So we can remember

February 23, 2008. We have been here a year.
I came home late one night a few days ago, and after snuggling into my sleeping bag I turned over and said: "Hey Trav, you awake?" He replied a disgruntled "Yes!". Of course he was, since I had just awakened him. We started laughing, and he proceeded to critique the delivery of my question. After having given the appropriate feedback he asked what I wanted. "I just realized that we have been living an amazing life for a whole year" I said. We spent a good 20 minutes discussing our great fortune.

Its rather chilly here today. I don't know whether I should be writing this outside where the sun shines randomly or stay inside our wonderful cold house. Either way my fingers will function at 75% of their capacity.

Ashley Poe arrived at our house yesterday from her sabbatical. It was wonderful see her again!

Neighbor Allison has proposed to her girlfriend. The ring she gave was her great-great-grandmother's wedding ring. She expects to move to Portland eventually, and suggested that the GC take over her house. Perhaps we will. We could use another house.

Most of the house rallied to the contradance at the school near our house. It was glorious!!! There must have been upwards of 50 people there, and we all danced for nearly 3 hours. The current house trend suggests that the outing will become a tradition.

Franger leaves in a month, and we will miss him. I know its early to be sad but, dumpster diving will not be the same. His exclamations of delight when finding red peppers, and acorn squash will be sincerely missed. Not to mention when we have the great fortune of finding delectable pastries. We generally eat them on the spot.

Valentine's Day was glorious. I think Frang was the only one with a date at the party. Travis scored big with an anonymous store "Non-profit Organization Compost". He has connections in the compost department there. It was a non-consumerist potluck so folks were asked to bring whatever they already had. Trav made an amazing full-course meal! There was pumpkin squash, delicious grapes, apples, and all sorts of other delectable dishes. The main dish was, of course, quinoa.

We've been spending more time on the front porch recently. It was quite warm last week. Jenna serenaded a porch couch cuddle puddle of five the other night. Not surprisingly, many of us were rendered silent for a few moments thereafter.

Begin significantly improved his wigwam in the past few days. He acquired a tin snips from Allan and opened up the draft. The smoke dissipated significantly according to Beegs. He also put another blanket up in front of the door, which has reportedly increased the warmth of the beloved Wiggie.The GC had a great show on KPOV the other week.



And tonight, Colin is carving chopsticks, Travis is curled up on the couch with his feet tucked snugly underneath my legs. Ryan Adams is singing Sweet Carolina. Some of us are humming along. Tex just arrived home, we have no idea where she's been. Beegs has already retired to his Wigwam. He made a fabulous vegetable curry for everyone tonight. Kelly is on the floor browsing jobs, because he's tired of working on the mountain. Scotty is still singing along with Ryan Adams. We haven't seen Allan for an hour or so, but he did bring home some delicious bread from Dilusso's (as is his custom since he works there).
The house has a feeling of contentment, deep joy, and love.
We salute the world travelers in our lives: Brent, Tessa, Ethan, Ashley, Dylan, Cheri, Brianna, James, Rachael Scdoris and the rest of our wonderful friends abroad. We love you and send you sweet vibes!

*Colin Franger has insisted on receiving public recognition for some of the photos taken above.