FEC Allied Communities

An Aging Dog or Cushing’s Disease, The Subtle Signs

Wren — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:54:06 -0600

My yin-yang shelties are eight years old. I adopted Tuatha when he was eight weeks old; Echo at eight months. He, Tuatha, is the extroverted, demonstrative one who will bring poor guests endless sticks, balls and plush toys to throw. She, Echo, is reserved, waiting for the quiet moment to greet a guest with [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Obama Ba-Da-Bing

Wren — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:32:31 -0600

“Obama is Change” but some things never change. I know well that sex and women’s bodies sell everything in Western culture. I discovered this t-shirt, with celebrity women allowing their images to be idealized, on Barack Obama’s site. I was searching for an image to accompany a post expressing my giddy elation that he’d been [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Hippie Archeology

Wren — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:45:18 -0600

I’ve held my ground on this steep slope for fourteen years. This land’s been communal since 1965. And as runoff washes into our stream at the bottom, I’ve learned that the soil of this hill gives up the secrets of the residents who came before me: These hippies were freakin’ LITTERBUGS!!! Were they too stoned [...]

FEC Allied Communities

When Activists Date Each Other….

Wren — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:06:12 -0600

“Hmmm,” He’s not sure I should extend my carbon footprint by coming over tonight. It’s a long drive, but I canceled last night, when I would have been in his area. He sites writers who point out that monogamy, indeed marriage, is more sustainable. Divorced couples haul kids between households. Come to think of it, [...]

FEC Allied Communities

D.C. Area Heart of Now Weekend Still Has a Few Openings

Wren — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:02:07 -0600

From Wren:
I’ve had the pleasure of attending an evening introduction to Heart of Now, a weekend workshop in “being who we want to be in the world,” that was developed at Lost Valley Community. I had previously experienced some of the exercises as part of ZEGG Forum facilitator training, held at my home, Heathcote [...]

FEC Allied Communities

You…are not…my priority.

Wren — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:04:53 -0600

Tiva’s sweet nothings…
I’m not that into you. I feel like you have expectations. You’re grabby. You look at me all doe-eyed. You’re making plans for the future. I’m not that into you. You’re just so passionate. You’re mildly interesting. You want us to have a life together. You want to see me. I’m not that [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Friendly Skies: Flying to Poly Partners

Wren — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:47:21 -0500

…Curio Coast,
Where beach and wave define each other,
Hold each other in some dependency,
Maybe love, maybe war.
I seek my border.
What piece of matter is me, what is you.
At the edge, movement is change and
Results are visible.
The wave and the sand are restless dance partners.
Boxing partners, business partners,
Negotiating territory in an uneasy waltz.
But I grew up on [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Successful Howard County Fair Wraps, Despite Hard Times

Wren — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 07:35:50 -0500

Many thanks, West Friendship, Columbia etc., for a fine sales year for Heathcote Earthings at “How Cow,” The Howard County (Maryland) Fair! And thanks to the weather goddess for cutting about eight degrees off the usual August heat for a pleasant, inviting atmosphere.
Sales seem to be down by as much as half for most vendors, [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Not Guilty Verdict in Ganas Community Shooting Case

Wren — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:56:04 -0500

I just received the news of the conclusion of a case I’d found disturbing before. Intentional Communities are highly peaceful places, overall. So the fact that this shooting happened jarred me when I first heard about it.
I have mixed feelings about the verdict; I don’t have all the facts myself and wasn’t on the jury, [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Fair #2: Howard County Fair Begins

Wren — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:40:35 -0500

After a slow time at the Cecil County (Maryland) Fair, Heathcote Earthings is all set up in an extra large booth at the Howard County (Maryland) Fair. At this fair we feature a 3 table discount section, marking down damaged items and closeouts from the previous months! We’ve been to a Ten Thousand Villages sale [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Pilgrim of this Moment

Wren — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:21:34 -0500

My new pet, gurrlfriend/boifriend, speaker of those bottle rocket fears, operator of those hands, and what else can that mouth do? I am so edgy tickled you have landed here for a while. Welcome to the possibility that you might get what you need even as you protest that you may or may not want [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Wren Tuatha & the Five Fairs

Wren — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:52:23 -0500

I have the subtle stamina of a marketing campaign. I have the tenacity of a beaver. I have the productivity of an entire bee hive. I can do this. I have Earl Grey brewed by the gallon and quinoa cooked seven different ways. Orange juice. Check. Organic corn chips. Check.
Heathcote Earthings is appearing at [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Cecil County Fair

Wren — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:49:11 -0500

I’m putting down stakes, so to speak, in Elkton, Maryland for the 2008 Cecil County Fair. This is Heathcote Earthings’ first year at this event, which has drawn 90,000 people in the past!
While I was hanging up our batiks and necklace branches today in the Commercial Building, the Deggeller carnies were assembling the midway rides [...]

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Peace with Every Purchase: ConsumersForPeace.org

Wren — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:10:28 -0500

Kudos to Heathcote Earthings‘ wholesaler Northern Sun for including a little card in my recent order:

I don’t have time to post about their site now; Off to change a flat tire on Earthings’ new van before setting up for Common Ground on the Hill music festival. But I will be looking into making these [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Hey, Beautiful, What’s the Name of Your Car?

Wren — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:05:04 -0500

A rose by any other name might remind some people of a pickle. Whether it’s a person, a house or the street on which they stand, a name is an opportunity to make a statement. Maybe it’s the screenwriter in me, but I think names are important symbols. I have a reputation for anthropomorphically naming [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Kat Kinkade, 1930-2008

Wren — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:31:39 -0500

What if Twin Oaks and East Wind founder Kat Kinkade had kept a blog? That would be some pure Hippie Chick Diaries! I’m just one of many writers to chronicle the frontier life of Intentional Community. Kat Kinkade’s books are must reads. I just received the following announcement on the passing of this pioneer and [...]

FEC Allied Communities

Name That Florescent Fungus

Wren — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:34:51 -0500

My sweetie John and I were walking the labyrinth at Heathcote when I saw a florescent orange blob downstream on a log. After trip-trapping through much poison ivy we were rewarded with this sight! I had thought maybe a hunter had left a florescent jacket in the woods. But instead we enjoyed marveling at this [...]