I got up early this morning and dressed warmly so I could go out and watch the sunrise. There were some deer enjoying breakfast in the meadow as I walked down the road. Even though they were several hundred yards away from me, when they saw me they bounded away. Later, on my way back…

Lysanne told me about a hike that she volunteered for. It was for people in wheelchairs and there were 2 to 4 volunteers per wheelchair. They had a special kind of a cart probably similar to a mountain biking stroller. I can’t remember what those are called. And they took them on regular trails up…

After morning chores and breakfast I helped in the fromagerie again, flipping cheese. For some of the newer cheese I also wiped them with water to encourage mold to grow and create a strong rind. It was a little nerve wracking at times to make sure the stand did not tip over when I was…

Last night Mignon Deux slept on my bed, and at one point curled up next to my head, purring very loudly. It reminded me of my kitty, Ru, who was soft and fluffy just like Mignon Deux.  After my usual morning animal and milking chores, I got to help take the goats out to the…

When I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, I thought a light been left on because the hallway was illuminated. Turns out it was an almost full moon shining brightly through the bathroom window. Later, when I looked out my bedroom window which faces a different direction, all I…

Sitting at the bay window in the back of the house, it’s cloudy this morning, and I saw what I thought at first were birds swooping down around the eaves of the house, but then realized they were bats finishing up their nocturnal travels. Always something new to discover here! The last couple of mornings,…

Another morning of farm chores, including milking the goats, this time with Rafael who lives with his partner, Valerie in the little cabin above the river. They just came back from a two week canoe trip on a river up north with their dog, Nori. They parked their truck at one end of the river,…

The farm I am staying at is called ‘Les Broussailles’ which means brushwood in French. It is just outside of Martinville, about 2.5 hours east and slightly north of Montréal, about 1/2 hour from the US border with Vermont and New Hampshire. It rained most of the night last night. I had my window open…

Last night and now again this morning one of the cats, Mignon un, came to hang out on my bed. It’s nice hearing that familiar purring which I haven’t had for a while. This morning I got up and did my regular morning routine, meditating and journaling, then headed out to do chores. I fed…

I’m getting to know everybody a little bit better as we chat while doing chores or meals. Jean-Francois owns the farm and runs it with his children. Among other talents he plays the accordion. I heard him playing when I was preparing salad for dinner last night and again today when I was doing some…