This qualitative case study combines a summary of the recurring patterns I observed with excerpts from Josh's reflections, shared with permission. It concludes with questions to consider.

As part of my ongoing research in how attention, longing, imagination, participation, habits, and habitats interact, it offers insight into ways of creating more alignment, connection, and meaning.  

PATTERN SNAPSHOT

Presenting Situation
Sense of disconnection and despair about the state of the world, despite enjoying his role as an ecologist. 

Longing
To feel connected to the people of his community and to have a direct role in protecting the landscape. 

Attention Shift
Recognized a group of individuals and families living along a creek, and got curious about their challenges and needs.

First Experiment
Stopped by on his way home from work, and was greeted by a resident who had lived there for nine years. Had a "surprisingly enjoyable" conversation with skilled and knowledgeable man who calls himself "Henry", a nod to Henry David Thoreau.

Emerging Habits
Started a spending 2-3 hours per week visiting Henry and those who lived near him. Learned about the choices they were making, what they needed, and how they handle challenges. 

Habitat Changes
Began to see that he had a lot to learn from Henry and his community. Started working on weekend projects with him, and "felt like a lucky apprentice" as he learned how to build composting toilets, shelters made of straw and mud, and various cooking and food storage options.

OUTCOME After 30 Days
Josh felt he knew the Creekers better than his own neighbors, and as he continue building his relationships with them, he was inspired to also devote time to learning about those who lived on his block.  

 

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

The following are excerpts from Luke's comments during the intensive and in the following weeks.

 

Day 0 (before the first live online session):

I used to be big on hope. But I can't seem to conjure that hope now, no matter how hard I try. And that feels like its own enormous loss.

 

Day 4

I stopped by on my way home from work, and met a guy who calls himself "Henry" and quotes Thoreau. At first, I thought he was pretty eccentric, but he impressed me with his knowledge and his skills. He proudly showed me his own home, which he constructed using straw and mud. It's dry and cozy inside, with a simple but effective heating/cooling system and a composting toilet. 

He told me he has lived here for nine years, and became the first one to settle here after getting permission from the farmer who owns the property along the creek on one side. We talked about what he loves about living there, and what frustrates him, which is mostly those who have come in the last couple of years. 

I was surprised to learn that there are actually two different encampments, about a mile apart. He told me that he held a community meeting when they started arriving, and talked about how they could live peacefully with respect for the land and each other. 

They actually made a decision that those with families live here, and those without kids live on the other side. Everybody seems to go along with it. There was also an issue with guns, and so it was decided that those with guns (nearly all single men) would live in the non-family area. 

It impressed me that they were able to navigate these challenges. I feel like there is so much I can learn from him! 

 

Day 8 

I've now visited Henry three times, and he has introduced me to several others in his community. I was astounded to learn that there are currently 62 people living there, counting both groups! 

It got particularly interesting when I asked them what they eat. The gun-allowed side does some hunting and fishing up the creek closer to the river. But this encampment is mostly vegetarian! At first, most people who move in live in tents and eat whatever is cheap at the discount grocery in town. But Henry has a whole soup rotation going, and they eat a lot of beans, rice, and pasta soups. It's inexpensive and nutritious, and doesn't impact the wildlife. 

Turns out that Henry lived in a sort of commune situation growing up, so he picked up a lot of his knowledge before he was 18, and updated it since. Soup was a big part of it, and brought people together, so he has made it a standard part of participating in the community. 

 

Day 14

Had my first Soup Night! It was a lot of fun, actually. The kids are great, and I enjoyed the conversations with others in the community. They all have stories of hardship and loss. I think what inspired me most is that they feel grateful despite everything. It's clear that these people care for each other. 

I had this idea that people living in tents along a river were going to be reclusive or competitive with each other, but they are neither. I think that's Henry's influence. He is clearly someone they all respect. 

And what I keep walking away with is this question: why am I not having Soup Nights with my own neighbors? What is preventing me from getting to know the people who live on my street? 

 

Day 30 check-in 

Looking back, I see how naive and judgmental I was about the Creek people. The place was such an eyesore, and everyone thought of it as dangerous, to be avoided at all costs. 

But the garbage here is from the people in town who dump it illegally. Those who live here keep things tidy (at least, on Henry's side...I don't know about the other encampment.) 

They also have systems for sharing labor, including rotating laundry and school bus-stop pick-ups and drop-offs. They split food expenses and take turns cooking, something that most people resist at first until they see that it's actually cheaper to share costs and more fun, too. 

I know there are plenty of homeless camps where things are chaotic and dangerous, but this isn't one of them. Henry has set a tone of gentleness and trust, and it's contagious. He makes me want to act with more care toward the people and living things around me. 

 

Day 60 check-in:

A lot has happened, but the biggest is my own shift.

I thought I was just going to go and test the water, maybe haul some junk.
But I ended up becoming a part of a diverse and fascinating community that is actually teaching me a lot. My own directive to 'Clear the creek' led me to clear up some misconceptions I had about the people choosing to live there.

I understand now that their current living conditions are safer than the ones they left, and that they have, most for the first time in their lives, a sense of place and community. 

The projects we're working on together have little to do with my input. I am simply offering to connect them with people in town who might be able to help with things like supplies and permits. Between Henry and two amazing women in the encampment, there is intentional leadership and an openness to ideas, even those shared by the youngest kids. 

I did have a Soup Night here at my place for my neighbors. I wish I could say it was great, but it was just...nice. And maybe nice is all it takes to get started.

I am committed to giving it time, and dropping my preconceived ideas about others.

For me, connection is what gives me hope, so I will continue to work on that. It's a work in progress!