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NUMBER 49 SPRING 96
MAIZE
MAIZE
P.O. BOX 130 Send material for #50 by May 1,96
#51 by Aug 1, 96
SERAFINA, NM 87569
CONTENTS
WEAVING WINTER INTO SPRING Tamarack 4
PROMISES, PROMISES Jean Mountaingrove 6
A SPRING KISS Willa Bluesky 7
ONE THING I'VE LEARNED ••• Susan Wiseheart 8
WORK ETHICS/ETHICAL WORK Nett Hart 9
WET PATIENCE Vickie Spray 12
LESBIANS ON LAND Barbara Ester 13
LILLI Maria 14
ON THE LAND
HOWL Glo 15
WOMEN FIRST FOUNDATION Lierre 15
HIGH DESERT WOMEN'S LAND COMMUNITY 16
LAUGHING R.O.C.S. Toryn Labreque 16
UMUA Cilbey and Raewyn 17
SONORAN DESERT Phoenix Wheeler 18
TURTLE ROCK Debi and Pamela 18
GARDENING IS A CHALLENGE Julie Sabia 19
A WALLED GARDEN zana 20
:-JATURAL HEALING Hawk Madrone 21
ETERNITY Maria 22
ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TO A SEPTIC SYSTEM Earth 23
RURAL FIREFIGHTING Dawn Susun 24
RURAL OLD LESBIAN Emma Joy Crone 26
COUNTRY SISTERS AND LESBIANS ON THE ROAD Thyme s. Siegel 27
THE BEAUTY OF YOU Maria Christina Morales DeColores 31
FEATHERED SERPENT WOMOON Maria Christina DeColores 31
OUR ROOTS Zed 32
WOMEN IN REVOLUTION ALLOW INTRUSION Shewolf 34
NETWORKING LANDS IN THE NORTHEAST Shewolf 35
TIPS FOR VISITORS 38
LETTERS 39
DYKE WELL-BEING 44
LEZ TRY THIS 47
DYKROSTICS Marnee Kennedy 48
LAND LESY 49
COUNTRY CONNECTIONS 52
ANNOUNCEMENTS 54
ILLUSTRATIONS
Erda cover Tee Corinne 25
Cookie 7 Kitt Redwing 26
Frances Platt 8 Khvani 28
Shan 12 Catherine 33
Barbara Ester 13 Becky Bee 34
Puck 15 Jae Haggard 47
Birch Land 18,38 Jemma Crae 54
Debby Earthdaughter 20 Rainbow back· cover
Dawn Susun 24
WEAVING WINTER INTO SPRING
Tamarack and dykes I am getting to know these days,
The Web all here. Some have woven pieces standing
Minnesota on their own, distinct statements, some
closely blended with others' work.
We have a community wall weavinq here I began to weave. Over, under, over,
at the Web. It has been here for over urtder, now my yarn touching the side of
fifteen years. A lot has been woven, lots another's yarn and I am loving the beauty
more to do. When you visit the Web you are and creativity of what she has done, the
to weave into it if you want to. boldness of her choices, the uniqueness
I was invited to, when I visited here in her decisions of what to do. I take
years ago. I was shy to weave into it at great care to weave gently near her to
that time and the visit was short---full not disturb what she has done, but to come
of other ways of strengthening ties, a close enough to lihk what I am adding.
community connection across distances. Over under over under over under and
I did love and remember that invitation I realize I don't like what I have done.
to be part of what is happening here, part It doesn't work. It doesn't look the way
of a work that so many had already put I thought it would. It doesn't convey the
energy into, part of a very definite idea. It wasn't what I meant to do. It's
community existing, the evidence in a not the right effect. It changes what is
beautifully woven piece, so much there to nearby in a way I hadn't meant.
see, so much room for more. I want to take it out, and I do. What
When I moved to live here at the Web, a relief. I can change my mind, and it's
I knew that I would weave into the weaving, easy. I start again, choosing the colours
once I settled in. I put a canada goose that I really wanted to work with in the
feather in a spot I wanted to work in. first place, colours that I think are
This winter as time slowed down and offer- needed. I take a bold step and my idea
ed this season of long dark evenings and of what I will do comes from a deeper
quiet indoor creativity, there was time part of myself. I begin again, with bright
for weaving. blues and purples, weaving into the sky.
I've never woven before. And so I I dare to work in the materials I need, to
approached this huge intricate weaving offer what I have envisioned for this
not knowing what I really had to offer, community work, something that I have
not sure just how to do something that dreamed up. I feel good about changing
would fit with what so many dykes had what I had done. I have moved into what
already woven into this, wondering if I have been wanting to do. I realize that
what I could do would work well with what I can undo anything that doesn't work in
they had started. I did believe that I had the way I want it to. Underoverunderover-
something to offer. I know that t usually do .. underover. Finger weaving. I believe that
I decided where I wanted to start and what I am wanting to do, will work. The
what colours and types of strands I want- whole piece begins to move with my gentle
ed to start with. I wanted to enhance this tugs to the warp strings. We are breathing
community work, to add something special, together. I am corning close to another
to change it in some wonderful direction, dyke's work. I want what I do to enhance
to make a change that would make it even what she has done. When she comes back
more beautiful and more complete, but in again, I want her to be happy with the
the inspired direction that so many others change. I weave to fit with what she began.
had begun. I looked for what I thought I am adding comes from me, and it is
was still missing, and thought about what part of thi9 collective community work.
I could add that would be uniquely a gift I move up to and touch hers, strands
from me. interwoven now as if we have taken each
I moved in c1ose, my hands ready to others' hands. The weaving is stronger
begin, right next to something someone and more connected than before. The idea
else had carefully done. Dykes I have of what this is, has grown.
never met, dykes who are close friends I come across some warp strings that
4
have been left broken. I fix them, no can be done that hasn't been done before.
Problem, no big deal. Overunderoverunder- Overunder underover overunderover.
overunder. And now I realize the magic of weav-
I realize that I am so focused on what ing, by taking the time to add something
I am doing in the center that I am caus- to this community work. I weave on, the
ing added tension to the edges. I hadn't colours have taken form. What I have want-
meant to do that. I thought I was easing ed to add is now here, and I have touched
some of the tension that was there, and the work of those I don't know, and those
here I was adding to it without meaning I do. We have worked ;b.ogether on this.
to. I undo some, step back, look at the And there is always more we can do. I
whole piece, then begin again, now watch- am weaving in the sky. My thoughts have
ing the effects of my work on the whole, time to soar. I weave until my mind has
not just a part of it. I relax into it, carried on from what I have learned, to
take the time to look around more, make what other ways I can offer something as
sure that what I am adding doesn't have part of bhis community, this community
the opposite effect to my intent. I that extends farther than those I know,
loosen, trusting that this will hold to- but that includes so many close friends.
gether without my having to pull it too I weave beyond the learning how to weave,
tight. beyond the obvious of what I had to offer
It was two visionary dykes who set up until the weaving itself shows me just
this warp, believed in a community pro- what I could add. I weave until my weav-
ject, found all kinds of bits of wool, ing comes naturally, easily, from that
string, feathers, wood to have sitting in deep peaceful sense of having so much to
a basket nearby. They got this started. offer. I weave until I am full of ideas
They made this weaving a community pro- of what can be done. I weave until I
ject and have offered the chance to many understand what is possible. I weave be-
dykes to take part. And d?kes have been cause I love to make change happen, to
here, taken part in the Web of activity. make connections closer, to strengthen
And with those visits the memory of all the whole that so many of us are
that has taken place here, in this weaving, doing together.
evidence of a community linked beyond even When do I stop? I want to do all I
everyone knowing each other. A statement can do, and I want to leave room for
of work done together, of making something others who haven't been here yet, who
beautiful happen. Visionary community have something to add, who will do some-
minded dykes began this, made it possible. thing that I wouldn't have done, thought
It was put on the wall here at the Web, of doing. It will be all the stronger.
when the Web began. Part of this is knowing that other things
Overunderoverunder I am adding to the are waiting to be started. Some community
community, I am making a change happen, minded dykes began this. Others have
I am offering what I have to offer, I am opened ways for us to be part of what they
joining in on what others have begun. have begun. Each of us has something we
overunderoverunder. I come across a can offer. Each time any one of us makes
mistake. Two over, two under. What to do. something happen, we strengthn this weav-
Is it a mistake, or a variation that was ing of community, each of us offering what
meant? Does it really matter? Does every we can, each of us adding to what each
part have to be the same, have to be what other have started. It's winter, and I'm
is expected? This weaving has been here weaving into spring. A chance to make
for so many years. Mistakes are woven in, something new happen, growth beginning
and it is still here. The mistakes I make, through the time of winter rest. A chance
I can undo, or I can leave them. I can to seed what I haven't been able to seed
see them differently, see that something before this spring. A hope that more and
different can be done through them, the more are doing what they can too, and that
unexpected. I see the difference between we find each other. We need to keep weav-
a mistake that I don't like and the ing with each other. There is so much that
unusual, the different way that can lead we are doing. There is so much more that
to new ideas. Some of my mistakes are we can do. I'm weaving into spring, and
worth fixing, others make room for what I know that in weaving, there is magic.
5
DOING SEVENTY
PROMISES, PROMISES bed! That image charmed me. I wish I
Jean Mountaingrove
could store snacks under my bed but it
Rootworks
Oreqon has a solid frame raising me just 6 inches
off the floor.
One gloomy afternoon in December I sat Bigger animals respond to a chemical
at my table, nibbling fudge and staring in their blood that is activated by shorter
at a half-burned candle. Days, even weeks, hours of light, food scarcity and tem-
had slid by and I did nothing but read, perature extremes. They get sleepy but
nap, and keep the wood stove going. And first they go on a food binge. Like bears
eat. Alot. I felt guilty about unanswered in the blackberry patch, they eat to
letters. Anxious that no gifts were pur- build up a store of body fat. They grow
chased, no holiday cards mailed. How thicker fur and find a warm place to sleep.
would I get through Christmas? How could Doesn't that sound like me? I dry and
I keep my promises to go to all those can my garden produce. I feast at Thanks-
Land Trust meetings and to take each of giving and at holiday parties and pot-
my 5 grandchildren to town to pick out lucks. I gain weight. I get out my jackets,
their gifts? sweaters, caps, gloves and boots. I hea!?
