Dez's Bootcamp Experience (BRK)

POST 6 (DAY 12, SATURDAY 2020.08.22)

Yesterday, I decided that I will be posting experience updates at the end of the day rather than the beginning of the day.. this is to "capture" the moments on a more real-time basis..
Thinking about things like this happens ORGANICALLY while working, here at WL.. i.e. yesterday, I was building the floor of the tool shed (during the morning shift), when the idea of end-of-day posts solidified.. perhaps one could say that the ideas get built as the structures get built!

With today being Saturday, and the posts going to end-of-day (rather than beginning-of-day), I thought I would express all the FELINE-FOOTAGE to mark the adjustment.. b/c hoo doesn't like CAT-urdays??

Here's one of Lil-Zeek enjoying a snack.. s/he caught a grasshopper all by her/himself:


And here's where s/he just showed up with a wet face and singed whiskers:


S/he's the littlest one of three kittens.. and also the lovey-est..

POST 6 c'd (continued)

Spent the day organizing my things.. also thinking of ways to eliminate all of my bills..
All but three payable items remain since I started preparing to live at WL..
1) cell phone
2) car insurance
3) school loans
Once my car is sold, I will use the funds to pay off the rest of my school loans--this will take care of two of the three items..
The cell phone may stick around, or it may go away as well.. AHHH~~ to live a life free of money obligations--what is that even like??
Remembering the days when I had none of these money obligations gives me hope that it's possible.. Let's see how this part unfolds..

Today I was able to "shrink" my electronics possession to half its original volume.. and there's room to shrink it more..
Then I began to wonder if I can live out of 1 banker's box and 1 backpack total.. why not? =D
more to come!

POST 7 (day 12, Sunday 2020.08.23)

Have you ever seen wild turkeys? my first time.. here are some just outside my tent.. i was excited and quite honestly a little scared b/c they are "WILD"..!


Why did the wild turkeys cross the road?


Wild or tame, today's post has nothing to do with turkeys actually..
Today, I shall write about interpersonal dynamics..
When everything is going smooth, and all the teammates are getting along swimmingly, its a good feeling.. and then life will sometimes throw a curve ball--true?
What I've come to realize about myself is that I tend to over-analyze things.. and that's really it isnt it?
What I've found is that interpersonal dynamics has more to do with the REVEALING of my own character than the unfairness of the world around me.. there's a plank in my own eye, and i'm pointing out the splinter in the others' eye.. it's perhaps easier to blame than it is to take responsibility.. we all know these sayings  to some degree.. and yet it can be such a source of [unwanted/unneeded] stress.. and stress uses energy like a car uses gas in the higher rpms.. kind of wasteful. I guess in those turbulent times, I look to the trees in admiration, b/c they are steady in knowing that its all going to be okay.. and simply keep on growing..
So in this entry, I'd like to conclude by saying that what really matters is taking the time and space to breathe and slow down, especially when being critical of one's self..
Happy Sunday =D and here's to a fresh week of enjoyment in nature's company..
Gobble gobble on,  my dear permie friends!

POST 8 (Day 14, 2020.08.24)
[Morning post]

Martha and Hannah have mentioned that the patio floor (just outside the FPH) is looking and feeling much nicer than before..
There was a wwoofer here who dedicated her attention to finishing one corner of the rectangular area, and I've decided to call it "Sarah's Corner".. There's a patch near the center that Jen worked on which  I've dubbed "Jen's Nation".. (the other areas remain nameless for now)..

POST 8 (part 2/2, day 13, 2020.08.24)

Today is breezy, overcast, warm (not hot), with a few minutes of light rain.. pretty nice.. This past Saturday was almost perfect weather because it was like today, but even cooler!
I think i'm getting used to the difference between here and the very temperate climate of my previous home of 10 years (seattle area).. I remember feeling "in love" when I first experienced Seattle's climate.. The critic in me thinks this is the honeymoon stage of being in new surroundings.. the optimist in me says, "enjoy it one day at a time, homie.. this is just one bite of the buffet.." AND I LOVE BUFFETS!

Tonight's dinner is curry and rice, by Clayton. I had a heaping helping.. Now, I feel full but also great.. my favorite aspect of curry cuisine! =D

THE WORK: (of course, we must mention the work!) This morning I learned how Shingles are placed on Purlins, and optimization of the placement of Purlins before optimizing the placement of Shingles--in order to make the work flow smoothly, accurately, and for best functionality of the roof as a whole.. I don't know about you, but THIS gets me very excited!
Something else exciting happened in the later part of the morning: the organizing of the shop is now officially under my scope of honorary duties.. I say "honorary" because it's a role I've been practicing for almost my whole life.. Of course, its not that glamorous.. of course, its probably going to be frustrating.. but by golly for some crazy reason, if organizing hardware doesn't light up this firefly in the dark..

