October 29 - Snow and Sustainability

I come from pretty hearty stock, but I must admit, I am COLD (apologies to my Norwegian ancestors). On the positive side, the cold allowed for a thick flurry of snowflakes yesterday, which made possible four chilled faces tilted toward the sky, letting snow melt on their skin for the first time in their lives. These two Mexicans, the Ugandan and the Australian braved the weather for far longer than the rest of us (more or less) seasoned snow-appreciators dared to try. We watched them from indoors, huddled over our cups of tea.

In the states, I often hear the environment talked about as something to be dealt with once we get through “these other issues”, such as the economy, poverty, politics – but I’ve been finding that all these issues are inextricably linked. I’m beginning to suspect that localization can help us find a lot of what we’re looking for, if we’re willing to make some changes… For example, local garden plots – families or individuals could invest in a certain plot in a community garden and receive a corresponding percentage of the yield. Once the garden is established, it may even be possible to determine how much each “investor” receives through logging hours worked in the garden or tools/resources directly donated, instead of having individual plots – there are a myriad of ways this could be played out. It’s a simple concept (although getting a group of people in any community to agree on anything is never simple, in my experience) but if it could be implemented, it would provide local, seasonal food for families, cutting down or ideally eliminating “drugged up” food flown in from across the world; it could provide some community bonding time – for example, an investor with money but no time could invest in the garden, have a poor student (just trying to generate sympathy for my kind before I return) put in the work, and split the goods, creating a connection that would never have existed otherwise.

I have many many more (mostly half-baked) thoughts on the subjects of priorities, localization, and gardening in general… but homework is calling, and so is my bed. My thoughts are with the U.S. in this final countdown to our next (hopefully great) leader…

In response to my previous post, a dear friend sent the following quote, which I really appreciate as a perspective:
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, ‘We did this ourselves.’” - Lao-Tzu

October 22 - Leadership

We just read a book with the subtitle “The Inner Path to Leadership”. I won’t get into what I thought of the book, but my initial response to the subtitle was “why would this be a mass produced book? We can’t have a whole group of people who are leaders; who would be around to follow?” I thought of leaders as people who “take up the cause”, bear the brunt of the work, know what needs to be done, forge ahead, etc.
However, in the past couple weeks the word leadership has come up a lot, and I’m working on redefining the term and applying my new concept of leadership to my life here at Findhorn.

Being a leader can mean taking initiative, allowing myself to step into a needed position and to step out when appropriate, but never just to sit back and “let things happen”. It does not have to mean taking full responsibility for the direction a group goes – although it would be exercising leadership to point out when the group takes what I perceive to be an unhealthy turn, and maybe even propose a potential solution or redirection. A room full of leaders wouldn’t be a room full of competition, it could be a powerful force as a whole. Each leader would step in when appropriate and bring new issues, solutions and perceptions to light as needed, all working toward the greater good of the group or goal. On the other hand, a room full of people with only one leader means only one set of expressed ideas, one mind for inspiration, one person able to wholeheartedly step into the process, conscience and all. A room full of leaders will almost inevitably mean more conflict, but 1) when working for an agreed-upon goal beyond pleasantness or uniformity, conflict can be the most fertile soil for new beginnings and 2) with only one leader, conflict will arise in the form of resentment and “behind the scenes” or indirect attempts by “followers” to get their way.

I’m only beginning to formulate ideas surrounding leadership and group dynamics, and I’m sure this could be a very long conversation, so I’ll stop there - but if anyone has any thoughts regarding leadership/group dynamics etc., I’d love to hear them!

October 19 - A Slew of Overdue Pictures

I apologize for not writing sooner. After the clarity and stillness of Erraid, I've had a difficult time readjusting to the relative chaos at the Findhorn Foundation Park. It's admittedly humorous that the Park initially seemed like a peaceful place to me (compared to much of America I suppose), but I think whenever a place begins to feel like home, I start looking for a refuge from that place, no matter how miraculously suited to me the place may be. Erraid was most certainly that refuge – but don’t think I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed the Park, and suspect I'll continue to do so until my term is up.