"Here come 3 months of boredom and up the blankets, stock my pantry shelves,
depression," I thought. 11 Darkness and patch the roof and add to the woodpile.
isolation. The road will be muddy and My body knows how to weather the weather.
icy, nearly No one will come. I learned also that I am a "walking
Winter is awful." hibernator". Like racoons, skunks and
When I heard what I was thinking, I rabbits, I take long winter naps--up to
stopped. "Wait, I'm not doing guilt and 12 hours or more--then wake to forage for
despair. I'm going to trust my feelings food. since I can't tuck it under my bed,
and my body messages, trust that energy I go down the ladder from my loft to
will come to do necessary things." forage in my cupboards and shelves.
I went outside for a breath of air. Then I sit by my fire, cradle my food
Surrounding my cabin, spreading oaks, in my warm blue china bowl, and eat. As
dark green firs and pines stood quietly. I watch the flames, I let dreams come,
In rain, wind, pale sun and snow, their images, ideas. I leave space for insights
roots drank the moisture to nourish to rise as judgements fade, plans dis-
Spring growth and endure Summer drought. appear. Time is a quiet pool around me.
To wind and snow they gave up what was Climbing the ladder and into my bed, I
weak or dead. Leaves, twigs, branches de- pull blankets up to my chin and my soft
cay to enrich the forest again. knitted cap down over my ears. Stretch.
The world was quiet. Where are the Relax. Go to sleep. And yes, to dream.
birds and animals? Hibernating! Hiber Do bears dream in their winter dens?
is Latin meaning "winter". Oh, my body Yes, bears dream and so do cats in their
wants me to join in nature's winter plan naps and dogs in their sleep. I learned
for renewal: "Come hibernate with me!" that sleeping drea'Tis are vital to mental
Intrigued that my moodiness might be health (whether we remember them or not)·
an urge to hibernate, I explored the
Far from being impractical, I believe
Subject at the local library. In the
daydreams are as necessary as our night
children's room I found the book I want- ones.
ed. Do Not Disturb: Mqsteries of Animal
Our natural shift into winter inward-
Hibernation and Sleep.*
ness has been rnedicalized into Seasonal
I read that small animals dig a burrow
Disorder, S.A.D. Sad indeed.
making both a bedroom and toilet room.
A disorder-created by society's unnatural
In the Fall thev make a bed with soft
demands that our energy cycles fit a
grasses piled nearly to the top of their
mechanical model of constant unifonnity--
burrow. Then they tuck food under their
all year and all our lives.
6
How hard it is to accept slowing down,
Cookie
lessened energy, lack of accomplishment
Oregon
in a competitive, work-driven inhumane
system! I see how unnatural it is to rush
about in darkness and cold winds to shop
in crowded stores or work in city noise
and artificial light during the season of A SPRING KISS
rest and quiet.
Now I can see my lack of ambition and
accomplishment as outward signs of my Willa Bluesky
inner turning with the wheel of the year. California
As seasons turn, my energy and focus
change. I stay in balance. Reflection I look to Spring
and activity, each in turn. Winter is the to lift me up
season to let my spirit drift and dream. from Winter's root cellar
To let my mind roam over the past and where hands grovel for one more
wonder into the future. Over a lifetime gnarly potato one more shrivelled apple,
of moving with the rhythm of the seasons, to take me up on broad
may I ripen into maturity and wisdom. wings of flight.
Sometime in my winter musings, I Soaring in the Spring
remembered that another Spring is pro- I will taste blossom fragrance and
mised. I was able to keep my promises feel warm breezes in my hair
this winter and Mother Nature always until one flower calls me
keeps hers. to her downy, powdery face.
9
selves, cannot respond to others, deem land dykes we are doing something
their own efforts inadequate. It is a ent. We have new patterns of respect and
particular!'' northamerikan malaise to interaction to develop. ·we are learning
need to have our worth confirmed by others. more sustainable, humane, and loving ways
I think some of the root of it is a con- to live on this planet. We are developina
tinual deficit of producing less than we a non-capitalist/non-exploitive system "
consume and knowing in many places in the of '"Tieeting our corrununity' s needs. :"le are
world other wimmin are making up the dif- not accustomed to this much responsibili tv
ference. This is a spiritual crisis. We for ourselves.
cannot heal our poor self images by fo-
c"Jsing on why we are not working, how I recognize that apart from desire
someone else's work makes us feel even to create our own riqht living there are
worse about ourselves, manipulating others differences among us in ableness to do so.
into not working or into doing the work This is why we are coiJIInunal beings. It
while shaming them that they do. is not necessary to measure our output
I was at a dyke work weekend where against another's. Besides valuing all
fully a third of the dykes never did any- kinds of contributions that dykes make
thing but watch though the work was varied, to create the life of Lesbian corrununity,
essentially unskilled and pleasant. I had we need to recoqnize that some tasks take
to wonder why someone would not have any more effort for some of us to do them and
expectation of herself at a work party. some of us have less concentration or
All of what we need to reflect on regard- energy. If we all did the kinds and
ing work and community is not class- amounts of work that fed our souls, we
related, but it is disgraceful how much could adequately feed, shelter, and
our working relationships have been un- clothe us all.
touched by otherwise excellent class But I also recognize how often we
analysis over the Feminist Lesbian years. squander resources because we do not
Who works, who does what work, who knows expect certain dykes to do work or our
how to or figures out how to do the work, lack of ease with them prevents us from
have everything to do with the expectations doing work in a way that allows their
and experiences that surround us. participation. I have fed logs to a blind
One of the hardest tasks before us is dyke wi'th a chainsaw, loaded hay in a
to learn to value the contributions of hand cart with a severely depressed dyke,
other community members whose work is run errands for a Lesbian conference with
outside our exoerience. I had a friend a dyke friend who is quadriplegic and her
tell me that the math required to do amazing lift van. I have watched as very
accounting was more complex than that of young wimmin take on a task that those
a carpenter. Did her accountant ever do .-'i.round them think is too much. We all need
a roof? Does that say something about challenges and the ability to contribute.
her unwillingness to learn how to do the What I can do has changed with the years,
math of carpentry more than any physical some of it more able, some of it less
abilities? I think it does and I think able. I have had injuries that restricted
the willingness to watch as someone else certain kinds of work but did not mean
does the work has the same roots: some I could not work at sgmething that gave me
wimmin just do not expect themselves to pleasure as well as benefit the homestead.
do certain kinds of work. They are at a I have learned to watch as less physicallY
loss as to how to participate. strong dykes maneuver something I could
not budge. I do not have to be the best
Life on the land offers us the oppor-
at some collective project, in fact, I
tunity to live as honest Wimmin. Our heat,
don't even have to notice that anyone
food, and shelter do not have to exploit
is the best.
the resources deposited eons ago, the
We need to break the equivalency be-
potential of the future, or the labors
tween work and value, not just how much
of third world wimmin or less advantaged
work each of us does, but also what kind.
community wimmin. All of us have manv new
If as human beings, Lesbians in communitY'
things to be learned because whether we
we were valuable to ourselves and others
grew up doing physical labor or not, as
for Being, then the work we do would sig-
10
nify our contribution to community, not difficult for us are easy for others.
our value as Lesbians. Those who grow the Sometimes it just means someone is the
worlct•s food, resourcefully use discards dyke who takes on the responsibility to
to create shelter and Clothinq, or muck figure it out, to stretch her personal
out a barn or composter have not been limits, to be momentarily uncomfortable
accorded much respeCt in this culture. To in order to do what must be done. There
create right relationship with work we are jobs that probably no one enjoys but
need to reevaluate our sullen hierarchies. are necessary{sorry, Sonia) so the value
Anything any dyke did would be a welcome of that work is in it being done and the
contribution to the need to contribution to community sustainability.
sustain and nourish itself. No kind of One way we both avoid responsibility and
work is in itself demeaning. over-value some dyke's work is by declaring
Our relationship to work and our value it to be something we could not do.
has to be free of comparison, free of I think the lack of respect we show
control. Everyone should be able to work one another and our lack of comrnunitarian-
at her own pace, on projects of value to isrn certainly drain us of the energy we
her. Imposition of another•s standards could use to build Lesbian community. I
and judgements robs work of meaning as think of all the time, energy, and love
surely as being forced to do work for depleted by dykes who are trying to be
which there appears to be no utility. It important/self-important by dragging down
is a root of sadism to sever the dyke other dykes. I think we also need to
from the connection to meaning in what address addictions in our community, not
she is doing and unfortunately there is as a "program" or therapy issue, but to
a lot of that both in society as a whole look at the community productivity lost
and in dyke land culture. Anyone who robs to addictions to substances, therapy and
us of our joy in doing by denigrating the telemedia. I am not referring to poetic
work or the product seriously wounds our creative idleness which is needful, but
ability to enjoy work. And if work is not to mind-numbing, soul stunting obsessions.
enjoyable, then we waste most of our days. Beyond our concern for individuals and
For most of us this has happened over the quality of their interactions with
and over again in patriarchal jobs. We us, I think we need to examine the costs
can restore our connection to our labors to community that individuals' addictions
and be able to allow others theirs. accrue and speak out more often. We, as
How can we work together, learn skill a community, seem to have an in-your-face
and expertise without comparing neqatively attitude about one another's work ethic
our efforts to those of other dykes? How and a hands-off attitude about leisure/
do we work together with different skill pleasure decisions. Why? Work ethics are
levels and paces? How do we share the much maligned yet I believe it is the
experiences that teach us, includinq the secretive nature of our pleasure ethics
freedom to fail, with other dykes without that are the direct descendants of the
assigning over and over aqain the more Puritans. To the extent that our recrea-
skilled work to those with more exnerience? tional choices are private/sacrosanct,
they enforce a dichotomy between indivi-
I have learned a lot about the skills
dual play and community responsibilitu.
needed to maintain the rural dyke home-
stead. I have learned from other dykes I would like to see a new emphasis
but I have also learned by struggling to in our Lesbian communities, especially
figure it our alone when necessary, and our rural Lesbian communities, on working
from books. As a community our unwilling- together, finding in the rhythm of sus-
ness to struggle causes us to call in the tainable living the connections and con-
"experts" and give over our power, and cern we have for one another. In the con-
give over our ability to work through the tentment of collectively looking in wonder
problems. I know how many jobs I would and appreciation at a row of jars filled
have thought too difficult to tackle are with tomatoes or a stack of wood, we
difficult, no matter who does theM. There could settle into the value we have for
are things learned from experience but the life we are dreaming and making
that does not mean all things that are happen--together, all of us.
11
v
...________
l
'
.I
'
WET PATIENCE
Vickie Spray dug, the well can not be dtilled, the
North Carolina electricity can not be brought to us.
