My projects with Reconciliations are 3
fold. One is physical, as regards my relationship to the land I
live on; one is personal, as regards my relationship with the world and
my ability to support myself in it; and one is social, pertaining to my
community and my need to interact meaningfully within it.
Reconciliation with my Physical
World: I've lived 7 years on land with more than 30 heartily
producing apple trees, and for 7 years, I have watched them blossom,
ripen and fall to the ground to be eaten by deer. Though I have
worked some basic pruning maintenance, the trees and I have basically
ignored each other.
So seperated
from free, bountiful fruit right in my own home, I could be seen at
times, buying apples in the grocery store.
This year,
I haven't wasted the apples. I gathered over 1000 pounds of
apples over the course of the past 5 weeks. I
made and canned dozens of jars of apple butter, jam, chutney
and sauce. I gave away most of these, as well as many fresh boxes
of apples. The trees were still overflowing. So, I rented
an apple press, began my research, began purchasing my supplies,
and now have a 42 gallon hard apple cider fermenting experiment taking
place in the closet of a spare room. Here is a link which
details this project: http://www.geocities.com/gaipple/mainciderpage.html .
There are STILL apples on the trees. One neighbor traded me two
pounds of halibut steak for a few buckets, and promised to return with
some pickled salmon and venison later. The rest I'll probably
take down to replenish the more popular jam and butter things I
made. The cider is fermenting like freshly opened champagne, it's
quite an amazing sight. I plan to serve some with my presentation
that I will hold in the spring.
Did you know
that hard apple cider is to be bottled during the new moon of march
because of slight pollenation in the air that may infuse it with a
touch of new life for a small second fermentation when its
sealed again? Anyway, they're been doing it that way in
France for 500 years.
I've ordered
a beer making kit, and may look into apple brandy and winemaking as
well. I am not a big drinker, but, drinking has been a big part
of human society for centuries, and understanding and mastering one
very basic process of it has been and continues to be very exciting for
me.
Reconciliation with my Practical
World: Tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. in Tukwila I'm going to take
the Washington State Real Estate Salespersons exam, which I spent about
2 weeks studying for, is quite expensive, but will allow me to help
people look for and buy houses and property, or list and sell their
own. I am 41 and this is one of the most conventional things I
have ever attempted to do, but I am trying to come to terms with a need
to support myself, and my right to be compensated well for work I am
willing to do in the world. So, wish me luck!
Reconciliation with my
Community: I live in Port Angeles, and have for 7 years, and have
spent most of those years involved in my internet business with ebay,
ignoring the apple trees, the town, and everyone in it. I just
began to take notice of the beauty of the area last year, and to
recognize the cultural diversity and warmth of the people who live
here. I was fascinated by the discovery of the Tse-Whitzen
village and the controversy between the Elwha and the local trades
people, who had planned to use that site for the Hood Canal Bridge
Graving yard. This was a sensitive and painful time for people
who had been in conflict, but most quietly, for decades. Naomi
Tutu visited last spring to speak on the processes of
Truth&Reconciliation as she became familiar with them in her
country of South Africa, watching the committee headed by Desmond Tutu,
her father. She said that in Port Angeles it was necessary to
create spaces where the truth could be told by those who were hurt, and
they could be heard by all, that while the discovering of Tse-Whitzen
re-opened old wounds, it also presented an opportunity to address those
wounds, by bringing them into a light where they could be seen and
begin to heal. My main project for this year, that was partly
inspired by her speech, and partly by the title of this program, is to
take part in creating space for reconciliation within my
community. Now that the cider is sleeping and the real estate
testing/studying is nearly done, I can begin working on this project
again, which will include contacting members of the Elwha tribe as well
as within in the community in an effort to see what is being done so
far, and in what area I can help. I have considered writing a
book, making a film, or creating a forum or website. If there is
anyone interested in this topic, I would welcome collaboration or help,
input of any kind.
I would like to do my presentation in
spring. I can work with any of the advisors.
Thanks and happy Halloween,