The small island of Erraid was one of those rare places I know I'll want to see again - it was like a fantasy for me. There was an expansiveness about the whole place, which was held in stark contrast to the eight cozy houses we stayed in (8 out of 9 on the island). They were positioned just in front of the sea, bordered by abundant vegetable gardens and fences for milk cows. We spent our days working alongside the community of 23 people (15 of which were in my group visiting the island). I spent hours chopping wood and clearing out a garden area for winter, and others worked in the kitchen or candle studio. Evenings were spent in good company, knitting, reading, playing board games, or taking long, cold walks by the ocean… an ocean we repeatedly dived into after a hard day’s work. Everything we did during the day affected the community, because it was so small and more or less self-sufficient. Our milk was from our cows, the veggies from our garden, extra clothing layers from a dresser full of second-hand clothing, bread and meals from our kitchen… it was simple and fulfilling.
The set-up isn’t perfect – the electricity, for example, is still on the grid, because they can’t afford to put up windmills yet. But it was as close to my version of perfect I’ve ever seen, wind and rain notwithstanding.



The infamous outhouses and the illustrious Emma Dines



The view from within



The stove Leaf is standing beside was made out of an oceanic mine. It’s now used to melt the wax for candles. Talk about recycling



Samantha with Cow Droppings. These ‘little’ beauties were littered across the landscape, including our backyards...



Each of these roofs contained two houses – check out the view I got every morning…



At the top of a giant hill… Scotland has nothing compared to Oregon’s mountains, but I don't usually try to climb Oregonian mts. in only Wellies and a windbreaker… it was quite a walk.



We had to make it through several small bogs on the way. I only got stuck once, but it wasn’t pretty.



The Wishing Stone at the peak of the hill. The water around it has gathered naturally, and locals and guests either lean or stand on it and send their wishes to the sky.



Somehow we got everyone up there (I’m on the top right hand side)



Just down the hill... paradise



I had to go swimming. The water was so clear I could see my feet even where they couldn’t reach the sand












The group often gathered in the community room at the end of the day to play guitar, games, or just hang about. This room contained the only TV on the island, so naturally we watched all of Gandhi one evening. Not exactly light fare, but well worth the viewing.



Callie "cozies up" in our room



Early morning view from my front door



Fresh apples soon after sunrise



The wind could get pretty intense up there



On the last day - preparing to climb down the dock to float back to civilization

October 3 – Escape from civilization

The whole gang will be heading to the Isle of Erraid starting tomorrow (Saturday the 4th) and we won’t be back until the 11th. Our focalizers aren’t telling us much, just to bring really warm clothes, no computers, and be prepared to use outhouses which are used to make compost for the gardens. “Humanure” is the term for it. There have been books written on the whole process… anyway, toilets aside, the whole thing is supposed to be quite simple, a break from our busy daily lives, a time to reflect and work in a new community.
This is great; one month of intensity tempered by one week of simplicity. Of course, knowing me, I’ll make the simplicity as intense as I can... my way of enjoying life :) I’ll be rebelliously bringing at least one electronic device: my camera comes with me! Updates in a week or so (I won’t be able to check email or blog on the island).

Some Pictures to Ponder while you Pine for my e-Presence:

Oooh...


Study time - the picture speaks for itself :)


Cuddle Puddles help relieve stress at the end of the day


Cooking pond scum at Aussie buddy Craig's handbuilt house after exploring his wild edible garden. Samantha collected some on a whim and brought it in. Craig's response was "well, I've never tried it, but what the 'ell, cook some up."


I am intrigued by the interesting cuisine, but I must admit I preferred the toasted oat cakes to the pond scum.


Craig and Callie pose American Gothic. As usual, Callie can not keep a straight face. She may be more American, but he’s way more Gothic.