We phone the septic tank and well guys
If the Muses prepare you for an ad- almost every day thinking that if they
versity, you can be confident the pre- are bugged enough they will risk taking
paration was necessary. For instance, their 30, 000-pound machines into the red
Shan and I were given a snow shovel soon clay muck, but they know better and so
after our arrivql to North Carolina by we wait.
one of our land dvke neighbors. Two days We are renting a house from another
later, The Blizzard of 96 visited two land dyke neighbor until our trailer is
naive, courageous, self-transplanted habitable. It just so happened one of
Florida wimmin, sat us down and spoke to her rentals came available two days after
us about what would and what would not the snow started to fall from the sky.
take place during the performance. As Remember the Muses? It is a comfortable
Shan wrote in our newly acquired Land house with the kitchen facing a patch of
Log Book, " •.. everyone wciits in the side- flat wooded ground that attracts hawks,
lines to do bit parts ... " Metaphors rabbits, and birds we are yet unable to
abound around this odd, white wetness. name.
Our trailer sits on blocks in a clear- Intent on being productive, we drive
ed area on the north ridge of our land. to the land, park in a safe, we-probably-
The earth is too wet to transform this won't-get-stuck-here place and trudge to
setting into a warm and dry in which the trailer. Each step that is taken adds
to call home. The septic field can not be inch of wet clay to our boots,
12
so much so that we soon look like two
winterized Frankensteins out on a country
stroll, lifing our feet up high in the
air and plodding them heavily back down
into the wet clay, lifting them high up LESBIANS ON LAND
into the air ... You get the picture.
While we repair the leaky roof, paint,
Barbara Ester
de-mouse our future habitat, we dream. Utah
Wildflowers will be happy in the old
tobacco field if some horse manure is From south Florida--Lesbians on lands
added from the stables in the next small Warmth and greens ... ocean air
town. A vegetable garden, too, will do To mid-California--Lesbians on lands
well after a few healthy doses of digested Warmth and greens-... ocean air
nutrients. The cleared sloping ground Wild growth--plants--greetings to spiders
needs ground cover. Fast growing ivy is Birds--lizards -and squirrels
agreed upon. There is a place down by Altars of feathers and stones
the creek that is flat enough for many Forests-rivers-prairies-valleys-mountains
reposing lesbians. We envision them lying In between--greens to browns to
about with- their breasts unhindered and reds to white snows to greens
their bodies open to a leaf's caress. to blues--skies
The garden will be watered from the Patches of lands--loving dykes--warm embraces
stomach of a cistern we are going to Conversation--opening hearts--opening minds
obtain as soon as one can be found. It Touching souls
is going to collect rain from the small I travel--move to new places and we. are there
pole shed that will be built as soon as A Fine-Proud Lesbian Culture
we get moved in. And there are enough
pines on the East side of the property
to give us a good start on a log cabin.
The lesbians who live next to us and who
also introduced us to these nineteen acres,
know how to build log cabins. They have
draw knives, chain saw attachments and
winches. We sometimes go over for dinner
and ask them questions about the differ-
ence between building with poplar and
pine, squared logs and round and the other
hundred things necessary to know. January
is the best time to cut, they say. The
sap is down. "And be sure to skin the
bark right away or you'll have a time
gettin' that stuff off." We listen and
read up on the different types of notches
a woman might make on the log ends of
her future log home.
They are predicting rain for the next
few days and freezing temperatures for
the next three nights. We know now what
it means to hope for Spring. And soon, we
will know what it feels like to live on
wimmins land, land that is touched by
wimmin, loved by wimmin, cared for by
wimmin, honored by wimmin and celebrated
on--by Yesterday, the same woman
who gave us the snow shovel gave us a
Bluebird box. The wonderful thing about
Barbara Ester
the Muses is they will also prepare you
for pleasure.
13
LILLI
Maria anti-gay riqhts initiatives it's pretty
Wildwood scary living a secluded lifestyle in
Oregon survivalist territory, even/especially
closeted. I am addicted to the deep
I used to think there was quiet of the country, the open S_?aces,
wrong with me th3.t I couldn't figure out and womyn's
how to live on womyn's land and still
support myself. Why couldn't I make Right now I'm renting land from a
enough money in 2-3 days a ·....-eek to pay lesbian. It isn't cheap. My luc:r:rative
the bills? Why couldn't I live frugally job(in town) went away, so I have a
enough to be on the 1.1.nd instead of at land-mate, and three very part-time jobs;
work. I look for work, and dream of owning my
I come from stock. I'm sure my own land, (fat chance at 56 with no sav-
grandJ?arents didn't i1ave a clue about ings and iffy credit) ... dream of living
how to "make a living" off the land. I on lanci that "makes a living 11 •
looked for \vays of making monev on ,.,omyn' s I'm not the only one in this soup it
l3.nd, but discovered on land pre- seems, so some of us have been talking
ferred to leave it wild ... about how to make land more accessible
Gradual! y, I :Oegan to re.1.lize that for womyn who have to work for money,
most of the womyn I kne•.v living on land who have no wealthy relatives, and/or
full time, didn't h'lve to ':·mrk for money. have physical limitations. This means
This information flooded me with relief. most of us also need access to things
It was not my fault! Luck was the trick. like hot running water and telecommuni-
If you are lucky enough to not have to cation with the rest of the world. These
work for vou live differently, things cost more, too.
make different choices than you might Well, as I said, we've been talking,
otherwise. and decided there's no reason why we
I understand luck. But, what could can't incorporate as a non-profit, and
I do? I have no rich relatives, no luck write grants, and fund-raise to buy land
gambling, I'm not even very good at for us. We call ourselves LILLI, Low-
saving, but mostlv I'm more interested Income Lesbian Land, Inc. We're looking
in doing what is satisfving work than for about 15-30 acres, to accommodate
lucrative. three to five lesbians, close enough to
For tNo years I 25 miles Roseburg * to commute, where we can grow
(one way) to work 5 days a week from mv food, a cash crop, where we can develop
100 year old school house on the Smith economic self-sufficiency, where we
River. It was falling apart so the rent can learn country skills and inter-depen-
was cheap. An owl guided me home, a dence. Where we can do workshops and
raccoon peered in my bedroom windows, a conferences, and have visitors. Where we
single bald eagle nested and can live with young adults and elders
ti1e ghosts whispered to my dreams, but and children ... growing dreams, crops,
it took me three hours to drive to writer's kids, and respect for wildness, too.
groul') every three v1eeks. After 2 statewide For more information or a copy of
our by-laws write to POBox 371, Rose-
*A few exceptions can't work for money burg, OR 97470, or call 541-672-4478.
and receive disability payments. I am
not referencing these women in connection *Roseburg is a mid-size (19,000) town
with LOCK. in a large rural county.
14
ON THE LAND
HOWL
HUNTINGTON OPEN WOMEN'S LAND
VERMONT
Dear Maize,
Here is a photo of our sauna. Actually
we still have to install the stove before
we can really use it. It's taken a while
to find the size stove we neen. Building
the sauna was great fun and a little
nerve wracking as we did not want to
waste any of the beautiful tongue and HOWL Sauna Photo by Puck
groove local douglas fir we had purchased.
During our workshops we paid conscious
attention to our ways of interacting
and communicating. Our goal was to be WOMEN FIRST
aware of power and the need to be peers NEW YORK
as we set out to 3cco:mplish the qoal of Dear Maize Readers:
building '1. sauna. Yeah! We finally got our land! After
'dhat a learnin'] ex_r.>erience it vns. nearly two years of looking, we're about
Our first :::ession included uomen who to use our LNR grant to purchase a home
11::td rarely used tools, some l'lho had for lesbians!
:::::3rpentry skills, wo!llen frmn Vermunt, The land is 10 acres in Cortland, NY,
C:1nada and Scotland. We labored over south of Syracuse and east of Ithaca, so
math, si::_1_ned resci.le remedy and struggled we're close to lesbian community and
to re,nain calm as we collectively figured cultural events. We're not far from the
out how our plan could be actualized. Peace Camp, either.
Life is qood here at HOWL and we have The land was Cleared many years ago,
been success with many of farmed, and then abandoned. We plan to
our qoals. This is such a beautiful .!)lace reforest at least half of it, using native
to live, this side,and the species, to make a horne for our wild
!lOuse is sv1eet and coZ''. Work is alw3.ys sisters, too. There's also a small pond
ha17pening and as I write we are readyinrr and an old apple orchard.
ourselves to finisl1 off our l3.rrJe co!llffion This summer, we're going to be building
roo'Jl upstairs on ti:ne for our self-i.11Dosed a straw-bale, passive solar house with
deadline ... Winter Solstice. a 5-ton masonry wood stove and a solar
The niqhts are beautiful here. Even composting toilet. Sound exciting? Come
on the longeSt coldest nights ... we can join us! We're looking for dykes of peace-
a fire under the outdOor tub ful heart, radical feminist vision, and
qaze at the stars. we are blessed 3.nd wild spirit to work and play with us this
we want to share our blessings. summer. Girl children are very welcome,
invite wo!Tien to come visit and too. College credit may be possible since
experience the beauty of Vermont. we are officially a non-profit organiza-
!)lav, work and be in the excitement of tion. Drop us a note if you're interested.
all-fem'lle company. In sisterhood,
For more info call 434-3953 Lierre
Glo, for HOWL for the Women First Foundation
HOWL POBox 53, Huntington VT 054G2 WFF, POBox 372, Greenfield MA 01302
15
/
collection systems on our structures,
HIGH DESERT WOMEN'S but will have to bring in drinkihg water
until we can raise money for a welL It
is more economical for us to use solar
LAND COMMUNITY electricity. There are other lesbians
on land in the surrounding area.
Kitt
26
COUNTRY LESBIANS
AND SISTERS ON THE ROAD
is a culture of wirnmin-lov±ng-wimmin,
of earth-loving wimmin, of life-loving
wimmin", then I look at Terra and think
over these two years here and I can say--
these are the roots of Terra: life and
love among womyn.
When Mary Frances Platt from Camp
Mary writes that "It is an amazing feat
every time a raised poor woman with or
without disabilities gets to some kind
of feminist-thinking-womensland", I
know that is true. Terribly true. The
three of us who are at the core of Terra's ,;;,
creation come from different places, but Roofing at Terra Photo Catherine
we have all fought(and still fight) to be of men's violence? Catherine sent her a
recognized as lesbians. But we are all brochure of Terra. She cried upon reading
conscious of the amazing feat (and leap) it and will come--SOON. Shall we consider
it was for all of us to find womyn who her a "het woman"? No way. There would be
really love and value womyn and whose something terribly wrong if these womyn
concept of "lesbian" was not 1 imi ted to could not be welcomed on lands where we
having sex with another woman. are wornyn loving womyn.
