I’ve lived [...]]]> There’s so much activity here at Tierra Nueva Cohousing! We have monthly Open House days scheduled – the 3rd Saturday of each month, the website’s content is really coming together, our retreat is being planned, various committees are doing great work, and I believe the community looks beautiful and the energy is high.

I’ve lived here for almost 4 years and I’m just now starting to feel comfortable, like I belong here. Granted, I’ve spent 2-1/2 years soaking in muck, but my ease here is available for many reasons. The children are old enough to be independent, leaving me opportunities for self-reflection and personal development. I’ve started to get to know the rhythms of the community in a way that feels like home.

Here is home made bread from our last meal:

(Click [...]]]>

This is such a beautiful photograph Stefan took. It’s at our cat Jack’s level (you can see the back of his head) and there’s a “Neighborhood Watch” sticker next to him on the window (Jack being our watch cat). And there are these intruders outside who are keeping Jack completely entranced and on guard.

(Click on the photo to get a bigger view of it.)

But then there’s the background scenery. I’m so blessed to see these trees and other greenery all the time at my home. Just beautiful.

You’re right – Tierra Nueva is far from perfect, but we’re working on making things flow (work well) – as opposed to being totally ignorant of the need for evaluation/change. People [...]]]> Here’s an email I just sent to a woman who’s thinking about moving here with her family. Whadaya think? Will she run away very quickly? 

You’re right – Tierra Nueva is far from perfect, but we’re working on making things flow (work well) – as opposed to being totally ignorant of the need for evaluation/change. People don’t always agree, agreements aren’t in place that might make things easier, and sometimes I want out. Sometimes I feel so frustrated I want to just leave. 

But living here is like being a parent. You know – it’s work, it’s not always fun, but the overall, helicopter view of it is so incredibly rewarding and amazing. I wouldn’t exchange it for anything. The challenges of it would be, for me, the same at any community. I’d wish people were more like me, the way I do in the world. But I know that having people *unlike* me makes things beautiful and perfect. 

Right now I’m looking out my kitchen window, watching the kids play on the green 10 feet from my house. They’re picking flowers and making little people out of them. The trees are beautiful, the kids are happy (except Colin just exclaimed that he wanted to cut his hair and he didn’t like me saying he might want to think about it for an hour or so). As far as my kids are concerned, this place is dreamland – perfect. It’s ’cause they don’t attend the business meetings.

I feel grounded here, particularly when we have social events. Business is just decision-making and getting things “right” – it’s the social stuff that is the glue here, the people are the bond that has me thinking that I can’t imagine being anywhere else. 

So, yes, there’s transition/change in the air here, and I’m excited about it now. I wasn’t excited 6 months or so ago when we were in the gunk of it… slodging through business meetings that I eventually stopped going to. Now I go to the meetings excited about everyone working together. 

When you come to visit I think you’ll see some pretty cool people – young and old. I remember when I first visited, I was at a meal and asked Amy what she likes the best about living here. She extended her arms out to the women sitting next to her (and the women next to them) and declared – “This! This is the best part – the people!” I remember thinking “I want a piece of that!” I wanted the Cheers theme song to be playing in my head in my neighborhood. 

It’s so easy for me to cheerlead to you even more. Frankly, you’re gold… honestly, I want more families with children moving in here since it offers more for the children. When I first explored living here 3+ years ago, there was only ONE young child here Colin’s age – and his mother was soooo eager for me to move in – she loved her child and wanted playmates for him here.  Now we have plenty of children, but we still welcome more. 

So I’ll temper my cheerleading and say that living in any cohousing community is a challenge and an amazing opportunity for growth. I’d be lying if I said it was heaven and a perfect antedote to modern living. But it’s great. 

It just occurred to me that living here is, for me, a challenge and so rewarding – but it’s also an investment in my kids. They live the way I used to – running around safely, spending time in groups after school, not having to be driven to playgroups so much. They get to witness consensus at work – they get to grow up experiencing group work and community service first hand. 

Well, that might be more information than you needed – I hope to meet you in October so the community can speak for itself (instead of my rambling thoughts!).

With best wishes, 
~Caity

In the morning I was running around preparing for the day [...]]]> We had our 11th anniversary celebration and open house yesterday. It was wonderful – great energy, great food. A bunch of people showed up, including a reporter. Stefan was interviewed about Green Housing (check out the video link on the upper left of the article).

In the morning I was running around preparing for the day and sprained my ankle. So I’m on the couch, watching the world go by.

A miracle happened when my neighbor (who was caring for and housing Stray but who, like us, couldn’t keep him) had a conversation with [...]]]> Remember the cat, Stray, who showed up at our door all sick and sad looking (but extremely friendly) who we helped nurse back to health and couldn’t find a home for?

A miracle happened when my neighbor (who was caring for and housing Stray but who, like us, couldn’t keep him) had a conversation with the owner of Halcyon Store. She said she had been thinking about having a store cat (you know, a cat who hangs out on the counter greeting customers). She met Stray and fell in love!

So next time you’re in Halcyon, California, stop by the Halcyon Store and meet Stray – who is now known as Clark (as in, Clark Pest Control). This is such a wonderful ending to a story that was a bit touch-and-go for a while.