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      • Nov 25, 2019, Yearbook
      • Nov. 18, 2019, Lemonade
      • Nov. 11, 2019, Sunrise
      • Nov. 4, 2019, Bread
      • Oct. 28, 2019, Fool
      • Oct. 21, 2019, Real
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      • Oct. 7, 2019, Purse
      • Sept. 30, 2019, Attic
      • Sept. 23, 2019, Heaven
      • Sept. 16, 2019, Done
      • Sept. 9, 2019, Innovation
      • Sept. 2, 2019, Knowing
      • Aug. 26, 2019, Dance
      • Aug. 19, 2019, Work
      • Aug. 12, 2019, Hugs
      • Aug. 5, 2019, Vacation
      • July 29, 2019, Morning
      • July 22, 2019, Battery
      • July 15, 2019, Appointment
      • July 8, 2019, Decide
      • July 1, 2019, Dream
      • June 22, 2019, Music
      • June 17, 2019, Nudges
      • June 10, 2019, Folks
      • June 3, 2019, Spring
      • May 27, 2019, Sundial
      • May 20, 2019, Food
      • May 13, 2019, Why?
      • May 6, 2019, Train
      • April 29, 2019, Think
      • April 22, 2019, Hip
      • April 15, 2019, UFO
      • April 8, 2019, Cats
      • April 1, 2019, Band Aide
      • Mar. 25, 2019, Kissing
      • Mar. 18, 2019, Talented
      • Mar. 11, 2019, Rules
      • Mar. 4, 2019, Clay
      • Feb. 25, 2019, Odd
      • Feb. 18, 2019, Just Saying
      • Feb. 11, 2019, Choir
      • Feb. 4, 2019, Sweet Tea
      • Jan. 28, 2019, Waiting
      • Jan. 21, 2019, Golf Shoes
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      • Dec. 31, 2018, Happy New Year
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      • Nov 26 , 2018, 80
      • Nov 19 , 2018, NPR
      • Nov 12 , 2018, Beards
      • Nov 5 , 2018, Coffee
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      • Oct. 22, 2018, Camp
      • Oct. 15, 2018, Evolution
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      • Sept. 24, 2018, Fence
      • Sept. 17, 2018, Birthday
      • Sept. 10 , 2018, Chicken
      • Sept. 3 , 2018, Invisible
      • Aug 27 , 2018, Third Place
      • Aug 20 , 2018, Name Tags
      • Aug 13 , 2018, Distance
      • Aug 6 , 2018, Allergies
      • July 30, 2018, Unexpected Words
      • July 23, 2018, 440
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      • June 11, 2018, Trash
      • June 4, 2018, Booth
      • May 28, 2018, Baby Lawyer
      • May 21, 2018, Big Date
      • May 14, 2018, Monopoly
      • May 7, 2018, Spelling
      • April 30, 2018, Mickey Mouse Club
      • April 23, 2018, Favorites
      • April 16, 2018, Perfect
      • April 9, 2018, Quantum Thoughts
      • April 2, 2018, Surprised
      • March 26, 2018, Choices
      • March 19, 2018, Problems
      • March 12, 2018, Murphy's Law
      • March 5, 2018, Skunks
      • Feb. 26, 2018, Wind Chill
      • Feb. 19, 2018, Crackers
      • Feb. 12, 2018, Fear
      • Feb. 5, 2018, Winter
      • Jan. 29, 2018, Work
      • Jan. 22, 2018, Highway 24
      • Jan. 15, 2018, Chair
      • Jan. 8, 2018, Grace
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      • Dec. 25, 2017, Gift
      • Dec. 18, 2017, Envelopes
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      • Dec. 4, 2017, Coffee
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      • Nov. 20, 2017, Camp
      • Nov. 13, 2017, Legos
      • Nov. 6, 2017, Amazon
      • Oct. 30, 2017, Adult
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      • Oct. 2, 2017, Daisy
      • Sept. 25, 2017, Yellow Light
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      • Jan 23, 2017, Wrestling Rattlesnakes
      • Jan 17, 2017, Dog Wisdom
      • Jan 10, 2017, Shock Theater
      • Jan 3, 2017, The Butterfly and the Bee
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      • Sept 20, 2016, A Teacher's Tale
      • Oct 4, 2016, Top 60%
      • Oct 11, 2016, Life in a Small Town
      • Oct 26, 2016, I Don't Play Golf
      • Nov 2, 2016, The Piano Player
      • Nov 28, 2016, Whataburger Jesus
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      • Dec 26, 2016, Invisble People
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From The Storyteller
"We desire your feedback."
shoemaker.society@gmail.com


​Hello All: This week Elaine is sharing our weekly story because she is the gardener in our home and the best person to share a powerful message. The names included are by permission. Enjoy. Doug

Soil
“This is soil; dirt is what collects in my house,” responded a neighbor, Rich Minder, to Doug’s question about why he was “digging in the dirt”.  Turns out Rich was putting in a bed for strawberries.  We were new to the community, and we soon learned soil was considered a living thing, one which the community works to nurture into existence.