Most of us were called "het women" at We want Terra to be open to all womyn
some points in our lives. I.was even who are looking to live however long they
issued a warning, about 7 years ago, not choose to live with because these
to get too close to one of those "het womyn love womyn. I won't assume they're
women" with whom I am now building Terra "het women" and therefore limited in
{this warning came from radical dykes on their love for womyn anymore than I will
a womyn' s vacation land in France). One assume that a lesbian loves and respects
womoon from Algeria might not have come wornyn. As Sarah from Kimbilio puts it:
to Terra had we decided this would be 11
! have been able to let women be what-
Lesbian iand: could she be included? ever state they come in and care that
Since then, she has phoned her aunt back they feel loved and accepted and that
home that she is indeed a Lesbian. they see the possibilities that they can
Enthusiastic about this new world, she dream and that these dreams can become
went to Paris to visit the Lesbian bars. realities."
Called up Terra and said that was just There is much more to discuss, to
not her world. Came back and planted her develop around this; I know we'll all
garden and is planning a cabin. Or how keep on with this whether in TLC circles
about the womoon who has never been to or around the firecircles or where ever.
any lesbian or feminist anything and yet Thanks so much to all of you who are out
was a flaming Amazon in an underground there everywhere. That primrose has
group in defense of women who are victims totally bloomed this morning, incredible .•.
33
WOMEN IN REVOLUTION
ALLOW INTRUSION
Shewolf
Woman's World
Louisana
Becky
Oregon
34
NETWORKING LANDS
IN THE NORTHEA.ST
Shewolf filmed for a documentary on old lesbians
Woman's World and one part of the Celebration included
Louisiana an inspiring workshop on ageism by OLOC.
Old Lesbians Organizing for Change is
It was hot in mid June as I drove out an organization for lesbians who are 60
in my Chevy Van pulling a Casita travel years or older bringing ageism to the
trailer. It looks like two white tubs with forefront. Next time you see birthday
one flopped over on the other and sealed cards for old women notice how far down
in the middle with a silver band. Made of they put old women; watch the words that
fiberglass, light weight and it pulls like make OLD bad and only YOUNG good. For
a feather. My second trip with this rig, years I have bean turning ageist cards
and plans were to go to Nova Scotia, per- around and putting them in the back of
haps, but to the northeast and Quebec, for the racks in drug stores and card stores
sure! so they seldom get sold. It works to
Traveled to Bold Moon Farm near Greens- reduce the money going into the pockets
boro, N.C. to meet Sine Anahita who had of exploiters! One company, Avita, actually
been in letter and phone contact with me publishes some "old is good" cards; check
for a couple of years. What a thrill to it out!
finally meet her; she is a bundle of joy, I accepted an invitation to spend time
wrapped around the goat farm with warm in Chatham, about 40 minutes from P'town
women helping to make the weekend festi- on a women's land where I could hook up
val a really pleasant occasion. In addition for a few days and visit with the local
to giving the Wimmin On the Land Slide women. What a week that turned out to beJ
Show on Saturday night, the women had Met the locals, visited the UU church,
arranged for musical entertainment, art enjoyed several great meals with discus-
displays, and workshops throughout the sions, and went fishing in Nantucket Sound
weekend. I want to return. on the 4th of July! Caught an 8 pound Tar-
I parked my Casita in the middle of taug(Black Fish) which we respectfully
it all, not too far from the playful goats ate that day at Sally's Sanctuary. This
in the field, plugged into electricity and land is covered with beautiful green lush
water and was set for the n:i,.ght. On Satur- growth, a small cottage waiting for the
day I took a ride with Lynn Hicks over to main house to be erected, a lake across
Full Circle Farm, about 20 miles away, the road with a beach for swimming, and
and toured that grand place. The large a river on the edge for oar driven boats.
old farmhouse is massive and welcoming. Sally is fun and interested in lesbian
We discussed improvements she wants to visitors in the future. One woman vacated
make and how the place used to produce a tent and another moved in for the
outstanding organic crops. New women are weekend so along with local visitors
moving in to start up again and hopefully there was a continuous mingling of
the fields will soon be singing with female energy.
growth activities. It is a beautiful place Polly's Playground in Wiscassit, Maine,
where the residents seem to have the zest my next stop, is a newly developinq women's
to make it happen! Meeting Lynn was •North campground in conjunction with an apart-
the trip! ment complex and recycling store outside
The Celebration of older dykes in the city. Polly graciously toured the area
Provincetown, Massachusetts, with Christine with me and discussed plans for her ex-
Burton of Golden Threads turned out to be pansions. I parked my Casita in her yard
four days of social interchange with for a few days of touring the Maine coast.
older dykes all making new friends around We saw the Puffins(colorful birds being
the country. This year the gathering was introduced to the island) on a boat out
35
by the townspeople. I felt good about the
of New Harbor off Monhegan Island, did
candlestick bowling on the pier, and drove world and our place in it!
to Boothbay Harbor. The next visit was to a small strip
Arrangements were made enroute to visit of private land surrounded by national
in Belfast, Maine at Nan's lesbian settle- forest in New Hampshire near Glenn. The
ment and give the Slide Show in the city nearby town of Conway is a maze of dis-
of Belfast at the women's center. Belfast count shops and tourist attractions that
captured my heart from the first day as crowd up in the late summer and fall. The
I drove down main street almost into the L .. L .. Bean outlet's parking lot is a haven
ocean(actually Belfast Bay). One day, for lesbian sightings! In contrast, June's
Susie, cathy, Nan and I paddled kayaks Jewel was a stunningly small women's space
into the Bay for about 2 miles; for most perched on the edge of the forest with a
of us our first trip. Since my first kayak road that knew the hoof marks of Moose
experience last February with Joan in and Bear t Nancy and I drove to the edge of
Tampa Bay, I had been looking forward to the mountain on one trip and later she
doing it again; it was great! and I went with June to photograph valleys
In the center of Belfast is a wonderful and look for special fallen branches. June
Co-op food and health store where all wittled steadily until they came alive as
alternative lifestyles are honored. I had walking sticks for women of the spirit. I
only been in Belfast for a few days when own a beautiful thick lavender wooden
I was running into lesbians I knew at the support for my future journeys.
co-op, the laundry next door, the UU I spent two weeks in southern Quebec,
church, and at the Aids Alliance Office including a visit to a women's land man-
on main street. I had the pleasure of aged by Suzanne outside Sawyerville. This
setting up my little house at Donna's land, called Chez La Salamandre, nests in
place, a heaven of a women's land in the an area similar to the rolling green hills
country, several miles outside of Belfast. of Kentucky amid farms and flowers. Both
Donna has a 10 year old wildflower garden French and f;!lglish are spoken fluently
that covers aperiodically about half an here and the visitor may spend time swim-
acre of soil amidst houses, tents, trailers, ming in a pond, canoeing, cross country
and other shelters for women and animals. skiing, or just getting a deep body
Sue and I worked on a cabin on a nearby massage or a Tarot reading. The porch of
land to house a woman who can "watch out" the large old farmhouse in the front of
for Mary, an old lesbian who lives in the the settlement overlooked a garden of
main house. Some of the women of this vegetables, flowers, and a slope that dips
community have taken on the job of caring into the neighbor's hay field far away.
for Mary who is in need of intermittant Suzanne and I talked about building
attention. I met Mary and then saw her in community and developing our network
Family, a beautiful photographic tribute
trail from Canada to Louisiana where
to gay and lesbian common lives.
French is also common. Before leaving I
One of the highlights of this stop was
put Suzanne in contact with the owner of
the Circle at Nan's place with 13 women
Larkin's Landing, another lesbian space
from the area; the "Witches of Belfast"
west of Sawyerville, outside the area
(my name) left an impression on me I
called Lac Brame. There the land is man-
will long remember and cherish.
aged by a French Canadian who had spent
When I left the area, after seeing a
many years in the USA before returning
couple of womem's baseball games and
to establish her "shangri-la"; and that it
cheering for the all lesbian women's team,
is! A picturesque sun-colored house atoJ?
Sue was organizing work on Mary's cabin,
a low hill over looking a small lake with
Cathy and Nan were discussing their pend-
a serene deck. Nearby is the guest cottage'
ing trips to help research teams in the
bright yellow, sitting on green lawns
Antartic for 6 months, and Zigi was off
manicured and trimmed with colorful flowers
to visit another land. Lesbian life in
Belfast was going on quietly after the and trees.. This is newly forming into a
end of the parade down main street which space for short term visiting.
included a lesbian and gay, Maine Won't I crossed the Canadian border with mv
V.1.n C3.sita in tow to hang out with
Discriminate float which was well received
friends gathering at Bevioy' s Bn.liwick,
36
LETTERS
many gardens and have on-going projects
around the place for recycling and art
creations. It is a wonderful, warm, invit-
Hi to Maize Folks-- ing gathering place for women to discuss
Thanks for very very wonderful, rich, everything; no matter how personal, inti-
fat issue(#47). I immediately passed mud mate, or disturbing. I want to return!
info on to dyke friends who are just I visited the Susan B. Anthony home
beginning their strawbale house. on the 75th anniversary of the passage of
I especially loved Gail's piece on the right to vote for women. It was thrill-
working--so very much like those beauti- ing to watch the lively colorful parade and
.*44*/(
ful silver Circle dykes as I've known celebrate this day in her town and see
them. It reminded me once again to be the pictures of women on her walls. Plans
gentle with myself, to always do my work are underway for a complete restoration of
slowly enough so that I can enjoy it; her house and furnishings along with the
otherwise, what's the sense in doing it house next door that once was sister's.
at all? If something has to be done, Seeing the small group of ERA supporters
rather than rushing to get it over with, in one corner of the square that day made
I can slow down, find the pleasure in me think about how we have used that right
the task, enjoy my work; because my
1
.*44*/(
returning, so I stopped one night in nearby town of Conway is a maze of dis-
Nashville with Lyla and headed horne. It count shops and tourist attractions that
was good to see the green trees of Woman's crowd up in the late surruner and fall. The
World. Three months on the road had been L. L. Bean outlet's parking lot is a haven
a little too long; manv letters to answer for lesbian sightings! In contrast, June's
and many bills overdue. There were many Jewel was a stunningly small women's space
chores that needed immediate attention perched on the edge of the forest with a
and the plants had suffered from a hot road that knew the hoof marks of Moose
dry summer this year. A little too long and Bear! Nancy and I drove to the edge of
to have been away, but what memories, the mountain on one trip and later she
what women, and what grand networking and I went with June to photograph valleys
interchanges had been enjoyed. It was and look for special fallen branches. June
worth the time, for sure! wittled steadily until they came alive as
walking sticks for women of the spirit. r
Shewolf is a crone caretaking 100 acres in own a beautiful thick lavender wooden
southern Louisiana on Woman's World, a support for my future journeys.
