In which I am learning to drive a truck

I have to say I really love the work groups. They bring so much energy to the farm, and to my job. Its so exciting to watch their transformation from the day they arrive to the last day. Right now I am sitting in Udo's office and out the window a group of them are playing catch in the driveway. I guess the kids who choose to come on these trips are bound to be really fantastic. The decision sort of precludes fantastic-ness.

I never got around to gushing about my first group. They hailed from East Liverpool, OH, and, as I mentioned, were all over 50. There were 8 of them, and they were all experienced carpenters and/or farmers. I didn't have too much to worry about with them. They were really lovely. By the end of the week I felt really close to many of them, which I did not expect. It was actually really nice to have such grand-parental figures around, especially right after I heard of my grandma's death. One couple gave me really comforting goodbye hugs when they left Friday, which was perfect.

One woman, Jan, was particularly open to the experience of the community of the farm. I was so impressed with her eagerness to meet people and changer her ideas and perceptions. When they first arrived, she asked me if I felt safe living at the farm. I almost laughed, but she had asked me with such concern and trepidation. I assured her that I was perfectly comfortable here, and I really felt it to be true. By the end of the week, Jan knew exactly what I meant.

This week we scheduled two groups, one from Stroudsburg, PA and another from Mechanicsburg, PA. They are both church youth groups, with ages ranging from 12 to 17 (not including the adults). I've become really attached to this group. They have so much enthusiasm and energy, which they have shared with everyone on the Farm. Because their combined size was so overwhelming (there are about 30 altogether), we housed the smaller group in the Chapel for the week. They have all been so flexible and good about the arrangements, as they all have to share the bathrooms in the Community Room, where the groups usually stay.

This is a picture I took Tuesday of a few of them on the playground where they were weeding and cleaning. Aren't they adorable? I just love them. :]

On Wednesday, I took a few of the guys from one group with me to pick up gigantic heating units that someone was donating to the farm. I first want to point out that I made sure to ask for strong volunteers, not specifying gender. When Udo asked for a couple of strong guys, the Wellesley woman in me groaned (and mumbled "I'm offended!"). Its interesting the number of times small things like that have delineated the boundary between boys and girls, and how much that bothers me. I try to be an example by noting the strength of the girls and asking for strong volunteers, or strong arms, instead of strong boys. But I find myself falling into the same gender-specific phrases. This irks me.

Anyway, my story was about me and a truck. So we drove to this really snazzy house in a gated community (the passcode for the gate, I still remember, is *1843). The heating units just had to be down a muddy, curved hill on the side of the house. Of course. So I had to back the truck down this muddy obstacle, not one, but THREE TIMES. Please note, this was only the third time I have ever driven a truck. Ack.

I totally succeeded.