tinydawghouse

The word gratitude scarcely does my feelings justice.  My move to South Georgia was sudden and unexpected.  I had spent a month trying to listen to my heart and slowly I was able to make sense of a path, an opportunity to create and nurture, and ultimately to grow.  After closing my eyes and taking the leap to move down to Walker Organic Farms, Alice Rolls from Georgia Organics informed me that they would be partnering with the University of Georgia to bring sustainable homes to farmers.  She also told me I was first in line.  I couldn’t believe it; I was moving with plans to live in a tipi until I could come up with the next step and was feeling very anxious about where that next step would take me.  It’s always been important to remind myself that the Universe provides.

The tiny house was delivered on a day when no one, but yours truly, was actually present on the farm.  I had just recently suffered an injury to my left leg by my dairy cow, Annie, and was living the crutch life.  Standing atop the road waiting for the tiny house to be delivered, I chatted with the local newsman who had caught wind of the story through the UGA Press.  After several false alarms set off by large tractor trailers, the tiny house finally breached the horizon.  I could feel my heart fill my whole body; I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful place to live.

With some minor setbacks, including getting stuck in the sand and grooming some scraggly limbs, the home was gently placed with our tractor at its resting destination.  The journey had been long for David Berle and Ryan McNeil who hand delivered her to me.  She made it through the winds and roads without injury and within 30 minutes she was buzzing with electricity.  Water poured from the spigot and the incredible reality of my new life set in.  I was blown away by the craftsmanship and attention to detail these students incorporated into this project.  As a young farmer, the quality of the home is above many that I’ve lived.  The amount of storage, size of the kitchen and shower, and the beautiful windows throughout the home make this a very comfortable nook for me, tucked sweetly on a wetland on the farm.

I moved my books in, made a bed in the loft, filled the kitchen with cookware and aromas and almost overnight the tiny house became a home.  The beautiful counter tops and wood interior made it easy to decorate and the stairs to the loft are extremely sturdy for the climb on my busted leg.  The composting toilet is a thing of sustainable beauty; easy to use and easy to keep clean, the toilet utilizing no water and limited power.  The gas power water heater does a great job of keeping my showers warm and the oven and stove are perfect for making meals.

All I can share for this whole process is gratitude, and like I said, that barely covers it.  From the vision and direction of the instructors to the ingenuity and creativity of the students, this home is blessed with the love and the power of intention of many wonderful people.  Every detail speaks for the ideals of simplicity and aspirations for treading lightly on this Earth.  I am able to focus on my farm and live comfortably thanks to some talented, kind-hearted souls in Athens, Georgia and I will never forget it.  Thank you UGA, David Berle, and the class that brought this thing together.  I will take care of her as if I made her myself, I promise.