Another awesome connecting zoom. I feel happy and alive, sharing a bit of our lives and time together tonight as the lunar eclipse happens during the night !
We took turns sharing “What’s ALIVE in us!” What’s INSPIRING us!”
Our gathering included Mike R (Tennessee), Jubulient Jo (upstate New York) , Robin (Vermont), Deanne (Michigan) , Dan (Oregon) !
Emergent Themes:
- LOL, we all have cats that look similar…with “M” designs on their face, and dark strips down the top of their neck. And all our cats were active, and on our laps for parts of the zoom. Full Moon energy?
- Amazement at nature, the coming spring, natural building & crafting!
- Overlaps in interest and lives, including Dan, who joined in for the first time, now located in Portland.
Resources: The Hidden Seasons Book Review online (Recommended by Mike R)
Quick recap
This was a group meeting where participants shared updates on what was “alive” and inspiring them. Deanne facilitated introductions and guided the group through personal check-ins, where members discussed recent activities, projects, and inspirations. Dan shared about his recent move to Oregon and interest in natural building projects, while Robin discussed her upcoming trip to Malaysia to visit family and her decision to learn Hindi. Mike mentioned spring activities in Tennessee and reading nature signs, and Jubilant Jo talked about working with volunteers and community service programs. The group also discussed various building topics including papercrete insulation, straw building techniques, and Dignity Village in Portland. The conversation ended with participants sharing their evening activities, including crafting and knife-making projects.
Deanne screen-shared these photos of a thatched straw bale project at Princeton University architecture program .
The Directors came to Strawbale Studio in 2025 to learn about thatching !!
Summary
Community Connections and Updates
The group discussed their connections and shared updates. Deanne introduced several participants, including Dan Monhollen, Jubilant Jo, Mike Ross, and Robin, highlighting their backgrounds in sustainability, natural building, and community work. Robin shared updates about Jack Chase and his wife, Nupur, including their recent meeting in Boston and Nupur’s efforts to obtain a green card. The group also briefly discussed future plans, including Robin’s upcoming visit to Malaysia to be with family during the birth of her great-grandchild.
Global Moves and Building Insights
Robin shared her plans to visit Malaysia to see her family, including her grandson who is working on a green card, and discussed her mixed feelings about the move due to family being spread across the globe. Dan, who recently moved to Oregon, described his experiences settling into a new environment and his interest in natural building projects, including exploring papercrete for insulation. The group discussed various insulation options, with Jubilant mentioning rock wool insulation and Deanne sharing insights about its use in European thatched roofs.
Dignity Village and Project Updates
Deanne shared information about Dignity Village, a community project in Portland for homeless individuals, and discussed her recent weekend workshop on fire-related topics with a small group. Dan, who recently moved to Portland for a job, expressed interest in learning more about Dignity Village. Deanne also mentioned her plans to focus on completing ongoing projects, including re-thatching a building and developing educational activities for children. The group agreed to take a break and reconvene in about 7-8 minutes.
Exploring Healthy Bread Recipes
The group discussed various cooking and food-related topics, including Mike’s experiment with a stuffed bread sandwich recipe, Deanne’s experience baking pizzas in an earth oven, and Deanne’s use of peanut powder in her oatmeal. They also talked about different types of bread, with Deanne recommending Ezekiel bread for its sprouted legumes and complete protein content. Robin mentioned trying a hazelnut chocolate spread as a healthier alternative to Nutella.
Spring Inspiration and Community Projects
The group discussed personal sources of inspiration, with Mike sharing his excitement about spring arriving and his involvement in yard work, including pruning fruit trees for a 92-year-old neighbor. Dan expressed interest in gardening and learning about different community models and village types, while Deanne mentioned her involvement in a permaculture book club and the use of daffodils to deter deer. The conversation concluded with an exchange of well wishes and plans for future communication.
Straw Building and Cultural Insights
The group discussed various topics including a straw building project, community models, and personal inspirations. Deanne shared photos of a innovative straw construction technique and its thatching method. Robin shared her experiences with learning the Yawanawa language and her decision to focus on learning Hindi instead. The group also discussed the upcoming lunar eclipse and the beauty of nature. They concluded by expressing appreciation for each other’s well-being and the joy of connecting through shared experiences.
