Hammers, chisels, and saws, oh my! Every time I step outside, the sound of a growing village greets me in the form of a nail rhythmically joining wood, or a hand-saw cutting through the umpteenth 2×4 of the day. Despite it being 98 degrees this week, the pressure of the end of this year’s building season is heavy in the air. With the lack of 4-season housing being the most significant factor in limiting the growth of our population here, witnessing this incredible motivation driving gutsy residents and members is something to behold. Hassan, one of our new residents, is building a house on a 90-day deadline, and is still finding energy to consider aesthetic appeal. If you call or email us with questions on how he does it, I must regretfully inform you that we don’t actually know at this time.
Julie here with this week’s article.
Bear, who is building Tereza’s house, seems to have erected the timber frame for her home almost overnight, leaving little to the imagination as to what the final product will resemble before long. Ziggy and April’s home, which broke ground this past April, is getting its earthen and lime plaster coats, and will likely be ready to move into in a matter of months. These expedited construction projects are atypical of homes here at Dancing Rabbit, but with the wise use of a skilled craftsman (in Tereza’s case) or brilliant decision to conduct straw-bale and timber frame workshops, (in Ziggy and April’s case), they were able to shave possibly two years off of these projects. I’ll admit that I am unabashedly filled with admiration for my fellow neighbors’ ingenuity.
One of the best things to do this time of year is pick apples, and we’re going picking at Blue Heron Orchard, in Canton, Missouri. Dan Kelly’s orchard is the only organic orchard in the state of Missouri, and we’re happy to pick apples for him, especially since we can get local organic apples and cider in exchange. I’m particularly nostalgic for all of the associated sounds, smells, and tastes that accompany apple picking season. You can’t bottle the crunching of fall leaves underfoot, the distinct aroma of earth and spices, and those first few crisp hints that autumn is upon us, spurring us to fuel the kettle to heat hot chocolate and mulled cider. Oh, and did I mention doughnuts?
We’re gearing up for our 15thyear anniversary party this October 5th-7th. We needed to relocate a few things at the future site of the New Common House, but before that could happen, the field needed to be mowed. As the two newest certified tractor users, Sam and I were elated to take this task on. The combination between the hum of our biodiesel tractor, and the freedom to mow an entire acre was almost too much fun for us. I have my fingers crossed that everyone else disagrees with me in order to reduce the competition for these “tasks”.
The second-to-last visitor session of the year begins this week, and as always, I can’t help but speculate as to how our village will be shaped by it. We have accepted 19 new residents this year, and this number could possibly increase by the end of next week! We then will have a surge of folks moving to DR in the Spring of 2013, after the cold winter months have passed. This year, the patchwork quilt that makes up our lives has had some patches relocated, some pieces had stitches reinforced, and fresh lengths of cloth were added almost seamlessly. It is as dynamic as the many hands and hearts that participate in its ceaseless production, with seams and patches slaloming and overlapping in a complicated, but cozy creation.
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community and educational nonprofit in Rutledge, northeast Missouri, focused on sustainable living. We offer free tours to the public twice monthly from April-October. For more information you can visit our website www.dancingrabbit.org, or give us a call at (660) 883-5511.