LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Zuni Chronicles |
by Gregory Myers |
Well, here it is, early October, and I've been enjoying the serenity and beauty of Zuni Mountain Sanctuary (ZMS) for two and a half weeks now. Since my first visit here a little over a year ago, only two stewards remain of the seven here back then. Eden and Maqui are the two seasoned veterans; the newcomers are Mika, Derek, Dougge, Raif, and myself. What's life like herereally? My days start early, around 5 a.m. Eden and Maqui are the other early risers (along with the occasional Derek). The early mornings are chat time between me and the other two. But this time is also productive: often used to begin making bread. This morning, 9 October, I started four loaves of sourdough wheat berry bread (made from my very own sourdough starter). Mornings continue slowly as others rise and join us in the common house for coffee and breakfast. Generally everyone filters out to do chorespet and chicken feeding, wood gathering, carpentry jobs, and the like. Derek is a cyclist, and he and I have taken to cycling three to four mornings a week. Since I've been involved with the AIDS rides for the past three years as a massage therapist, I convinced Derek to train with me for next year's California AIDS Ride! Now we have a goal of building mileage over the winter (let's hope it's a mild one!) and spring! The sloping hills of this area and low traffic volume make for perfect cycle training. Lunch is a community event, so whenever the kitchen queen has lunch prepared, the bell is rung and we all come a-running' for lunch and chat time. This is usually followed by a relaxed, siesta period, then more chores or private time (usually spent in creative or meditative ways). Another kitchen queen will begin dinner preparation around fourish, and dinner can happen any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Following dinner and clean up we usually have social time that may consist of conversation, idea sharing, book reading, game playing (cards or board games), or even a movie in the vcr. Then generally we all head out for sleep time. As I've been busy preparing for the Texas AIDS Ridewhich runs from the 14th-17th of OctoberI don't feel as though I've really settled into a groove yet. But I do expect that will come soon enough after my return from the ride. We'll be hosting a mini-gathering for Halloween over the last weekend of the month, so that means considerable preparation to host up to twenty visitors (who will all need indoor sleeping space). This involves planning for increased food preparation and consumption, and the added zest of the visitors bringing a welcome infusion of energy to our simple lives here in the New Mexico desert! It is something to which we all look forward. Following that, we have serious winter preparations to make sure to get completed. Winter tends to bring fewer visitors, so I'm told. We'll be eagerly awaiting that lone call or e-mail that announces someone is actually going to grace us with their presence during the slow months. SOif you're looking for a little quiet, but fun, getawaycall us at 505.783.4002 or e-mail at sanct.zms@cwix.com! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 14, Oct. 15, 1999 |