Afternoon shift was patio stone flooring (pic below).. The left side is 90% complete, and the right side is 0%.. so about 45% of the first phase is done (the next phase is building out to the hugel culture which is not pictured in this photo).. at this rate, phase 1 will be complete by the end of my first month here, or possibly sooner.. Of course much of the stone-laying is done by the other volunteers who decide to help with the project.. a gift of time and energy for which I am gratefully elated to accept.. =D This stone-laying is actually another source of joy for me.. at the end of the work-day, I sit on a handmade wooden bench next to the floor and observe the progress.. slow.. steady.. satisfying.. I suppose most nourishing things progress this way..

my body is tired, and my soul is fed..

currently I sleep on a slight decline (w/my toes slightly higher than my head).. its flat, but not level.. it makes me realize how much i took for granted any/all level sleeping surfaces.. I keep putting off the task of leveling my tent pad until "tomorrow".. my self-given deadline to fix the level is day 14.. after all, its for my own benefit and wellness to sleep w/o stressing my cardiovascular system for 8 hours a day.. being good to self must be another lesson for me to learn during my time here..

ps. I know its not CAT-urday, but here's a few vids of kittens doing kitten-things, while I was trying to sit and meditate on the bench.. such distracting-ly fascinating creatures..

POST 9 (DAY 15, 2020.08.25)
[Morning Post]

Some pics from around the FPH, taken yesterday.. Lots of activity here at WL.. and Fun-loving, hard-working people.. =D

POST 9 (DAY 15, 2020.08.25)
[EVENING ENTRY]

Today was a bit rough for me.. Physically, my entire body has been sore for a few days.. Emotionally/Spiritually, perhaps I have been neglecting my rejuvenating rituals, such as singing or taking photos (which is why I've been posting more photos, in an effort to kind of force me into the ritual via sheer structure of my day).. After waking up, I knew I had to let someone know that I may be needing some time for myself to recuperate.. Early on (first or second day at WL), Jennifer and Josiah let me know that this kind of "mini vacay" time or "rejuvenation" time is totally okay.. And just knowing that makes me feel valued as a person.. I'm here to add value at my capacity, for the long haul.. Not everyone has muscles like Ahh-nold, or speed like Keanu.. Whenever I feel pressured to perform outside of my natural capacity, I've learned that its best to announce that I'm actually an 82 year-old grandma in a younger looking male's body.. and usually that does the trick in help others understand my capacity.. It wasn't always this way..

There was a time when I had more physical energy--in my teens and 20's!.. and i may once more have it again.. its just not today..
Today, I made it my mission to take heed to Paul's advice of knowing when to stop myself.. He told me a story of an amazing, capable gentleman who essentially burned-out after finishing a major project, because work-time and rest-time were not quite balanced.. Paul expressed to me how that kind of thing is okay for the short run, but ultimately would like to see people finish the marathon at WL (paraphrasing).. Knowing this made me feel safe, because I plan to grow old(er) at WL.. besides, these knock-kneed legs of mine were never much for sprinting anyway..

Even though today was a bit rough, on a personal level, I can honestly say that the company I'm with, and the values we share makes every minute of work worthwhile.. I'm grateful for this place from the bottom of my heart.. its hard to genuinely imagine being back in City Life.. Don't get me wrong--this isn't for everyone.. but if you're into this sort of thing, I encourage you to come on out and visit us at WL.. I'd be delighted to meet you and hear about your experiences that led you on your path, and how permies has interested a small part of your journey..

This morning, I peeled a log in a forest.. then helped load 16 peeled logs onto a tractor trailer, then helped unload those logs.. at lunch sitting down and staring off pondering why I felt stressed/overwhelmed..
This afternoon, I helped build a "bun warmer" in the berm shed with Uncle Mud and team-members (other boots/volunteers).. I would like to mention that Team-Mud was kicking butt working together and getting things done.. We started off by placing/setting the barrel-sized U-shaped tubing in a pre-dug U-shaped trench to level, moving dirt back into the surrounds, and building the ceramic-brick J-tube, in time to test the beautiful monster "bun warmer" in less than 4 hours.. sure the final touches are still needed, but it works! The team made major progress today with this project and I'm so proud to be a part of a community that steps in and steps it up.. I'm just trying to keep up with my company.. and that's an encouraging thought in and of itself..

I'm tired and ready for bed.. Goodnight!