The March Hare: Summer 2007 Issue 53

Cover Page • Cooking at DR • Nature Corner • BJ's Bio • Local Foods • Slow Food

Member Autobiography—B.J. Lamont

I was born in Jersey City, NJ, during the year of the rabbit, to a Spanish mother and an Irish father. My mother and father divorced in their first year of marriage. I grew up spending the school year with my mother in Washington, D.C., and my summers with my father's family.

It seemed to me that I was growing up in two very different worlds that held little appreciation for the other. Each world had different languages, beliefs and behaviors and as a result I felt disconnected.

I remember from my earliest years being fascinated by the differences of each side. Why was the religion of my mother's family Spanish Protestant? Why was my father's side firmly Catholic? No one ever really had any explanations for my endless questions. The funniest part was that each side blamed the other for my inquisitiveness. My favorite part of being in a Spanish family were the close-knit ties I shared with three generations. I was also very close with all the people and their families that had immigrated from the Dominican Republic with my grandmother. My favorite part of being with my Irish side was the joy of life that would find us roaring with laughter at good jokes or fond memories. It also seemed as though they never met a stranger,just people not yet friends.

During high school I left Washington, D.C. and my mother's side to live near my father's side in New Jersey. While I had great new experiences I found that I missed the sense of community that I had grown up with. When I entered Rutgers University I found some of the community that I'd been missing. Time passes, however, and people drop out, graduate or just move back to their home states. Slowly I lost most of the people that I felt a connection with. After graduation I did the traditional thing of getting a real job. I was quickly promoted several times and enjoyed the pay increases but started having a really difficult time with the antagonistic attitude managers were supposed to display towards lower-ranked employees.

I preferred to talk with people and try to find a compromise that would work for everyone. It was around this time that I really started questioning my life. Nothing I saw satisfied me. Then while flicking through the channels late one sleepless night I saw a show called "30 Days". The premise was fascinating-- take two people from the biggest city in the country, New York, and put them in a small rural Eco-village named Dancing Rabbit. I was amazed and immediately googled Dancing Rabbit for its phone number and email address. A few months later I came during the last visitor season of 2006 and was immediately taken with what I experienced.

I didn't know that such a diverse group of people could come together and create community with a green focus. I had been green for many years but usually only with a few like minded friends. I only bought organic produce and recycled everything I could. Clothes, furniture, cell phones, and books all found themselves adopted by people that could use them. Local farmer's markets became my new supermarkets. I only used all natural products. Walking to nearby stores for a few things instead of driving became a habit. Carpooling with friends for larger shopping purchases seemed the logical thing to do. While thinking about buying a new car I started researching more energy efficient models.

I couldn't believe that there was this great place that shared my love of the environment and community. After my visit, I returned home to New Jersey and couldn't stop thinking about all the great experiences I'd had during my visitor week at Dancing Rabbit. Two months later I sent in a request for membership and arrived March of 2007. Living in community has been almost overwhelming in the number of connections I've been developing with the people around me. I have learned so much about myself and my capacity to grow. It seems as though every day I'm learning a new skill or trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can from all my very generous friends who delight in sharing their passions with others. I am fortunate to live in such a dynamic place.

I'm now one of Dancing Rabbit's newest members. Plans for next year are already underway. Sunflower, the food co-op that I eat with, will be greatly expanding the vegetable and herb garden. I plan to be very involved with that undertaking. I also plan to start building a passive solar house with an attached greenhouse. The future is looking bright and I can't wait!

Cover Page • Cooking at DR • Nature Corner • BJ's Bio • Local Foods • Slow Food

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