A week or so ago one of the garden guinea birds passed on. 
Even though this particular bird, Precious, had never developed like the others, she had become somewhat of a favorite because of her odd (for a guinea) ways.  She never ate grasshoppers, preferring a vegan diet like the rest of us here at the Tree.  She would also leave her pack many times as they roamed through the garden in a meandering mass and make her way over to us, not quite sure which pack she belonged to.  It was so sweet, so cute....so.....precious.
Her passing reminded me of the profound impact every life has.....that every life matters.....she reminded me of the beauty and perfection of the seeming imperfection, to appreciate each day, and that we are here to be, and express, our own Precious Self!

A picture of our crew with our newly built gabion.  Yay!

Our garden manager took the week off last week leaving us in the hands of a local Patagonian and brilliant permaculturist.  I learned so much, not just in the particulars, but in the far-reaching, time-appreciating patience that it takes to build something which supports our great mother earth, instead of depleting her.  It feels to be a whole different thing when the intentin is to live in harmony with the earth, to take ecology into consideration, rather than just plant things where we want them when we want them how we want them.  
Even though I have travelled extensively, I have lived in Southern California cities my entire 42 years, and I have been somewhat environmentally and permaculturally clueless.  I replaced harsh chemicals years ago in favor of eco friendly ones, slowly evolved to eating vegan which is a huge lessening of resources and polution on the planet, became more aware of where my clothes were being made, etc., but being out here is a whole other level.  When Kate spoke of her house building plans, how her mentor taught her by his way of surveying land for six months to a year before even thinking of breaking ground- to see how the water flows, tracking animal walking routes, wind patterns, etc. to see where buildings could most flow with the surrounding land and habitat and least interfere with it, well, it gave another meaning to patience, care and thoughtfulness. The saying that came up earlier, the Devils in the Details, came along with us here, showing that there are ways to create sustainable and eco friendly living spaces.  Ones that value beauty as much as practicality as much as loving, respecting and caring for the earth.  It was truly inspiring.

Our project with Kate was to build a gabion, a wire structure full of rocks, to help to prevent further water erosion on a river banks when the monsoons come next summer.  My gym membership is on hold at the moment- it was surely not needed last week!!