Self-sustainability

Here is a post for those out West that wanted more of an update on us than just cute baby photos. The Moody grandparents brought us (more specifically Mari) a serger and sewing machine. The serger is rather modern compared to this sewing machine that belonged to my Dad's Mother. Anyway Mom and Dad had the sewing machine cleaned up and the repair guy found it to be in great working order. It's solid, antique, and one of those 'metal' ones. For those who have any clue as to what I am referring too! Well Mari got to work using it this week. Her first project is to sew together a baby carrying device. Which is pretty popular with the Anasazi baby mommas. She has used the serger as well for quickly putting together some cloth butt wipes!

On a different self-sustainabiltiy topic: we have been dehydrating apples this weekend. Friday night included us purchasing a fandangled apple peeler, corer, and slicer machine. It looks complicated but easily puts an apple through its paces. We can fit an apple and a half on each rack on the dehydrator and in about a day or so they are ready for eating. Well after fasting for a day the first batch is pretty much wiped out. (Mom and Dad these ones are loads better than our original attempt). We love Asheville because of the amount of energy and focus which goes into local produce and supporting local farmers. The area is ripe for harvesting all summer and into the fall now with apples and grapes.

I continue to remain fairly afloat in my school assignments. The grading never gets done and the children are much better than high schoolers in lots of ways. My faculty staff are supportive and caring. By the end of the month we will be a quarter way through the year and half way through the semester. Tomorrow I find out if I passed the Praxis exam which I need in order to be a certified teacher in the state. So, big party over here tomorrow if that is the case. We may celebrate by opening up a bottle of Scuppernong cider.

Lastly, Mari and I went to a live concert last month. We are fairly late in posting anything about this musician and in doing so are a great injustice to his work and energy. He is from Australia and plays the Didgeridoo. He lyrically has the potency of Jack Johnson and Bob Marley. He plays all his own instruments and will typically only have a drummer with him on stage. During the concert his keyboardist accompanied one song. He surfs, he dances, he loves the Abo's down there and is a huge supporter of the land and land rights. Here is a Youtube video of a song: Mother. Here is Xavier Rudd preforming another favorite of ours!