Be in the Stillness
Indulge yourself in this perfect time to breathe in and breathe out, and be in the stillness of the season. This is the time when things are quiet at the Farm as a deep snow layer lulls the land and structures to rest. But the work still continues while the Farm awaits us.
In this issue, learn about how our caretaker’s continue to be of service, about our Board changes, and a report from the Prez!
-
While winter finds fewer visitors coming to Potter’s Farm, the work to care for the land and keep the farmhouse and barn accessible for any potential visitors is nonetheless a near full-time job especially in seasons with heavy snowfall. So far this season, 32.5 inches of snow has accumulated in the Washburn area, keeping Wyatt and Madison busy! We are grateful for all they are doing.
Recent repairs and chores include: fixing some wiring in the barn, marking the driveway with stakes for the snowplow, shoveling/blowing snow for access to the entry points, meeting hired vendors for needed repairs, and winter proofing windows in the farmhouse.
Wyatt, Madison and dog Leo report that they are loving living at the Farm and embracing the joys of winter life in a rural community. -
I absolutely love this season of winter. It’s a perfect time to rest the body, the mind, and reflect the genuine warming fire of the human spirit that burrows deeply into the dreaming time so we may honor our dreams and aspirations as the year unfolds.
When we allow the sanctity of the natural world to be mirrored within ourselves, we can more clearly see our part of the whole, rather than consider what do I want for me. Right now, a vast array of ecosystems are burrowed together, in community, as they rest, awaiting the awakening of spring. But to think they are completely asleep could mean we are veiled to the truth of life. Yes, life rests in dormancy or hibernation: neither an aspect of unconsciousness.
In the common culture, we’ve been asked to write a list every New Year’s Day full of resolutions…thoughts from the brain. What if you allowed, through February, more time for these thoughts to simmer within all the subconscious levels of your body, and see what comes through in your night dreams, or your day dreams.
What if one of these dreams is how to be of service to the people? I know when I get outside of my world, and tap into how I can help others, with others, my life feels infinitely expansive.
Yes, this brings me to a direct ask of you, that if in your subconscious, the light of consciousness suggests service, that you consider a 3-yr Board position to take care of our precious land, buildings, and vision for Potter’s Farm.
We meet once a month for up to two hours via Zoom and take on various tasks to keep the lights on and the venue ready for events. We meet each Spring, (face-to-face this year) for a long-weekend retreat. Our caretakers take much of the burden of the day-to-day upkeep of Potter’s Farm. We’re also presently working on a 5-year Strategic Plan, something that has not been completed since the early 2000s by Bob and Diane Brander.
As a Board Member…there are no ‘have-tos’; we want each person to gravitate to what brings them joy. We have asked that those applying have Red Lodge training, and we are opening this up to others that we would offer a weekend Way of the Council training instead.
Hopefully if you are in the upper Midwest, you’ll find ways to get outdoors and enjoy the snow, the ice, the changing landscape of why many of us live in this climate. The subnivian culture has their own underground network secured under vast snowbanks. I look forward to hear what sprouts up from your underground network!
With great love and peace,
Lauranne Bailey
Potter’s Farm Board President
-
We wish to honor the dedication of Krista Porvaznik for her 10 plus years of service as a Board Member of Potter’s Farm. Krista is completing her tenure this month.
Krista shares:
Over 10 years ago, I was in my first Kiva Dreaming Ceremony at Potter’s Farm and had a dream about cleaning out the Farmhouse. In the dream, there were mattresses, box springs and furniture all over the lawn in an effort to clear and remodel the inside of the farm house. I remember DancingEagle suggesting that dream may be pointing me to serve the Farm in some way, and told me about an opening on the Board. Feeling inspired and so grateful for the previous two years of Art of Peace on our sacred land, and the subsequent spark coming through the dreamtime, I felt the call to be a steward of the land at Potter’s Farm. In the beginning, I served as Vice President for a short stint before becoming Board President. I also served as Treasurer for two years, and board member at large for the last year.
The Board has accomplished a lot during the last 10 years. We had some of our strongest years of revenue, we renovated the Barn, and so much more. I am particularly proud of our efforts in recent years of visioning a bigger dream for the land and structures as well as identifying amazing collaborative partners for this cause. Shifting into the Treasurer role taught me so much about the financial operations of an organization. It was illuminating, and I’m so grateful I was able to serve in that capacity. We established resources to elevate how we work together as Board members which in turn have taught us to think more like a business. This shift will help us remain sustainable for many years to come.
In considering what I would like to see in the future for Potter’s Farm, our strategic plan envisions calling in many more visitors per year. I would love to see this dream become a reality, so this land can support the healing and transformation of even more people than it does now.
While it is time for me to focus on other life territories, I will continue to support the Board by being involved with our Strategic Planning Team.
I encourage YOU to consider if it is your time now to be of service to your People. The expansive, cooperative, and fun-spirited people on this Board make it hard to leave but I know that someone is listening who is ready and willing to show up with that same love and energy to support Potter’s Farm. I am grateful for this time as a Board member and all the lessons it has brought to me. -
In November, Potter’s Farm was honored to host 17 individuals who arrived from Hawaii, Washington State, and the local region to participate in “Delicate Lodge and the Drum: Teachings and Lineage of Our Songs” for four, in-depth and fun-filled days of learning and growing their skills as drummers and singers.
WhiteEagle Woman, a Song Carrier in the Delicate Lodge Bundle, played intensively with Lauranne Bailey Bear Woman, Charlie Henrikson TreeLight, and Laura Van Horn BatWoman in October at StarDance in New Mexico. The three learned all they could about the drum and the songs they have touched over many years, in a deep and beautiful way for teaching these songs to others.
Lauranne and Charlie were then sanctioned to teach these songs during the four-day event (and beyond). Laura helped guide the gathering and is in training as a Song Carrier with WhiteEagle Woman.
Many hungry learners came to Potter’s Farm to learn these songs in community. The days and nights were filled with learning refinements to the songs that we have been taught over the years. New songs were taught as well. Four large drums were set up in the barn, with one lone soapstone wood stove keeping the cold temperatures at bay. Songs were practiced repetitively, and several individuals stepped forward to try pointing different songs. The time together was playful and powerful. One-on-one feedback sessions were offered as well. Each evening the group enjoyed time together in playshops, sharing stories of their introduction to the teachings of the Delicate Lodge, and shared songs that were written collectively with the group.
Meals cooked by Chef Hannah Sorensen warmed our bellies. Throughout the time together, drum beaters were made for participants to take home and some beaters were made for community use in ceremony.
Stay warm, stay well! And please consider a winter get-away for yourself or your family at Potter’s Farm. You may want to plan now to attend the annual Book Across the Bay cross-country ski event on February 19th. No matter when you come, winter is a lovely season to be at the Farm. Reserve Your Stay.
Questions, comments, concerns? Contact Us!
In Service to You,
The Board Members of Potter’s Farm
Lauranne Bailey, president
Heather Pippin, vice-president
Bob Bowman, treasurer
Raven Bailey, secretary
Members at Large:
Marlieke Dahlberg
Grace Keller
Nora Knapik
Krista Porvaznik