This entry is not about WWOOFing, per se, but about what I was thinking today as I raked up the freshly weed-whacked grass.
Derrick Jensen and Lierre Keith call it "Horizontal Fighting".
The term "Horizontal Fighting" means that members of the same community, who (theoretically) have the same goals, bicker amongst themselves instead of working together against their much larger foes.
When Derrick and Lierre used it, they were referring to matters of environmental justice.
But what brought this up for me today is something I heard about Amanda Palmer, a brilliant and empowering musician who has done a lot of work to counter prejudice against certain demographics. Her work includes an album called Evelyn Evelyn, which she wrote with her husband. They perform as conjoined identical twins, telling their story through songs and narration. Their performance is at once hilarious and tragic.
I later found out that Amanda Palmer had been publicly criticized for being insensitive to the struggles of conjoined twins, and that her album was "offensive".
In the same vein, I recently read an article about a trans girl who had won prom queen at her school. The author of the article, who is clearly delighted at this success for trans people, was heavily berated for calling his subject "Andrew" when the girl apparently goes by "Andy" at school. His response to these comments was that he had in fact interviewed the girl, and that she had asked him to call her "Andrew" in the article.
What I'm trying to get at here is that there are far more prejudiced people in this world than AMANDA PALMER and this journalist. Though I haven't researched it extensively, I doubt that any actual conjoined twins were offended by Evelyn Evelyn, if they even knew about it. I think the comments made against these people were made by members of the die-hard PC brigade, just looking for an excuse to be offended and self-righteous and show how unprejudiced they are, in a very Salem Witch Trials kind of way.
I think it's ridiculous, considering there are probably conjoined twins being exploited now and there are definitely trans people being beaten and murdered.
Why go after people who clearly do not need any coaching in respect and acceptance, instead of those who are ignorant and actively prejudiced?
Unite, and go after your real foes, or you rot your cause's efforts from the inside.
July 2
Today was a long day... I spent much of it interacting with stakes. First I pounded them in, then I tied colored string around them so they would be visible from the house. Much of this was accomplished on a steep incline over an area of four acres. I also helped unload some piping for the irrigation system my hosts are attempting to set up.
I've been trying to read Deep Green Resistance, another Derrick Jensen book that he wrote with Aric Mcbay and Lierre Keith. I'm not making much progress; the book is dense, and I know a lot of what he's saying already. I'm going to start flipping forward to the part where the actual suggestions are.
I'm still trying to find a way home sooner. I think I can handle about another week and a half here, but my mom wouldn't be coming up for almost four. I hope to hear back from her soon so we can consolidate. I feel like a jerk for making her change her plans again. But I am anxious to get home.
I have some plants coming up! It's just the beans so far, but I also planted lavender, echinacea, purple coneflower, and chamomile. I hope they will sprout before I go, but at least I know things are starting. :)
I've been trying to read Deep Green Resistance, another Derrick Jensen book that he wrote with Aric Mcbay and Lierre Keith. I'm not making much progress; the book is dense, and I know a lot of what he's saying already. I'm going to start flipping forward to the part where the actual suggestions are.
I'm still trying to find a way home sooner. I think I can handle about another week and a half here, but my mom wouldn't be coming up for almost four. I hope to hear back from her soon so we can consolidate. I feel like a jerk for making her change her plans again. But I am anxious to get home.
I have some plants coming up! It's just the beans so far, but I also planted lavender, echinacea, purple coneflower, and chamomile. I hope they will sprout before I go, but at least I know things are starting. :)
July 1
Hard work today, unloaded everything on a fully packed truck and moved massive piles of wood around.
During this process, we found two scorpions. First ones I've ever seen in real life... they are scary, but still an incredible marvel of evolution. Mike had to kill them because we can't have scorpions around Chulito the dog.
