the black and white cat

the white and black cat

sitting so still on the doorstep --

a yin yang doorstop

On the last morning of our stay at OUR Ecovillage, we go on the official tour of the 25-acre permaculture community grounds.

The first thing we're told is that we must close every gate so that the livestock won't get out, that is, all but the turkeys and geese, which wander freely.

In the barnyard, Brandy's daughter proudly shows us the eggs she's collected and how she feeds the chickens.

Cats and a live trap keep the mice away.

Two ewes are each nursing a pair of lambs.

If you're a red hen, sometimes you have to wait until the sheep finish eating from the blue feed bowl before you can peck up the last bits of grain.

One of the sheep stares through the fence at the strangers.

Violet the Jersey cow is also curious about the visitors.

Twin piglets napping in the straw get up and trot after their mother sow.

Ariel explains the compost system for recycling vegetable and human waste.

And Satya shows us the gardens.

There are many ongoing construction projects, using all sorts of materials, such as natural tree trunks, rammed earth and tires.

And different styles, include a yurt and a house built in a tree stump.

However, the hobbit is away on some adventure . . . .