developing village of lesbians living in
. I spent
. two weeks in southern Quebec
- ,
harmony with mother earth. 1nclud1ng a visit to a women's land man-
aged by Suzanne outside Sawyerville. This
land, called Chez La Salamandre, nests in
, an area similar to the rolling green hills
of Kentucky amid farms and flowers. Both
French and are spoken fluently
here and the visitor may spend time swim-
in a pond, canoeing, cross country
sk11ng, or just getting a deep body
massage or a Tarot reading. The porch of
the large old farmhouse in the front of
the settlement overlooked a garden of
flowers, and a slope that dips
1nto the neighbor's hay field far away.
and I talked about building
commun1ty and developing our network
trail from Canada to Louisiana where
French is also common. Before leaving I
I put Suzanne in contact with the owner of
Larkin's Land·1ng, anot h er lesbian space
ll
Birch Land
Ohio
38
LETTERS
As we are only 20 minutes from a large
university we have no trouble renting to
feminists but eventually they move on to
Hi to Maize Folks-- jobs or further education. But hope for
Thanks for very very wonderful, rich, new community members springs eternal
fat issue(#47). I immediately passed mud In sisterhood,
pies info on to dyke friends who are just Mary M. of SuBAMUH
beginning their strawbale POBox ?353, Athens OH 45701
I especially loved Gail's piece on
working--so very like those beauti- My Sisters, Daughters of the Moon,
ful Silver Circle dykes as I've known I am a land-loving, women-loving,
them. It reminded me once again to be nature-worshipping, hardworking, creative,
gentle with myself, to always do my work active, intelligent, 42 year old s·ingle
slowly enough so that I can enjoy it; womoon, with 2 farm friendly 4-legged
otherwise, what's the sense in doing it friends, looking for a lesbian-feminist,
at all? If something has to be done, non-stereotypical environment to garden
rather than rushing to get it over with, in, live amongst, share, grow, wisen,
I can slow down, find the pleasure in worship, and play in between and betwixt
the task, enjoy my work; because my others who are lovers like myself. Any
work is my life. suggestions/referrals? I'm ready to move
Love,
Merril this Spring '96. I work as a nurse, massage
therapist, and can do landscape,kitchen,
Dear Editor of Maize, February 5, 1996 farm jobs as well. All help is appreciated.
Immediately after this letter I'm Karina Sabot
curling up in the solar pouring through POBox 3074, C'ville VA 22903
our south window wall with your Special 804-984-3141
Issue of Maize which I'm thoroughly en-
joying. I don't usually start out a Mon- Greetings--
day morning by the luxury of reading. Outstanding special edition of Maize.
But I'm not even going out to replenish It made me feel special, unique, em-
the four bird feeders until the powered and 11 Chosen" somehow to be a
meter tells me that it has at last reach- woman--a lesbian. I never felt that
ed up to 0 degrees! 11
pride" as much as when I finished each
In our first SuBAMUH brochure we stated and every page, turned out the light and
"our climate is temperate. Only 8 or 9 drifted into a peaceful, grateful sleep.
days above 90 degrees and seldom dropping It is truly a "special 11 edition, and each
to 0. We have had to delete that de-
11
of you who put it together must be pleased.
scription from the brochure in process How fortunate you youngsters are to
at this time. YIKES, have we ever had now have publications like Maize, L.C.,
temperatUre extremes in the past 4 years etc. and support groups of loving women
but are fortunate to not have experienced to guide you to your inner self and
floods, hurricanes or high winds. (I've help you manifest it outwardly. In "my
iust put this weather trivia in so that day" (50's-60's), there were no publi-
you southwestern sun lovers can be glad cations, no contact lists for gay women,
vou fled the north. ) no rallies or guidance that I was aware
The range 'of articles in your Special of. The forbidden gay bars were only in
Issue is wide enough to interest both large towns--Houston, Dallas, San Antonio,
landed and non-landed wimmin. We appreci- and were constantly harassed by the police.
ate your work. We:·were carried off in paddy wagons if
Our next community effort at SuBAMUH, our pants were men '·s pants, levis, slacks,
after we've had enough sledding, will be "impersonating a male". Then old Percy
the completion arid renting of the 11 barn- Forman took pity on us (remember him, the
housen shell. We hope a community explorer famous attorney?). He brought clothes
will want to rent it, but with our recent designers from all the high fashion stores
community shake-up and debt we will have in Houston to court to testify that women
to realize some income from this dwellinq. were wearing zip fly slacks and
39
I' 11 hopefullly be going back to the
had been for years and even suits would
land in a couple of years, maybe sooner
soon be in style for women. All charges
if my mother grows stronger and recovers
dropped, no more harassment.
Anyway, the only place to meet other
from the loss of my father. I enjoyed
women that I knew of was the bars--and
real wilderness living in 1990-91--alone
I became enamoured of the bars, the
but for my dog and my books. I was so
excitement of wall to wall lesbians, far in the woods of So. Central Texas,
60's music, and I lived for the weekends, the game warden brought me my mail once
the annual invitational softball tourna- a week and occasionally staples (corn
ments bringing in women from all over meal, flour, etc. ) • It was a personal
the U.S. and the parties for the whole sabbatical for me and I felt like I was
week of the tournaments. really in tune with life and Spirit for
In the process of years' of cruising the first time. No electricity or running
bars, I become a full fledged alcoholiC. water for me, nosiree--I "tuffed"it,
Having to live a dual life--"fluff career which added to the pleasure of becoming
woman" by day, dyke by night, afraid my self reliant. 11Y ·old camping-in-the-woods
family would again commit me for being experiences as a child guided me through
gay. (American Psychological Assoc. ceased the adjustments to wilderness living,
calling homosexuality a mental illness but "something else" led me to find new
around 1974. In the 60's I was considered ways of keeping warm, cooking over
"mentally ill"). open fire (and making homemade tortillas
on hot rocks!) , hauling and boiling water
I'm now "elevated" to crone status and keeping varmints and predators aw,w
and I feel good about it. I'm independent, from mv camPsite.
sober, free to travel in my "covered
wagon"(RV) and visit around. Most of all, Well, I have my memories now of that
I'm free. You see, I've been in a self- wonderful period of pain-induced growth,
imposed exile from gay life and relegated and I returned to "society" to face my
to the ranks of the living dead-- 11 the future. Several months later I was award-
closet"--for years. A violent gay bashing ed my Social security Disability--more
in '71 nearly killed me. Having already than I expected it to be--seems my "jaunt"
been institutionalized in '69 for homo- to the woods had been a deciding factor
sexuality (ignorance--my parents didn't in my case. "Anti-social behavior, sexual
know any better) , I decided on a life identity crisis, depression 11 --can't work
of obscurity and safety where I lived out because she can't get along with people,
my life in recurring depressions and they said! (male bosses, generally)
finally a disabling panic disorder. I have been blessed these past five
I'm now on a good disability income, but years, being able to reflect on my choices
my productive years of my career are in life, to finally come to terms with
lost to me. I attribute by chronic de- who and what I am and to now have a net-
pressive episodes to a "mental temper work of friends whom I love. I escaped
tantrum" against a world I wasn't wanted the world of male-dominated industry like
in unless I"conforrned". I could be NASA where job discrimination was blatant
anything--just not a lesbian. "A closet toward women. My world will now be a
is an upright coffin." war ld of women and ouR issues, OUR
I'm 55, and this is my second "coming priorities. I feel full of love for my
out" experience. I feel free, whole, life now and for others. And I finally
hopeful and grateful to all you who keep am becoming involved to further our
these publications and support groups goals.
alive and kicking--our younger sisters Now I'm ready for advocacy and acti-
should be spared the isolation, violation vism. I'm open to any suggestions where
discrimination and humiliation so many ' to direct all this new energy. Would
of us have suffered and are still suffering. enjoy networking with like-minded women
Can you imagine how wonderful it feels who survived the bad times, overcame
to be 11 home"7 It was just a matter of drugs and alcohol and "landed on their
time. I'm one of the lUcky ones whose feet", or are still struggling. Are you
suicide attempts were sheer out there?
40
r want to visit you in the future-- fit right in. It was a plus for us that
all of you. I'm an RV person but anchored others had paved the way before us, along
at present. SO many sisters, so little
11
with the womin of OWl Farm. Now, my best
time.11
frierrd on the creek and lupus partner is
Alpha Woman selling out to a lesbian couple, so that's
c/o Ellison, Rt.3,Box 74EllCA, Galveston my new thing--everytime I hear of someone
TX 77554 selling, I'll see a lesbian couple or
single is able to buy. It's good for all
Dear Lee, of us.
A lot of us are no longer in touch By the way, in answer to the article,
with what's happening in the gay commu- Where have all the Witches gone? We are
nity--as we dropped out in the 70's and dispersed in California and So Oregon.
moved singly or in pairs to rural areas I'd be glad to communicate with any who
where not much of these kinds of things wish to write or visit. been a
were circulating. practicing witch since 1969. I was initi-
I ran into Maize quite by accident, ated at the Ram Center in Hollywood, Ca,
when I met Enid in Gypsy Camp in Prescott, and taught classes, ministered and helped
AZ,3 years ago. She showed me some copies run the occult shop for 14 years. I also
and told me about Womin's Lands and what had a radio talk show on KUFM and have
had been going on in the movement since been interviewed by almost every radio
I left Venice CAin the early 70's and station in L.A. I founded the Church of
moved to Joshua Tree National Monument 1-l.I.C.C.A., making it a legal religion
in the high desert. I was happy to hear for the first time in our herstory. PBS
things were still moving on. I was es- did a documentary on us too. It was during
pecially jazzed about Womin's Lands! We this time that I received the Good Citizen-
made a pact to save our money and buy ship award for work in the hearing impaired
land in So. Oregon and do something to commUnity and Audio Visual Broadcasting,
become a part of the movement again. And which became closed caption TV and Comex
so we have. Corp. which became the TTY and TTD systems
It was in Maize that I first read telephone for the hearing impaired. Little
about EI and realized I wasn't alone. did they know it was a gay Witch receiving
That had a profound affect on me. It was it! But isn't that the way herstory is
also in Maize that I saw a drawing of a usually (half) written?
pair of feet done by Jean Mountaingrove So far I've gotten one response from
and read her article about candlemaking the Maize article. I was very upset by
as a means of lighting and realized how it. I had;taken a whole day off from my
primitive some womin are living. work and projects to greet and show her
Enid and I lived primitive for a year around the property and she treated me
and a half to save up enough money to like trash. What has happened to mutual
move and buy our land. I really believe respect and good manners? We, as womin,
it was fate that we got this very special are making an attempt to leave the main-
place. The old owners had lived here for stream culture, to leave behind us the
50 years, they dropped the down payment rude treatment we received in the male
from $20,000 to $8,000 so we could afford dominated world and learn to live together
to buy it. nurture each other and our individual
I now hear the old Lady took a lot of talents. To pull together to create a
flack for seiling to us. I later found "new" society in which all that macho
out she has a gay son. For the first few crap is frowned upon and not accepted
months no one talked to us--just watched. as the norm.
