2022 Annual Update

 

2019 WW 141 to 146

141 Carina, Germany 24_03_2019 to 14_04_2019

Carina was very adventurous. Travelling on her own to learn about Canada and Canadians, and always wanting to share ideas. Carina split and stacked a lot of Firewood with Loren. Carina travelled to Revelstoke with me, where she sought out an open mic evening. I was so impressed, not only that she took the initiative to do this, but because she has an amazing talent. 

142 and returning as WW 144, Baptiste,  France June and August 2019

Baptiste arrived the end of June and was visiting as part of his schools requirement to improve his English. When he left in mid July his English was a bit shaky, however on return for another couple of weeks in August his English was coming along. Baptiste was always in a good mood and willing to learn. The first time he was here, Loren and him built the cabinets at the new shop. The second time him Mohi and Thibault did a lot of land clearing, wood stacking and painting of the inside of the shop. Baptistes past time was pen ink drawing, which he was very skilled at. We enjoyed talking about art and our culture here and his culture in France. 

 

143 Thibault, France, July_August

Although Baptiste and Thibault did not know each other in France from the same school in France and Thibault also was required to  visit another country as part of his education. Thibault already had good English skills, so it was a matter of learning our routine. Once he figured out that we weren't French and were interested in keeping order for the sake of safety and routine, it was smooth sailing for us all. Thibault was very handy with the powersaw and driving the tractor, so as a result we did plenty of brush clearing and wood stacking while he was here.

The photo above is from the 'Black Powder Shoot' at our local gun range. Once a year there is a competition where enthusiasts from all over the country, come together to reenact 19th Century hunting/target skills; including black powder shooting, hatchet throwing and bow and arrow. Both Mohi and Thibault had a chance to shoot at a target using a black powder gun.

144 and 145 Birgit and Mohi, Germany

Birgit was the traveler and Mohi was along for trip. I don't think we have ever had a willing worker as dedicated to gardening as Birgit. Birgit was your ideal helper. She liked to work in the kitchen and enjoyed outings, but was always happy to just relax around the place.  Mohi helped with painting and Thibault with clearing and wood stacking. The photo above is from a hike that Birgit, Mohi, Thibault and I did in Glacier Park. 

Thibault, Baptiste, Birgit and Mohi at Emerald Lake

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.

Helpers 129 to 131 April 4th to 17th 2018 Manon, Medhi and Simar from France

It is always lovely when the first helpers of the year are so eager and fun. Manon, Medhi and Simar greeted us each morning with smiles and chatter. Excited to be learning English, we were never short of conversations and they definitely learnt about the world according to Loren. We had just arrived back after being away for 3 weeks and were very worried about the work to be done because we still had over 30 cm of snow on the ground. And there was still snow on the field and in the forest when they left for Banff on April 17th. But Loren plowed a trail up to the cabin and shop and they worked hard at siding the building and putting in windows. Loren said they worked like a well oiled machine. We will always remember this gracious family.

The Shop on April 7th

Celebrating the missed birthday

April 16th and finally a bit of raking can be done

Always a smile

All that could be reached was sided in less than 2 weeks. WELL DONE

WW 003 Mina, Finland: 2004 Sept 23 to Oct 6

😋😋WW 003 Mina, Finland: 2004 Sept 23 to Oct 6

After more than 13 years, Mina, our third WW, sent us an email to tell us the following.
Mina, it was so lovely to hear how life has progressed for you. The photos you sent are wonderful and show are happy you are. Thank you so much for staying in touch

Hej Denise and Loren!

Minna from Finland/Sweden (woofer at your farm July 2004) here....
....in a train from Nyköping's Steiner school to Stockholm where I live with my husband, Johan, on Kungsholmen island: On fifth floor in the other end of the island with a beautiful view and in 38m²😉 😊.

I'm a waldorf teacher nowadays in a smaller school one hour by train southwards from Stockholm.... So I do all paperwork in a train and the most of  Jobb and private e-mailing too.
Max 5min walk from our flat and home in Stockholm we have sauna club by the Mälaren lake. Club had its' 70 years anniversary last year. It's quite simple and primitive: No running water at wintertime; only sauna's heat and bath in the lake or ice swimming available, but that it is so lovely! Such a contrastive experiencing only 4 km away from the city center.
My husband is a chemist in Stockholm university. He filled 61 years last summer and his employer had to allow him 20% retirement.... So he is retired on Mondays. If his work includes only laboratory work and experiments, he would never retire. But unfortunately that is not a case.

