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News from Reevis Mountain School
November 2010
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A Division of the PAAK Foundation, an Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Peter Bigfoot, Founder and Director / Patricia Busnack, Office Manager and Editor
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 With our first frost on the ninth, and much-anticipated wintry weather setting in in general, November might have been a time to stay close to the home hearth. Instead, it was a month of much coming and going. In fact, Bigfoot had to make a new pair of shoes for the occasion!
Peter and Patricia were away in New Jersey for ten days, attending Bigfoot's fiftieth high school reunion and visiting his family back east. They enjoyed every minute of that rare vacation time. It only took Peter a couple of days to come to grips with waking up in the morning with absolutely nothing to do!
One highlight came at the very beginning of the trip. Waiting on the tarmac before takeoff, Patricia was browsing through the airline magazine, and found an article written by a woman from Manhattan who fell in love with an organic farmer and joined him on the farm. The article was the opening of her autobiographical book, called The Dirty Life. During the first part of the flight, Patricia read the article aloud in Peter's ear, and the story made them laugh, weep, and smile, for the way the author (Kristin Kimball) described our own lives so beautifully and accurately. We are looking forward to reading the rest of the book.
While Peter and Patricia were away, our friends Lee Ann, Lyn, Jeremy, and Laura, along with Jonathan, took care of the farm. It was so sweet for P&P, to know that Reevis was in caring and competent hands, and to hear upon their return that everyone enjoyed the time working together here.
Lee Ann, Lyn, Jeremy, Laura, and Jonathan also helped prepare for our Thanksgiving celebration. We had thirteen at the table - including Patricia's mother, Jennifer, on her first visit to the farm. We roasted a 25-pound turkey and served all the traditional Reevis sides: squash, salad, sweet potatoes, a vegetable dutch oven, whole-grain breads, and homemade pies - as well as a delectable cranberry dish that Julie, one of our guests, kindly contributed. It was a beautiful holiday, and we are so thankful to Lee Ann, Lyn, Jeremy, Laura, and Jonathan for making it wonderful.
Earlier in the month, we had the pleasure of visits from two more sets of friends - a pair of high school teachers from Gunnison, Colo., who teach an outdoor recreation class and have been bringing their students to Reevis each semester; and the owners of Reevis's land - some of whom fly from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii to be here. It is a wonderful opportunity to see good friends every year.
The last few days of the month were just as friend-filled and busy. The day after Thanksgiving, no less than 23 people visited Reevis - some, friends from Roosevelt, and others, people who had never been here before. Then, on Sunday, Peter and Patricia spent the day at Boyce Thompson Arboretum's Fall Foliage Festival. Although it was a rainy and windy day, they sold about sixty pounds of persimmons, and enjoyed introducing the fruit to people who had never tasted one (also some who had only tried them underripe, and had to be convinced!). Finally, at the end of the month we harvested the winter squash - quite a bounty this year, that we estimate at over a thousand pounds.
To balance so much joy, we also had visits from some not-so-welcome visitors - a mountain lion and a bobcat, most likely, that over the past month have taken two ducks, a turkey, and ten chickens. In spite of Bigfoot's attempts to trap the cats, we have not even seen so much as a footprint - we just guess that it must be a lion and a bobcat from the fact that something took the ducks without even leaving feathers (suggesting there was not much of a fight), and that one predator couldn't eat so much meat. Also, Patricia sighted a bobcat last month (it killed a chicken in October), and our neighbor Brandon has seen a lion in the area. We have the poultry in lockdown, in the hope that if the cats don't get anything to eat for a while, they will give up and hunt somewhere else.
We are looking forward to a quiet month of December ... continuing to work on Peter's books (the Book of Ancient Natural Remedies, and a guide to useful Sonoran plants), harvesting persimmons, and, for Peter, hunting elk. We wish you peace and joy during this month, as ever.
For more information (and pictures!) about the farm, Peter Bigfoot's herbal remedies, and classes and events, please visit www.reevismountain.org.
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| Coming Events
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Winter Count Primitive Living Skills Rendezvous, Feb. 13-19, Maricopa, AZ
Oriental Acupressure, at RMS, March 3-6, $238
Wild Edible, Medicinal, and Useful Plants, Lost Dutchman State Park, March 12, $78
Wilderness Survival, at RMS, March 17-20, $238
Nature Retreat at RMS, April 8-10, $178
Wild Edible, Medicinal, and Useful Plants, Catalina State Park, April 16, $85
Wild Edible, Medicinal, and Useful Plants, at RMS, May 6-8, $178
Off-Grid Living, at RMS, May 12-15, $238
Stone Masonry, at RMS, June 6-11, $143
Please see below for more information.
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| Winter Count Primitive Living Skills Rendezvous, Feb. 13-19, near Maricopa, AZ
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Teachers and artisans in primitive technology gather every winter at the Backtracks Winter Count Rendezvous to share ideas and methods as well as spread their arts through hands-on workshops. This is an opportunity for you to receive skills instruction from some of the nation's top primitive technologists and artisans.
