Hi friends! This is Alline with the latest updates from Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage.
This brings me to my next thought: One of the things I like best about living at Dancing Rabbit is that the houses all have names instead of numbers. Our mailing addresses are really no more than a mailbox number, which are chosen by a combination of one’s favorite number combined with what numbers are actually available. But the names of our homes reflect the creativity and personality of the household, or simply a sense of place.
The home I share with my husband Kurt, the Milkweed Cottage, is named after the nickname given to us back in 1999. (Long story short – a friend here became tired of saying “Kurt and Alline this, Kurt and Alline that.” She approached us and announced “I am calling you ‘the Milkweeds’.” We shrugged and said “OK, but why?” Her response? “Because you’re tall, strong and fuzzy inside. And butterflies like you.”). This made us laugh, and so our business also bears the Milkweed name
Some buildings are named after flowers, many of which are local and wild – Ironweed Kitchen, Larkspur, Lobelia and Wysteria Lodge.
Sparky’s house is called Pond View, for obvious reasons. Katherine lives in what used to be a bus but is now a home called Aubergine, which is French for both eggplant and a particular shade of the color purple. Thomas lives in Mirth Lodge, which seems quite appropriate.
The Carletons live in Thistledown, reflecting a certain Celtic sensibility. Bob’s house is the Shanty, because, well, that’s exactly what it is. The name of Dan’s home and farm, the Flouch and Flouch Farm, comes from a family story. Before she purchased it, Julie’s home was briefly known as “The Kale Factory,” as the former owner was inordinately fond of kale smoothies. We’re still waiting for Julie’s house to have a more interesting name than “Julie’s House.”
Some building names – Timberhome (which is a timber-framed strawbale house), and Gobcobatron (made of cob) – reflect construction methods, while others reflect size or purpose (the Itty Bitty Cabins).
I find that these names create not only a sense of home but of belonging. When someone says “I’m going to Moon Lodge” or “the meeting is at Skyhouse” we all know exactly where that is. And while directions like “Go down to Thistledown, turn left, and across from the Magic School Bus you’ll find The Hermitage,” are confusing to new folks, it feels rather like a secret handshake to those of us who are living our lives here. And honestly, isn’t that much more interesting than a bunch of numbers? (The house I grew up in was number 36157. Sheesh.).
In other news: lots of folks are traveling (come home! We miss you!). Mac is teaching Muay Thai (a form of kickboxing) classes for both kids and adults. Julie and Anya hosted a joint birthday masquerade party – lots of great food, great music, laughter and even a photo booth to immortalize the revelers. Plans are being made for Hanukkah, Solstice and Christmas. Rides are being shared, seed catalogs are being devoured, and it is finally cold enough to pull out the wool sweaters and hats. We are enjoying yoga classes, blues dance classes, and the orchestra is meeting twice a week. Life is good!
Be well, and stay tuned for another update next week!
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community and educational nonprofit in Rutledge, northeast Missouri, focused on sustainable living. Our free tours start up again in the spring. Meanwhile you can find more information at www.dancingrabbit.org, read our blog at blog.dancingrabbit.org, or give us a call at (660) 883-5511. You can also find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/DancingRabbitEcovillage.www.dancingrabbit.org