in an arched alcove

in an arched alcove

of white plaster, brown marble,

pine cones in a glass vase

When we first arrive at OUR Ecovillage, we are shown into the community hall. From the outside it reminds me of a large pumpkin, which reminds me of a childhood rhyme: 

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many children she didn't know what to do.

She put them in a pumpkin shell

and there she kept them very well.

There are only ten permanent residents at the moment, including one little girl of about six, though I am sure the group would love to have many more. Other people come and go, including a couple from England with their toddler, who plan to stay for six months.

The inside of the community hall is white, like the inside of a pumpkin shell. In every window, in little arched alcoves, on tables and trays on the floor, someone has carefully arranged found objects: pine cones in glass jars, feathers, shells, marbles, a box of Redbird matches, a trio of garlic bulbs. Our teacher, Gabe, sets up his laptop and I'm amused to see him taking notes on paper with what looks like a quill pen, actually a ballpoint pen with a turkey feather attached.

When I go for a little exploration after dinner, I find artful arrangements everywhere, and I come to understand that permaculture at OUR Ecovillage includes the permanent culture of art.

Many of the buildings are constructed with cob or straw bale or tires, plastered inside and out with natural clay, and all of them decorated with designs in bas relief, contrasting clay pigment, colored glass inserts that let the light shine through, stained glass and in one case, a bird nest.

In the morning I make a still life with my breakfast of corn grits topped with fresh yogurt and homemade quince jam in a rose-colored bowl, slices of orange, apple and banana with peanut butter on a blue plate, organic tea with fresh cream in a white mug and a bran muffin on the turquoise tablecloth. Delicious for eye, nose and tongue.