On Sunday mornings I wake up to a recurring slam of an ax to wood.
The clash reverberates off my cement wall and dampens as it travels through the myriad of thick oak trees and tall firs.
Six Denison students and I live among the woods in a small commune called the Homestead. Since 1977, the Homestead has been a student-run, ecologically sustainable housing option.
At 9:30 am, if the sun wakes me, my feet land on my bedroom’s cement floors. If I’m not awake by 10 a.m., the shrill ringing of a cowbell does the trick.
Luke, Maya, or Pilar flail the metal bell, standing at the backdoor of Bob — the building with our shared kitchen space.
Trekking through the dew-doused grass, I climb the stoop up to the kitchen, where the scent of fried eggs and smoke greets me.
The anchor of our shared living space is a rustic, wood-burning oven and stove top.
We chop the wood and build the fire, nurturing the flames throughout cooking.
This process is physically and mentally draining at times.
It may take an hour to get a pot of water to boil.
Yet, it’s ever-rewarding and grounding.
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