Author Archives: Hope

Dear friends,  Spring is a season of emergence and unfolding.  That which has been hidden behind winter’s grey cloak is flashing out in bright hues and pulsing song; strong winds and soaring flight.  All around us the natural world is … Continue reading →

Another world if not only possible, she is on her way.  On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing. —Arundhati Roy Fresh February Almanac Dear Friends, Can you sense it?  It’s mid-Winter and all is not what it seems … Continue reading →

Janus January Almanac Dear Friends, January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god of endings, beginnings, transitions, and passageways.  It’s a time to take stock of where we’ve been and open gateways to future possibilities.  This hefty Almanac offers … Continue reading →

Dear friends, This Almanac is like none other.  You’ll read that our lovingly and diligently laid plans to build a village are being called into question, and we find ourselves in a  place of not knowing the way forward at … Continue reading →

Subject: Neighborly November 2022 Almanac From: Hope Horton <hopematrix@fastmail.com> Date: 10/31/2022, 6:28 PM To: Hope Horton <hopematrix@fastmail.com> Neighborly November Almanac Dear friends,  November marks the mid-point of autumn.  The first frost came early this year, laying down its sparkling veil.  … Continue reading →

Original October Almanac Dear friends, In the waning days of summer, our farmers witnessed something miraculous.  Several monarch caterpillars chose to dangle from the farm fence, dissolve into chrysalises, and bust out as butterflies.  Though it happened in plain sight, … Continue reading →

Dear friends, Wild persimmon trees abound on the Common Ground land.*  Long after blueberries are picked and peaches are past, these gorgeous persimmon globes begin to turn from green to bright orange.  But wait–don’t pick them yet!  They are not … Continue reading →

It’s high summer and nature is unleashed.  Everything bursts its bounds.  Temperatures rise to oven proportions, storms dump rain like waterfalls, weeds and vegetables vie for soil, and insects and parasites become utterly uncontainable.  Even summer’s song is made of … Continue reading →

Dear friends There’s a lot to be grateful for at Common Ground Ecovillage.  New members with terrific skills and life experience are appearing at a steady pace.  We’re nearly through the pre-development engineering stage for the village and are making … Continue reading →

Dear friends, The Summer Solstice is nigh and the natural world is exploding in fullness and fertility.  The tiny buds that wintered on the tress have yielded leaf upon leaf, each unfolding, stretching, and galloping towards the sun.  Itty-bitty seeds … Continue reading →