Permaculture Course

This is one of those times I know I am ADD.  A good test for a child would be to put them in a room in which they created the mess and tell them they are to clean it up.  They don't know where to start and so they just don't do it.  Well, that's me, I don't know where to start with telling my summer's adventure.  I've been putting off the telling of my 2 week Permiculture course in BC because there are so many wonderful stories and so many cool aspect as to how I want to apply the principals I learned that I look at the blank page and... well, don't write.

Then there's the lovely picture of my kids from the last post that I see every time I bring my blog up. Didn't hurt to see them all together at the Edmonton Folk Festival .  

And so....

Often times I come away from a situation and wonder whether my priority was what it should have been.  I love people.  I love to connect with people.  That the 15 people in the course and I connected over something that we are all passionate about was uber important to me, so I'd like to start with that.  Then, I think it's probably important, if I am to be sharing this concept with yet more people (you), I will continue with an explanation, as I see it, of Permaculture.

Another reason to start with people is that it's people who are going to be seeking out, designing, and applying permaculture to their lives and that of others. So I find it interesting the array of backgrounds and characters they possess.   These particular people, with whom I shared 2 weeks of 10-15 hour days are, every one of them, deep and emotionally charged.  

There was of course, Gregoire, our instructor.  He welcomed us into his space, 10 acres of lush growing, food producing, wild-life welcoming garden.  His gracious attitude toward humanity inspired me and his knowledge fed me.  

Bill intrigued me.  Right away, his actions told of a strongly disciplined man; one of integrity, and gentleness.  I wanted to know his history.  It was just right when he told of his military background.  And, I still think his Mamma must've been a good woman, with all those dishes he did.

Rob, or Sina, his native Canadian name, has a quiet unassuming way, always pulling up the rear. That is, until there is an interesting fact about a plant or a new found method or use for such, then our knowledge base grew.  He surprised us with his music talent and shared wonderful Soap Berry ice cream.  mmmm.   

Teddy.  Funny how a name can inspire a particular feeling in a person (laughing).  Let me see, Teddy is a droll-humoured, finger-drumming, witty-reparte'd, pooch loving guy.  I once compared him to a honey comb.  One of the strongest shapes in nature and therefore almost impermeable, yet when you do get in there, it's full of sweetness.  

Shilough. *Grins*.  Shilough, my Alberta friend, spent time in Peru with the indigenous people. The free-flowing spirituality that he gained from them shows. Back on planet Earth, we find him engaging, funny and open.

Janet comes with an earthy knowledge.  There is a sense that the information gleaned at the course is a stepping stone for her.  Books in a basket, pictures of her well-established, old family home tell of an understanding that stems back, beyond Permaculture.

Tree Tips by Tara.  My fondness for Sweet Tara stems from many things.  That she titled her evening talk using alliteration is one.  Another is that we pulled up in our respective vehicles, our partners pulled our bikes out of the back, and after saying sweet goodbyes, we found that both our men had paternally cautioned us about riding on these winding roads and not at all at night.  Those, and we both LOVE trees.  Tara's love, coming from her forester background, mine from an artistic one.

Sandy is small and mighty.  Her presence created spectacular stirrings, not the least of which was our theme song... I had a rooster, my rooster had me!... sung first at fireside, then throughout the whole week.  Inspiration, keeping it real, loving each other, that's what I think of when thinking of Sandy.  Also, the fact that she is working diligently on an intentional community.  Very cool work.

Katrina, sweet Katrina.  I have a picture of her legs, in the background, during some hands-on instructional time, doing a head-stand.  Her beautiful voice, and loving hugs are still with me.  

Connection. Smokin grin. Natural fibre rugs. Gifting of self. Warm, loving and purty darned special woman, is Rachel.  Lemme see.  I connected with the artist, socializer, phsychologist, permie, mamma, and earth mamma in this woman.  

Leslee speaks to me of a modern day, strong, smart, pixie-like, hippie chick, with an architectural background.  I can very much see where she might land, if she were to choose to meld her Permaculture knowledge, and her degree in architecture.  I love her sense of impishness, drumming, and how she relaxed into the 2 weeks.

I wish I knew Marjerie when she lived in Edmonton too (something she said to me)  A marine biologist, wow!  There's a certain amount of awe that that inspires for a land-locked person like myself.  Besides that, Marjorie's quick whit, shiney smile that happens all around her eyes and obvious confidence has left behind a hope that we will meet again.

Lisa is a sunflowery gal, who's connection to teaching the young makes her one of my faves.  I can picture her, both in the after-school care class she teaches and the enviro work she does with little ones, singing and bestowing the virtues of being an eco freak.  Thanks to her, I have a better picture of what wwoofing is too.  Great lady. (swimmin' in the river=good)

Kate!  Where are you Kate???  I miss your song, your dance, your intense honesty and most of all, I miss having you right there, reflecting and celebrating who I am (which, apparently, is a rhythmic blue monkey, according to your calculations of the mayan calendar, thank you very much).

Susan, I wish I could meet Anne with an E.  You and I built a pretty good friendship while darting hither and thither.  I find strength and tenacity in your actions and hope we can remain connected.  

Last, but not least, I wish I could have gotten to know Jenny better.  With wasp stings and further lack of her presence, I worried that she would miss out.  Her obvious skill in natural things didn't go unnoticed tho.  I wish for her that her path takes her where she needs to go.

That's it for now.  Check in the next couple days for more.