Groundskeeper Willie: Alright, what's so fine and great about your fancy pants leader?
Homer: The Leader knows all and sees all!
Groundskeeper Willie: Ooh...well, that's impressive!
Homer: And he's going to take us to a wonderful new planet!
Groundskeeper Willie: Oh! This Leader, he sounds like a grand fella!
Marge: Willie, I'm not sure we're making any headway here.
Groundskeeper Willie: Would you shut up, woman! He's talking about my leader!
-"The Joy of Sect"
Hey, we have limited computer access at twin oaks, but i thought i'd share a bit from the
simpsons episode that best describes our lives here for the last week. but there really aren't
any simpsons episodes that deal with egalitarian, income-sharing communities. so i
figured a cult is the next closest thing.
it's gone well here. basically everyone in the community works 6 hours a day to support one of
the businesses (hammocks, seeds, tofu) or each other/the land (gardening, building, cooking,
cleaning). There are all types of folks here, but all share a sense that this lifestyle is better
than the "mainstream." The area is a large farm with gardens, cows, chickens, a dining and
meeting building, different living quarters (closest to dorms, really), and buildings involved with
business and upkeep. It's low-key and members really respect each other's individual quarks
and passions. What's really struck me here is how far removed i've been from a strong
community...i believe Maggie feels the same way. It's tricky to describe, but essentially it's (the
community movement) a very reasonable answer to many of the questions Maggie and I
asked ourselves when we were planning the trip. It's people coming together with less to seek
more simplicity and unity with each other.
Not such a bad thing.
And yes, there is lots of tie-dye and sandals.
