It's been a while since I've posted something here.  Blogger's block I suppose.  Or perhaps I was just struggling with believing that I had something worthwhile to share.  That is beginning to change.  Whether readers feel the same way is for... well, you to decide.

Spring has been a great season.  I'll miss it when it's gone.  Emerging from the slow and cold months of winter was rather welcome.  This is my first spring here with my beloved, Skyler, at Willow Springs.  Last year, I was hopping back and forth to see her in San Diego, but I'm feeling so much more grounded here now.  Seeing the first flowers bloom, new buds forming, leaves bursting out, mud receding to the eager grasses' growth... spring is indeed a special time.

It is also an annual milestone to witness the evolution of another year's growth, both for oneself and whatever land project you may be working on.  This year has felt rather significant here at Willow Springs.  All the little pushes on the flywheel seem to be paying off.  We are nearing the end of a significant phase where we have peeled away most of the layers of unnecessary objects, things, stuff, trash, materials, buildings, and so on.  Not to say that what's here is totally refined, but what is here is being optimized more fully or simply having a chance to breath.  It's a very similar process to cleansing one's body (or mind).  We make a push to purge toxins and accumulated stuff to pave the way for new growth and health.  The good part here at least is that once it's complete, we can start to place more attention on planting and building in a positive direction.

It has been special getting to create and hold the space for this container of community.  So many people have participated in this project in one way or another just to get it to this point, and I feel humbled by that.  It is truly magical to witness the power of community when we place shared principles above self-centered interests.  This concept is still quite raw to me and learning how to balance one's own needs with that of something greater than oneself is challenging.

So many seeds are being planted here: the YoGarage is starting to become more active with a combination of stellar teachers (Skyler, Wahneta, Lida, and Ayah) leading weekly classes with monthly workshops starting to emerge; the weaving and fiber arts scene is happening thanks to Rowan and Jenny's vision; Krepe Nite led by Pascal continues to be an annual hit featuring good eats and shining a light on local musical talent (props to Aedryan for organizing this); Ken and Lebin keep cranking out amazing guitars and woodwork, respectively, in their rootsy, salvaged shop spaces; Maroo has helped to hold space the Community House with her sparkling energy; in collaboration with Ruby and Honey Circle Farm, we've initiated a WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) internship program this summer; David Lovere has been jamming on photography (many of our new photos are thanks to him) and web design; even Rose has found an important role maintaining the well water and feeding animals as needed; and I'm actually feeling grounded enough myself to seek out other design projects (currently creating a building design for Mimi) while cranking on my studying for my architecture licensing exams this month.

I'm confident that we're starting to lay the foundation for something powerful to emerge here at Willow Springs.  Quality individuals continue to step forth to lend a helping hand from David Woods to Mike Foxfoot to Barton to Cob Rob to Erin Noel to so many, many others.  It takes a village to raise a child and it also takes a village to create a village.  I'll keep you posted on what lies ahead.