The Farm in the Blaeberry

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.