.
I filled 55 recently and I'm wondering how much upp in school classes I will and I can teach? ...especially when work language is Swedish ....and I enjoy be outdoors and in the nature so much.... So I may return to be preschool class teacher again after summer.
On 5-7/1-18 we where on a island called Möja on outskirts of Stockholm's archipelago. They still keep going with an old tradition of "Star singers" at Three Kings Day eve. ....in very folklorists form but anyway f.ex. Black spots on some faces are after black Judas kiss.
I add some photos from our visit there.
Now is only 7min to Stockholm....
So be well and hope to meet you someday😊  Thank you all letters! It sounds grate that you keep going with all volunteers!!!... Really!

2017 WW 117 to 128

☺
Thank you to all of the our youth helpers who made 2017 so great.
This year, well now it is 2018, I am so behind on maintaining this blog, that I have decided to do this it all at once. Each helper is so unique and the jobs so different, but having said this, each year unless we build something, many jobs are the same from year to year. So I have decided that all I will do is post a picture of each helper and then write a sentence. And if you read this and don't see your photo it is because I can't find one in my files. If you do have a photo you'd like to share please send me one, because pretty well the photos tell the story, and each helper will remember their experience in a different way, some good some indifferent depending on where one's journey so far. We enjoy the experience and learn from you as well. Thank you, Thank you.

This summer we had thirteen helpers. Three from Germany , including Tim our repeat who was here in the fall of 2016, one from Belgium, one from England (via Vancouver), one from California (a first for us) and seven from France. With everyone's help we were able to plant, maintain, harvest and fall plant a good garden. We have had better gardens, but this year it was so dry and when it is so dry some crops don't do as well. But we still had enough raspberries, carrots and potatoes (even though we won't have enough potatoes to make it to May of 2018).  And then there was trail maintenance, clearing a spot for the shop near the cabin and the construction. We never imagined we would get the roof on the shop, but with help of Adrian and Ben from France we were able to pull it together.

WW117 Theresa, Germany: March 13th to May 10th

 Theresa was a welcome and happy face in the early spring, no big job was too big and no small job too tedious. After here she travelled to the East Coast.


Theresa Update Jan 2020

Dear Denise and Loren,

thank you very much for the news from Canada! I am glad that both of you are fine and spend your free time doing what you love. The painting is incredible, Denise! How are your dogs and Hank? 

Since you asked for news, some things happened in the time since I left. (I can't believe it is more than two and a half years ago when I came to stay with you for some weeks!) I went back to Germany in August 2017, after having spend some more months here and there in Canada and also woofing. After coming back, I was very ambitious to finish my studies but unfortunately, this took me quite some time. There were some delays in my master thesis time plan (e.g. study didn't start for mistakes in the money application, my supervisor had to quit his job, ...) so I was very, very happy to finally and officially become a psychologist at the end of January 2019. Luckily, I found a job pretty soon where I have worked since February last year. I work as a clinical neuropsychologist in one of the local hospitals in Oldenburg, where my task is evaluating cognitive functioning of patients with brain damage and also do therapy with them. It is a mentally and emotionally challenging work, but I like it very much and I have very engaged and skillful co-workers with whom I get along well, too. Unfortunately, my contract ends in August this year since I am a substitute for a colleague on maternity leave. My (new) boyfriend and I are thinking about going back to Leipzig, my home town, in August since I miss my family very much. Tim is a teacher though, which means he has to apply for a change of work place and permits are not easy to get (plus, the whole process is pretty intransparent, too). We will know in May if we will move or not. Here in Oldenburg, Tim and I live in a nice flat that is close to the city center but also quiet. All in all, everything is going very well!

I attached a more or less recent picture of Tim and me, from our holidays in Sweden last summer. It was a nice trip, we spent a lot of time outside kayaking, hiking and biking. We went there by bus, took us a whole day but hey - from a climate point of view better than flying! The landscape in Sweden reminded me a lot of Canada, with its lakes and forests. 

A big hug from Germany and thanks again for your news. I wish you all the best for the new year

WW 118 Caroline: France May 1 to May 14
Caroline was just settling in about the time she went to Quantum Leaps (where she walked on fire) to help there. Caroline had been working in the US the past winter, and had established connections there. In some ways Caroline reminded me a bit of myself before I had children, an idealist without responsibility.