Then one by one, they started coming by, My question is where have all the winner
and now we know almost everyone on the womin gone? I want Amazons. Strong, under-
creek. standing, nurturing, warrior womin. Not
They all like me because I love plants little shy fearful women who can't look
and animals(they've given me quite a few) you in the face and say what they think.
and because I can joke about being gay What is this, "Oh, she's just sick,
and make them laugh. They now see we're you must learn to overlook it"? That is
just like everyone else, in fact, we not how I wish to be viewed. And for the
41
we are hoping to build an extension so
record let me here state that bein? we are busy with designs and looking at
is making me fight harder for my rlg .
buildinq material options. We are parti-
to be viewed and treated as an intelllgent
cular 1 v excited about having a turf roof.
adult who is actively working to
After our problems wi ti1 the chlorinated
the old stereotype o f th e wea k and s1lent
. .
5 water supply we have found a maintained
womin who lets her man make the
well just down the road from us which we
for her. Are we expected to allow thlS
can use. The water is delicious with a
type of attitude and behavior into our ?
Womin's World? If so, why bother to separate. hint of that 'tiel ted snow taste all year
·round. we also have a water filter for
I still have to fight for my human
the times we haven't got to the well.
rights, sick or not. And it takes a lot
The well was originally dug to serve the
of energy to do it. But I must find and
use that energy not only for myself but inhabitants of the stone block house there
for all womin. It's called by many names, at least 60 years ago. The water is at
among them are dignity and self-esteem. ground level so it is easy to scoop with
Unfortunately they are not freely given a jug or a pan--no heavy lifting. Apparenth'
but must be earned. And earned over and it does occasionally dry up in the summer
over again. It is the quest of the but there are others in the village which
warrior to fight to earn these rights never dry up.
for all womin. So that one day we can our store of wood and peats continues
receive the rewards we rightly deserve, to keep us warm and give us hot water.
the respect we've earned, and the unity I hope that you all have kept warm through
to be able to honor and trust each other. the cold times. Spring Blessings to you.
Love & Light, Dawn Susun
Cookie
Scotbnd
Moonshadows; Oregon
Maize,
The days are starting to lengthen again
as we move away from the dark time. We
have had a lot of very cold weather, a
load of snow and heavy frosts--the coldest, Dear Landykes:
snowiest time we have had here and appar- My name is Carol "Rascal" Meier, and
ently this is unusual for the islands I am the new Coordinator of "Dykes Exp-
generally. There was a two d3.y electricity loring Land" (or commonly known as the
cut but it didn't worry us. Our stove heats Landyke Welcome Wagon), a committee of
water for tMO radiators and the system works Lesbian Natural Resources. The purpose
with gravity. What was more of a concern of the 11 Welcome Wagon II is to disseminate
was that the frosts were getting to our information to lesbians who are exploring
shed-stored Vegetables and fruit. We had the possibility of living on land. As-
done a bulk organic fruit and veg order riring landykes always have many questions
in middecember but in the end I only had about how to make the transition from
a few cucumbers that had to be cornposted. urban life to rural life: how to choose
A friend in the next village had her work a piece of land or land community, how
cut out sorting out her apple crop which to survive economically, how to feel safe,
had frozen solid but she managed to get etc.
it into her freezer. Her potato crop has I would like to put together a brochure
not been so lucky. Our potatoes are fine or a packet of information that would be
which is a relief--we are self-sufficient distributed in mailings or at gatherings
in potatoes and we are just now (mid jan.) which would address some of the questions
coming to the end of our onions. The most often asked by aspiring landykes.
onions did really well in that lovely lesbians who have already made the transi-
hot summer we h3d. The weather has settled tion to rural life, you are our resource
back now to the more usual winter norm for answers to all of those questions·
of wind and rain with mild temperatures-- I would appreciate it if you would
apart from the wind chill. take a few minutes and in a few sentences
42
tell us about your transition to rural I love much of the writing and art
landykes. Here are a few questions fa! your work in Maize and I'm so glad there are
consideration, but tell us anything you Dykes living on the land and figuring
'Nant to. things out in different ways. It gives
**Why did you move to the country? me hope. Though sometimes it also breakS
**How did you choose a piece of land or my heart cuz I'll probably never have the
land community? opportunity to live that way myself.
**If you do not have a "regular job", I think it's a great idea to have
how do you earn a living? Lesbians writing in about their experiences
**How do you handle health concerns? with natural healing--herbs, homeopathy,
**Do you have any concerns about safety? foods, etc. I believe in our
If so, what steps have you taken to to be our own best healers. This can give
alleviate your concerns? us more independence and less chance of
**What are your living accomodations? victimization.
Did you build your own home? But some of the advice given and the
Did your land group have dwellings way in which it was given in #47 felt
available? really oppressive and insulting. Alot of
**Do you have utilities such as indoor the things mentioned cost a lot of money!
plumbing, electricity, telephone? They assume we all have the physical and
How do you heat? Please explain how financial resources to do things like
you handle these items. buy water filters, go to environmental
Please include any information that allergists, and have access to fresher
you feel would be of interest to dykes air. One article recommended that dance
exploring land. If your community has classes with drumming would benefit
printed material or brochures that might people withiimrnune disorders and/or
be appropriate for an informational packet, chronic fatigue. For many of us, loud
please include a copy with your response. drumming could cause seizures, migraines
I'll try to use as much as I can in our and all sorts of awful symptoms. Many
packet. Send your responses to me, in of us have trouble standing up and walk-
care of LNR. Thank you for your time and ing, if we can at all. CFIDS is much
attention and for your commitment to more than being "trapped in the doldrums."
lesbian land culture. Immune system illnesses have severely
Thank you to the Landykes that have disabled me to about 10-15% of my previ-
responded. I am still gathering informa- ous functioning. And common symptoms of
tion, so now is your chance to add your CFIDS are sensitivity to noise and move-
response. ment.
Rascal
I think writers should be really
c/o LNR, POBox 8742, Minneapolis MN 55408
careful not to assume what's available
and successful to them is for everyone.
Dear Maize, Better ways to offer suggestions may be
Hi. I'm a city bound Dyke with rural "if you can afford •.• " or "If you are
longings, yet my disabling illnesses keep able ... " The healing experiences I en-
me trapped here in all the shmutz and joyed the most were when Dykes just talk-
chaos. Because of severe EI and CFIDS, ed about how they did stuff and how it
and not being able to do paid work, the worked for them, not assuming anyone else
physical and financial opportunities don't could or should do the same.
exist to move'--even to a less toxic, I'd like to read more about self/
health damaging place in the city. Kind natural healing that doesn't include
of a vicious cycle: I keep getting sicker ableist, money privileged/classist as-
with all the crack, incense, laundry, sumptions. I don't need "If you only
perfume, and smoke fumes, etc. from other did this and that your health could im-
tenants in the building. As I get more prove" attitudes coming at me and others
and more chemically reactive (anaphylaxis, in lousy situations. Believe me, we're
cysts, mood swings ••• ) my ability to surviving the best 'ile can with what we've
travel and find a safer, affordable place got.
to live that I could tolerate becomes Rachel Rosen
less and less possible. Frustration!!! Oakland, California
43
since doing this ( 3 years ago) I have
not needed to see the doctor, have sur-
gery, or take antibiotics. It feels really
DYKE WELL-BEING good to be able to handle th1s without
spending alot of money!
CLUES
A. Horizontal linear arrangements; Jines of adjacent seats;
boisterous disturbances or quarrels. 70 14 76 82
B. Lack of emotion or feeling; lack of interest in things;
indifference..... . .................... . 39 109 6 72 18 91
C. The shelter of a wild animal; lair;
small room for study or relaxation ... 44 27 66
D. Lacking flavor or zest; tastelesss; dull; uninteresting.
51 36 75 34 108 5 31
E. Period of time in a person's life between birth and puberty
A.VSWERS P. 55 "'
"
LAND LESY LA ESTRILLITA(Little Star), POBox 45384,
Rio Rancho NM 87184
Offers:*Tenting inside house; listening
to the wind; housebuilding exchange
Land LESY(Lesbian Economic System) is (ideas, labor,etc)
a regular MAIZE listing for Dykes on the Requests:*Good company; knowledge of the
land or reading MAIZE. LESY includes any- stars; organizational, carpentry, tile
thing.-:we want to give, offer or pass along skills
to each other, as well as specific things
that we need. Everything is Dyke to Dyke,
SUSAN RIEBEL, POBox 406, Rimrock AZ 86335
for our personal use(not to sell or give
Requests: *I'Jirnmin to help build straw bale
to someone else). (See article in MAIZE #41)
home between March and June 1996.
