Lots

A few nights ago, we went to a potluck dinner at the old Emory School. The Emory School was one of the Rosenwald School houses that were built all over the South around the turn of the century- and we actually met a few of the students who went there years and years ago. They shared their thoughts about what they would like to see happen when the school is renovated, and shared experiences and songs they'd sing. Even the old superintendent (from 1950-1982) was there.









Then, Serah put this rat skull (still clad with rotting flesh and fur) ON her TONGUE.



As you can see in the video below, we also went to a Rodeo. Being from New England myself, I'd never actually been to a Rodeo. It was a mixed bag for me - there is a balance of thrill & near-terror, giddy nervous excitement, and sheer confusion. A bucking bronco toppled onto, almost over, the gate. I promised myself that when the bulls came out, I would be standing up at the top row of the bleachers, ready to leap off (with Katie and Custer and whoever else I could fit in my arms of course) and run to the nearest non-barbedwired gate to escape the (potential) bull attack. But when a bull actually did sort of charge towards us (fear tends to find a way to manifest itself if you actually focus on it)- I was instead paralyzed and could do nothing but sit there and wait for it to actually happen.

But it didn't. And that's where the true thrill is. For me.







All these kids seemed to be holding these nasty looking bee's nests or weird alien-egg pods...then I became aware that it was just Potato Gun ammo.


Custer had to sit in the ultimate bitch-seat on the entire trip to and from the Rodeo.



We've also had a lot of brainstorm sessions, over-dinner conversations, Rammed Earth house ramble sessions and long talks with Sherra, Pam, Betsy, you name it, about our latest project ideas. We have an idea that could actually entail every goal or concept or aspect that we care about and find important with this thing...I'm not even sure if I should spill these beans yet but, here's some War Room photos.






We're also almost done with the picnic table we are building for HERO. You can see Custer below working hard, complete with his battle scar from climbing onto the Rammed Earth roof.




We had the pleasure to have visitors from the Public Design Center stop by, and with them we drove out to the residence/studio of local Letterpress artist Amos Kennedy. He was a really exciting and energetic guy to be around, with a remarkable life story that has recently been filmed and documented about (which we also got to see). He let us go wild on his equipment and we made these posters (each one was different).



Our first trip to the Washeteria has also happened, so the Bunkhouse isn't quite so gnarly anymore...clean sheets, clothes, and we swept and cleaned the whole house. After that we followed up with a Taco dinner and closed off last night with a screening of Freedom On My Mind, which we projected on the side of the school.