Which brings me to Rich’s essay on the spiritual nature of working soil. Rich begins by reminding us that work is that which requires sustained effort to bring about a desired form by a gradual process, and that’s just what the community does.  Guided by Laura Odell (certified permaculture specialist), who works “with Nature to create edible, living art”, members religiously add vegetable and fruit peels, crushed egg shells, clippings, fallen leaves and the like to a dedicated compost bin.  And the work doesn’t stop there.

After months of turning the accumulated material, they work the dark, rich, decayed compost into the soil of landscaped areas and garden beds that are weeded, trimmed and watered.  Ultimately the result is fragrant bouquets and an abundance of healthy, delicious herbs, fruit and vegetables shared by members of the community, bees and other wildlife.

Watching Rich, Laura and others intentionally, almost lovingly, work the soil and tend the beds, brings Doug to ask, “Why?”   Is it just for aesthetics or the availability of food? I think not; fortunately for our community, food is easily found in our local, neighborhood market.  For the answer to “Why?”, I turn again to Laura and Rich.

Laura says it this way, “I often think of the Book of Genesis when we are described as Stewards of the Earth… and we take responsibility for improving it while we can.   I know that we need to feed the soul as well as the body…To me, working with the soil is a constant invitation to play, experiment and come into greater communion with myself and my Creator. 
​
Rich further writes “The spiritual act of working the soil transgresses my Eurocentric cultural proclivity to separate the creator and the created. Hands and soil, air and soil, rain and soil … continuously witness creation giving divine life unto itself.”   

Enough said.

Moral: Co-creating with nature is a spiritual act.
   