Yesterday, Phil and Beth managed to get a halter onto Carmelita. She is a big and ornery horse... apparently it took them twelve attempts to get it on her. They both held lead ropes on her so that she couldn't overpower either one of them. Once they had her out of the stall, they called me over with the riding crop, and I walked (a good distance) behind her. She balked at the gate, so I swatted her, and that got her moving. She balked twice more, but I didn't have to actually hit her again; I just swatted the air next to her, and she moved. However, this event did earn me the nickname "Spanky". The whole event has been christened "The Great Horse Move by Spanky and Her Gang". :D
My five little herb plants are doing well. The Valerian is my most prized, and when I got it home, two of the stems had sort of folded. :(
I tried to prop them up at first, but then called it a lost cause and snipped them off. Now that it's not wasting that energy, it's putting up a beautiful new stem! :D
Still studying my plants like mad. Coming up with great mnemonic devices for them. I can't wait to get back to campus so I can actually go look around for this stuff!
I suppose that's it for now. Still looking into public transport back home- Amtrak has a pretty good route, but it's an $82 and 13 hour trip. I'd still take it though, that could be an adventure. And I wouldn't have to take all my stuff with me, because I'll be going back up later.
<3
During this process, we found two scorpions. First ones I've ever seen in real life... they are scary, but still an incredible marvel of evolution. Mike had to kill them because we can't have scorpions around Chulito the dog.
Yesterday, Phil and Beth managed to get a halter onto Carmelita. She is a big and ornery horse... apparently it took them twelve attempts to get it on her. They both held lead ropes on her so that she couldn't overpower either one of them. Once they had her out of the stall, they called me over with the riding crop, and I walked (a good distance) behind her. She balked at the gate, so I swatted her, and that got her moving. She balked twice more, but I didn't have to actually hit her again; I just swatted the air next to her, and she moved. However, this event did earn me the nickname "Spanky". The whole event has been christened "The Great Horse Move by Spanky and Her Gang". :D
My five little herb plants are doing well. The Valerian is my most prized, and when I got it home, two of the stems had sort of folded. :(
I tried to prop them up at first, but then called it a lost cause and snipped them off. Now that it's not wasting that energy, it's putting up a beautiful new stem! :D
Still studying my plants like mad. Coming up with great mnemonic devices for them. I can't wait to get back to campus so I can actually go look around for this stuff!
I suppose that's it for now. Still looking into public transport back home- Amtrak has a pretty good route, but it's an $82 and 13 hour trip. I'd still take it though, that could be an adventure. And I wouldn't have to take all my stuff with me, because I'll be going back up later.
<3
June 30
Well, I'm not sure I can remember everything that has happened in the last five days, but I'll give it a shot.
Our new WWOOFer, Phil, showed up. He's from Maryland, and is a very hard worker. We like to stay up late and look at the milky way.
With Phil's help, we finished the little house for our compost toilet. We're calling it the "PEB", for Phil, Ellie (that would be me) and Beth.
Our shipment of geese came in. They are tiny and fluffy and clumsy and aDORable. We also went to the farmer's market just down the road, where the local folks come to sell things. Phil pointed out that if everyone comes to the market, sells something, and buys something else, all the locals pretty much break even and it's basically a trade instead of a feat currency exchange.
I'm especially homesick today. I miss my sewing machine, my gym, and my SoCal friends/family. So I started thinking today... my latest plan was to stay up here another month until my mom got off work and could come up and see me. I wonder if there's a way for me to take public transportation back for July, and come up again with her in August. I mean, she'd be traveling basically around the same day. If we timed it right, she might not even have to change her hotel reservations.
I haven't spoken with either of my parents about this yet... so I'm going to call them today. I probably would have anyway, just so they would know I haven't been murdered and composted.
I emailed Paige Crandall about a self-defense class at the SLC gym. She emailed Larry Hoffman about it, so now there's a seminar on September 7 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. I love that our staff listens to us!!!
Also, I emailed David House about a methane digester, and he actually answered me back personally, which is very exciting. He said that there would be a lot to discuss before implementing a campus methane digester, which is totally understandable... but he emailed me back!
I'm excited about the amount of action I plan to take on campus this year. I can't imagine a better way to spend my time than guiding my friends and fellow students closer to a regenerative lifestyle.
<3
Our new WWOOFer, Phil, showed up. He's from Maryland, and is a very hard worker. We like to stay up late and look at the milky way.
