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News from Reevis Mountain School
January 2011
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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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 That's Sara and Peter, way up in the pecan tree! We were shaking the tree to make the most of a bumper pecan harvest. Tessa and Patricia were down on the ground, trying to avoid being plunked on the head while scrambling on hands and knees to fill buckets with the nuts.
Sara arrived a few weeks ago from Santa Barbara (she's originally from New Jersey). She is a wonderful, industrious, and reliable helper and a sunny face around the farm. Tessa has been with us two weeks, from Gunnison, Colorado - she is a steady, loving, peaceful presence. We hope they will both stay a long while.
And we've also just been joined by Peter, from Rochester, New York. When we asked him on his application whether he has a fear of wild animals, he answered, "I am a wild animal." So we expect he'll fit right in.
Meanwhile, Jonathon, who had been at Reevis since September, moved on - back to Tucson. We were very sorry to see him go, but look forward to seeing him again when our paths will surely cross.
Along with the pecan harvest, we had a huge crop of winter squash last fall. We're particularly grateful for that, as otherwise the garden is scarce right now, because of the cold weather in early January (more about that below). Our winter greens and lettuces were set back severely, and we have reluctantly been rationing greens at our own table. We did move several dozen young lettuce and endive plants into the greenhouse before the cold spell, and they are maturing well in there, but not yet large enough to harvest.
The cold snap just after New Year's brought the nighttime low temperature down to about 16 degrees - the coldest on record here. We did not leave enough water running one night, and the pipe down from the springs froze where it crosses in the air over a canyon. It shattered in several places, and as a result we had no running water in the house for about five days. We did have reserves of filtered water in the house, enough to last during that time, as well as water in the irrigation tank. So we carried potfuls from the shower house and heated it on the wood stove in the living room for washing up. Overall it was more an inconvenience or a little adventure (depending on your attitude) than a crisis. The repairs did require two full days of work. Repairing the pipe, which had been spraying all night in below-freezing temperatures, was like working in an ice castle.
We are gradually rebuilding our chicken flock after all the losses over the past year to predators - including at least three bobcats, plus skunks and fox. Just last week we brought home a dozen young chickens, bringing the headcount back up to 45. We also purchased a new incubator, which we hope will work better than the cheaper one we have. Come spring the chicks that we've added to the flock over the past several months will start to lay. In the meantime, we're getting only a few eggs, if any, each day.
We've been happy to have visits from three groups of Prescott College students this month. The college starts freshmen off with a three-week outdoor orientation experience, and each semester they've been sending four groups our way, as part of a trek through the Superstitions. The students camp here overnight and provide a half day of service work. This year, they've been helping with repairing our road. We are immensely grateful for the enormous amount of work they can accomplish in a short time. And it's always a pleasure to meet the students and be part of their awesome wilderness experience.
Peter and Patricia were very excited in January to finish Peter's healing book, the Book of Ancient Natural Remedies, and send it off to the printer. Peter has been working on revising the book for years, and over the past two years Patricia has been copy editing the text and making Peter's corrections and additions. We had hoped to publish the book last year but were stymied by the printing cost. Finally, we worked out a less expensive way to print it (with a wire binding and a wraparound back cover) - and the delay turned out to be a blessing, as it gave us more time to make improvements to the contents. The book has a beautiful full-color cover featuring a magical painting by Claire Long, and has new material on common conditions like heart disease, cancer, parasites, and diabetes. We expect to have copies by the middle of March. The price will be $18, and it will be available to order on our website toward the end of February.
Another fun activity in January was Peter's web radio interview with Dr. Wayne Pickering, "The Mango Man"! Wayne asked Bigfoot about persimmons, what's involved in a healthful diet, and Peter's philosophy of Live What You Love. You can listen to the hour-long show on our website.
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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Bigfoot Speaks at REI (Paradise Valley), Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.
Winter Count Primitive Living Skills Rendezvous, Feb. 13-19, Maricopa, AZ
Bigfoot Speaks at REI (Tempe), Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m.
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 useful plants and natural healing; others will be teaching a wide variety of primitive skills. Contact the event organizer, David Wescot of 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. And if you have a wild plant you want to learn about, you can bring a sample to 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
Since the cold spell in January, the garden has been in recuperation ... the lettuces and winter greens survived, but they were set back quite a bit and have been recovering slowly. The lettuces and endives that we transplanted into the greenhouse are doing very well, but they are still young and not ready to harvest yet. Meanwhile, Patricia planted a few culinary herbs in small pots in the greenhouse, so that we will have basil, cilantro, borage, and a few other plants early in the season. We're also readying the asparagus patch by weeding it, spreading amendments on the soil, and covering it with manure to keep the weeds down.
In the orchard, some of the trees are already budding and leafing out from the warmer recent weather. Probably not good. January and February are the months when Peter prunes the entire orchard to ready it for the next season, as well as planting new bare root trees. Today he will be planting two new Asian pear trees, and he's already added a new variety of grapes to the vineyard. We're also spreading wood chips in the tree basins for mulch - Peter made three trips to Globe with the dump truck this month, to be sure we have plenty of wood chips for this.
What We're Harvesting
We are harvesting lightly now, especially greens, and grateful to have carrots and lots of rutabagas, as well as delicious, sweet winter squash in storage. Tessa has been cooking up fantastic squash soup, which we never get tired of.
What We're Eating
Every meal at RMS is built around greens, whole grains, and meat or eggs. During the cold months, we like to have steaming greens and squash on the table at every meal - although this month we have been short on greens. We substitute raw carrots and radishes to serve the alkalizing function of greens. Lately, the meats on our table have been turkey, beef, and a few excess roosters.
With plenty of winter squash in storage, we have been enjoying it cooked in the Dutch oven, roasted, and made into soup. Here is the way Tessa has been preparing soup for our table:
Tessa's Sensational Squash Soup
In a large soup pot, saute carrots, onions, and garlic in olive oil or butter. Add cubed raw winter squash and rutabaga, along with water or stock to cover. Also add seasonings to taste - Tessa uses basil, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, turmeric, a little cayenne, sea salt, and pepper. Simmer until the squash and rutabaga are soft, then puree in a blender. Delicious.
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| 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, 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
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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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"Whatever man contemplates long enough, merely by desire he will become. If man tells himself long enough that he is wretched, soulless, powerless, he will believe it and become it. ... if he calls himself God, he is going to become God." - Ramtha
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