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  • 2021 Stories
    • October 25, 2021, Joe
    • October 18, 2021, Reality
    • October 11, 2021, Dumb
    • October 4, 2021, Teachers
    • September 27, 2021, Book
    • September 20, 2021, Joy
    • September 13, 2021, Dreams
    • September 6, 2021, Clouds
    • August 30, 2021, Soil
    • August 23, 2021, Doing
    • August 16, 2021, Get It
    • August 9, 2021, Frogs
    • August 2, 2021, Photos
    • July 26, 2021, Password
    • July 19, 2021, Possibilities
    • July 12, 2021, Shopping
    • July 5, 2021, Sweat
    • June 28, 2021, Stakes
    • June 21, 2021, Tatoo
    • June 14, 2021, Dove
    • June 7, 2021, Nudges
    • May 31, 2021, Summer
    • May 24, 2021, Lunch
    • May 17, 2021, Legs
    • May 10, 2021, Skills
    • May 3, 2021, Change
    • April 26, 2021, Wish
    • April 19, 2021, Dog
    • April 12, 2021, Handle
    • April 5, 2021, Thinking
    • March 29, 2021, Alternative
    • March 22, 2021, Doors
    • March 15, 2021, Depends
    • March 8, 2021, Planning
    • March 1, 2021, Bird
    • Feb. 22, 2021, Believe
    • Feb. 15, 2021, Traditions
    • Feb. 8, 2021, Shopping
    • Feb. 1, 2021, NailFile
    • Jan. 25, 2021, Acorn
    • Jan. 18, 2021, Family
    • Jan. 11, 2021, Tuition
    • Jan. 4, 2021, Wisdom
  • 2020 Stories
    • Dec. 28 2020, Stamps
    • Dec. 21 2020, Babysitting
    • Dec. 14, 2020, True
    • Dec. 7, 2020, Music
    • Nov. 30, 2020, Pluggers
    • Nov. 23, 2020, Cherry
    • Nov. 16, 2020, Magic
    • Nov. 9, 2020, Seasons
    • Nov. 2, 2020, Food
    • Oct. 26, 2020, Nickel
    • Oct. 19, 2020, Bloom
    • Oct. 12, 2020, Surprise
    • Oct.5, 2020, Valley
    • Sept. 28, 2020, Perfect
    • Sept. 21, 2020, Kissing
    • Sept. 14, 2020, Q-tip
    • Sept. 8, 2020, Fish
    • Aug 31, 2020, Chores
    • Aug 24, 2020, Dust
    • Aug 17, 2020, Trees
    • Aug 10, 2020, Yearbook
    • Aug 3, 2020, Wood
    • July 27, 2020, Phones
    • July 20, 2020, Dinosaurs
    • July 13, 2020, Salt
    • July 6, 2020, Desire
    • June 29, 2020, Puzzle
    • June 22, 2020, Chocolate
    • June 15, 2020, Never
    • June 8, 2020, Gift
    • June 1, 2020, Ideas
    • May 25, 2020, Sleepless
    • May 18, 2020, Clueless
    • May 11, 2020, Everything
    • May 4, 2020, T-shirt
    • April 27, 2020, Better
    • April 20, 2020, Extension
    • April 13, 2020, Flags
    • April 6, 2020, Stairs
    • Mar. 30, 2020, Spring
    • Mar. 23, 2020, Cowboy
    • Mar. 16, 2020, Moving
    • Mar. 9, 2020, Serious
    • Mar. 2, 2020, Rim
    • Feb. 24, 2020, Starting
    • Feb. 17, 2020, Lisa
    • Feb. 10, 2020, Ideas
    • Feb. 3, 2020, Cats
    • Jan. 27, 2020, Fire
    • Jan. 20, 2020, Waiting
    • Jan. 13, 2020, Stuff
    • Jan. 6, 2020, Music
  • Home
  • Mission
  • Archived Stories
    • 2019 >
      • Dec. 30, 2019, Older
      • Dec. 23, 2019, Pencil
      • Dec. 16, 2019, Laundry
      • Dec. 9, 2019, Train
      • Dec. 2, 2019, Wood
      • Nov 25, 2019, Yearbook
      • Nov. 18, 2019, Lemonade
      • Nov. 11, 2019, Sunrise
      • Nov. 4, 2019, Bread
      • Oct. 28, 2019, Fool
      • Oct. 21, 2019, Real
      • Oct. 14, 2019, Improving
      • Oct. 7, 2019, Purse
      • Sept. 30, 2019, Attic
      • Sept. 23, 2019, Heaven
      • Sept. 16, 2019, Done
      • Sept. 9, 2019, Innovation
      • Sept. 2, 2019, Knowing
      • Aug. 26, 2019, Dance
      • Aug. 19, 2019, Work
      • Aug. 12, 2019, Hugs
      • Aug. 5, 2019, Vacation
      • July 29, 2019, Morning
      • July 22, 2019, Battery
      • July 15, 2019, Appointment
      • July 8, 2019, Decide
      • July 1, 2019, Dream
      • June 22, 2019, Music
      • June 17, 2019, Nudges
      • June 10, 2019, Folks
      • June 3, 2019, Spring
      • May 27, 2019, Sundial
      • May 20, 2019, Food
      • May 13, 2019, Why?
      • May 6, 2019, Train
      • April 29, 2019, Think
      • April 22, 2019, Hip
      • April 15, 2019, UFO
      • April 8, 2019, Cats
      • April 1, 2019, Band Aide
      • Mar. 25, 2019, Kissing
      • Mar. 18, 2019, Talented
      • Mar. 11, 2019, Rules
      • Mar. 4, 2019, Clay
      • Feb. 25, 2019, Odd
