Dec 4 2025….another lovely, connecting, Full MOON ZOOM
Zoomers: Mike R, Chattanooga TN. Jubulent Jo, Robin M, Deanne, Pat K, and Jack C tried to come in !
Emergent Themes:
- Synchronicity ~ CATS & Hats !
(Mike had a cat on his lap, & so did Deanne…then Robin came in…and didnt have a cat, but DID have a HAT on! And Mike showed us his crated HAT during “What’s Inspiring me!” time. ) - Synchronicity ~ Jo lives in NY state, and Mike was born and raised there. Pat lives in Detroit, near where Robin & Greg lived in the 1990s.
- Synchronicity ~Deanne went to oil change place. William also had an old Subaru that it was hard to read the oil level. Reassuring. Sweet.
- Synchronicity ~ Grand children, Great Grandchildren. Both Pat & Robin will have their 1st great grandchild in March 2026 !
- Synchronicity ~ All of us are doing crafting ! Knotted hat, apron, pot holders, spoon carving.
A Favorite Quote:
- “Keep GROWING DETROIT gathering ! NOT A SWEETER PLACE ON EARTH! I’m still vibrating from the event!”
We watch the 3 min.Strawbale Studio Vimeo, then each share
“What’s alive in us, and What Inspires us!”
Mike ~ remembers Robin & Greg from back when he lived in the Detroit area…. He now lives in Chatenooooger
Mike met Deanne at the Earth Day Festival in Rochester maybe 2009….and took a thatching course and then every other available class at Strawbale Studio for a year or 2! . He wants to start something like Strawbale Studio. on his land, and is moving into semi-retirement. while still taking on special projects under contract with Volkswagen Motor Co.
Robin: We don’t get any buyouts as a nurse…just work, work. Nurses are needed. I got an associates degree 1975. I have retired. I got to stay home and take care of my husbands health issue. recently. Greg does “husband care” 3 times a day. helping with a neighbors husband who cannot take care of himself. Greg comes 3 times a day…to get the fellow out of bed, to the toilet, and get back into bed. The regularity of this job works for Greg. He was a farmer. It suits him to take regular care of things.. And the man has Polish ancestory, like him.
As for me (Robin) I am doing fine. Our youngest child is now living with us. We have a full life. She really loves us. I’ve accepted that she will stay with us. A new acceptance. Deanne adds, the evolutionary normalness of living in the tribe, with family. We evolved in that. We are pack animals 🙂
Jubulent Jo – I took the sled down this morning and pulled it back up tonight. There’s a foot of snow and drifted in, and when I went to mailbox and my steps are covered up from snow drift! The walls in my “home” are strawbale inside a barn…temporarily….for 22 years. My strawbale room is in a “Cover All Barn” – a metal framework with plastic. The new house under construction: timber frame with straw bale earth-covered walls and a wood stove.
Regarding retirement, I worked for a lot of years, and then had health problems and am on Social Security !
Pat: I was at Keep Growing Detroit today for an event, and dashed home. What’s alive in me is the vibrancy of the Gathering tonight in Detroit. Keep Growing Detroit…supports Farmers and Gardeners….they gave out “Paper Plate” Awards.There’s a Black Farmers Land Fund. Last few years there was support for folks who lost food money support. They previously separated from Greening of Detroit. The staff now, most staff are African American.
Molly was excited about the simplicity of the Full MOON ZOOM, that we simply share “What’s alive in us, and What Inspires us!” and take a 5 minute break in between.
The food line and chatting was great, and delicious food! A farmer in SW Detroit in a Spanish community… offering special seeds, giving me his card!
NOT A SWEETER PLACE ON EARTH! I’m still vibrating from the event! Applause continuous, the smiles, the hugs. I talked to a woman who moved from Boston!
Robin. I lived in Detroit on Dawson Street until 1990…almost to Telegraph. Pat: I lived in that area 1990 – 93.
What’s INSPIRING US:
Mike – I’m enjoying crafting from the Viking era…making a hat for myself, working with knots and a hat for the CAT! . Wool socks will felt from pressure of walking on this knotted wool. Good YouTube channels on it: “Nalbinding”
Robin: I’m crocheting a pillow cover for a granddaughter. She is with me 9 hours a week. Challenging. a 4 year old. I bought a scooter like the kids in this neighborhood. She’s so darn cute in her helmet, and she’s so fast, and climbs up rocks. She’s really fun! Her name is “Linden” for the tree blooms in early July, when she was born.
Her brother is Cedar. Now his name is Kit. 8 yr old and just wonderful. And I will be a Great Grandparent next March!
JO: I’ll be a great grandparent this March, too!
Making potholders for the family for the holidays!
Pat: I’m making a chicken, and broth. Morgan loved wearing an apron, so I will make one for her. three aprons for the others. I had the sewing machine reconditioned. I’m interesting in learning the “knotting” Mike showed us. I was a Gilda’s Club.. making thing for folks with Cancer.
Deanne sanding and oiling wooden spoons. Inspiration…doing the Strawbale Studio 2025 End of Year Review and appreciating all the collaboration and flow!
