Well it's been over three months since I arrived at Dancing Rabbit and I will be leaving in about one more month. My time here has been wonderful and very informative; I'll miss the place and the people greatly.
The start was somewhat daunting with the bad weather (cold and rainy) but quickly improved. It was so neat to be able to watch the plants emerge and change with the seasons. I've loved waking to the birds singing and a wide view of the sunrise. The other wildlife around is nice to see on walks around the property (280 acres is a good chunk of land). Gorgeous sunsets are also a common sight.
I came as a garden intern but have done much more. When not planting, weeding, or harvesting I helped build the outhouse and the dock for the pond. The outdoor kitchen has been a fun project with wiring for lights (off-grid) and a grey-water system. The straw-bale cabins are just getting started but I hope to learn as much as possible about them before I go. Cooking for the group is challenging sometimes with not all the resources I am used to (how many ways can you cook beans). Baking bread with fresh ground flour is a wonderful job even if it gets eaten quickly.
The people here are amazing; not just the residents but also the visitors who come through. There have been so many but all have been helpful. The level of communication and caring the people here have is great. I've learned a lot about working things out by talking about them (not one of my strong points). They really make you feel like part of a family. We've played games, sang, danced, and had group outings to see plays and movies. The weekly get together with Sandhill Farm is nice for talking with others who have been around for a long time (lots of gardening help).
I would urge anyone who is interested in community living to do an internship. You learn so much about the everyday processes that you can't experience in a short visit. I've had such a great time here and hope to come back whenever possible to see the growth of this beautiful place.
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