Another Zephyr weekend. We went down on Friday morning to check out a K-8 Montessori charter school in Winona (the first of its kind in the nation), and it was wonderful. We then hung out for the day in town, doing a little more exploring and trying to get a little more feel of what, according to residents of the coop, is the "lifeblood" of everyone in the rural communities of the area. An amazing little town, Winona, for being only 27,000 people big-but I may have documented that already.
We spent Friday night through Sunday morning at Zephyr, and the our mood, for the majority of the time, was actually just a little down from where it had been for our last couple visits. We had a breakfast with some residents in which we discussed some of the difficulties in obtaining house loans for building houses without "property" or deeds, and then everyone had their various daily responsibilities to which they needed to attend. It was spitting rain & pretty dreary.
We still went for a hike, having not circumnavigated the large south bluff yet, but still weren't able to make it all the way around. We came across a hunter at the extreme far southern end of the property, up on a bluff top. Hunting would be one of the weird things to get used to at Zephyr. It is very common down there, as it is in the midst of a large state forest; and hunters abound in the properties-both wooded and farmed-surrounding the coop's land. I've never been as supportive of hunters, from an ecological sense, as I currently am. That is, if they are conservation-minded and follow regulations and so on. I do fear that the majority (and I really do mean the majority) of hunters that are out there are there for all the wrong reasons, and do not care the least bit about conservation, ecology, or even simple human courtesy. This guy was technically legal, with his tree stand being set up just on the other side of the property line; but even I know enough to know that's really bad form. Especially considering the bluff top-all Zephyr property-is a big open field. Open sight lines. In other words, he intends to shoot the deer on Zephyr then run over & get them. And the path we were on would have taken us right by his feet. Lucy was snoozing in the backback and we just didn't even want to deal with the hassle of a confrontation (especially since it's not even our land that we're dealing with-yet), but we left the hill feeling more sullen than ever. Later we confessed that we were both sort of gearing up for the "what are we doing, anyway" conversion we would have in the car on the way back in the morning.
Anyway, morning came around and we headed over to drop off some orange vests at the house of this woman, who happened to be entertaining a couple of friends that had dropped in from Iowa (she's originally from Iowa City). They invited us in for a pancake breakfast, and we couldn't refuse. It was a sunny morning-with sun hitting the bluffs in the most stunning and beautiful way-clouds rolling by just above the hilltops, and there was an ease and hospitality in the air. Pancakes were big & awesome; coffee was steamin', and syrup was real maple. Lucy (who is totally at ease down there) just started running around doing her own thing while we all talked after eating-great conversation. Went from blood sausage to the ills of Wal-Mart (kind of a big issue in Winona, where they're a fairly recent presence). As things were wrapping up, I was like, "wait a minute-what's that music?" and I realized it was "Concerning Hobbits." Our host's 10-year old son had the Fellowship of the Ring CD in the stereo while he was making his way through a first reading of "The Hobbit." As it turns out, he & his mom are big fans. We talked just a little LOR (mainly books vs. movie-the standard conversation), then he showed us how he has the sheet music and started playing some on the piano. I ended up getting some video of him playing that Shire song while I panned the camera around the room and out the windows to the landscape in the distance. I'll try to set up a link or something so you guys can check it out.
Anyway, we left with an "anything is possible" attitude, and that's maybe where I am as the trudge & bludge of a workweek in the cities is upon me once again.
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11 comments:
Dramatic life-altering decisions are not made lightly.
The thing I have the absolute biggest problem with at this point: being locked into a 20-25 minute drive into Winona for the rest of my life. No one in the community seems to think it is a big deal (especially since it's since a beautiful drive), but in terms of my "ecological footprint," I think it's a stinking big deal.
Dan, think of the over all footprint. Could you do better at Zepher? Would your mind be better to tackle the worlds problems when you are happy and living by example as best as one can be living? I vote for Zepher, but you know that I support whatever vote you place in the box.
Well, of course that (what you say, Clogger) is a big part of the argument "for." The higher up I climb on Maslow's Pyramid, the more free my mind is to tackle other matters. Who knows what the future may hold in terms of methods of propulsion, and how abundant and clean the fuel source. I do appreciate you not being afraid to give an official "endorsement."
I tell you what, man; I look up at this 300 ft grassy-topped bluff overlooking the Valley, and I think there's no depression a little medidation up there couldn't cure.
What I did say to Sharon on the way back is that I really just need to be done with the decision, sooner as opposed to later. I'm starting to feel transparent; half a man. 30% of my energy is devoted to wrestling with all this in my mind. I can't plan anything long-term, and I fear getting too accustomed to any city-specific thing being part of my lifestyle, it's making me positively buggy.
You're becoming a Zephry-Wraith.
I feel like butter scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday. A very long holiday, and I don't expect that I shall return. In fact, I mean not to.
Rivendell calls, but the Shire has been for oh these many years. Even with its wolf problems, there is still some fine ale and other brews to be found there.
Indeed. But I have taken to going on long walks alone and pouring over old maps when I think others aren't looking.
I want to see mountains, again, Mixdorf. MOUNTAINS. And then find a nice quiet place where I can finish my album.
If I were more than a conjurer of cheap tricks, I might be of some assistance. As it is, I'm off to see the head of my order for advice.
Is that he's called now? Residing in his tower at Indygard.
He used to walk the woods, but now he rips them down, rips them ALL down, to make books.
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