Rachel Katz

I have found that life is a much more unpredictable journey than I would have imagined. I was born into an upper-middle class family on Long Island, New York. I thought I was heading towards prominent, fantastic things, like being a scientist, astronaut or senator. I went to Stanford University in the San Francisco Bay Area. My budding critical thinking was nurtured there and I determined that I wanted to pursue a life directed by my values and beliefs, which veered strongly to the left.

I also met my life partner there, Tony. I was independent, freewheeling and certainly not looking for a partner, but the universe had its own plans. After graduating, we were living in the Bay Area, working in the heady internet boom and various activist projects. Building Dancing Rabbit was a dream of Tony's and when the time came, I reluctantly packed my bags and joined the group headed out into the unknown of the Midwest.

It has been a rocky journey learning to love Northeast Missouri and Dancing Rabbit. I enjoy learning about our local flora and fauna, whether through walks on our land or the pages of books. This love led me to return to school to study ecology. I received my Master's degree from local Truman State University and studied the effect of management on grassland birds.

I enjoy reaching out to the local community. Northeast Missouri has about the friendliest people I've met. I have worked to build bridges with local folks through our column in the Memphis Democrat, our annual open house, Saturday tours, inviting neighbors to dinner, and any help we can give. And I have been repaid in spades with friendship and help.

Like many people at Dancing Rabbit, I work on a variety of projects and odd jobs.  I have a part time job telecommuting to a nonprofit in The San Francisco Bay Area called The Mosaic Project, working as their Development Director.  I spend an increased amount of time back in the Bay, working, enjoying the culture and renewing my friendships there.

Dancing Rabbit is a wonderful and challenging place. People become family and I have been blessed with friends both at Dancing Rabbit and in the surrounding community that I value highly. But I continue to struggle with the unique challenges that living in community brings: the conflict from tightly interwoven lives, the lines between public and private, setting boundaries, and finding meaningful work.

I live in a small load-bearing strawbale cabin called Allium. It is my special little place, with a quilt on the bed, paintings and sculptures of plants on the walls and skulls of animals on the windowsill. I have landscaped around it with perrenial fruits and vegetables and native plants. It is a quiet and temperature-controlled haven.

These days I also spend a lot of time dancing. I love to do just about any type of dance, from ballroom dance to freeform improvisational. I have been trying to gain proficiency in Spanish and like to travel in Latin America when I have the opportunity.

I also especially appreciate my special relationship with my little buddy, Cynder

Rachel 4/09