The beginning of these posts was my My Life Just Hit a Brick Wall at High Velocity, on the Cusp of My 50th Birthday: Mid Life Crisis 101 post. I link that post because I want to give my readers some useful context for what I write in these posts.
Warm greetings all! 🙏 💚
In my post yesterday, I mentioned that I had to get a few important things done this morning, namely delivering two bags of Krishna tulsi that I harvested for Vidyapapi, and three comfrey plants to my plant friend, Abby, at the Kaimu Farmers Market, and then on to the open house at La'akea, where I may potentially moving at the end of the month. Vidyapapi was very happy with the tulsi that I brought him. He ended up giving me a big box of ripe bananas. So many bananas. I made sure to get a shot of his fantastic ginger-Krishna tulsi elixir, for which he is well known. He uses the Krishna tusli that I brought him in his elixir.
After finishing with Vidyapapi, I went to find my plant friend Abby, to deliver her comfrey plants. She found me first. I spent most of the hour that I spent at the market talking with Abby. It was a really enjoyable conversation. She told me that if I could not find a place for my plants, that she would provide space and care. She told me the same thing about me. We are somewhat new acquaintances, however, there is a lovely mutual understanding and care between us, and we both love geeking out on plants! She is a wonderful new friend with whom I may be spending more time. We both expressed a desire to hang out, maybe play with plants, or go to the beach. My friend, Sundog, arrived a her tent around 9AM, to collect me to go to the open house at La'akea. I left Abby with a hug and a warm feeling in my heart.
I did my best yesterday to prepare for this morning, but I missed one significant detail. Even though it was La'akea's once-a-month open house for visitors, I didn't know that I needed do get in touch with them first to make an appointment, so there was no one to show show us around when we arrived. Luckily Sundog has spent quite a lot of time there recently, volunteering at various events, so he knew the property quite well. He gave me a good walk around the lovely 28-acre property.
It's a really beautiful community, both jungly wild and coherently organized. I got a good feeling walking around with Sundog, and talking with the few residents who were present. It seems near ideal in terms of what I'm needing and wanting now. I told Sundog that it surprised me that, although I had known about La'akea since I arrived on the Island, that I had never seriously looked into living there. It just wasn't the right time then. It is a sister community to GaiaYoga Gardens, the other intentional community where I lived for three and a half years.
I have to fill out an online application to begin the process of relocating there. The application is quite long, with some a goodly number of questions and requests, which I've copied below. The application is similar to GaiaYoga's, but perhaps not quite as long. I still feel daunted to complete it, but time is of the essence, so I'll dive in tomorrow. It took me a week to complete GaiaYoga's application. I pray this one doesn't take me quite so long.
La*'akea Application Questions and Requests
1.) How did you hear about La'akea?
2.) What draws you to participate in our Community?
3.) Please indicate desired length of stay and arrival date(s)
How long do you want to be here, and when do you want to arrive?
4.) Please indicate your relevant skills and experience
What skills/experience do you have that would be helpful to La’akea? ?
5.) Describe your educational background
6.) Read our vision statement. Which parts do you resonate with? Which parts do you have questions/concerns about?
http://permaculture-hawaii.com/vision/
7.) Have you ever stayed or lived in an Intentional Community? If so, when and where?
8.) What are some of the challenges you would anticipate living in a communal situation?
9.) What’s one quality about you that others might find difficult to live with?
10.) Do you have any physical, emotional or mental health issues that would impact your ability to contribute to life at La’akea? Please Explain.
11.) Do you take any medications? If yes, Please List.
12.) What is your relationship with alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs (we hold this info confidential)?
13.) What is your experience with rustic living; camping; tropical environments?
14.) We have young children in our community. What is your experience being around children? Taking care of children?
15.) What is your experience with leadership, self-starting, project management and completion?
16.) It costs money to stay as a Farm Supporter, and we ask you to pay in advance. Do you have enough money to live here?
17.) Please provide two work references, including email addresses.
18.) Is there anything else about yourself that you would like to share so we have a better understanding of who you are?
19.) If you have additional questions please enter them here:
After leaving La'akea, Sundog drove me back to The Sanctuary of The Blue Dragon. As he was leaving to head back to GaiaYoga, where he still lives, he left a quart Mason Jar full of jaboticaba/Brazilian grapetree - Plinia cauliflora fruit on which to snack. I love jaboticaba. They're both tart and sweet. Super yummy!
A Short time after I got back to the Sanctuary, I put my focus toward getting some work done on the land. In my heartbroken state, finding the motivation to do most things is quite a challenge as of late. Also, because I have to move at the end of the month, I have far less inspiration to create or plant things in the ground here. I did, however, find some useful things to do with my time and attention.
I up-potted a good number of hot pepper seedlings (I'm not sure the variety). I didn't quite have enough of the proper sized pots, but I made it work.
I made another batch of coconut milk, for my superfood coffee and smoothies.
I peeled some of the bananas that Vidyapapi had given me, and put then in a gallon plastic bag to freeze for smoothies. This is only a small fraction of the bananas that we were given.
I potted up some of the very fast spreading, tropical white strawberries for Abby, as she was wanting some. I still don't know what species or variety of strawberry this is yet (I'll find it!), but it grows very well out here.
Austin made a fire in the late afternoon, which I really appreciated. Later in the evening he seared local ahi (type of tuna) steaks in it, which we just finished enjoying. Super delicious!
Even with a broken heart and many things to accomplish by the end of the month, today was a good day. I feel pretty good. I plan on diving into the La'akea application tomorrow, though it will likely take me at least a few days to complete it. I'll post about how it goes. Now, however, I am going to go sit by the fire and relax before it's time to sleep. Thank you all for joining me this evening. I wish you a day/night of peace, Love, joy, and fulfillment! 🙏 💚
All photos were taken with my Motorola G Power Android Phone.
Thank you all so much who have helped me get to where I am today, and allowing me to share more of the beauty and magic from my life and my world with you, and for your continuous appreciation and support! I am truly deeply grateful! 😁🙏💚
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