Bigfoot will teach bow and drill fire starting, useful plants, and natural healing; others will be teaching a wide variety of primitive skills. Contact the event organizer, Backtracks, for more information and registration: dwescot@aol.com, www.backtracks.net, (208) 359-2400.
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Oriental Acupressure, at RMS, March 3-6, $238
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A doctor may not be available when you need one - now you can learn to take care of yourself! Oriental Acupressure is a simple and profoundly effective healing art founded on the understanding of the human body as animated by life force energy that constantly flows through meridians in and around the body. Most illness is caused by a restriction in the free flow of life force. Oriental Acupressure is an art designed to reestablish that free flow and return us to our natural state of being: painless, joyous, and loving. You will learn the philosophy of Oriental Acupressure, the meridians and pulse points, diagnosis through reading the pulses, techniques of touch healing, and first aid with Oriental Acupressure. Includes Bigfoot's Book of Ancient Natural Remedies. Three days. |
| Wild Edible, Medicinal, and Useful Plants, at RMS, Lost Dutchman, or Catalina
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 Our Sonoran desert plants, bushes, and trees harbor many secret treasures, from healthy nourishment to remedies for illness, injury, and venomous bites and stings. We make it easy and fun to learn ... and, of course, you'll get Bigfoot himself answering your questions, and his fascinating stories of healing and survival. You will receive a personal plant study book that contains information on more than 150 medicinal and edible wild plants (a $20 value!) plus room to add actual samples that are gathered during the class. Easy hiking through the desert, exploring the plant life as we go. Dress for the weather, including a wide-brimmed hat for protection from the sun. Choose from March 12 at Lost Dutchman State Park (north of Apache Junction), 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., $78; April 16 at Catalina State Park (north of Tucson), 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., $85; and the two-day class at RMS, May 6-8, $178. |
| Wilderness Survival, at RMS, March 17-20, $238
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This is a comprehensive desert skills course. Experience life on a working homestead in the mountains of the Superstition Wilderness while acquiring wilderness skills and nature awareness in a desert environment. Skills covered: bow and drill primitive fire making; knife sharpening; all-natural emergency first aid including wilderness healing of venomous bites and stings; rope and string made of natural fibers; emergency shelters; land navigation; traps and animal preparation for food; and so much more. Meet new friends, eat home-grown food, enjoy evening campfires - a unique, life-enriching experience. Maximum 14 students. Three days. For this class, shuttle pickup on the first day is at 3 p.m.
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| Nature Retreat at RMS, April 8-10, $198
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 Enjoy two days and nights in RMS's magical wilderness sanctuary - a place of inspiration and peace, a space to experience inner tranquility. Includes lodging in a cabin or yurpee (as available); a one-hour herb walk, one-hour natural healing lesson, and daily meditation lessons with Bigfoot; healthful and hearty organic meals from our garden; informal nutritional counseling; and ample time for relaxation or hiking in nature's beauty. Bigfoot's meditation lessons will aid you in learning and practicing several meditation techniques on your journey to achieving inner peace and a tranquil mind. Peter Bigfoot has been practicing meditation for over 35 years and will share his experience with you.
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| Off-Grid Living, at RMS, May 12-15, $238
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Learn how we live on RMS's off-the-grid homestead in the Superstition Wilderness. In the course of a comprehensive tour of the farm, we will cover the farm's solar and water systems; how we care for our garden and orchard; care and processing of livestock; how we manage waste and garbage; nutrition and cooking, including use of a solar oven; self-care and healing; attitudes that are important for survival and happiness; and much more. You will have an opportunity to get your hands dirty working on an actual project, such as preparing and planting our corn field. Three days.
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| Stone Masonry, at RMS, June 6-11, $143
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Hands-on experience in the art and skill of stone wall construction: selecting native stones, mixing concrete, placing stones, esthetic and structural considerations, choice of tools and materials. Bring work gloves and work clothes. Help build something that will virtually last forever and never need paint. A physically demanding class (lifting heavy stones and working on scaffolding). Five days. For this class, shuttle pickup on the first day is at 10 a.m.
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Planning to attend a class or event?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Classes held at Reevis Mountain School include: meals (arrival night meal is a potluck party - bring a healthful, natural dish to share!), class supplies, hot showers, and campsite. Camping is free, or stay in a yurpee ($10 per night) or cabin (singles $25 per night, doubles $50 per night) - availability permitting. Yurpees and cabins have beds and pillows; bring your own sheets and blankets or sleeping bag.
Complimentary shuttle service from Roosevelt, 10 miles one way - or caravan in your own 4X4. Shuttle pickup is at 4 p.m., first day of class (please note exceptions listed in class descriptions), at M&S Marine, Hwy. 188, Roosevelt (between milepost 233 and 234).
Early Registration: 10% discount if you register with full payment 30 days prior to class date.