With Phil's help, we finished the little house for our compost toilet. We're calling it the "PEB", for Phil, Ellie (that would be me) and Beth.
Our shipment of geese came in. They are tiny and fluffy and clumsy and aDORable. We also went to the farmer's market just down the road, where the local folks come to sell things. Phil pointed out that if everyone comes to the market, sells something, and buys something else, all the locals pretty much break even and it's basically a trade instead of a feat currency exchange.
I'm especially homesick today. I miss my sewing machine, my gym, and my SoCal friends/family. So I started thinking today... my latest plan was to stay up here another month until my mom got off work and could come up and see me. I wonder if there's a way for me to take public transportation back for July, and come up again with her in August. I mean, she'd be traveling basically around the same day. If we timed it right, she might not even have to change her hotel reservations.
I haven't spoken with either of my parents about this yet... so I'm going to call them today. I probably would have anyway, just so they would know I haven't been murdered and composted.
I emailed Paige Crandall about a self-defense class at the SLC gym. She emailed Larry Hoffman about it, so now there's a seminar on September 7 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. I love that our staff listens to us!!!
Also, I emailed David House about a methane digester, and he actually answered me back personally, which is very exciting. He said that there would be a lot to discuss before implementing a campus methane digester, which is totally understandable... but he emailed me back!
I'm excited about the amount of action I plan to take on campus this year. I can't imagine a better way to spend my time than guiding my friends and fellow students closer to a regenerative lifestyle.
<3
June 25
Success!
Carmelita, our stubborn but beautiful mustang mare, has worms. But of course, she didn't want to take the medicine. Beth mixed it up into some water with a lot of molasses and honey, but she still wouldn't take it. So Beth decided to put her into a paddock, take out the water trough, and feed her nice dry hay until she was thirsty enough to drink basically anything.
She still wouldn't take it from Beth last night, or this morning. Beth went to the store and I went out to start working in the garden, and Carmelita whinnied at me, so I went over to see her. I decided to try offering her the medicine water... she balked a little, but finally drank it!!! I gave her lots of treats and fresh water after. I wanted to pet her, but she's still skittish. Maybe next time. Anyway, Beth is now calling me the Queen of Horses, but I think I just happened to be there when she was finally thirsty enough.
Either way, we are finally going to have two healthy horses! :D
I also got my Eastern US plant book in, and I am really really excited. I've been studying like mad already and I can't wait to get back to NY so I can actually go looking...
Carmelita, our stubborn but beautiful mustang mare, has worms. But of course, she didn't want to take the medicine. Beth mixed it up into some water with a lot of molasses and honey, but she still wouldn't take it. So Beth decided to put her into a paddock, take out the water trough, and feed her nice dry hay until she was thirsty enough to drink basically anything.
She still wouldn't take it from Beth last night, or this morning. Beth went to the store and I went out to start working in the garden, and Carmelita whinnied at me, so I went over to see her. I decided to try offering her the medicine water... she balked a little, but finally drank it!!! I gave her lots of treats and fresh water after. I wanted to pet her, but she's still skittish. Maybe next time. Anyway, Beth is now calling me the Queen of Horses, but I think I just happened to be there when she was finally thirsty enough.
Either way, we are finally going to have two healthy horses! :D
I also got my Eastern US plant book in, and I am really really excited. I've been studying like mad already and I can't wait to get back to NY so I can actually go looking...
June 23
I've been doing so many things that I completely forgot about writing.
Yesterday I built the room for a compost toilet, which means I put together a structure which is about the size and shape of a porta-potty. Beth was instructing me and helping hold things in place, but for the most part I built it on my own. I feel accomplished. :)
The compost toilet is a way to convert "humanure", Joseph Jenkins as calls it, into viable composting material. You can't put human manure into a methane digester, because the water keeps it from getting hot enough to kill off human (or pig) pathogens. In a compost toilet, the human manure is layered with food scraps and straw or sawdust, keeping it dry. Eventually it reaches 120 degrees, which is enough to kill off even roundworm eggs. You can learn more about them at his website, humanurehandbook.com
I also started my hand loom, but I'm going to need to use one of Beth's son's saws to finish it. When I go over there tomorrow, I'll also pick up the medicinal plant book I ordered, which his girlfriend considerately pick up for me from the post office today. I'm going to start studying as soon as I have it in my green little hands.
