Our first few books feature one of our more skilled Focusing families. If you are surprised at how well they work together, that's the point. They have been intentionally practicing for years on their own and they recognize that widening the community they practice with will both challenge and enhance what they've learned so far.
The Poplar Tree represents this family’s homestead on our map. If you visit Smart View Recreation Area you’ll find that their yard is mostly rock. Beautiful mossy white rocks…
Together, this family enjoys biking, camping, art, singing and music. Mama Dawn and Papa Sam learned Focusing shortly before Stryder was born so that they could raise their kids with these skills. They are a typical busy family and feel blessed to be living Focusing as a way of life in community with others. Mama Dawn was born and raised in this area. Papa Sam moved to the USA from Australia as a young adult. He visits his family back home every few years. Until they committed to this community, they explored moving back to Australia. Stryder and Wendy were born here. Their cousin Levi who joins them for a few years was born in Washington D.C.
Books 1-3 feature the Poplar Family.
Let's take a peek at the Poplar Family as illustrated in Book 2 and onward!
Age 38
Mama Dawn is a social butterfly, involved in helping others in the community. She works as an artisan potter. Her hobbies are Qi-gong, biking, kayaking and gardening.
Age 37
Papa Sam is the founder of a local nonprofit business dedicated to raising awareness about mindfulness skills. His hobbies are walking with Casey, his dog, video games and playing fiddle at Friday night jams in Floyd.
Age 11
Stryder likes to move and runs, bikes or plays basketball most every day. One of his goals is to join a local track team. Stryder feels movement helps him be more attentive when he is sitting to read or play a video game.
Age 8
Wendy is adaptable and likes to keep her options open. She loves to draw and is already a talented artist. Since moving here, her new hobby is plants, learning about them and spending time learning to communicate with them.
Age 4
Levi does not talk much. He is often sensitive, showing off one moment and closing down the next. Levi is Mama Dawn’s nephew who recently joined the family. It’s not clear how long he will be here. His parents live in a big city and travel often for their jobs. They hope Levi will thrive more in this environment.
Age 3
Casey lives in adoration of her family. She is quite attentive to Papa Sam for walks, one-one time and treats. She is also quite happy that Levi is here. She often sits near him as he plays in a sunny rock patch outside the home.
Meet the Oak Family
Enjoy meeting our community founders, Grampy and Grammy! They have been practicing Focusing about 5 years.
Grampy Stan is a Black American born and raised on this land. We'll share an interesting story in a future book about how his dad was able to purchase this land from a local white farmer. Stan served in the marines, army and navy. He has two grown sons from a previous marriage. One lives out west in Arizona and one lives in New York City. Stan always wanted family around him and now he has a village! He learned to cook in the army and loves to host meals from the farm food he grows. Music, acting and motorcycles are some of his favorite hobbies!
Grammy Gina fell in love with Grampy and moved here 14 years ago. With Caucasian, Black and Native American heritage, she likes to joke she is all shades of human. Gina has one adult daughter who lives in Hawaii. Like Grampy, she has developed many skills in her past. She initially trained as a nurse and later became a herbalist and studied permaculture. A herbalist is a person who knows how to make medicine from plants. Permaculture is a way to grow food and design gardens that are in harmony with the ecosystem of the land. Grammy has added chickens and all sorts of new gardens since she arrived. Nature, dancing and gardens are some of her favorite things! Oh…and motorcycle rides with Grampy!
Books 4, 5 and 6 will feature the Oak Family.