permaculture

[April Sampson-Kelly <askpv@ozemail.com.au>]

One thing I have
had to learn is how to create a boundary and communicate it. At first, I
figured that people would stop coming by since I was so rude:-)  Not the
case..Usually, I find simply saying that I am involved in weeding, beading,
seeding, whatever it is allows for the visitor to stay if they choose while
I continue what I am doing! Sometimes they may even lend a hand!
REcently I has looping a thick branch with a bow saw and two guys who live up
the road and know me through a friend of a friend starting talking about the 
cut, the speed of my saw etc, then they decided to help and discovered I had 
been 
much faster even though I am small!
So they left after me politely fighting them and the tree.

 The gardens you have to show, obvious to most, would not be what they are
if you were not working with them ALOT!  So, keep on with whatever task you
are doing..possibly modifying your scheduling so that it allows for talking
while doing..saving efforts that require more focus and silence for when
they leave!  Your choosing to stay to the task at hand is a statement in
itself and if the people want more time to tour, etc, perhaps setting an
appointment to do that would work better for you.  In fact, possibly set a
few folks coming at the some time.  Not exactly an OPEN day, but a privately
arranged appointment.  This could be alot of fun and set the stage for your
own variety of disseminating information...AND in your own time.  
Yes I like that idea and will try it.  I shall gather names and call them 
back when
I have time to get them together.
Actually, I am still working with tempering this one..it's never an easy
situation..always calls for a certain kind of diplomacy.  When I would be
frustrated and feeling "put upon" I wasn't exactly the best of company..now
I can be kind to them while I take care of myself. I suspect this is one we
all need to master as mainstream is becoming very intrigued by what we are
doing.  Good luck! 

Vicki








At 11:23 AM 8/12/96 +-1000, you wrote:
>Is there anyone else who suffers from our dilema?
>We have a demonstration site that we are developing and
>share many of the ups and downs with our students - Most
>live far away and unfortunately for them haven't seen the site
>- it is not complete and most will be for ever evolving
>The dilema is that people are so enthused by our work
> they visit us regularly - I feel compelled to give them a tour and
>chat and I just can't get anything done.
>I'm getting to the point where I am afraid to go into the garden
>in case some one sees me, and wants to talk permaculture!!
>I like to be generous - that's why I like permaculture
>I like the sharing side of this way of life.
>I thought of running an open day but I don't feel ready - and anyway
>that might just attract MORE sightseers on the off days.
>I realise there is a shortage of permaculture sites - but permaculture
>isn't a collective business - or some kind of religion - for me
>it is about modifying our behaviour until is seems a normal way of life.
>And being a spectacle isn't part of normal for me. 
>Any suggestions - any one else in the same boat?
>
>
>