Dear Helpers, this Year and Past

The Christmas tradition continues, and I’m rallying to the occasion with another brief documentation of the year behind us.  I want to thank those of you who are still sending Christmas cards, supporting both postal workers and everyone who makes cards. It is a tossup between the contribution to climate change and good old fashioned tradition and jobs. A little humor never hurts.
The image is of my latest painting which I thought made a great Xmas Card. The painting was a long time in the making. The planning for the photo started in February of 2017 during a ski. The photo was taken shortly after with the thought that I would paint the picture for a birthday that same July. I did a couple of sketches then but never felt inspired to continue it. Then this summer I brought the sketch to life, and only last week put the final wash on the painting which is 20 in x 18 in. I loved working on it and will be glad to deliver it to my friend as a multi-year birthday and Xmas gift.
I am still working  half time, and continue to love forestry and my woodlot clients.. It is a continual relearning curve. Most apparent are new considerations for First Nations and the demands on forests and water from climate change, industry and recreation along with resulting legislation. It seems I spend a lot of time keeping up with all of the changes and expectations. The rest of the time I work at staying fit, painting, drawing, playing bridge and volunteering. In September I did a bike boat trip in Croatia, it was great fun and I’d go back if the opportunity arose. I went with two good friends from Golden. I followed the trip with a lovely visit with Carla, Hans, Frieda and Martha in Burgdorf. It is so special to watch them grow as a family, and we are hoping they will visit this summer. This fall Loren and I did a truck/camper to Smithers for a woodlot meeting. It was nice to be on the road again, but we know long trips will have to wait until the lodge sells, or we come up with another plan.
Loren keeps himself busy around here; firewood, snow-plowing, going to the gym, cross country skiing and lodge maintenance in the winter. Fire Warden during fire season and gun range for target shooting and woodlot when the weather permits. He also does a lot of the cooking.
As the helpers from this summer past will know, the lodge is still running and takes some time. As does many of the other projects around here. We just couldn’t have accomplished what we have, without all of your help. This year past just of few of the thing that we are grateful to our help for are clearing the debris and cutting firewood from the firebreak behind the house, finishing the cabinets at and painting the inside of Loren’s new shop, keeping the garden up, picking raspberries), painting the trim on the windows here at our house and bringing in hay.
Linnaéa spent most of the year working at Vancouver General and the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, with a stint in Fort St John last January. But the big news is Linnaéa turned 40 this year. Yup. And even bigger news is that Linnaéa has moved Nakusp to work for Interior Health. She has Christmas off, and is closer than usual and will come to Golden for the holidays. Yippee!
Andrew is working as a carpenter here in Golden and he moonlights as a sound tech on the weekend. He keeps pretty low key.  But he and Loren did get out ice fishing a couple of times last winter.  It is nice to know that he is not travelling back and forth to Alberta for work and he can meet us for breakfast or dinner without much notice.  In July he travelled to Croatia with friends and felt the same as I did about Croatia ‘a place to revisit.’
My Mom and Dad are doing fine, they are still in their house in Chilliwack and managed a small garden. Dad has given up driving, but walks to play cards when the weather is fine. Mom is still line dancing and going to yoga. My Great Aunt Verla will be 94 this year and is still in her place in Penticton, and luckily is still playing bridge and doesn’t miss a thing. Like last year we hope to orchestrate a winter trip where Loren and I meet Mom and Dad in West Kelowna and take Mom to visit Verla, while we visit with Dad.
Loren’s Mom has moved to the independent complex in Invermere, where she is provided lunch and dinners. It is nice to have her closer to everyone and already we have seen her more since she moved in June, than in the last several years together.
We are not sure what 2020 will bring for us, we haven’t made any big plans for travel. We plan to do some ice fishing, short trips here and there, maybe a cross country ski trip and visit to my sister Arleigh in Vernon and certainly a visit or two to Nakusp to see Linnaea.
Thanks again to you all for your help, you are always welcome here. And even if you can’t make it back we love to hear how you are doing. There are several of you that I have not heard from for years. It would be so nice to know how you are doing. I trust the universe is being good to you.

