NEW MOON Reflections on Winter ... Being in Spring!

Winter, 2011

Grand tutu (grandparents) trees stand all around and in front of us, marking time long before we were here.  Our small spaces made of sticks and stones rest lightly in the giant forest.  Small is plenty, small is beautiful.  Cold outside. Warm inside.

Through the top of the door in our vardo, the snow covered woods chilled us.
The bright umbrella awning kept telling us,

"Cheer up!"

JOTS with keen attention to details. Inside the Quonset Hut, "Hmm... heat"  Outside, "No heat."

Inside the Quonset in winter snow covers the woods outside

Inside the cozy Quonset kitchen/writing place/being somewhere nice
We wintered with more comfort ... we progressed

Winter, 2011 felt like a season of 'Ole.  The ice and cold slowed everything and us.  We used the days of summer and fall before to imagine and co-create space that would move us toward something better. We tried a winter without basic shelter aside from the vardo.  It was a perfect contrasting experience:  we knew what we didn't want ... as we settled into the woods on Whidbey we counted our blessings because we do have:

• covered space
• a floor
• a heater
• running water (most of the time)
• a stove and oven
• hot water made by an 8 cup coffee pot
• loving and supportive community
• clean fresh air most of the time
• Internet!

We tapped into the season of winter, and the 'ole moons to make this Quonset.  Pete and I approach the challenges of winter with what we know to be true.  To prepare for the wet season we knew we needed:

• an awning to keep us dry enough to go in and out
• and found thrift store golf umbrellas to keep the blowing winds and snow from hampering our to and fro, we expanded a version of our world
• we moved our composting toilet onto the porch and enclosed it with our Hawaii curtains to add the feel of warm places 
• when a winter car accident led to not being able to be in our Subaru for nearly 4 months I learned patience had so much more to teach me

In between snow-times, Winter 2011  We Love This Quonset

As you reflect on the winter season just passed, and consider today's New Moon, what dreams have manifested, and what desires are in need of your attention now?

**To continue with the workshop CLICK HERE to go to Hilo ...