my feelers are out.

Today is Wednesday, but yesterday was Tuesday. Tuesday was in my books as a really good day even before 10:00 AM. I visited Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute in nearby Carrboro, NC. My sister's boss casually mentioned the place over dinner a couple weeks ago, as a place where I might find connections to people who could help me realize my short-term dreams.

I met Megan and Margaret on my visit. Megan made me hot apple cider, and entertained my short biography, while we sat in her breathtaking house. She and her husband, Tim, own the whole place and live there permanently. Margaret, on the other hand, lives in one of these:


It is called a "yome," a clever hybridization of a yurt and a Buckminster Fuller dome. On her table were dozens of origami swans. Margaret is the main gardener, and she gave me a tour of all the animals.

A lot more happened as well, and it was all very interesting to me, which is why I am:
1. going back to tent there for two half-weeks, starting this coming monday
and
2. considering the institute as a potential building site (if I can knock their Crocs off with a kickass idea, and a practical plan to back it up)

That's a photo right off their website. It makes me think that I might feel romantic at a place like this.

I am off-the-wall excited about this opportunity. This could be the break I've been putting off getting a part-time job for. Anyone reading this who might be interested in helping me build a natural building, let me know. The clay in this area is phenomenal, in both its abundance and color (bright red).

I was asking Margaret about cool places to check out in Carrboro on my drive back, and she told me about the Recyclery. From what I understand, it's a place that looks like this:

Where they fix bikes using parts and tools stored in drawers like this:


And one can go there with the intention of learning how to fix bikes, and they will assist you in doing so, and will then allow you to become part of the team, and in the end you can leave with a rock solid bicycle made by you!

The answers always seem to be to the West of me.