Joe's journal entry on the FL Earthskills Festival

My eyes gaze across a vast collection of tree limbs and trunks, littered by flames, swaying back and forth, rising and falling, rhythmically moving in sync, the dancers learn to move from the fire. I sat in a line of djembes, hands pounding the skins, in time with eight other hands, we called out to the night. None of us sure if the drums were moving the fire or the fire moving our bodies. This was a night of joy in the village, happy to be together, sharing a meal, fire, music, and conversations, but it would not physically last forever. A dim saddness was also present. Later that night, we walked bare foot through the damp grass, our path lit by stars back to camp. The night was still, though voices were carried by the wind for some time. Reflecting back on the past few days, I felt joy. Waking up early, grass damp, putting on warm clothes, stepping out to watch to sun come up over the hills, rissing above the oaks. Shortly after this, we walked to the fire for warmth. Standing there we were warmly greated by a member of the community. Bang bang! Ding! Bang! Clap! The sounds of pots and pans followed the deep hum of a conch shell, signaling meal time. The food is so good as I picked up pieces with my hands and lifted to my mouth, the aroma excited my taste buds. The taste was amazing. The days were filled with work and good conversations, work being: arrow making, basket weaving, pottery, or tanning hides. Late afternoon was filled with another great meal, follower by fire, dance, music, stories. The village is alive, like an organism, each member is making this possible. The place I speak of is not some distant land, not a long time ago.  It was the 2015 Florida Earthskills Gathering.