Happy Holidays and all the Best in the New Year!

Starting year 16 as Helper/Woofer Hosts

I thought since we are now hosting our 141st helper, that it is time I wrote something about our experience. We have been hosting help for over 15 years; with over 140 people staying with us over that time. Each helper bringing new energy and ideas to our place. We learn so much about current Europe through the eyes of those who have just or recently moved into the real adult world. They are generally eager to learn and contribute their muscle towards helping us expand and maintain our Farm Woodlot. We are always grateful for the help and sincerely hope that each helper believes that we both have benefitted in someway from them, having stayed with us. Thank you. Denise and Loren 

WW 140 Nathan, Switzerland. March 17 to March 30, 2019

Nathan is from Geneva Switzerland. Once Nathan, who usually was smiling, found his place here, he really stood out and fit right in. Nathan helped with the building. As Nathan put it he had an incredible Canadian experience, with a lot of firsts while he was here 'driving a tractor and snowmobile, running a chainsaw, helping with the insulating and panelling and ice fishing, although we didn't catch any fish.

Helpers 138 and 139 Germany

Emma and Baran from Hanover, Germany March 12 to 24
We had a great time with Emma and Baran who quickly became part of our home. These two have a great sense of humor and know how important life, love and family are. Not something many young people have figured out. While they were here, Loren was on a mission to have his new building insulated and the plywood on the walls. Baran, Emma and Nathan were keen to make this happen and it did. Loren really enjoyed their company and I liked that they were so easy to be around. Wherever these two land, they will be a formative part of the community. And for sure they will never be out of work.  

WW 138 Benjamin, Italy (German) Nov 22_2018

Ben arrived in a November when there was still outside work because we didn't have any snow. Ben was filling time before winter work. And he'd been here just over a week when a job offer came from Canmore. We were sorry to have him leave as we were in the middle of firewood. But since he has left we've heard from him a couple of times and are certain we will have him back in the spring for more firewood😊

WW137 Dorit: Germany Sept 9 to Oct 6 2018

Dorit from Germany was a very quiet and pleasant helper, who was working diligently on her English. Dorit helped Loren with the shop, brought in the garden and learnt to make juice, jelly and our oatmeal cookies. And Dorit even managed to visit Morain Lake one day while I went to Canmore. As you can see, Dorit arrived mid fall, but by the time Dorit left, we had an early snow.

Esteban July 23rd to August 4th 2019: Costa Rica

Esteban from Costa Rica is a world traveller. At home in Costa Rica Esteban he is well into his career. He at plans well ahead so he can take long periods away from work to travel to new places, experience new ideas and most interesting of all, visiting locations at the same time the Pope is visiting a place. A most fascinating fellow. Eager to participate in everything we were doing and smiling all the while. When he left here he was on route to Ireland to see the Pope.

Helpers 134 and 135 Jonas and Cathy, France, July 2018

Jonas and Cathy arrived through Helpx. They arrived July 22 and only stayed for just a week. I only have the one photo of Jonas with Estaban on the snow above the trail on route to Gorman Lak

WW 133 Luisa Germany July 3rd to 25th

It is always nice to have a helper who stays for a few weeks. Luisa made herself at home and quickly became like part of our family. She was always in a good mood and willing to do and learn anything that came her way. Luisa, picked sour cherries and raspberries without hesitation, and whenever a task was finished Luisa was asking for something to do. Luisa cleaned up the garden, helped with preserves and freezing fruits. It was so hard to say Good-Bye, but it wasn't for too long. In August Luisa stopped by for a quick visit with her family who was visiting from Germany.

WW 132 June 2018 Rene Germany

Rene from Beidenkopf Germany arrived suddenly and could only stay for a week. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of Rene.