LESY is not money-based: no buy/sell,
no barter/exchange. No Dyke needs to
offer something in order to accept some- FULL CIRCLE FARM,604 SilkHope Liberty Rd
thing and visa versa. LESY works when Siler City NC 27344
we give what we have to offer (no sacri- Offers:*Information/instruction in organic
fice) and when we accept as much as we gardening/farming/greenhouse, carpentry
need or want. We each find our own renovation
balance in giving and receiving. Requests:*Work: carpentry, gardening,
With each response to an offering or orchard, general work on the land
reques·t, the Lesbians decide between (experience not necessary)
themselves the details of the transfer--
how, when, how many or how long, who
pays for gas or shipping or materials, DEB! SLATKIN, Turtle Rock, 1755 Highvie·•
etc. We will create our Land LESY as we Lane, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
use it. Yes, use it, that's what it's for! 6l0-982-9012(10a-9p only, please)
Offers:*Her 60 minute relaxation tape
*Ideas (I enjoy helping others brain-
PENNY WILSON, POBox 59267, Chicago IL .storm and problem solve)
60659-0267 Requests:*Suggestions for rituals (tried
I'll pay postage on anything I offer. or not) for particular Sabbats, moons
Offers:*34 peacock feathers; most are in or purposes
great shape, but a few are damaged *Interesting rocks
*40 rolls of blue rayon curling
ribbon. Each roll holds 55 feet. Curls JUDITH SARA, POBox 278, Montague MA 01351
up if you pull it taut and run it between Offers:*Burdock root (limited quantities)
your thumb and a knife edge. *dried peppermint, dried culinary sage,
*Small plastic 6 ounce clean yogurt both organically grown
containers with lids. I must eat a *Instruction/information on firing
minimum of 2 portions of yogurt a day pottery with sawdust; basic information
to be able to digest my other food, so on handbuilding clay pots & sculpture
I have lots. Great for freezing single Requests:*Pottery books, tools, supplies
portions of foods. and equipment
*3 dark blue glass lenses, shaped *musical instroments (I'd especially
(curved) like the lenses on the front like a clarinet)
of traffic lights in the U.S.A. One is *Please write first. I'll pay postage.
across, 2 are 4 5/8" across NANCY EVECHILD, 3608 14th Ave So,
light fixtures--they polis MN 55407 612-729-5984
don't have to work(I can do rewiring). Offers:*A well-respected professional
Write first, and I'll pay postage. psychic with a practice in Minneapolis
since 1988, I offer insightful, useful,
;•,'ILLA & ERDA, Wellness and Joyfulness, in-depth readings by mail on tape for
POBox 591, Sebastopol CA 95472 the cost of the tape and postage. Call
Offers:*Homeopathic remedies, open and or write for brochure. Please indicate
unopened. List available. LESY.
49
NISSA, W4213 CoRd 360, Daggett MI 49821 SOMETHING SPECIAL, 7762 N\-1 14 Ct, Miami FL
906-753-2315 33147
Offers:*Free advice on homeschooling/ Offers:*Over 50 1-2 oz. amber glass
hometeaching kids (I'm an ex-teacher) tincture/oil containers with eye-dropper
*Information on Menominee Co, MI and lids. Clean! $ for postage appreciated
Marinette Co.,WI, for anyone looking but not necessary.
for a place to buy a reasonably priced Requests: *Heat tolerant veg/flower seeds
homestead
*Possible "apprenticeship"--room, board, ZANA, MSC 044, HCO 4 Box 6872, Tucson
and chance to work with sheep & goats, AZ 85735
possible formal instruction in creative Offers: *Book of my poetry and art, herb
writing and German language(part-time woman, (send 6X9 11 self-addressed envelope
work, mostly housework an·d manure-shovel) with $1.24 postage)
*Small flock of chickens, good free- *Journey to Another Life (past-life medi-
range foragers tation tape)
Requests:*Information on raising !Llamas, Requests:*hickory nuts
alpacas, guanacos or vicunas *butternuts
*Fully functioning cream separator *organic dried hibiscus flowers,
*Exchange of ideas with other lesbians sassafras roots
who want to or have had a baby while
living in the country. SINE ANAHITA, POBox 93, Beaver IA 50031
515-275-4 763
Offers: *will mentor lesbians interested
OUTLAND, POBox 130, Serafina NM 87569 in keeping goats
We'll pay postage on anything we offer *information about recycling school bus
or request. as living space
Offers:*Any size or style of Red River *40 recycled windows and doors
Menstrual Pads(for your own personal Requests:*e-mail correspondence with
use) Write for brochure. landykes jjensine@aol.com
*Any back issues of MAIZE that we still
have copies of
HEATHER, POBox 809, Lumsden Sask SOG 3CO
*Information on building: adobe, round,
Canada
non-toxic(send specific questions)
*Organic open-pollinated seeds from Offers: *Handbound soft-covered journals,
postage paid
our pole beans, scarlet runner
*Long distance reiki (healing energy:
beans, corn(rainbow inca and black
aztec), daikon radish, chard, lettuce,. 1 et me know if you want this focussed
on a specific part of your body or
dill, sage, hollyhock, cosmos, marigold,
zinnia, calendula, Desert 4:00(wild) generally physically or emotionally;
*IMPORTANT PURSUITS, Questions of Value a description/drawing/picture of your
for Radical Dykes(by Lee). A set of physical self will help me to focus on
170 cards to stimulate thought and you while I send energy but it is not
discussion. For Lesbian use only. necessary)
*THE WIMMIN OF OUR DREAMS, By Jae Requests:*Wild wimmin stories/poems
Haggard. Homespun fiction about a *Winunin' s/ songs/chant on tape
or paper with music
Lesqian world. A Land'1ade Book (!SOp)
*Handmade rattle
Breathing and Loving Myself,
Heal>ng Myself (by Lee): booklets in *Handmade paper for books
the Dyke \vell-Being Series (Write for
info an participating in this series) SUSAN D.SMITH, RD3, Box 880, Port Matilda
Requests:*Organic seeds(not hybrid) PA 16870
Anyone have golden bantam corn? Offers:*Organically grown catnip, pack-
*Used COTTON fabrics, sheets, for aged in recycled plastic from bags my
rag rugs. dialysis supplies come in (small bags)
*Ideas for discouraging gophers in the *Plastic tubin9 from my dialysis
garden without destroying them. supplies, this tubing would have had
only sterile solution in it,no :body fluids
50
ANNIE THE WEBSTER, (aka Browning) 343 DAWN SUSUN, Taigh A'Gharaidh, 26 Leumrab-
Soquel Ave #312, Santa Cruz CA 95062 hagh, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9RD, Scotland
Offers:*600dpi laser output from Offers:*Aromatherapy oils made up for
Mac(ASCII or text only) diskettes various conditions and problems,
(send self-addressed 9xl2 envelopes physical and emotional difficulties.
w/postage to cover your output) Postage negotiable.
*Excellent editing skills (English Requests:*I have lots of lupins: cream,
grammar, punctuation, etc.) pink/dark pink, and pink/white. Does
anyone have lupin seed of other colours?
TERESA DETERDING, 716 N.Davis, Kirksville I especially would like the bluey mauve
MO 63501 816-627-2923 colour. I can collect my seed hopefully
Offers:*Building, gardening, general if anyone would like these colours.
labor to women within a 2-3 hour drive
of NE Missouri (I'm a beginner, but I'm
willing to learn) TERRA, Chateau Gres, 21440 Poiseul La
Requests:*Dyke penpals, visits from land Grange, St. Seine L'Abbaye, France
lesbians true fairy tale on cassette,
"The Curious Princess" by Viviane and
SUNLIGHT,Deep Dish Ranch, POBox 368, Doris
Albion CA 95410 *Doris:I've got lots of flower seeds
Offers:*4x6 postcards of drawings with to offer, various kinds. I'll make
short quotes from BEING a surprise package of flower seeds for
Requests:*Suggestions from your experience every woman writing.
on ways to channel and use gray water
.in an area with too low a slope to collect
and store the water. Wet winters, dry BARBARA & MICHl LAVENDA, Pf 9, A-8241,
summers, cool climate. (For plantings Dechantskirchen, Austria
I'm trying raspberries.) Offer:*Natural wool of sheep for knitting
and weaving, without any chemicals.
Colour: natural white(not bleached)
LIERRE KEITH, 103 Country Club Rd. seeds of black mallow: beauti-
Greenfield MA 01301 413-772-6270 ful black/purple blossoms, used as a
Offers:*Copies of my novel,Conditions tea against cough
of $1)
*Sewing(you need to supply materials) BREN YAU,(Baca II), C/0 Victoria Studios,
I can make replicas of clothes you Nottingham Trent University, Shakespeare
have and love, I can patch and repair, Street, Nottingham, England
worn-out favorites, I can clothes Offers: *Holiday accomodation sharing with
to order, especially clothes for fat myself and my young daughter
dykes--I've got lots of large-size *British native and nonnative herb,
patterns. And quilts--I love making ornamental, tree and veg. seeds
quilts. *Natural child rearing support
*taped music
*mutually supportive and creative corres-
pondence with like minded pen-pals
KARINA,POBox 3074,Charlottesville VA 22903
Requests: *Exchange of ideas, inspira-
804-979-0684 e-mail: NICK NICH@l,OL. C0:1
Offers:*Radio air time, live or on tape/ tion, contemporary art, and feminist
CD on WTJU-FM Charlottesville. Send politics by letter or e-mail
*Looking for a child-friendly dyke
your· songs, stories, poems, jokes ...
*Very infonmal B&B, place for people community for a 3 month summer working
holiday in '96--need help
to stay en route, can sleep in l room
*feminist/Goddess/nature identified
of 3 room cabin
stories, songs or chants, esp. for
Requests:*Correspondence with womyn living
children, on tape or music sheet with
in community.
lyrics
*Writer to co-write Lesbian plays/screen *herbal remedies
plays, and discussions with directors. *recommendations of children • s books ( 5+)
51
COUNTRY CONNECTIONS
AHAZON ACRES, HC66,Box 64A,Witter AR HIGH DESERT \'/OMEN'S LAND COMMUNITY, POBox
72776 304, Ribera NM 87560
Visitors, primitive camping, 240 acres Seeking community members and women
ARCO IRIS, HC70,Box 17, Ponca AR interested in helping build. Camping
72670-9620 available. Please send SASE.
ARF/New Mexico Women's Land Trust, HOWL/Huntington Open Women's Land,
POBox 707, Tesuque NM 87574 POBox 53, Huntington VT 05462
BOLD MOON, 5:-780 Plowfid:!id Rd, McLeansville 802-434-DYKE
NC 27301 910-375-8876 Open to all women and children.
e-mail: jjensine@aol.com · INTOUCH,Rt.2,Box 1096, Kent's Store,
2lacres near Greensboro NC. Camping VA 23084
for dykes who write or call in advance. Camping and events center
Also womyn's concerts and gatherings, KIMBILIO, 6047 TR501, Big Prairie OH
write to be on mailing list. Info 44611 216-378-2481
about NC d¥kelands and local newsletter Artist residencies
"Wornyn on the Land 11 ; please send sase.
