jeff and lori's to oneonta

there is this theme now of thinking i am going to stay only one night and then going through turmoil that leads to a decision to stay for another night. this is what happened at jeff and lori's. the particular decision i was having a hard time with was not only whether to stay or go, but where i would go next. i could proceed to the twelve tribes community in oneonta or accept the invitation to visit cody creek farm, where some friends work. this farm is in saugerties, NY.

after a lot of meditation on what to do, and input from jeff, i finally made a decision after 4pm. what helped me to decide was when i thought to open the book i'm currently reading to a random page and see if it gave me an answer. it is a book about zen practice. what i found was a passage explaining that zen is not some lofty ideal we must strive for and try to shape our lives into, but is found in awakening to our immediate experience, whatever it is. this gave me the clear message to stay. i also called a friend of mine, who confirmed my decision.

once i had decided, the evening offered my heart's desire, to help around the place and relax. the small vegetable garden had many plants growing happily that were crowding the crops. i patiently removed some of them. i also removed plants that had matured and were about to go to seed. lori was not interested in saving lettuce seed this time. these plants were the perfect thing to add to the compost pile, which was otherwise being built up with the abundantly available grass clippings and wood shavings from jeff's shop. jeff was very receptive to the information i was able to share about how to manage the compost bin in order for it to yield the desired product. the only thing missing from the equation was more coarse carbon material, for which he would buy a bale of straw.

jeff and lori decided they could help me get on my way towards oneonta the following day. this had contributed to my decision to stay, the relief from the tiring task of hitch-biking. so we departed after breakfast in the morning, driving through the rural and suburban areas north of albany. there was some desire in me to see albany, since that is where my grandmother and namesake was born, but it worked out better for us to take the route north and west of the city. i had proposed that jeff and lori could take me all the way to oneonta if they would be interested in meeting the twelve tribes folks there. they thought it wouldn't work for them, but as we approached the place they had intended to drop me off, they decided to keep going... and then, miraculously, lori figured out a way that it could work for them to go all the way!

in oneonta we were greeted by wonderful piano music and the pleasant atmosphere of a public market on main street. when we came to the yellow deli we found it closed. i, and the man i had spoken to the day before, had forgotten that the deli was closed for sabbath on saturday. i would just have to go to their house for lunch instead. the desire came up in me to see if they would not mind having us all for lunch, as i wanted jeff and lori to meet them. i got someone on the phone who said they would come meet us at the deli. three of them showed up with a baby in arms. we got a grand tour of the deli and were served refreshing fruit/mate drinks and pastries. this deli is beautifully crafted, demonstrating the care used in all the works of these people, and jeff showed special interest, being a builder himself. one feature i especially liked was the wood-fired oven built into the wall next to the hearth on the lower floor. it is about the size of a small cob oven and is occasionally used for making pizza.

after the tour of the deli we walked up to the house and were served lunch. i hardly said a word for the next couple hours as jeff and lori became acquainted with our hosts. the exchange of good will and connection of hearts was more brilliant than i could have imagined. one of the biggest developments was the wish lori expressed to share the property where she and jeff live. perhaps walkers will be sent there for a visit!

i had thought i might continue on to ithaca after lunch, but this went so late that when i was invited to just stay in oneonta for the night it felt most practical. i felt so peaceful back in the embrace of the tribe. the time up until the evening gathering i spent relaxing, getting settled, and visiting with people. i sat for a while with john in the park next to the library, after i found the library closed. he is a man who is being called to join the community but has obstacles in him that seem insurmountable. he doesn't believe he can be saved. it was good to talk with him. i see his heart and encouraged him as i could.

the gathering was held down at the deli and afterwards we all pitched in to give the place the monthly deep clean. just my luck to show up at this time! i got the thrilling task of climbing up into the sturdy beams to dust the tops of every surface up there and get any cobwebs that couldn't be reached otherwise. i also got to sit and fold laundry with a woman who spoke to me about various things as i listened patiently, enjoying the peaceful task.