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My First Week at Songaia by Caroline Langevin, Garden Intern 2017

4/26/2017

1 Comment

 
WOW! What an amazing first week. I've thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated my first week here in the permaculture internship at Songaia. Though I've always had a great interest in the  environment and found beauty in all of nature, i’ve never gardened, nor have i taken care of many plants. Retrospectively, this week has been quite a challenge full of new growth and loaded with information on horticulture. It has truly been a magical experience, learning how to identify plants, properly weed, and watching things slowly grow. I am so fortunate to have such talented and knowledgeable gardeners as my mentors! 
Everyone has little tips and tricks about 
their wisdom and experiences, flooding a feeling of overwhelming gratitude as well as anticipation for the amount of information i will be intaking these next six months.
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Caroline linking the two red twig dogwoods that will eventually form an arch to one of the entrance walkways of the food forest

THE SONGAIANS have been incredibly welcoming  and inquisitive.  Engaged in getting to know me and forwardly introducing themselves as well as sharing their own stories, i am gradually getting to know the few dozen folks who created, maintain, and thrive in this community. They come from all walks of life but gather together to share similar morals; those of love and working together for a greater goal. “Things are done more easily the more people pitch in together”. Sharing five common meals together every week is one of the many communal activities that has kept this cohousing running for the past few decades. 
AFTER having to spend an extra day moving due to a code error from the storage unit business, i finally got all settled into the small cottage out by new song life commons. And what a most wonderful little cottage it is!  ​
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Spacious yet cozy, my new home has felt nothing but warm and welcoming. I am looking forward to meeting the other intern that will be staying in the cottage with me. I believe there will be 4 or 5  other interns participating in the garden this year. I am curious to see the program develop and the garden bloom through the next two seasons. I foresee it being majestic! ​
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Newly planted summer squash started with gallon cut out bottles to protect them from the harms of the cold, wind and slugs!
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weeded bed and replanted garlics and onions
I HAD NO idea how much physical work being in a garden takes. Patricia [head gardener] must have abs and a back of steel i tell you! I guess i thought i knew how much work it would be, but spending a mere 15 hours in the garden over 4 days has completely humbled me as well as shown light and a new found respect for gardeners and farmers.

 I CAN'T focus enough on how beautiful this place is. The songaians have done a most wonderful job with the ten acres they have and i can't wait to make my own marks here. There is a healthy soil, some happy goats and bees as well on the land. The garden covers about a quarter acre and there are little food forest throughout the property with fruit and nut trees.

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1 Comment
Laura Klepfer
4/28/2017 06:02:36 pm

Nice blog Caroline! So glad you had a good first week! Yes,
gardening takes a lot of energy. I (at 63) sure can't do as much or for as long as I did when I was younger. But it still has the draw and I love it too. Yes, you have very fine teachers. Your enthusiasm is wonderful. Hope to get to know you better soon. laura K.

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