I'll probably also borrow his guitar so that I can start writing some music again.
We finally had an internet connection installed right here in the house, so I can update more often. But electricity is still limited, so of course my access won't be constant.
Today I battled with a GIANT stand of thistles that was growing behind the composter. Those buggers are spiky, vicious, and do not give up easily. I felt like the prince hacking through the brambles to get to Sleeping Beauty. Except instead of clearing a path to an unconscious (and basically useless) princess, I was clearing a path to a regenerative miracle.
I've been reading We The People, a book on the active destruction of democracy that is taking place in the US. I have to get off soon so our lights stay on, but for now I'll say about it that when I vote, I will insist on punching an actual card, and never vote on an electronic counting machine. They've been known to hand the election to Republican candidates due to "screen displacement".
New WWOOFers come soon, which is a relief, because my hosts can get a little micro-managey.
What is not a relief is the realization that keeps washing over me intermittently. I can forget about it for a little while at a time, but it always comes back...
I have had some friends who consider themselves anarchists. Those people ought to be pleased, because anarchy is on its way. Our economy is so bad, and corporate takeover is so widespread, that quite soon the democracy will crumble completely and you will find yourself unprotected by law enforcement. This is not the time to sit around playing computer games. This is the time to learn survival skills (if you can).
I just sent an email to the director of student affairs asking for a self-defense class at the Sports Center. Those of you I've talked to said you would love to take one, and it'll be great for both fitness and protection. So I hope they listen to me. I may ask some of you to send them more emails yourselves if they are fussy about it. I also sent an email to David House about getting a methane digester for Sarah Lawrence. If you feel like contacting him too, you can do it through completebiogas.com.
I bought five herbs the other day! I got Agrimony, Valerian, Lavender, Absinthe, and Lemon Verbena in pots. I also got some Chamomile and Echinacea seeds. Looking forward to cultivating them. Oh, we also started some mushroom plugs, which means we drilled holes in that oak we chainsawed the other day and stuck these little mushroom spore twisties in the holes. When we were drilling, one of the logs fell off the sawhorses and hit my leg... now I have a giant bruise on my right thigh!
Speaking of occupational hazards, I also fell down a steep slope straight into the creekbed. For some reason I thought it would be a fun challenge to see if I could control my slide.
I could not.
I only scraped my hand up a little though, and it was actually pretty fun...
OH and Chulito the dog found a rattlesnake under the house the other day. Don't worry, we're all fine (I mean, except the rattlesnake). First one I've ever seen... it was kind of cool.
Alright, I have to go because I'm literally burning daylight. Now that the sun is down, the solar we collected today is running out.
See ya!
Yesterday I built the room for a compost toilet, which means I put together a structure which is about the size and shape of a porta-potty. Beth was instructing me and helping hold things in place, but for the most part I built it on my own. I feel accomplished. :)
The compost toilet is a way to convert "humanure", Joseph Jenkins as calls it, into viable composting material. You can't put human manure into a methane digester, because the water keeps it from getting hot enough to kill off human (or pig) pathogens. In a compost toilet, the human manure is layered with food scraps and straw or sawdust, keeping it dry. Eventually it reaches 120 degrees, which is enough to kill off even roundworm eggs. You can learn more about them at his website, humanurehandbook.com
I also started my hand loom, but I'm going to need to use one of Beth's son's saws to finish it. When I go over there tomorrow, I'll also pick up the medicinal plant book I ordered, which his girlfriend considerately pick up for me from the post office today. I'm going to start studying as soon as I have it in my green little hands.
I'll probably also borrow his guitar so that I can start writing some music again.
We finally had an internet connection installed right here in the house, so I can update more often. But electricity is still limited, so of course my access won't be constant.
Today I battled with a GIANT stand of thistles that was growing behind the composter. Those buggers are spiky, vicious, and do not give up easily. I felt like the prince hacking through the brambles to get to Sleeping Beauty. Except instead of clearing a path to an unconscious (and basically useless) princess, I was clearing a path to a regenerative miracle.
