Memphis Democrat
December 4, 2003

This is Rachel, reporting on the goings on. It's been awfully quiet around here. About half of the folks here traveled to visit family for Thanksgiving. But I learned that when there are twenty-something people, when half the people leave that still leaves over a dozen folks here. Those of us left behind enjoyed the quiet days of intimate gatherings over dinner or a jigsaw puzzle.

We had already had our Harvest Festival last weekend, where we could all be together before folks scattered to see their families. So on Thanksgiving day we spent time in small groups. Several of us went over to Sandhill, where we were treated to a walk of their land and then a dinner with way too much delicious food.

We did have one new face join us just after Thanksgiving. Debby lives at Twin Oaks Community, in Virginia. Twin Oaks has a special relationship to Skyhouse, the group building the big four-peaked house here. Sometimes people from one group visits the other to do Labor-Exchange. Then later, the other group returns the favor. Debby has been seen enthusiastically helping with dinner, learning to make cob (a building material like adobe), etc.

We've been really enjoying the clear skies and sometimes warm weather. Sunny days means full batteries for everyone's power systems. Clear nights means great views of the aurora borealis. We can't call them the northern lights, because these days these seem as likely to show up in the south as the north!

One windy evening Stefanie and Arjen were heading to retire for the night when a kestrel flew right at them. It seemed disoriented and it was easy for Arjen to pick it up. All the wildlife lovers were called in to examine the bird and no signs of damage were found. So Stefanie and Arjen kept the kestrel in a box in their house overnight to keep it warm. The next morning we gathered for the opening of the box and all applauded as he flew away, looking healthy.

Many folks are returning from their travels and we enjoying hearing their stories. But it was especially exciting to see Ted and Sara come home with new haircuts. Ted lost a few inches, but Sara cut off a few feet of hair! So if you see a young woman around town with a cute short haircut who you don't quite recognize, tell Sara you like her new look.

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