Reflections of the Dance in the Valley

I have been reflecting on what I've learned and how I've been touched by our 3 month stay with Leon, Geni and Kayla on Full Circle Family Farm and Meditation Center, Black Mountain, North Carolina. 

A deeper appreciation of nature and the land is just one of many feelings I have received from our time there.

The people who are living there are doing a dance with the earth, the seasons and the universe. As I watched I saw the timing of the daily tasks that needed to be done.

Everything has it's season. This winter cutting down of the trees in their non-growth stage was important. They will be used for lumber, growing mushrooms and firewood. The new cleared area will be used for the saw mill and the chickens will clean up the under growth and fertilize the soil.

The breeding of the one group of goats for the birth of new ones in six months. We missed the birth of 8 baby goats.

February is the time to planting seeds for the coming this years crop of vegetables. In the outdoors beds that had cover crops on them for the past few months onions and leeks have been transplanted.

A winter crop of lettuce and kale has been growing in the larger green house.

The feeding of the bees of sugar water.

The making bio-char to mixing it into the compost. Here is what bio char can do for the growth of corn!

The rhythm to the winter season is now going into spring.

I have been touched by the friendliness of the people of The Eco Village of Earthaven. Many have been drawn to this community, looking for a place to live and call home. They all are down-to-earth, quiet, simple living people young and old.

A February Day in the Life of Farmer Leon

Every minute of the day is accounted for on Full Circle Family Farm, Black Mountain NC.

Starting with early morning goat milking.  One day the breeding of a couple of the goats took place. This is done every six months so a baby goats arrive at intervals during the year.  The chickens are well fed with corn grown on the farm. 

Then off to clear a few trees off a piece of land. Once the trees are cut he trim off the branches and piles them up, ready for Bio-Char burning on a rainy day. Leon says that it is the best time to burn as the flames will not spread and are easy to be controlled. After an hour's or so work Leon is soaked to the bone and dirty from the soot. It is then put on the old Ranger truck and hauled to the compost area. Preparing the compost needs turning The cut logs are then stacked in different piles, for milling into lumber, for fire wood and for growing shiitake and reishi mushrooms.

The bees are fed sugar water. This keeps them until the weather warms up and they came find flowers.

By the time 6:00pm comes the goat need milking again and the chickens are closed up in their roosting house.

All through the day Leon can find time to talk to any one who walks by or needs advise by phone. No wonder he is ready for bed at 8:00pm!!!!

The “38 Club”

There are two interesting, well educated, women who are renting a house on Full Circle Family Farm . Carole (Carley) and Ohbeeb, were born the year I was, 1938. I'd say this would makes us “kindred spirits” and now we are members of the “38 Club”

Carley is a Massage Therapist and also study Perm-culture. She and her husband had worked for the Marriott Hotel. She travelled in Europe about the same time I did and still does allot of travelling.

Ohbeeb is involved with an organization call “Balanced View. Her sister lives in Calgary and has travelled in Canada.

I booked a Massage with Carole. On arrival to her home she invited me to have a warm tub bath. Now that was a great opportunity, as a shower is the only bathing method that is available to me. So to soak hot water, with Epsom salt, was welcoming.

Carley worked on me for 2 hours! I was not in any discomfort when I arrived, but the type of massage she does touched areas that had been forgotten and were very tense. The method she uses is called SOMA and Rolfing massage. It was a different type of massage from others I have experienced. She massaged my face, neck, feet, hands, and as well as the rest of my body. She comes highly recommended indeed as she has over 30 years experience.

She suggested a “must see” place on the rugged coast of California along Highway #1, 90 miles south of Carmel, CA, called Big Sur-Eastern Institute. The Spa there is situated on a cliff along the ocean and the massages area is enhanced by the sounds of the waves hitting the shore.

Here are comments that they wrote in our guest book when they stopped by our RV:

“Welcome to the ongoing world of endless journeys! Enjoy every moment,

Carley, 25 Full Circle Trail, Black Mountain NC”

“Dearest new friends and neighbours, here in NC, Calgary and the world! Yes, adventuring in the greatest pleasure, growing our gusto and sharing the gift of ourselves. What fun!! What great benefits , my passion” Love Ohbeeb 25 Full Circle Trail, Black Mountain NC