I had just eaten handfuls of ripe, delicious strawberries, compliments of David and Perry-o's farm, when we had to finally be on our way after a day of exploring our new friends off the grid dwellings.As we begin to leave, Liz, the creative woman who is the purveyor of magic and curiosity with her many songs and ideas, gathers our new friends in a circle and tells Andy and I to embrace each other. As our eyes are closed the six of them form an outer circle and begin move around us. Having only spent the last eight hours with Liz, it is clear that a song will be song, and sure enough as they clasp their hands and move, my ears pick up the harmonies of lyrics that they all seem to know. As they give us good tidings and wish the wind to our backs , a natural warm feeling occurs within me. At the same time, I sense Andy moving closer to kiss the top of my nose. My eyes start to get wet, and a wave of love for Andy and the people we just met settle in naturally. As the song starts to die down, there is a stillness and a sense of quiet for a couple of moments. It was comforting and quite beautiful to experience as singing and being in touch with my feelings sometimes is a bit foreign to me. When it occurs at first I am timid or feel even embarrassed, then it settles in, as I try to be more in my skin.


This past 24hours of getting to know some in the Decorah community has reaffirmed my commitment to people, space and peace, as Daniel/Liz, Andrea/Ian, and David and Perry-o have administered quite effortlessly. They are true examples of love and sustainability as they work together at creating spaces that nourish themselves and others. You can see this in the picture to the left as Perry-O and David look lovingly at each other after being married over 40 years.

Coming back from the farm, Liz sang another song, and getting over my shyness I sang along with her, and made a commitment with Andy, that we would also incorporate song into our lives, at any whim. Granted this will be a process, as we both are reluctant, however, I took my first stab as we biked back to the campground.

Passing on your left to the campground
round the closed signs and crack'd pavement
Passing by the river and the trees to the left
It's hard to leave Decorah
It's so hard to leave Decorah.

Here's the latest pics from Decorah.
http://www.changinggearsmovie.com/resources/photos/062308m/index.html