Courtney took another trip and I read another book

When Courtney leaves town, I read. This time he went to a cousins' reunion in Vermont. Short trip (he really enjoyed himself!) of only four days but long enough for me to settle into the papasan with Ben and immerse myself in Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations...One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson. The author is a mountaineer turned humanitarian who builds school for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. No easy matter, as you can imagine. The book's very compelling in alot of ways. It gives a peek into the lives and cultures in that part of the world (seems important to understand these days) and it reminds us of the power of one person's passion. Meanwhile, Ben quietly turned four months old.


When Courtney returned, we swung into action, figuring we only have so much time until the rainy season starts. Now's the time to do what we want around the garden and to the outside of the house. As in Monterey, September is a glorious month, weatherwise. Signs of fall are everywhere, the leaves are changing colors and falling, but the temperature's perfect, the sun is shining and the breezes are mild. The days are noticably shorter. Courtney and I try to take a walk each evening after dinner (I walk and he rides his bike). Until recently it would still be light for our walks, but just lately we've started putting on an extra layer and heading out at dusk or after dark. Below is an evening view of our living room from the back deck.



Our big investment in warmth and comfort this winter is our beautiful new wood stove, just delivered and installed this past week. We'll have to do three quick hot burns to cure the paint before we actually sit around the stove and warm ourselves. So that's a project for this week, before Aaron arrives on Saturday. He's here for his two-week break from school. And as he leaves, my buddy Valorie will be arriving for four days.

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The day after the stove came, we had a cord of wood delivered and spent the next couple days moving and stacking wood. A cord of wood is ALOT of wood. So we feel pretty prepared for the cold wet days ahead of us. Lucky that our house is small. Everyone agrees that it will be easy to heat.

Then today Courtney loaded up the back of Maya and Eder's truck with horse manure from the fairgrounds next door. After that he'll get a load of mint compost (freshen up the smell of the manure). That all goes on the big garden space we want to use next spring for planting our vegetable garden. We'll have a nice view of it from our kitchen and living room windows.



What else has been happening in our lives? When I last wrote, two weeks ago, we were off to the Solar, Green Homes and Organic Garden Tour. Courtney and I volunteered as hosts at gardens and so took the tour for free. We got so inspired by the gardens we saw! Such creativity and good practical ideas. It was well worth our time. And fun to meet the proud gardeners. The gardens and yards we most loved had been developed over years (5-10) and everyone was quick to say it's a work in progress--doesn't happen overnight. So we can relax.

On September 21 (International Day of Peace) we helped put on the Harvest Dinner fundraiser for the Hour Exchange (local currency). The event was successful, we met our goal of 50 dinners served, the food was delicious and made from local ingredients, the music was great and the crowd had fun. An all-round good experience and we met new friends.

The last thing I'll report is that we attended our first meeting of the Alternatives To War group. It feels very natural already to be around these new faces. They are like peace people everywhere--they care passionately about the world and what's happening to it, want to leave something better than this mess for our children and their children to clean up (if it's even possible to) and they're willing to give their time and energy to help make positive changes. For me and Courtney, these are our people.

So we're stepping out there more, finishing up projects at home, watching Ben four days a week and getting ready for Aaron's arrival. I wish all the Earth's people had lives as good as ours. I love the Buddhist blessing "May we each share our bright wondrous nature for the benefit of all beings". And may we each live our lives as if they make a difference...because they do.

Til next time,

Valori