APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTER

 

Hi Folks,

         

I have been wondering, what would the world look like without all the attachments we use to see us through each day?  Cell phones are detrimental to ones health and the environment, how would one communicate without them? I-pods, the Internet, computers, x-ray machines etc, which ones are important to keep and which are not?  What would we replace them with?  All this requires creative and inventive thinking, and if we want change we have to share.  Share communications, ideas and resources, because by doing this, like-minded people and we are starting a process of participation and hopefully community building.

 

My landline was stolen 2 weeks ago, email communication ground to a halt and I had to depend on my husband’s extremely good nature (he made me put this in) to use his 3G card whose download speed was dismal to say the least. 

What would we do if we found ourselves in a situation such as Haiti or a similar place, and were forced by circumstances to make do with what we had?  What do we have in terms of skills and knowledge to survive the current earth changes, whom do we know in our community?  Who is our neighbour?  What skills and knowledge do I / they have that we can exchange? 

 

Which brings me to my next point, all of the above has started happening at the Body Mind and Soil Talks / Market days.  The people who attend these events are getting to know one another, networking, sharing ideas, skills, and produce and making new friends.  It is wonderful to observe the connections being made, new friendships being created and best of all the synchronicity of events. 

I attended the ‘Plough Share’ morning at Tamar and Marks farm, which was great fun.  We took our spades along, but ended up watching Mark doing all the digging!  He mentioned he was looking for Jerusalem Artichokes, and asked if we knew where he could get some.  Not only did we plant seedlings that morning, the seed for Jerusalem Artichokes was also planted. Two weeks later at the Body, Mind Soil Market day, in walks Jenny Dunshea (who did not attend the Ploughshare morning, nor does she know Mark or Tamar) with a paper bag full of Jerusalem Artichokes!   She was giving them away because she had too many - well I nearly platzed (don’t know what that means but it sounds good) at the synchronicity!  I called Mark over and his face lit up when he saw them - I love it when a plan comes together.

 

Our recent market morning went off well, Lisa spoke about the Moon, its cycles and the best times to plant, sow and harvest crops.   It’s a vast and interesting subject and we hope to have Lisa back again.

Next was Beekeeper Ray Spinney who was scheduled to speak for a ½ hour (which turned into 1hr 30min) shared some of his knowledge on the various aspects of beekeeping, which I am sure was only the tip of the iceberg.  We have invited Linda Austin who is Ray’s partner to give a talk on the different infusions and medicinal properties of honey in the not too distant future.

Mae Naude ended the morning with her talk on Green Careers – a Career Guidance workshop for Teenagers, which she presents. Deciding on a green career currently requires thinking out the box, and the workshop helps teenagers in making more informed decisions in that regard.

The weather was great, the food ‘morish’, the talks interesting and great company.  What more can one ask for, and on that note a big thank you to all for the support.

 

Till the next time

 

Filo - Body, Mind, Soil Team

 

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JULY NEWSLETTER

Hi Folks, 

Soccer, soccer and more soccer! Its been a wonderful experience and I did get to do  the wave at Ellis Park - but the good news is there are only seven more ‘sleepies’ left then  life can get back to normal.

The June BMS DVD and talk on the ‘Community Exchange System’ by Liane Greef was very  well received by those who attended and due to popular demand, we are inviting Liane back to do her presentation at the next event. Liane created the DVD especially for the talk you can see it here:

http://www.myvideo.co.za/video/talents-accepted-here-part-1-of-2

http://www.myvideo.co.za/video/talents-accepted-here-part-2-of-2

 BMS is participating in a joint venture Awareness Day at the Barnyard, and by then we are hoping to have the Exchange up and running for anyone who would like to join.

‘It is an old ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way’ (anonymous).  

Yet things happen that redirect us and give us hope, and one of them is the issue of whale hunting. The worldwide petition to save the whales helped tip the balance and the 24-year whale-hunting ban has been upheld. Our collective voice has made a difference, and we should feel proud of our achievement.  Yet more is needed, as their habitat is in a very precarious state.   We as individuals have the creative power to affect change collectively – we are the voice for those who don’t have one.

 Till the next time

 BMS Team - Filo

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