I’ve been away from the computer for awhile.  While stopped in traffic on April 21st my compact sedan was rear-ended by a large SUV.  Although my passenger compartment remained intact (thank goodness), I’ve been spending much time since then treating the effects of severe whiplash.  Per my medical advisors, the treatment has included very little computer use, contributing to the lack of entries for this blog.

As I begin to recover from my injuries, I wonder if Wolf Creek Commons has been similarly rear-ended by the housing bust and the changing economy.  Greatly increased requirements for our construction loan have caused a temporary whiplash-like effect on our existing membership.  Loss of equity in existing homes and investments has made prospective new members hesitant to commit to joining our enterprise.  But like my stiff neck and sore back, signs of recovery may be appearing on the horizon.

At the general meeting of Wolf Creek Commons this past Saturday, every household re-committed themselves to the effort of making our community happen.  We had an excellent Q&A session with our project manager and the President of Cohousing Partners.  Spirits were relatively “up” after the meeting as we lunched on the shady patio behind a local deli and enjoyed the summer-like weather.

There’s also been lots of encouraging activity in related arenas.  On April 26th at the Nevada County fairgrounds the Sierra Deep Ecology Institute presented their Green Architect Award for 2009 to McCamant & Durrett Architects, the cohousing-experienced firm responsible for designing Wolf Creek Village.  On May 4th the USA Today newspaper printed a nationally-distributed article about senior cohousing.  On May 7th National Public Radio’s “Marketplace” segment broadcast an interview with a cohousing advocate.  On May 15th an “Audacious Aging” event in Grass Valley helped attract interest in Wolf Creek Lodge, the active adult community with which we’ll be sharing Wolf Creek Village.  The second edition of The Senior Cohousing Handbook by Chuck Durrett has been published, and Chuck’s west coast book-signing tour includes a June 16 stop at The Book Seller in downtown Grass Valley.  And the wildflowers are abloom at the future Wolf Creek Commons site and throughout the surrounding Sierra foothills.

We’ve replaced our car, which had served us so well for 118,000 miles (until the insurance company “totaled” it following the accident) with a new version of the same make and model.  Yes, it required an extra investment on our part, but it’s bright, it’s shiny, it’s “green” (stingy on gas and rated “ultra low” on the emissions scale), and driving it helps us cheerily think about the future, not the past.  Wolf Creek Commons members have also agreed to make an extra investment – one which should help us think cheerily about the future as we push our dreams closer to reality.  We’d love to have you join us!