Memphis Democrat Column from January 29, 2006

I mentioned in my last column that I was deep into our year-end accounting. When it came time for me to write my column on Sunday evening, I just couldn't bring myself to tap one more computer key that day. I finally got done with the bulk of the work a few days ago, so I feel more like looking at the screen this Sunday.

It is time for our annual community retreat. We began our meetings last Thursday and we will finish up tomorrow. We use this time to look at our finances, do our planning for the coming year and talk about various issues that are important for our group.

As part of our retreat activities, we had a group work "go" last Friday. Members and guests spent the morning pruning our red current, black current and gooseberry bushes and mulching them. The herb garden was also de-thatched and cleaned up. The physical work felt very satisfying and the results of our effort were quite visible.

The Rabbits have also been having the first round of their retreat this week so Gigi and Jennifer traded some time with each other's children to help things along. Renay had a date at Dancing Rabbit with Rowan, Cynder and Torren and the three of them came over to play with her this afternoon.

We have a busy year ahead of us. There is lots to do to get the sorghum steam conversion fully finished before September. There will be a concrete pad to pour, remodelling of Sugar Shack to move along and work to be done on the boiler and a cooking pan. We have also decided to build a greenhouse this year. The garden crew is hoping to have it ready for the 2007 season. Although our farming operation has been certified organic for some years, our gardens have not been. We have been following organic practices closely in their management, but now we are also going to go through the certification process.

Prior to the retreat, we co-hosted the winter meetings of the Federation of Egalitarian Communities with Skyhouse. Delegates from Acorn Community and Twin Oaks Community in Virginia, East Wind Community in Missouri and Emma Goldman Community in Washington traveled to Rutledge. Stan from Sandhill and Amy from Skyhouse were the host delegates. It had been three years since it was last our turn to have the Assembly here.

This is always an interesting and fun occasion for everyone involved. Some old friends were part of the group and we got to make some new friends, too. There were extra pots of coffee to brew and bigger groups in the house for meals. Lots of good conversation, games, and things to learn are part of the mix. One of the evenings during the Assembly was devoted to a potluck supper and party at Skyhouse and another one to a discussion of topics of general interest to FEC member communities. The actual meetings were split between our two communities and some of the delegates stayed at Sandhill and some at Skyhouse.

Former Dancing Rabbits residents Stefanie and Arjen arrived on the 11th for a month's stay with us.

They have just returned from an extended spell in Europe. The two of them travelled all over the continent and visited a number of communities while they were there. They also spent time with

Arjen's family in the Netherlands. We are enjoying having them here again and catching up on their adventures.

Otto, Stefanie and Arjen have been busy doing wood runs and helping Stan with the maple harvest. We began tapping our trees on January 25 and did our first cook on the 27th. The three of them have also been helping us with cooking, deep cleaning, and maintenance projects. Renay has been spending a lot of time with all of them and has been teaching Otto to play cribbage the past few days.

We have had other company during the past couple of weeks. Farnaz and her three children spent part of a day with us last week. There was skiing and indoor games for the kids to enjoy. Renay has also spent time with them in Kirksville recently. Susan and Erik from Dancing Rabbit came over for supper last Sunday and there was a pleasant evening of visiting after the meal

The last part of January marks the start of what we refer to as "birthday season' at Sandhill. My birthday was the 25th. We gathered for appetizers and conversation before supper and Gigi made one of her lovely cakes. At Stan's suggestion, I told a little bit of my life story for the group after supper. Ceilee turned twenty five on January 27. I'm sure he was reminded several times about it being a quarter century. We have more birthdays coming up soon, so I see lots of cake on the horizon (or on our waistlines).