Gallmeyer Farms

The Clockworks Collective met with some fellow tribe-members at a local farm, Gallymeyer Farms. They grow and sell a large selection of fresh produce, and offer educational and fun seasonal activities for children, including hayrides, spooky house tours, the straw bale maze, and the pumpkin romping pile. Staff is always prepared to give educational presentations on the growth process of the pumpkin plant, from seed to soil contact, through the relationship with the honeybees, and ending in how humans benefit from the plant?insect relationship, through examples of jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin pie, candles, soap, and honey. We met all of our friends for a picnic lunch and romp on the playground, then rode out on the hay wagon to the fields, where we had a lovely time strolling and finding just the right gourds. Everyone had a wonderful day, and we are sure to make it a family tradition year after year.

The Clockworks Tromp Through the Ashland Pumpkin Patch

Samhain Celebration in The Deep Deep Woods

The Deep Deep Woods in one of the homesteads that comprises The Clockworks Collective. This past October our tribe gathered to celebrate Samhain, an ancient Gaelic seasonal festival marking the end of the harvest season and the start of the darker half of the year. We shared a great feast of autumn foods, including vegan pumpkin chili, spinach salad with home-made pumpkin vinaigrette, savory pumpkin pancakes, spicy corn cakes, and a lovely apple-spice cake.

Here, Cynthia guides the children in making lanterns.

Then we gathered the children around the outdoor table to make lanterns. The children used natural water-color paints to decorate pieces of paper, which once dried, were placed between sheets of clear tape and fashioned into small lanterns, which once a LED tea-light was placed inside, were carried by the children to light their path once the sun went down.

Then, the children romped around the yard, collecting small objects they were keen on, while we waited for the sun to set. As darkness fell, a beautiful path into the woods was revealed, lit by a dozen jack-o-lanterns.
 We gathered our baskets of nature offerings, and with lanterns in hand and singing songs, we made our way down the path into the dark woods.Upon reaching the end of the path, we came to an iron bench on which sat The Man of the Woods. He warmly greeted the children, and gifted them with honey and gemstones from the fairies and gnomes of the forest, in exchange for the nature gifts the children had gathered.

Meet the Family!

Welcome, and salutations to you! You have stumbled across the ramblings of The Clockworks Collective, a group of individuals brought together and aimed towards creating a creative, responsible, and self-sufficient community. We are a small group, comprised of 3 families who are currently scattered around the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. Despite the current distances between us (and by that, we mean simply that we cannot walk next door to see one another!) we gather at least once a week, for our Tuesdays Tea & Tots, we celebrate all of our holidays together, as well as meeting at local parks and museums for outings. There are 5 adults, and between us all we have 5 children between the ages of 1 and 4, as well as an amazing 17-year-old sibling. 

Here, little Anelie and her brother Eisen create chalk-drawings at the homestead, with their village-brother, Griffyn.

Little Eighan loves the swings. 

Miss Maddie cuddles her little sister, Kiera (AKA "Kiwi")