Category Work practices

Sena

March 22, 2006 · by · in Cheyenne, Music in Ordinary, Noah, Sena, Tracey, Work practices · 6 Comments

Sena’s shoulders are high and rigid. She runs a hand through her nappy hair for the umpteenth time and clenches and unclenches her jaw, but her eyes sparkle and her voice is full of mirth.

Babies

February 7, 2006 · by · in Betty, Child care, Community structures, food, Jordan, Mary, Nell, Noah, Rosalie, Ruby, Work practices · 4 Comments

It is a gorgeous, sunny day in the nursery. Gauzy white curtains flutter at the screened sills. The windows across the western wall are thrown open, letting the spring breezes through–as well as the scents of fresh laundry flapping on the lines and apple pie baking in the kitchens.

Bonnie

August 17, 2005 · by · in Animal husbandry, Betty, Bonnie, Community structures, Death, Healing-medicine, Jacob, Jonathon, Marita, Noah, Spiritual practice, Work practices · 5 Comments

We find her in the barn, her head in Jacob’s lap. Animals roam freely on the hills behind Ordinary, coming to the barn only for shelter. Weakened by illness, Bonnie must have sought comfort.

Sweat

August 4, 2005 · by · in Birds, David, Edible plants, Farming/Gardening in Ordinary, Healing-medicine, Native plants, Orchards/fruit trees, Ordinary water features, Sena, The land, Work practices · 4 Comments

Sweat trickles from the band round my brow into my ears and down my cheek. The back of my hand, as I wipe my face, smells of dirt, more sweat and the oils of well-used, well-kept tools.

Weed

June 21, 2005 · by · in compost, Education in Ordinary, Farming/Gardening in Ordinary, Machinery, Merilee, Music in Ordinary, Ordinary landscape features/design, Sculpture, Work practices · 3 Comments

Village children have plenty of time to play and pursue their dreams in Ordinary. They also learn responsibility from an early age. Everyone, save the tiniest of tots, does one-half to one hour community service six days a week.

Eat

June 20, 2005 · by · in Breakfast, Cheyenne, Education in Ordinary, Janine, Music in Ordinary, Ralph, Spiritual practice, The land, The twins, Wild animals, Work practices · 4 Comments

At table, we don’t say much the first few minutes. I suspect the others are as hungry as I. We nearly disgrace ourselves slurping and gorging.

Chores

June 17, 2005 · by · in Breakfast, Cheyenne, Decorative plants, Edible plants, Janine, June, Kami, Merilee, Music in Ordinary, Ralph, Work practices · 4 Comments

Just as gardeners garden (that’s me), weavers weave, and builders build in Ordinary, anyone who loves to plan, cook, and assemble meals can choose more time in the kitchen.

Run

June 16, 2005 · by · in Birds, Community structures, Edible plants, Eloise, Food preparation and preserving, Merilee, Ordinary landscape features/design, Ordinary water features, Ralph, Work practices · 2 Comments

Ralph’s eyes are soft, his smile gentle, reflecting my own. Making my way through the herb garden to the kitchen, I stop to pluck a bit of lemon thyme and crush it against my nose.