This past week was momentous. I myself, with son Colin well on his way to recovery, newly committed to this place, remembering its motto: GROWING COMMUNITY FROM THE GROUND UP. 

Since we have only two homes now (the third one out to regular renters due to property tax and insurance increases), that means only six people (actually five, given Colin’s situation (see last post)); which in turn means that whoever is here needs to be on board with what we are doing: demonstrating for others a constantly evolving template for growing food in community. However, at this point, only three of us are committed: Joseph, Marita, and myself, with Joseph as the only one naturally oriented in this direction! (I’m philosophically committed, but must continually learn and relearn the practicalities). So for the first time in a long time, a week ago I mentioned to my two housemates just why I started this place (see above), saying, “if not, then what am I doing here?” And asked both of them, are you aligned with the mission?

Both Ningyao and Adam very much appreciated my suddenly recovered clarity, and thanked me for telling them. Ningyao said she would think deeply about it, and then, the very next day, rose to the occasion, saying she will start by organizing bi-weekly Community Dinners (to begin soon), and will devote either Saturday or Sunday to whatever is needed. The other one, Adam, a naturally solitary soul, and a man of total integrity, after nearly two years here, has chosen to move. 

Okay, so here we go, in this ever-changing experiment in a college town that has given at least 50 people, since 2009, a taste of what it means to grow food, in community, inside a college town neighborhood. Hopefully, each of them takes what they learn, the strong, subtle flavor of how to grow into your full natural self while in cooperation with all of Nature, including other human beings and the ground under our feet and the sky above, with all Her critters, large and small. 

This year, to get started, we agreed a week ago to meet for a workparty in the greenhouse, heated beforehand, at 1 PM, on January 20, that’s yesterday, to wash, sand if needed, oil, and sharpen large tools. We did this while “stacking functions” (a permaculture term), deciding what’s next (seed selection next Friday, refresh small tools next Saturday), and tossing around ideas as to how to work with this year’s surplus in a more conscious manner. More on this later. We also took turns telling stories. 90 minutes of engaged FUN.

Ningyao doesn’t want to be in photos, so she asked if she could be the one to take the photos. Okay! So that’s why you now see (the back of) yours truly in one too. 

Joseph begins to tackle the pile. 

Adam, Joseph, me, and Marita, left to right. Joseph and Ningyao washed each tool, sanding the ones that needed it; I oiled them, and Marita and Adam sharpened hoes and shovels, sanding more if needed. Then one final oiled swipe on sharpened edges.

Next day (today). Large tools back on the wall.

Haven’t checked yet, but I doubt there’s any more arugula now. Big freeze started about a week ago, followed by snow.