Apple Processing, Real Estate and Reconciliation at Tse-Whitzen, Gail Roemer's 5 Week Report
gail - 02:26pm Oct 27, 2005 PST

Here's what I've been busy with the past five weeks, and what I hope to accomplish in the coming year.

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 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, 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 ,

Gail