Bye Bye Bunker Silo Blues II

It seems a bit strange to be writing a blog post about the Bye Bye Bunker Silo Blues party when the first time I laid eyes on the Bunker Silo was just over a month ago…but I was there for the weekend festivities, and festive they were!  When I and my family of five arrived Friday evening after two hours on the road (due to evil traffic between Vancouver and Yarrow), Viv and Paul immediately took us under their wings and took the time to help us settle in, although Paul’s parents were visiting.  I had been nervous all week about the thought of being away from home all weekend with all three kids (two 10 month olds and a three year old), but everyone seemed immediately at home, including myself.  My three year old, Gabriel, disappeared instantly with his new friends, Alex and Paul seemed immediately bonded, and Viv and I headed off to pick up a supper of Indian food in a bonding ceremony of our own.

 

Paul and Viv’s upstairs neighbor Ann shared her beautiful home with us by providing a sleeping room for Alex and I and the babies, while Gabriel slept through the night in a bed that wasn’t inhabited by either Alex or myself for the first time since the twins were born…and who wants to questions the magic of the Ecovillage?

Saturday dawned with the super cute sight of Viv and Paul’s three children and my Gabe lined up on the couch in order of age (2,3, 4 and 6) and watching cartoons , while the promise of pancakes lingered in the air.  Again, Gabriel disappeared to play the day away, and we adults began the slow bustle required to prepare for the evening’s festivities.  This was a big night, with many neighbours-in-waiting and neighbours contemplating coming to spend time and enjoy the community potluck and bunker silo farewell.  A group photo was scheduled for 5:30 P.M. and the photographer arrived at 3:30.  Right around 4:30 the sky darkened and a sudden storm blew up, threatening to remove anything un-tethered and drenching everything in its wake.  Needless to say, the photo needed to be put on hold  as the photographer bid his adieus and the setting for the potluck needed to be moved from the waterlogged bunker silo to the welcoming home of Julia, Yonas and their brood of four.  As Viv mourned the loss of the photo opportunity, I couldn’t help but think that the sudden and powerful storm was somewhat serendipitous in the way that it highlighted how the village community smoothly moved to come up with a perfect solution to an imperfect situation.

Yes, it really was bad enough to be blinding

You're kidding, right?

After an empowering presentation by Viv and Natalie, who had just attended a cohousing conference, accompanied by an awesome potluck overflowing with everything from two kinds of chile to heavenly cream cheese (?) stuffed strawberries, and lots of inspiring conversation, the party migrated to the bunker silo.  It is really hard to describe the rest of the evening in a way that does it justice.  The music, the camaraderie, nostalgia felt for times spent in the bunker silo by people other than me.  The circle of children encircled by a larger circle of adults, all singing, dancing, listening, talking, and just generally steeping in the joy of community spirit.  I mourned the loss of the bunker silo with everyone there, but there was a much greater sense of celebration and mass embracing of a positive future being built by many.

It really does look incredibly magical!

What a neat place to gather!

I love that the diamonds represent the colours of houses to come.

Soggy couches did not prevent a good time being had by all

And a shot from the other side

Happy Musicians

The central circle of children

And did I mention that Gabriel put himself to bed that night?  Question the magic of the Ecovillage if you dare, but, I must say, I’m a firm believer!

Farm Stand Surprise!

Look at the pair of legs I found in my CSA basket today!

We were laughing with the farmers that we could do an entire subset of blog posts of all the funny shaped veggies that grow when you use heritage seeds and organic practices.  It amazes me to think about that.  When you buy carrots from the store they are usually very similar in shapes and size.  Here veggies come with imagination!  They taste great and you get to have a laugh in every basket!

I love living here!

Bye Bye Bunker Silo Blues

On June 23-24 Viv had planned a meticulously timed and full of activities event which was to bring all folks related to Yarrow Ecovillage past, present, and future to a farewell party for the old beloved Bunker Silo.  All the details had been looked after:  the photographer was arranged for the group photos, people were bringing pot luck dinner and bunker silo stories and instruments for the blues party afterwards, there was to be a presentation about the Cohousing Conference recently attended by Natalie and Viv, and everyone who wanted to stay overnight more or less knew where they were staying.

Mama Nature, of course, had different ideas!

A freak thunderstorm blew through, soaking the furniture in the barn.  No photos were taken, at least not as planned, and everyone crowded into Yonas and Julia's place for the delicious pot luck dinner. 

After all the kids (it felt like there were hundreds of kids!) were paraded next door so we could hear, Natalie and Viv gave us a quick summary (with pictures) of the highlights of the conference.  They came back feeling very positive about our village!

Quite a group did eventually gather with instruments in the damp barn, a jam of sorts did happen, and it was pretty amazing considering most of the musicians had never played or sung together before!  It might take a bit of fine tuning, but we could feel that a lot of musical magic was about to take shape at Groundswell! 

Jonathan was on mandolin, Dorothy on flute, Jeannie on fiddle, David on guitar and harmonica, Dave Moss on guitar, Ken on guitar, Camille seemed to play everything but probably only actually played violin and guitar, I heard a few drums in the background, and many fine voices (often searching for the right key).  (Apologies if I have left someone out... it was dark!!)

It felt like this was about the joy of music bringing people together, regardless of level of musicianship,  about sharing, about conversing through a universal language, rather than about individual performances.

Beverly lit some candles, there were a few flashlights and lamps with which to read the words to songs, many words were forgotten, some were made up, a few kids were gathered around, babies somehow slept through it all, and despite the departure from the "planned event", it was a fitting farewell party to the Bunker Silo.  

Soon, we will be welcoming the new common house!

(I didn't have my better camera with me, so these photos aren't great (Alex has much better ones), but you can get the idea. )

Farm Stand #2 (a little late)

One of the things we will miss most about Maple Ridge when we finally arrive in Groundswell is the Haney Farmers Market.  David and I were involved in the market from its inception, and watched it grow into the amazing community event it is today.  In the early days we were all volunteers, we had to make things up as we encountered challenges, and for a long while David was the only "entertainer".  (Now musicians are lined up waiting for a chance to play at this unique venue!) So, we were more than delighted to discover that in conjunction with the distribution of the CSA farm produce bins, a Farm Stand was starting up right here in our village!  We missed the first week, but were able to come out last Wednesday to help set up tents and stands, string Ann's wonderful home-made flags in the trees (Lea had I had a few good laughs trying not to get too entangled), and to stay for the full 3 hours.  Peter arrived early with his weed whacker to tidy up the place. (Thanks Peter!)  David played guitar, just like in the early days of the Haney Market, and was happy when Julia (and Roman) joined in.  (Are any others willing to come jam or play solo? )  Zoey ( I hope I've got her name right!) was fascinated by the instruments and was so amusing to watch.  Neighbours greeted neighbours and had conversations, and the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming (despite a few glitches with the coffee… thanks Janice for coming to the rescue!).    We are so looking forward  to watching this Wednesday event blossom into something special for the entire community.





Devorah