Author Archives: CJ

About CJ

I was a Spanish teacher for 5 years in the Public School system in 3 different states. I homeschooled and taught at a democratic free school. I heard about cohousing in 2010 and wanted to move in right away. I met a group building one in 2018 and got to move in the summer of 2019. It only took a year to want out.

The word community

Posted on October 15, 2021 by CJ

Since moving into an intentional community, my ears zero in on the word. I notice I hear it a lot. So I looked it up and I was correct in my suspicion – it is over used! Yet, in my … Continue reading →

Posted in living in community, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Just listen

Posted on October 13, 2021 by CJ

a great video on listening. For grieving or whenever someone is in pain. (I wish I could say I never said any of these, but I have. Now I can do better.)

Posted in death and mourning, grief and grieving, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Questions for potential members

Posted on October 10, 2021 by CJ

Questions for a potential member You can’t really screen or stop people from buying or renting a house in cohousing due to fair housing laws (which are necessary) but if you could ask a few things and get to know … Continue reading →

Posted in moving in and out of cohousing, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Does anyone like the Trump kids?

Posted on October 10, 2021 by CJ

For four years people acted strange around a known narcissist. Now his “friends” are writing tell all books.  I understand these books more now that I feel like I saw people throw what they know is right into the trash … Continue reading →

Posted in psychopathy, narcissicism, and personality disorders in cohousing, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

problem solved ever in cohousing?

Posted on October 7, 2021 by CJ

I found this on another blog but I love the image! I felt like i was the only one looking for solutions and everyone else in that cohousing were searching for a hole to stick their head in. They wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in control and decision making in cohousing, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

End of Dog Days of Summer

Posted on October 2, 2021 by CJ

End of dog days of summer Summer is not for dogs at the beach. They are not allowed until after Labor Day and then banned again after Memorial Day. Okay, they can appear after 6pm. But, now is the time … Continue reading →

Posted in bad behavior and bullies of any age, beach life, pets in cohousing | 2 Comments

Dream Homes Dissolve

Posted on September 25, 2021 by CJ

I was talking to a woman last night and I felt her pain. She had the dream life, the dream house, the dream marriage. In months it all dissolved. Unfortunately, right as the quarantine began so she moved to a … Continue reading →

Posted in beach life, moving in and out of cohousing, selling house, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

cohousing/intentional communities may not be a perfect place to raise children

Posted on September 24, 2021 by CJ

I love reading old Communities magazines.  It comes with a membership of Foundations of Intentional Communities.  It seems like the old adage – the more things change, the more stay the same. Same issues then as now with communities. In … Continue reading →

Posted in bad behavior and bullies of any age, other blogs and websites, parenting, privacy, sexual abuse, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wild Child Book Review

Posted on September 24, 2021 by CJ

Wild child: Girlhoods in the Counterculture is an anthology of memoirs by women who grew up in the 60s and 70s with hippie parents. Some lived in communes, others traveled the country, but they all have a story to tell.  … Continue reading →

Posted in bad behavior and bullies of any age, moving in and out of cohousing, sexual abuse, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Divorce Divides

Posted on September 23, 2021 by CJ

Divorce is never fun. Many neighborhoods have seen half or the whole household move away due to divorce. I’m in shock and sad to find out the couple I have come to know very well this year is splitting up.  … Continue reading →

Posted in living in community, moving in and out of cohousing, Uncategorized | Leave a comment