CABBAGE LANE, POBox 2145, Rcseburg OR 97470 LAUGHING R.O.C.S., POBox 2125, Snowflake,
CAMP SISTER SPIRIT,POBox 12, Ovett MS 39464 AZ 85937
COVENTREE, Chris of Coventree, Troy ME Looking for residents (wimrnin and children),
04987 land partner
Camping, visitors, ap_?rentices, LESEPS, Community of Separatist Country-
community members Dykes,Pf 45,A-7400, Oberwart, Austria
DANCING FISH LODGE, 627 Wisteria Lane, We offer a ll'"Oorn for lesbian visitors
Waverly TN 37185 who are looking for support or want to
Seeking a co-housing communal living share experiences about selfhealing.
commitment from women gardeners, musi- Write for more 'info.
cians, writers and artists. Currently LUNA CIRCLE FARM, Rt 1 Box 126, Gays Mills
a 6000 sq.ft. retreat center on Tennessee WI 54631
River and Kentucky Lake, 65 mi west of Visitors, apprentices
Nashville. Campers and visitors welcome. MARSHLAND BASIN, Box 61 Site 1 RR 1,
DOE FARM/Wisconsin Women's Land Cooperative, Strathmore Alberta T1P.1J6 Canada
Rt 2,Box 150, Norwalk WI 54648 403-934-2043
Camping, lodging, memberships, 155 acres, 45 acre lake/wetland con-
sununer work servation project, greenhouse, 30x70
DREA!-1. CATCHER CREEK,Creative Women's shop, restored 100 year old house.
Community, Mitzi, 2 Sundance Drive Exploring agricultural business potential.
Weaverville NC 18787 ' Looking for partners, landsitters,
Acre, plots for sale, rooms to women visitors, ideas.
rent, central studio space. 15 min from MOONSHADCWS, 34901 Tiller Trail Hwy,
Asheville. Tiller OR 97484 503-825-3603
FULL CIRCLE FARM, 604 SilkHope Liberty Rd Seeking residents
Siler City NC 27344 919-742-5959 NORTHERN MINNESOTA: Barbara Hodges,
Visitors, camping, community members, 1403 Savage Rd, Cook MN 55723
work exchange 218-666-3114
FULL MOON ENTERPRISES, POBox 416, Hopland Come share work and friendship. Visitors
CA 95449 707-744-1648 or 1190 welcome. Very primitive camping.
Cattle ranch, camping OUTLAND, POBox 130, Serafina NM 87569
Womyn' s festival in June. Remote Lesbian Spirit community seeking
HARMONY HILL FARM/Northern Minnesota residents committed to self-sufficient
Women's Land Trust,c/o Audrey Freesol living based in Lesbian culture and spirit.
POBox 124, Cotton MN 55724 Write for info on becoming a part of our
intentional community.
52
OWL FARM/Oregon Women's Land Trust, SUSAN B. ANTHONY MEMORIAL UNREST HOME
Box 1692, Roseburg OR 97470 WOMEN'S LAND TRUST, POBox 5853, Athens
Open land OH 45701 614-448-6424
OIIL HOLLOW, e/o25650 Vanderburg Lane, Seeking community members, visitors,
Arlee MT 59821 406-716-3662 ca111pers. Work exchange availab.le.
RAINBOW'S END, 886 Raven Lane, Roseburg SWIFT\IATERS, Rt 3, Dahlonega, GA 30533
OR 97470 673-7649 Riverfront carnpgnound or bed & breakfast
RAVEN'S HOLLOW, POBox 41, Cazenovia WI TERRA,Chateau Gres, Poiseul La Grange,
53924; 608-767-3175 or 608-983-2715 21440 St.Seine L'Abbaye, France
Visitors welcome TOAD HOLLOW FARM, 605 Ferris Creek Rd.
Dubre KY 42731
Looking for residents/partners interested
in self-sustaining woman-centered living. Seek Lesbians to share land.
JTURTLE ROCK, 1755 Highview Lane,
RIVERLAND, POBox 156, Beaver OR 97108
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
Lesbian art retreat, community members,
write for more info on either. 610-982-9012(10a-9p only please)
ROOTWORKS, 2000 King MoUntain Trail, Camping and guest room for womyn tra-
Sunny Valley OR 97497 veling through. Companion animals
Women and girl children. No dogs. welcome outside only. We 1ove company.
Cabins and camping, $5/day includes meals 37010 SE Snuffin Rd, Estacada OR
SiuVER CIRCLE SANCTUARY, Rt 5, Box 100, 97023 630-3628
Holly Springs MS 38635 601-564-2715 Wimmin-only rural intentional community.
35 miles SE of Portland OR. Seeking new
(6-8pm CST)One hour from Memphis TN
members who are very interested in living
Camping, visitors, apprentices
1and participating in the work and play
SISTER HOMELANDS ON EARTH (SHE)
of community life. Beautiful land, 52
Box 5285, Tucson AZ 85703
acres, large organiC garden.
Saguaro Sisterland, 12101 W.Calle
Madero, Tucson AZ 85743 WILD BROWSE FARM, 87 Bullard Pasture,
SKY RANCH, C4,Site 20,RR2, Burns Lake, Wendell MA 01379
British Columbia, VOJ lEO Canada WISEHEART FARMS,Box 237, Williamsport
Seeking residents. Nrite for info, send OH 43164
SASE(Canada) or an IRC(USA) Seeking community members
WOMANSHARE, POBox 681, Grant's Pass OR
SONORAN DESERT, POBox 544, Tucson AZ 97526
85702 520-682-7557 Seeking collective members
Visitors welcome WOMAN'S WORLD, Shewolf, POBox 655,
SPINSTERHAVEN, POBox 718, Fayetteville Madisonville LA 70447
AR 72702 Hark exchange for landswomen, builders,
Our rnissionFis to create and maintain and gardeners to improve rural living
nurturing community homes for aging and construction skills, about one hour
women and women with disabilities. Have from New Orleans. Developing community
43 acres with one trailer now, goal of with land ownership as well as conununity
6-8 residents. Seeking tax-deductible land ownership of women-only space.
donations for environmentally friendly Please try to write for invitation to
development. visit and for rural living experiences
SPINSTERVALE,c/o Sunshine Goldstream, at least two months in advance.
Box 429, Coombs, British Columbia, \'/OMEN FIRST FOUNDATION, POBox 372,
VOR lMO, Canada, 604-248-8809 Greenfield MA 01302
Any travelling woman is welcome to stop 10 acres in New York
by Spinstervale on Vancouver Island, BC. Seek lesbians and children to work and
\'/e have a few small cabins ($5/nite/ play during summer building season
person) and camping is always available. W011EN'S ART COLONY FARM, c/o Kate Millet,
Work exchange, too, by arrangement. 295 Bowery, NYC, NY 10003
Herbs, goats, gardening. Summer: writers and artists work exchange
SPIRALAND7Spiral Women's Land Trust, Spring & Fall: Landswomen and builders
HC 72,Box 94A, Monticello KY 42633 work exchange
Visitors, \o!ork exchange WOMLAND, POBox 466, Searsport ME 04974
53
DYKE SEPARATIST CELEBRATION:Lesbian Sepa-
ratists will be gathering near Oakland,
CA on Saturday June 22, 1996, for work-
shops, networking, potlucking, dancing
and fun. Lesbian Separatists put Lesbians
FIRST WOMYNS NATURAL BUILDING SYMPOSIUM first in our lives; we are cornmited to
AND HANDS ON EXTRAVAGANZA, June 1-8, building strong Lesbian communities and to
Grants Pass, Oregon. For women builders fighting heterosexism as well as all other
and women in related fields, environmental oppressions. This celebration is being
activists, networkers and musicians in- organized by SEPZ, Separatists Eliminating
terested in creating healthy healing homes Patriarchy with Zeal. We invite female-
and sacred spaces. Come together to co- born Lesbians who identify as Separatists
create magic with our hands, earth, straw, to join us for a day of camaraderie,
wood, stone, recycled windows, agricultural strategizing and merriment.
bags filled with rammed earth and homemade In order to make this gathering as
plasters and paints and ? safe as possible for Separatists with
Sliding fee $200-300 includes vege- Environmental Illness(EI), this event will
tarian/vegan meals prepared for you, be fragrance and scent free, drug and
materials for building, use of library, alcohol free, and smoke free. (No smokers
camping space, a hot shower or two and please!) In keeping with Separatist idea-
tons of fun and networking opportunities logy, no bisexuals or transgendered persons
(some worktrades available) . or sado-masochists will be admitted. This
June 8th, Saturday, will be a natural event will be child free.
building fair open to the female public, Pre-registration is required. Separa-
entrance fee $5. Symposium participants tists with special needs let us know ASAP.
are invited to give mini workshops, lectures, Wheelchair accessible. Separatists, please
set up displays and sell stuff. Come share respond with a SASE and your enthusiasm
your ideas, your spirit, your experience and ideas to SEPZ, POBox 1180, Sebastopol,
and your magic. CA 95473-1180.
For more info please contact:
Groundworks, POBox 381, Murphy OR 97533 WOMEN AND FRIENDSHIP: We invite you to
541-471-3470 submit your writing for an anthology on
Women and Friendship. Drawings and photos
also welcome. Proposed deadline for sub-
mission is Dec. 1996. Write for more info:
Pentheselia Unlimited,. 6715 W. Roosevelt
SEEKING DYKES for an ongoing phone work- Rd, 2nd Fl.,Berwyn IL 60402
shop on ritual abuse for highly chemically
sensitive dykes who are excluded from other
workshops and groups due to lack of access.
We have funding for phonecalls. For more
info contact Debby Earthdaughter, HC4,
Box 6872-044, Tucson AZ 85735, 520-822- DYKROSTICS ANSWERS:
2643(I would call you back). If you don't Radicalcsbians: The Woman (-Identified Woman)
have a way to be currently reached by
Lesbian is the word, the label, the condition that holds women in line.
phone, please enclose a self-addressed When a women hears this word tossed her way, she knows she is
envelope. I h3ve wrist trouble and would stepping out ofline.
use that to mail you a cassette tape.
A. Rows L. Awesome
B. Apathy M. Noon
WOMEN-MADE HOUSE FOR SALE on Spiral Wimrnin's C. Den N. Show
Land Cooperative in Kentucky. $15,000. D. insipid 0. Twist
Write Joy Lehrer, 5780 Plowfield Rd, E. Childhood P.Hih
McLeansville NC 27301 or call 910-621- F. Ankle Q.Ewe
G. Lesbian R. Worth
3118, about buying the house. Write H. Earth S. Often
Spiraland about community membership l. Sweeten T. Motherless
at HC 72, Box 94A, Monticue1lo KY 42633 or J. Blush U. Ashes
call at 606-348-7913 K.lndigo V. Ninth
55
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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