      • Feb. 18, 2019, Just Saying
      • Feb. 11, 2019, Choir
      • Feb. 4, 2019, Sweet Tea
      • Jan. 28, 2019, Waiting
      • Jan. 21, 2019, Golf Shoes
      • Jan. 14, 2019, New
      • Jan. 7, 2019, Twenty six Years
    • 2018 >
      • Dec. 31, 2018, Happy New Year
      • Dec. 24 , 2018, Christmas
      • Dec. 17 , 2018, Line
      • Dec. 10 , 2018, Geek
      • Dec. 3 , 2018, Rocks
      • Nov 26 , 2018, 80
      • Nov 19 , 2018, NPR
      • Nov 12 , 2018, Beards
      • Nov 5 , 2018, Coffee
      • Oct. 29, 2018, Paper Towels
      • Oct. 22, 2018, Camp
      • Oct. 15, 2018, Evolution
      • Oct. 8, 2018, Hummmm
      • Oct. 1, 2018, Fence
      • Sept. 24, 2018, Fence
      • Sept. 17, 2018, Birthday
      • Sept. 10 , 2018, Chicken
      • Sept. 3 , 2018, Invisible
      • Aug 27 , 2018, Third Place
      • Aug 20 , 2018, Name Tags
      • Aug 13 , 2018, Distance
      • Aug 6 , 2018, Allergies
      • July 30, 2018, Unexpected Words
      • July 23, 2018, 440
      • July 16, 2018, Dreams
      • July 9, 2018, Advice
      • July 2, 2018, Hands
      • June 25, 2018, Learning Curve
      • June 18, 2018, YMCA
      • June 11, 2018, Trash
      • June 4, 2018, Booth
      • May 28, 2018, Baby Lawyer
      • May 21, 2018, Big Date
      • May 14, 2018, Monopoly
      • May 7, 2018, Spelling
      • April 30, 2018, Mickey Mouse Club
      • April 23, 2018, Favorites
      • April 16, 2018, Perfect
      • April 9, 2018, Quantum Thoughts
      • April 2, 2018, Surprised
      • March 26, 2018, Choices
      • March 19, 2018, Problems
      • March 12, 2018, Murphy's Law
      • March 5, 2018, Skunks
      • Feb. 26, 2018, Wind Chill
      • Feb. 19, 2018, Crackers
      • Feb. 12, 2018, Fear
      • Feb. 5, 2018, Winter
      • Jan. 29, 2018, Work
      • Jan. 22, 2018, Highway 24
      • Jan. 15, 2018, Chair
      • Jan. 8, 2018, Grace
      • Jan. 1, 2018, House
    • 2017 >
      • Dec. 25, 2017, Gift
      • Dec. 18, 2017, Envelopes
      • Dec. 11, 2017, Wisdom
      • Dec. 4, 2017, Coffee
      • Nov. 27, 2017, Value
      • Nov. 20, 2017, Camp
      • Nov. 13, 2017, Legos
      • Nov. 6, 2017, Amazon
      • Oct. 30, 2017, Adult
      • Oct. 23, 2017, Footsteps
      • Oct. 16, 2017, Cross
      • Oct. 9, 2017, Pain
      • Oct. 2, 2017, Daisy
      • Sept. 25, 2017, Yellow Light
      • Sept. 18, 2017, Soccer
      • Sept. 11, 2017, The Tool Kit
      • Sept. 4, 2017, Red's
      • Aug 28, 2017, Nails
      • Aug 21, 2017, Tornado
      • Aug 14, 2017, Stars
      • Aug 7, 2017, Dog Feathers
      • July 31, 2017, Clocks
      • July 24, 2017, Tooth Paste
      • July 17, 2017, Honey
      • July 10, 2017, Bookmarks
      • July 3, 2017, Tools
      • June 26, 2017, One Handed
      • June 19, 2017, Curve Ball
      • June 12, 2017, Puzzles
      • June 5, 2017, Guest
      • May 29, 2017, The Umbrella
      • May 22, 2017, World Record
      • May 15, 2017, Firefly
      • May 1, 2017, Green Eyes
      • April 24, 2017, Gel Pens
      • April 17, 2017, Six
      • April 10, 2017, Missed Call
      • April 3, 2017 Hoses
      • March 27, 2017, Hope
      • Mar 20, 2017, Smiles
      • Mar 13, 2017, Onion
      • Mar 6, 2017, Creative Problem Solving
      • Feb 27, 2017, The Shopping Cart
      • Feb 20, 2017, The Tree
      • Feb 13, 2017, My Mistake
      • Feb 6, 2017, The Compliment
      • Jan 30, 2017, Friday
      • Jan 23, 2017, Wrestling Rattlesnakes
      • Jan 17, 2017, Dog Wisdom
      • Jan 10, 2017, Shock Theater
      • Jan 3, 2017, The Butterfly and the Bee
    • 2016 >
      • Sept 13, 2016, Mrs. Summers Won't Like That
      • Sept 20, 2016, A Teacher's Tale
      • Oct 4, 2016, Top 60%
      • Oct 11, 2016, Life in a Small Town
      • Oct 26, 2016, I Don't Play Golf
      • Nov 2, 2016, The Piano Player
      • Nov 28, 2016, Whataburger Jesus
      • Dec 5, 2016, Maraschino Cherries
      • Dec 12, 2016, The Box
      • Dec 19, 2016, Moving to Texas
      • Dec 26, 2016, Invisble People
  • Contact
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  • Our Team
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