To Register: 3 ways: visit our website and register online; or mail your name, phone number, postal and email addresses and full payment or a 50% deposit to the address below; or email us with this information and mail a check or request Paypal instructions. Indicate whether you will need shuttle service from Roosevelt and/or wish to rent a yurpee or cabin instead of camping. Balance due prior to class.
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| What We're Growing, Harvesting, and Eating
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 We'd like to share with you what's going on in the garden, the orchard, and the kitchen - the vegetables we're planting, the bounty (fruit, veggies, livestock, and herbs!) we're harvesting, and how we turn our harvest into nourishing, delicious meals.
What We're Growing
It is always a bit of a gamble to plant the winter crops late enough that the seeds will germinate and the heat won't damage the seedlings, but early enough that the plants will get a good start before the cold weather arrives. So we are very pleased that we have bok choy, cabbage, rutabagas, and parsnips growing well now. We also have carrots, beets, radishes, garlic, onions, kale, chard, endive, chicory, and some beautiful new varieties of lettuce. Most of these plants are still small because of the cold weather coming on so soon. We had expected to have plenty to sell, but until they get larger we have just enough for ourselves.
What We're Harvesting
For the table we are enjoying winter greens, lettuces, endive, carrots, and radishes. Just yesterday we harvested our crop of winter squashes, including kabocha, buttercup, acorn, and hubbard varieties - some of the squashes are over twenty pounds! The orchard is giving us persimmons, pecans, and olives. What We're EatingEvery meal at RMS is built around greens, whole grains, and meat or eggs. During the cold months, steaming greens and squash are on the table at every meal - although this year we also have a copious supply of lettuces and endive. Turkey, duck, beef, or venison provides the protein for both breakfast and supper. We don't eat eggs much in the winter, because the chickens produce very little, and eggs' energy isn't warm enough, anyway. And this year, our chicken population has been decreased so much that the flock isn't giving any eggs at all. With chicks that we hatched and purchased over the summer maturing next spring, we hope to have eggs to sell then.
Late November begins persimmon paradise. We love to eat them fresh, like apples - and we also love to wrap ripe Hachiyas in plastic wrap, put them in the freezer, and save them to eat like popsicles in July and August! Here is a classic recipe for persimmon pudding. There are lots more persimmon recipes on our website.
Persimmon Pudding2 cups persimmon pulp
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
6 cups milk
1 tablespoon butter
In a large bowl, whisk together the persimmon pulp and eggs. Stir in sugar.
Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the persimmon, alternating with milk, until smooth.
Pour into a large greased crock or casserole dish. Drop dabs of butter on top. Bake at 350F for 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. Pudding will be dark brown when finished. Serve hot or cold. |
| Wilderness Retreats at RMS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RMS is a sanctuary free of most modern-day distractions and pollutants (including television!), a place to reconnect with Earth and Spirit, while enjoying the school's organic/whole foods cuisine and wilderness surroundings. Yurpees and cabins are available for overnight, weekend, or longer retreats. Please visit www.reevismountain.org or email us for more information. |
| How to Purchase RMS Remedies
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Peter Bigfoot's herbal tinctures and salves are available to order direct from RMS by email (orders@reevismountain.org), phone (928) 467-2675, on our website (click on Country Store), or by mail (7448 S. J-B Ranch Rd., Roosevelt, AZ 85545), or at retailers:
Phoenix: Healthy Habit, 6029 N. 7th St., and Total Body Awakening Legacy, 602-774-0160
Scottsdale: The Natural Medicinary at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, 8010 E. MacDowell Rd.
Mesa: Preparing Wisely, 144 S. Mesa Dr.
Tempe: SWIHA's bookstore, 1100 E. Apache Blvd.
Flagstaff: New Frontiers Market
Sedona: New Frontiers Market
Cottonwood: Mt. Hope Foods
Camp Verde: Healthy Thymes
Globe: Back to Basics, on Hwy. 60
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| We Welcome Donations
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RMS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization; donations may be tax deductible. Currently our highest priority to is replace our gasoline creek pump with a solar pump, and any assistance toward that goal will be greatly appreciated. Cash donations are always welcomed with deep gratitude and will be put toward purchase of a solar water pump, ongoing expenses, or the costs of housing and feeding our interns, who pay for their stay here in work rather than money.
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Quick Links...
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"Farming takes root in you and crowds out other endeavors, makes them seem paltry. Your acres become a world. And maybe you realize that it is beyond those acres or in your distant past, back in the realm of TiVo and cubicles, of take-out food and central heat and air, in that country where discomfort has nearly disappeared, that you were deprived. Deprived of the pleasure of desire, of effort and difficulty and meaningful accomplishment. A farm asks, and if you don't give enough, the primordial forces of death and wildness will overrun you. So naturally you give, and then you give some more, and then you give to the point of breaking, and then and only then it gives back, so bountifully it overfills not only your root cellar but also that parched and weedy little patch we call the soul." - Kristin Kimball, The Dirty Life
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