I keep being fascinated by the feelings that I am having around the garden. The kids and the plants are of course a bit part of the joy and healing that I experience there, but many other things contribute to this feeling that some of us call "community". One of the most remarkable one is the resonance of joy, playfulness, grace, generosity and love that our hosts Dan and Giselle, their kids Amelie (above) and Coleman, and their wonder-love-dog Swahili hold.
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| Swahili at work |
I mentioned recently that the garden is just an excuse to get together. It offers a place to practice "being" in community. Yesterday, the topic of how to get the teenagers motivated to participate in the garden activities came up. When they are there, especially in group, they want to play, as in doing acrobatics on the trampoline, which is great. However, there are many opportunities while at the ranch to learn life skills such as gardening, carpentry, animal husbandry and how to create structures from recycle material. As our community grows, how do we organize ourselves to better serve the needs of our teenagers?
In the next couple weeks, our focus will be on building an insulated platform and a deck for the yurt. After the yurt is up, we'll be installing a wood stove and building (rounded) furniture for the yurt. Next, we'll be building a tool shed, bicycle shed, composting toilet and outdoor shower.
A truck load of old decking material was recently donated by Barker Property Management. Thank you John!
Piper, a neighbor and friend, is currently repairing the windows on the yurt canvas. Thank you Piper!
Today Monday and pretty much every afternoon this week, we'll be building the yurt platform and deck. Feel free to stop by if you want to lend a hand, especially if you are a skilled carpenter.
Saturday 9/24 will be our big push to finish the platform as the yurt will be assembled on Sunday 9/25.
We are still looking for recycled plywood flooring, 2x4 and 2x6 if you have any laying around your backyard.
Amelie, Giselle and Michele taking measurements for the garden master plan
All the photos below courtesy of Coleman (13).
Next "Official" Garden Party
Wed. Sept.21
3:00-6:00pm
Community Yard Sale at Dandelion Ranch
Sat. Oct. 8
If you want to participate, call Giselle at: 505-660-3171
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