Question and Answer

by Louise Akers, Garden Intern 2013

Have you ever designed a food forest? Heard of a hugelkultur? Made homemade pectin from unripe quinces? Thought black fly larvae would make good pets? Well, if you asked me any of these questions about a month ago, the answer would have been a resounding no, and indeed my likely assumption would have been that it would stay that way.  However, in my few weeks at Songaia, my eyes have been opened to a place of endless ingenuity, resourcefulness, and genuine compassion that create all kinds of yes's where there used to be no's. It is the thoughtful and natural concentration of these faculties that allow for an environment where all of these questions, and infinitely more, transform from distant possibilities to exciting realities. 

Harvesting cherries the fun way.

One question that keeps coming up among friends and family, both old and new, is whether I am learning anything here at Songaia. This question always seems to catch me off guard, provoking a knee jerk reaction: YES! This questions never fails to surprise me, not because it is at all unusual or irrelevant, but purely in the necessity of its asking. Of course I am learning here at Songaia, I always reply; I never seem to stop! To say that each conversation I have with any of the friendly and extraordinarily forthcoming members of this community provides new information, although unequivocally true, would be an understatement. It does little justice to the rapid and radical ways I have absorbed new ideas and experiences in a steady, brilliant stream since my arrival. 

Before Songaia, my familiarity with the concept of permaculture was exactly that: conceptual. It was based largely on a few peripheral articles and, if I am being honest, a casual familiarity with its Wikipedia page. Not a hugely confidence-inspiring base from which to spring into practice. However, nervous as I was about my lack of practical knowledge, here at Songaia there is no shortage of exceptionally capable and knowledgable teachers more than willing to share their encyclopedic understanding of permacultural practices. The genuine passion and excitement that defines Songaians when it comes to permaculture and the beautiful, living earth that surrounds them simply radiates, and it is impossible not to be stimulated and enchanted by it too. 

The "thinned" carrots.

One question that keeps coming up among friends and family, both old and new, is whether I am learning anything here at Songaia. This question always seems to catch me off guard, provoking a knee jerk reaction: YES! This questions never fails to surprise me, not because it is at all unusual or irrelevant, but purely in the necessity of its asking. Of course I am learning here at Songaia, I always reply; I never seem to stop! To say that each conversation I have with any of the friendly and extraordinarily forthcoming members of this community provides new information, although unequivocally true, would be an understatement. It does little justice to the rapid and radical ways I have absorbed new ideas and experiences in a steady, brilliant stream since my arrival.

A particularly colorful salad for lunch.

Coming to Songaia, I was, and still am, pretty much a novice when it comes to all things permaculture, co-housing, and gardening. Luckily, in this community, there is little gestation period; you jump in head, and heart, first. Starting even from the car ride from the airport, any question about the community, garden, or the great Pacific Northwest I had was welcomed and thoughtfully answered, including ones I didn't even know I had. Quickly, through the generosity and positive energy particular to Songaians, I was able to feel less like a clueless newbie, and more like a contributing, if a little green (pun intended) member of the community and student of permaculture practice. 

Grabbing the black walnuts before the squirrels and bluejays get them.

My weeks so far at Songaia have been defined by a series of firsts. It is both a thrill and a privilege to be able to do something, often many things, for the very first time every single day. I feel so lucky to stay in a community where creative experimentation, trial and error, and intuitive learning are so joyfully encouraged. It is uncommon and inspiring to be able not only to learn from, but right along side people I am learning from as we try new things and build new possibilities together. Seeing my wonderful mentors and hosts take risks and follow their own intuition to further their goals, both in permaculture and community, has helped me begin to build the confidence to do the same. Trusting my own intuition and creative instinct has always been a challenge for me, and in a few brief weeks here, I already feel a little less diffident, and a little more brave.