I've been reading We The People, a book on the active destruction of democracy that is taking place in the US. I have to get off soon so our lights stay on, but for now I'll say about it that when I vote, I will insist on punching an actual card, and never vote on an electronic counting machine. They've been known to hand the election to Republican candidates due to "screen displacement".
New WWOOFers come soon, which is a relief, because my hosts can get a little micro-managey.
What is not a relief is the realization that keeps washing over me intermittently. I can forget about it for a little while at a time, but it always comes back...
I have had some friends who consider themselves anarchists. Those people ought to be pleased, because anarchy is on its way. Our economy is so bad, and corporate takeover is so widespread, that quite soon the democracy will crumble completely and you will find yourself unprotected by law enforcement. This is not the time to sit around playing computer games. This is the time to learn survival skills (if you can).
I just sent an email to the director of student affairs asking for a self-defense class at the Sports Center. Those of you I've talked to said you would love to take one, and it'll be great for both fitness and protection. So I hope they listen to me. I may ask some of you to send them more emails yourselves if they are fussy about it. I also sent an email to David House about getting a methane digester for Sarah Lawrence. If you feel like contacting him too, you can do it through completebiogas.com.
I bought five herbs the other day! I got Agrimony, Valerian, Lavender, Absinthe, and Lemon Verbena in pots. I also got some Chamomile and Echinacea seeds. Looking forward to cultivating them. Oh, we also started some mushroom plugs, which means we drilled holes in that oak we chainsawed the other day and stuck these little mushroom spore twisties in the holes. When we were drilling, one of the logs fell off the sawhorses and hit my leg... now I have a giant bruise on my right thigh!
Speaking of occupational hazards, I also fell down a steep slope straight into the creekbed. For some reason I thought it would be a fun challenge to see if I could control my slide.
I could not.
I only scraped my hand up a little though, and it was actually pretty fun...
OH and Chulito the dog found a rattlesnake under the house the other day. Don't worry, we're all fine (I mean, except the rattlesnake). First one I've ever seen... it was kind of cool.
Alright, I have to go because I'm literally burning daylight. Now that the sun is down, the solar we collected today is running out.
See ya!
June 18
So... I am currently sitting in the woods behind somebody's house, jacking their internet connection. If they come out and find me... it's going to be awkward. :P
Yesterday I learned how to drive a stick shift. Apparently I picked it up faster than anyone Beth's ever taught (wooh!) and now I can use their car if I ever need to.
I'm mostly over my fear of horses. I fed Baron some grain out of my hand... it was a delicious experience for him, and a ticklish one for me. It was also ticklish when he tried to nibble my ear. The mare, Carmelita, won't have anything to do with him, so he's getting flirty with me instead. :P Unfortunately, we just found out he has worms. So he probably won't like me as much later this evening when I have to hold his head while Beth squirts medicine in his mouth.
Oh, I also learned how to use a chainsaw yesterday. We needed some oak plugs for the mushrooms we're going to grow. Chainsaws are SCARY, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I also planted our first row of corn yesterday. The Runaways helped me out with that. Man, I don't know what I'm going to do without my ipod! :(
I was bored this morning, so I went hiking down to the creek. I climbed over Split Tree Rock to get there, which is this awesome boulder with a big crack down the middle and trees (predictably) growing out. I waded a little in a pool under a waterfall, but it was freezing cold and there was a big frog sunbathing that I didn't want to bother. He just looked really happy. Oh hey! There is a caterpillar on my laptop. That is really... incongruous... and also nicely symbolic. Anyway, I climbed up the creekbed, which was super rocky. I stopped to watch a spider have lunch, then I climbed over two more big boulders to get back to the house. I ended up on the opposite side from where I started :P
I've been studying my medicinal plants like crazy in my spare time. I only have access to three books on the subject, and they're a little bit dated, so when I'm done here I'm going to try to order one with a complete set of photographs. It needs to cover either typical NY plants or stuff I can find on the East Coast in general (the ones I have are meant for CA).
Someday soon Beth has promised to help me make my own hand loom, and I am ridiculously excited. I'm also looking forward to the arrival of more WWOOFERS-- I think there will be a few new ones within the next two weeks.
