Update from Cloudberry Farm

I hope everyone is doing ok during this unsettling and sad time. Thanks for tuning in to the Calling All Crows tri-weekly service projects. Willy’s going to kill me as I teach him songs just minutes before we go live.







My extended family and I have all retreated to where we grew up on Cloudberry Farm. Thankfully, my folks are still there. Life is busy and the kitchen is crowded. I’m in charge of home school and Zooming, so mornings are packed as I try to keep the kids on task. Before school there’s farm chores that involve planting, tending to the chickens and general upkeep.





Farmer Willy has whipped the property into shape with many fruit trees and berry bushes prepared for the sunny season. He also continues his stone work with pathways and repairing old stone walls. He and Ludo hosted a dinner dance at the cottage the other night which has been a highlight. Willy’s vinyl collection and DJing was so lit ~ Nightly knock-out (basketball) continues and is as heated as it ever was. I usually wear a helmet. After some intense trail clearing, my sister Farley, her son Ozzy and I are covered in poison ivy. The barn needs to be painted, but the new south siding is looking good. We’re also trying to fix some old bikes round here for some motorcross. There’s revolving cooks in the kitchen; last night we had a curry in which we used spices that have been in our cupboard since before I was born - drink of choice has been a nice scotch called Jura that Willy got hip to during his years in Scotland.





Between the incessant hand washing and laborious wiping down of all groceries and the occasional embarkments into the world with masks and gloves, the days melt into each other. The trees are budding, new clover sprouting up. We just planted a small grove of sugar maples in the back field. Brother Ben is fixing amps and teaching Highschool engineering from his old bedroom - while also trying to make the chicken door automatic. Lefty’s getting old -- his face is almost completely grey and his eyes getting cloudy. Coming down the stairs is getting a little dicey for him post afternoon nap.







I feel incredibly lucky to have landed back here with the family. My heart goes out to families that’ve lost loved ones and to those who are hurting now but can’t feel the comfort of a loved one’s touch.





Stay safe out there ~