Women’s Eye Reflections For The New Year

 

As 2011 begins, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on some of the ideas and words of wisdom from our EYE Interviews and the women who were kind enough to share their views during the past months.    You may find inspiration or food for thought here for the New Year…

Vendela Vida—

“After we left the realm of school, we missed the constant conversations about literature.  Starting ‘The Believer’ was a way to continue to have those conversations—both with each other, and with our writers and readers—about books old and new, and about artists and thinkers…”  

Sally Dominguez—

“I never set out intentionally to be an inventor, but I have a constant curiosity about why things are the way they are.  I’m always seeing unconventional solutions to everyday problems…The excitement and ability to change ways people live inspires me.”

Sandy Foster—

“It’s a balm for the spirit to have a place where I’m free to do what I want, like a tree house you run to as a kid and pull up the ladder once inside. Any able-bodied person can build their own sanctuary, providing they have the location, money, time, and tools to do it.”

Shannon Hayes—

“I remember one bright, clear August day, standing on a ladder painting the top of someone’s pergola, marveling that I was a newly minted ‘Dr. Hayes,’ and while my grad school peers were settling into their new offices, I was out under a cloudless blue sky, painting for $10/hr.  I  decided that I had the better deal.”

Cynthia Aquilar—

“‘KEEP PADDLIN’ !!!  Never stop!  When things are going bad,  there’s something good to come.  It’s all about how you handle it.  That’s what makes you.”

More reflections to come another day…

Interview: Shannon Hayes On A New Back-To-The-Earth Movement: “Radical Homemaking”

Shannon Hayes says you can find real wealth in the simple life.  She blogs and farms with her husband and two daughters  in West Fulton, NY,  where they raise all-natural grassfed animals.

Shannon traveled across the country to find  people whose  lifestyle was similar to her own and included them  in her new book “Radical Homemakers.”   They have all chosen to have their lives revolve completely around their home and community.  According to Shannon, they and their children have found a  frugal yet  enriched  back-to-the-earth existence.

The radical homemaker’s genuine wealth,  she  says,  comes from the soil, water, sunlight, air, family and relationships.

When I read about Shannon’s book recently, I was intrigued.   Could a movement be gaining popularity that encouraged simple concepts such as  hanging out the laundry to dry, cooking for your family, and getting to know your neighbors?  I wondered what made  this woman with a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. switch over to a way of life that didn’t include climbing the ladder to success.   How did she make this “radical homemaking” a reality?

“…while my grad school peers were settling into their new offices, I was out under a cloudless blue sky, painting for $10/hr.  I  decided that I had the better deal.”

Shannon took the time to explain to me why she feels home is where social change will begin…