Memphis Democrat Column Week of 11/17/08

Euphoric, sun-filled greetings from Cob at Dancing Rabbit with random updates from a week of clouds and drizzle. As Joni Mitchell so famously sang "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone"!

While this sentiment is more usually applied to loss of environment, species extinction and the like, I'm thinking of more mundane realities. For most rabbits, the sun means warmth through solar gain in south facing buildings, or electricity for conveniences like kitchen appliances, refrigeration, clothes washing, and computing, or the spiritual lift and vitamin D that comes from simply sitting in the sunshine. More than one resident pointed wonderingly at that unfamiliar glowing orb in the sky this past weekend.

As much as I appreciate the renewed influx of solar power, I also was
reminded of the friendly close-knit nature of our larger community beyond Dancing Rabbit's borders. To escape the gloom of the weather Meadow and I spent a day in Memphis running accumulated errands and basking in the artificial lights in the library, cafe, and hardware store. OK, the Main Street Cafe won out because of the food and wireless internet, but the point is that we were both astounded and pleased with the number of passersby that we recognized and who recognized us. Ahhh...life in a small town.

Closer to home, the village at Dancing Rabbit continues the annual cycle of expansion and contraction. It's much quieter now as construction has shifted to interior spaces. Visitor and touring season is also officially over, and folks are planning their winter visits with family or trips to warmer climes. Most are staying through the big Thanksgiving feast next week, but then rabbits scatter to such far-flung places as Panama, Israel, and New York City. Of course the Big Apple is arguably the most foreign of the three.

But then what IS foreign these days? Dancing Rabbit is becoming a global ecovillage...at least on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com). A quick look at those who have joined the Dancing Rabbit Cause includes virtual rabbits from such exotic locales as England, Austria, Canada, Mexico, Alaska (hey you can see Russia from there), United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and South Jersey. Facebookers can also join the Dancing Rabbit Ecolytes group for ongoing conversation instead of waiting for our weekly and quarterly newsletters. While there is some overlap, these two groups combined are over FIVE times the size of Dancing Rabbit's local population.

What is the appeal? For me it's the conversation and connection with people who are living their values, and who have diverse perspectives and insights on just about everything under the sun. The other appeal is the fundraising letter that Jennifer has been drafting over the past few weeks. As a not-for-profit demonstration project, Dancing Rabbit depends tax-deductible donations to help develop additional infrastructure, provide educational opportunities for visitors, and so much more. So visit us online at http://www.dancingrabbit.org to learn more, donate, or request a personalized letter of your very own!

Another great place to visit for the holidays is Dancing Rabbit's own Milkweed Mercantile (http://www.milkweedmercantile.com). Rabbits Alline and Kurt are still working on the physical structure for the cafe, store, and bed & breakfast, but the online store is open for business. The Milkweeds hosted a holiday-shopping extravaganza this past weekend, displaying some of the many earth-friendly, organic, recycled, small-artisan, and living-wage gift items that the Mercantile will be carrying. I just love one-stop shopping!

Until next time, peace. And maybe we'll see you online!

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is a nonprofit and a residential community that demonstrates ecological sustainability in Rutledge, MO.  Our next public tour will be in April 2009.  For more information, please give us a call at (660) 883-5511, or check out our website at http://www.dancingrabbit.org