carpenter's boat shop

i stayed at the carpenter's boat shop for three nights. my friend molly, in guilford, CT had brought my attention to their website, and i had contacted them shortly after.

the time fate brought me there happened to be one of the most important events of this community's history, the retirement ceremony for bobby ives, who had been the director since the place began in 1979. there were many alumni who had been apprentices in the past, and also many friends and family. everyone wanted to be helpful, so i had a hard time finding a job to do most of the time.

i didn't even get to take out the buckets of humanure from their new bathroom in the shop. i think someone was emptying them each time one filled up, and i had set one asside, thinking i would take two at a time. i just didn't have the timing right. anyway, people seem to be using the bucket toilet, even though many of the guests were also using the two port-o-potties that were graciously donated for the event. it was not my place to say anything, so i just tried to let it go. i do think this simple, ecologically, economically, and spiritually sound way of dealing with our poop needs to be encouraged more, especially at places like the carpenter's boat shop, who's aim is 'to live in creative simplicity'.

kim, the new director, gave me one of the warmest welcomes... taking a little time to show me the facilities and listen to my story. she told me it was really special to have me there because i represent all those spontaneous travelers who have come through the boat shop in need of the hospitality it offers. i felt blessed to have been guided to this place, to the embrace of these warmhearted people.

there is a small farm at carpenter's boat shop which they call 'even keel farm'. it is just beginning to increase the production of vegetable crops through the limited use of machines. food scraps are being composted along with weeds from the garden. their pallet bin system looked good, except that there could be more cover material. almost always good to add more cover material.

during the ceremony we sang and prayed together. there were also moving speeches delivered by several people. one man said of the boat shop, "there lives here the seed of the dream we all have for the universe." that felt very true to me. there was a strong sense of brotherhood and loving kindness between everyone there.

one of the visitors, a member of the broader community of friends who lives in the area, was checking out the compost bins when i went down to pour my pee container there. this is a ritual i perform when it seems like it won't disturb anyone. this man composts his humanure at home too! it was cool to meet another person in this area who is part of this movement, and i encouraged him to keep it up and spread the awareness of it.