It was a dark and stormy night. In fact, I think we had a couple of dark and stormies the past week, in addition to the bright and moonies around the so-called “supermoon”. This is Sam, back from a little hiatus when Cob stepped in to write for me. This week’s update is just a potpourri of different dimensions of DR.
This past week I enjoyed sharing time with other writers in a workshop at the Mercantile. Their artist in residence for the week was poet and friend Frankie, who guided us through writing to prompts and exploring each others’ work. We came up with some memorable turns of phrase, and some beauties I hope turn up in published work some time. If I can, I’ll try to work the phrase “blistered flicker” into a blog post for you. Someday.
In other news, Rachel is on a 500 mile bike ride with friend-of-the-community Snack, in an effort to have fun and raise some awareness and money for the cause of improving access to disease-free water in Nicaragua. I checked out her website and was impressed by how little money can translate to a major improvement in quality of life.
We were treated to musical performances by Dream Girl and a couple of members of Eyelit. Our entertainment correspondent reports that she loved it, and was impressed especially by Dream Girl’s particular style: “An intriguing mixture of gypsy/cajun/bluesy synth pop, suffused with musical excellence and fun.” They did a show in the Casa Friday night, and a more laid-back acoustic gig at the pond the following afternoon. Rumor has it that the band really enjoyed their time here and intend to return.
The World Cup soccer finals happened, and a few of us watched in the Mercantile or our own homes. I’d tell you who won, but I’m sure if you care you already know. At the same time as the very last game, there was a plenary (aka full group) meeting going on.
Attentive readers may note that we have very few of these now that there’s a Village Council. But we still have plenary meetings for a few reasons, including choosing said Council. The first of two meetings scheduled to work on figuring out who will serve on this year’s Council happened Sunday afternoon.
As it turns out, the group present reached consensus on a slate, so the new Council, starting in September, is chosen and no more meetings, polls, emails, or salons will be needed on that topic this year. It is very unusual for a topic to resolve into a decision in less time than anticipated. Almost as unusual as a world class soccer game ending with a score of 7-1.
Our internal power co-op, BEDR, upgraded some equipment this week, at the cost, in addition to money, effort, and time on the part of co-op administrators and workers, of a half day of no power for those of us without batteries. It wasn’t too bad. We lived right through it.
Friend-of-the-community Lu is moving out of her house in Gorin, and sold her greenhouse to Cob, who enlisted the help of many able bodies to move it down to the rental gardens for folks to use who don’t have seed starting spaces in their own homes and greenhouses. It should be ready for use next growing season.
Throughout all of that, imagine us all sweaty from the humidity, and itchy from all sorts of plant and insect ailments, and some of us stuffy from allergies or sick from a stomach bug. There’s also always the sense that some folks are experiencing their dreams being bigger than their beings, and feeling their days are a little stuffed. The pond feels blessedly refreshing, and is well populated these days, especially in the afternoons. Floating on tubes with friends is a simple way to experience gratitude for the place we live, and the efforts of those who dreamed big before us.
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community and nonprofit outside Rutledge, in northeast Missouri, focused on demonstrating sustainable living possibilities. Find out more about us by visiting our website, reading our blog, or emailing us.