Oh yes, so (surprise!) I'm staying here until July 22. I really wanted my mom to be able to come see this place because I think she'll fall in love with it instantly. But she can't go anywhere until summer school is over on the 22nd. Getting me back home was also a financial problem for her, having to stay in a hotel room and all, so this eliminates that problem. If it were just going to be me, Beth, and Mike for the next month, I probably wouldn't do it (I like them, but I need some variety!). With the other WWOOFERs coming though, I think it'll be fine. Especially when I get my updated plant book and can start studying with a greater sense of purpose. I know I promised I'd be back sooner, but I think this is important stuff. Also, I do get this little bit of net access and occasional phone reception, so I can stay in contact with y'all. Letters, of course, are also a great way to reach me.
I don't have anything more political to write about yet, but at a friend's prompting I'm going to watch FOOD INC tonight. I also want to give him a shout out, because he's the one who really made up my mind about the WWOOFing program. Ladies, gentlemen, and those outside the binary, a round of applause for Josh Sterlin! :)
My hands are freezing, so that's it for now. Hope to update soon.
<3
Yesterday I learned how to drive a stick shift. Apparently I picked it up faster than anyone Beth's ever taught (wooh!) and now I can use their car if I ever need to.
I'm mostly over my fear of horses. I fed Baron some grain out of my hand... it was a delicious experience for him, and a ticklish one for me. It was also ticklish when he tried to nibble my ear. The mare, Carmelita, won't have anything to do with him, so he's getting flirty with me instead. :P Unfortunately, we just found out he has worms. So he probably won't like me as much later this evening when I have to hold his head while Beth squirts medicine in his mouth.
Oh, I also learned how to use a chainsaw yesterday. We needed some oak plugs for the mushrooms we're going to grow. Chainsaws are SCARY, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I also planted our first row of corn yesterday. The Runaways helped me out with that. Man, I don't know what I'm going to do without my ipod! :(
I was bored this morning, so I went hiking down to the creek. I climbed over Split Tree Rock to get there, which is this awesome boulder with a big crack down the middle and trees (predictably) growing out. I waded a little in a pool under a waterfall, but it was freezing cold and there was a big frog sunbathing that I didn't want to bother. He just looked really happy. Oh hey! There is a caterpillar on my laptop. That is really... incongruous... and also nicely symbolic. Anyway, I climbed up the creekbed, which was super rocky. I stopped to watch a spider have lunch, then I climbed over two more big boulders to get back to the house. I ended up on the opposite side from where I started :P
I've been studying my medicinal plants like crazy in my spare time. I only have access to three books on the subject, and they're a little bit dated, so when I'm done here I'm going to try to order one with a complete set of photographs. It needs to cover either typical NY plants or stuff I can find on the East Coast in general (the ones I have are meant for CA).
Someday soon Beth has promised to help me make my own hand loom, and I am ridiculously excited. I'm also looking forward to the arrival of more WWOOFERS-- I think there will be a few new ones within the next two weeks.
Oh yes, so (surprise!) I'm staying here until July 22. I really wanted my mom to be able to come see this place because I think she'll fall in love with it instantly. But she can't go anywhere until summer school is over on the 22nd. Getting me back home was also a financial problem for her, having to stay in a hotel room and all, so this eliminates that problem. If it were just going to be me, Beth, and Mike for the next month, I probably wouldn't do it (I like them, but I need some variety!). With the other WWOOFERs coming though, I think it'll be fine. Especially when I get my updated plant book and can start studying with a greater sense of purpose. I know I promised I'd be back sooner, but I think this is important stuff. Also, I do get this little bit of net access and occasional phone reception, so I can stay in contact with y'all. Letters, of course, are also a great way to reach me.
I don't have anything more political to write about yet, but at a friend's prompting I'm going to watch FOOD INC tonight. I also want to give him a shout out, because he's the one who really made up my mind about the WWOOFing program. Ladies, gentlemen, and those outside the binary, a round of applause for Josh Sterlin! :)
My hands are freezing, so that's it for now. Hope to update soon.
<3
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