WWs 119 and 120 Elodie and David, France: May 16tht o June 4th.
David and Elodie were travelling for experience and for Elodie also to practice her English, and by the time they left here Elodie's English had progressed well. They were here at the time of year, where when you plant a row in the garden that you will see the first leaves of some seedlings while you are here. And I think because of their help with the shop and garden, that David was becoming a good carpenter and Elodie a fine gardener.

Helper 121 Ben, England: May 29th to June 7th

Ben arrived by way of hitch hiking, which led to a ride with someone from Alberta, that same person picked him up on the return a couple of weeks later. He left in a hurry, without writing in the record book. As with so many youth, Ben was travelling because he didn't like the direction his life, especially work was taking him in England.  And as with many youth who are searching for themselves, the journey is just beginning when they start travelling. 

Ben I don't have any photos of you here. If you could send me a couple that would be great. 

Return Helper Tim and 122 Moritz, Germany: June 19th to 22nd

Tim stayed with us for over a month in the fall of 2016. He was great help and great company. In 2017 Tim and his Friend Moritz were travelling to the North, and stopped in to say hello and go on the long over due fishing trip that Loren had promised. I was away during his visit. So I didn't meet Moritz or smell the fish cooking with the Bacon. 

Tim please send me a couple of photos.

WW 123 Morgane, France: June 28th to July 1

Morgane is a person that puts her heart and sole into all that she does. Her English is so good that I hardly noticed an accent. And she had worked in the hospitality business, so when I needed help at the lodge she was there with here game face on to help out. And Morgane gets the award for gardening in the mosquitoes. 2017 will go down for a year with mosquitoes and Morgane although she said they were bad, persevered through weeding with the mozzies in her ear. 

Morgane, could you please send me a photo. Do you have one from paddle boarding?

Morgane thanks so much for the photos. They bring back some great memories of hot summer days and Canada's 150th Birthday with you.

French Helpers 127 and 128 Ben and Julian: France, July 29th to August 6th

Even before Ben and Julian arrive on July 29th, they had already helped us bring the  hay for the horse here from the neighbour's field.  Ben and Adrian, are Friends of Leo's (WW 8, 2013)  brother Adrian (Helper 95, 2014). Leo and Adrian had helped at Eagle's Rest Ranch here in the Blaeberry and had recommended Krys and Les' place to their friends Ben and Adrian. And lucky for us, Krys and Les had a commitment for two weeks and these two switched over to help us. They were amazing, and helped with so many things. Ben was already working towards being a carpenter, and between the two of them they helped Loren put up the rafters and finish the metal on the shop roof.  No wonder Adrian recommended them to Les and Krys. 

Helper 124 Evelien, Belgium: Sept 1 to 17

I did say that every picture tells a story and the photo below of Evelien and us tell you just how much of an impression Evelien made on us. Evelien arrived when I was away hiking and when I returned it was as if I had known her for years. Evelien made us feel as comfortable as I am sure she was being here. She helped with everything from pickling, jamming, juicing, harvesting, cleaning, chucking fire wood and cutting plywood to name only a few, but the amazing thing was that often she worked independently, diligently recording instructions on her phone, and referring to them when needed.

 Helper 124 Arnaud, France: Sept 9 to 16th

Arnaud a seasoned traveler had been helping at the Spotted Dog Rescue before arriving here. And continued to help there in the evenings after arriving here. Arnaud is a Forester, and had been working in South America before heading to Canada. He was keen on gathering a lot of experience, so he was only stay one week at each place. It was great to have him even for just a week, although we were just getting starting to feel at home with him. As you can see he was very handy with the chain saw and him and Evelien cleaned up and split (for firewood) the large blowdown from the big July windstorm. And they both squared up the plywood we had bought as seconds. 

WW 126 Andy, California: October 6th to about the 25th

Another smiling face to end the 2017 youth helper season. Andy had been working in the Rockies in the US, and was heading back that way once he left here. Andy had grown up using his hands, and it showed when doing tasks around the place. He did plenty of trail clean up which was needed after the summer windstorm. But best of all while Andy was here, Loren and him filled the woodshed. An amazing feat for two guys and a chainsaw. I am hoping Andy has a good photo of it as I didn't have a chance to say a real Good-bye as I was away when he left. But while here Andy was honing his photography skills with an old manual 35 mm camera.