30 Comments
Jan 12Liked by Joyce Wycoff

fascinating concept!

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What a wonderful project! I may only be able to be a reader support, but it sounds fabulous. Your ambition and determination are inspirational, Joyce.

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Thanks, June and it's great to have your support.

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Jan 11Liked by Joyce Wycoff

Joyce Wycoff is promulgating an astonishing story about courage, home rule, decentralization, and taking responsibility for managing the environmental resources. (This Charán story includes the Purépecha people's sustainable, industrial use of pine trees, which coincidentally meshes with this week's post at weedom.)

This project is participatory. Check it out! Sharing is caring.

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Thanks for your support and for reminding me of another aspect of this story ... harvesting resin is/was (there's still so much I don't know) the town's primary industry.

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Wow, Joyce, that sounds AMAZING. Good for you. My friend Mandy Stapleford does a podcast called Good News Good Planet, and she will certainly be interested in your story. I absolutely love Mexico--one of the most wonderful countries on the planet, and it's just heartbreaking what the cartels are doing. I've traveled a lot there but never been to Michoacan -

Keep yourself safe and more power to your writing arm!

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Thanks, Allegra ... it would be great to talk to Mandy ... and what a great title. We'll have to talk Mexico some time.

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Jan 10Liked by Joyce Wycoff

Kudus to you for undertaking such a major endeavor, and an important one. It is so often brave, committed "small people" who make big change, sometimes just by their witness. We here in the US of A have grown to take so many of our freedoms for granted. And a big chunk of them are at stake this coming November.

We need inspiring stories to wake us up as to what courage looks like. Thank you for your commitment to "expose" them. Stay well fine soul.

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Thank you, Mark. I don't expect to be more than a ripple in our pond ... but those old women of Cherán didn't know what they were starting ... they just knew they had had enough and needed to do something. I hope their courage rubs off on me.

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Jan 10Liked by Joyce Wycoff

I highly suspect it will. Extremes of character have a strong inclination toward influencing the character of others, which in this case is a wonderful thing.

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Jan 10Liked by Joyce Wycoff

Now this was really interesting, I know nothing about Mexico and the Mexican culture

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I only know enough to be fascinated.

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Wow, to say the least. This is an adventure, happening in world-culture-life shifting times.

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absolutely! I'm just going to hang on.

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I always enjoy hearing your ideas for new projects. This time the lure of Mexican cultural expression was counterbalanced with my own considerable experience in developing economies and struggling societies.

Out of multi -layered questions and controversies, these murals, and the reported actions of some residents, captivate your interest and flash warning lights for me.

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I need to hear about the warning lights also!

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Joyce, this is so exciting! I'm so thankful that you pushed through that imposture syndrome to pursue this amazing adventure. I would definitely like to be involved and will make myself available for that first brainstorming session! Cheers friend!

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I look forward to your ideas and thoughts.

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Jan 10·edited Jan 10Liked by Joyce Wycoff

I am so inspired by what this, and other villages have done and now I want to read everything you wrote about it. I did not know about the avocados... that explains why they have become more plentiful and cheaper. How sad. I remember how plentiful the avocados were in Uruapan and Patzcuaro, and the small of marijuana fields in Michoacan. I love Michoacan so much, and the people, and hope to return there someday. I am sorry that I am poor and can only afford free subscription, but I will support how I can. These murals are exquisite and so moving.

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Jan 10·edited Jan 10Author

Your comment encourages me and that is priceless. I, too, love Michoacán and I'll think of you while I'm there taking photos and learning more about that incredible place. Your enthusiasm is well worth a comped subscription .

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I'm so excited for you and for your worthy pursuit. Heart-led journeys always lead to wonderous things!

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Very creative idea. It sounds exhilarating. I well remember the pueblo with avocado ranches being targeted by the cartel but hadn't heard the name of it nor the stand the women of Cherán took against them. Wow. Michoacan is a beautiful state for sure. What an adventure, Joyce!

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Jeanine ... thanks ... I appreciate your depth of knowledge about Mexico and storytelling and hope you'll chime in at anytime.

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I can say for sure that the handful of times I've deliberately changed my life for the better (IMO), dramatically, have all been me seeking to prove to myself that I wasn't afraid of something. Overcoming a fear and proving to myself that I could do it led me to a new city 30 years ago, and that wasn't even the biggest change.

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Thanks, Andrew ... and looking at it from that perspective helps ... although, knowing that deliberate changes change things may be part of the issue. I've grown comfortable and feel like I just pushed one of those old hand levers that change the direction of the railroad tracks. Now I'm headed a different way and don't know what's up ahead. I guess we just hang on and enjoy the ride!

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Jan 10Liked by Joyce Wycoff

I really admire your youthful adventurous spirit Joyce. Mine has been hampered somewhat due to a special needs grandson who I have committed to help in every way I can until I can't. Such is life and there are those like yourself who both can and will act which is wonderful.

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Mark ... I know I am privileged to have the freedom and resources I have. What you're doing with your grandson is its own kind of adventure ... one that is not open to me. I admire your commitment and all that you are learning on a completely different adventure.

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Thank you, Joyce. It's been a kind of "journey" I would have never anticipated even having worked with people dealing with severe disabilities for decades. Like so many things, unless you've taken the ride yourself, you still have no idea what an adventure it is.

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Jan 10Liked by Joyce Wycoff

Joyce, I love how you reframed your adventure. It sounds worthy of exploration. I'm eager to know more about these women. I'll help however I can.

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Becky ... I love having you along for the ride and look forward to hearing your ideas and reactions.

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