like a white dove (for any other reason than to, say, eat it)? A pair of doves arrived here in September and promptly took up residence in our windowless Common House. As soon as the windows were installed they were shooed outside. One of the doves died last week – we think it may have been a collision with our windmill – and the other one could really use a home. PLEASE contact us if you are interested in giving this lonely bird a home.

There’s a major Rabbit migration happening here on the farm. Many Rabbits are visiting relatives and friends this week. Kurt and I are on our way to snowy northern Minnesota; Alyson and Chad are off to freezing Michigan; Andra to the Ozarks; Sara, Ted and Jillian to the icy city of Chicago; Steph to chilly St. Louis; and Cecil and Jacque are off to – get this – HOT, SUNNY FLORIDA. They were practically giggling as they packed their shorts and sandals. We’ll all be thinking of them as the snow piles up outside…

Before departing to the far corners of the country, though, we all took time and had our annual Harvest Fest. We gathered with our friends from Sandhill in our new Common House (!) for the festive occasion. Liberty and a number of volunteers cleaned the Great Room (for the building is still under construction) and kept it nice and cozy warm with the newly installed wood stove. There were lovely decorations and fabric wall hangings to make the room feel homey and party-like. Before the meal we all joined hands and sang a song of thanks – what a wonderful feeling to be with good friends celebrating all of the food raised this year! And the food – absolutely amazing. Every single dish was delicious. It was hard to stop eating. After the feasting was over, many of us played board games and after that there was another hilarious dance party.

The Common House just won’t be the same without Liberty – she left Sunday, as she had fulfilled her work-exchange agreement and it was time to get going on other projects, including visiting friends and finishing college. We’re happy that she chose to spend her summer with us, and all appreciate her work on the Common House!

In other news, construction on Ted and Sara’s house, while on hold this holiday week, continues at a fast and furious pace. Rumor has it that the floor is in – yippee! Stephanie and Arjen, Bob C. (also known as “Bobita” or “little Bob”) and Chris from Columbia have all been lending a hand.

Tony continues to work on Skyhouse’s cistern; Rachel is ecstatic to have only a few days of school left. Erik has been keeping busy keeping our vehicles running. The Common House crew continued their zippy progress and painted the exterior of the building. Bluestem co-op began harvesting wind power in earnest. Alyson has been having fun (should we say “has become obsessed”?) with researching genealogy, and Tereza has been talking to lots of French people through her English teaching job. She has to get up early in the morning to talk to them during their business hours, but I’m sure she prepares herself with a nice hot cup of French Roast and, say, a croissant? Voila!

We send our Thanksgiving thought to you all – our Memphis Democrat readers, our neighbors, and the folks who receive this column via email. We are so thankful to have found this little spot in Scotland County, and thankful also for your friendship and support. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and if you eat too much you can always do what we do – go lay down on the living room floor until you’re ready for more!

We are not giving tours during the winter, but for more information you can read about us at http://www.dancingrabbit.org or call us at 660-883-5511.

Back to list of Memphis Democrat Columns