Hmmm… My week in a nutshell? This week was at least a handful of hazelnuts.
Katherine here, writing about a full yet pleasantly un-momentous week (from one Rabbit’s perspective).
This is written with the utmost respect for an even-keeled life that at times has the most beautiful of balance. My dad (Happy birthday, Bill! Love you!) has sometimes said, “there’s always something.” Well, I am glad to report this week that there are less of those “somethings.”
Life grew on. Grass browned a bit and the flies lazed instead of buzzed.
Althea and Ben brought home a bucket of hazelnuts, which in turn had us sitting around husking and smashing to get at the delectables inside. While Mae and I chatted about village life (politics, gossip, Halloween costumes), Althea used a brick and her increasingly skilled dexterity (she’s six, ya know) to break open the nuts for munching.
As autumn encroaches, the pumpkins arrive and the leaves fall. The sunny days are kissed with cool breezes that have us wearing a bit more layers than usual, only to be shed with our continued physical labor.
Joe and I were out in the garden this week planting garlic (as many Rabbits were) and preparing for the cooler times. The tomatoes were frost-bitten as the turnip greens heartied up for a delicious meal. I served the last visitor (viz) group of the season (a fantastic bunch they are) turnip greens sautéed with sunflower seeds and raisins. De-lish (delicious) I say again! The sweet of the raisins cuts the bitter of the greens to create a yummy in most co’s tummies.
While I did hear the decree from a younger generation, “I want this, this, not this, and this”, which translates to “rice, beans, no greens, sweet potatoes.” The encouraging answer to this was, “she grew it,” which in the end meant, they ate it. 🙂
The vegan carrot cake from The Farm Cookbook (one of my favorite CBs) was the star of the show, and I really appreciate Patricia and Julio as my totally awesome visitor cook helpers!
So yes, the gardens are going to bed for the year and the greens of our land are changing to beautiful hues of red, yellow, brown. Wexers (work exchangers) and other folk are making their way to their next destinations, may it be for just the winter months or even longer.
Potential Rabbits are figuring out how to come back in the spring, where to live and where to eat. The anticipation of fresh faces is exciting, yet so far away. The anticipation of freshly fallen snow and ice on the pond is even more pulling as my mind begins to calm for the end of the year.
Something of our coldest months absolutely warms my heart: the natural progression of slowing down, hibernating, sipping tea with friends and knitting by a warm fire. Those are the times that I find myself longing and preparing for with every coming day.
Winter travel plans are being made among Rabbits, and the distant train whistle brings back my youth— rides to see grandparents across country on the Amtrak we still ride today.
My parents would stick me in a cardboard box under their feet riding coach for a fun and safe journey. I got to sleep in a fort and they felt secure knowing that I would not wander off in the night.
I may be a little big now to cozy up under those seats, but the 33-hour train ride from Missouri to Texas is still a pleasant one nonetheless. I love chatting up people in the club car, sharing stories, lives, perspectives. It is amazing how much folks open their minds to hear about our village with its cob houses, wind turbines, and crazy little thing called non-violent communication.
My life is inspired every single day by the Rabbits around me and if I can share that feeling across the country to shift even one person’s perspective, then that feels pretty good to me. It is not just the water-saving and bike riding messages I seek to share, it is also the benefits of living with one another and helping to make even those un-momentous times more enjoyable.
Living in community has proved to be the hardest and most rewarding decision I have had to make in my young life. As I reach my 31st year this December, I reflect on the choices that have brought me to this point and remind myself to have no regrets, only lessons.
While train-rides and sleigh-rides may be a little premature, the memories and warm fuzzy thoughts of what is yet to come promise good times ahead. Today I will continue gardening the last wilty plants of the season, and perhaps fold the communal towels that are glaring at me from across the room. Food will be prepared and eaten, buckets will be filled, moved, emptied; my life will continue to plug along and there will be many friends and tiny adventures along the way.
Until next time, friends, bon voyage!
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Last chance to register for the first ever Dancing Rabbit Online Education Series: How to Live Like an Ecovillager: Low Carbon, High Quality! Rabbit teachers will share what we’ve learned about living rich full lives using fewer resources — the first class, “Ecovillage Answers to the Climate Crisis: 10 Ways to Shift from Angst to Action” is this Thursday, October 22nd, and it’s FREE! Check out the series’ promo video or register here!
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Come see us in Kansas! Rabbits will have a booth at the Mother Earth News Fair in Topeka this weekend, October 24th and 25th — do stop by and say hello!
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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.