“It all begins with getting to know and care about each other.” 

That was the opening line for our first Earth Diary written in April 2018, the diary entry ended with “the goal of theDoighouse is to bring people together to learn, to laugh, and to share collective experiences. We believe by opening our home and our property to a multi-generational, inclusive, global community we are increasing the bonds that nurture and build community, foster resiliency, break down barriers, increase diversity and kindness. This is what is being built into the fabric of theDoighouse.” That is still what we believe and do today.

In the 1,260 or so days since, we have been asked many times about why we are doing this, what value it adds, and of course… “when is it going to be finished? I still can’t answer the last question but could write (and talk  ) for hours about the value to us, to our guests, our volunteers, and our community.

Our 3rd Open House

Thank you, Lighthouse Country!

Forty-eight wonderful and generous guests, 31 tins of food and $438.72 gathered to support the local Salvation Army food bank. A huge and special thank you to our volunteers, Doug and Jo-Anne, Brooke, Barb, and Jan – you made the day run smoothly; it couldn’t have happened without you.

Today we’ll host three separate groups of people, in total 14 guests, walking through the space, asking questions, giving opinions, and sharing thoughts and ideas. Who are they? Locals, out-of-townees, out of province travelers, and even a couple from out of the country. It is amazing what we will learn about the history of our area, and about other parts within Canada and beyond. Each tour is an opportunity to learn from each other and a typical Saturday at our house!

In fact, each tour we host drives home how much we love what we’re doing, and how interesting our guests and volunteers are! Everyone has a story; it is a gift to have both the time and the desire to listen. So no, I wouldn’t say we lack motivation, or passion or desire to continue to share our project with people.

What’s happening at the ‘ship’? 

Today is a typical Saturday. Jessica is here with Tony – shop talk on the water supply side of life. Also here are our two international volunteers Svety originally from Bulgaria now calling Canada home, and Lenka from the Czech Republic along with Nic one of our local volunteers – their focus today is raising the solar system frame in preparation for the connecting of the gutters to the water storage tanks. It is a bit of a race against time today. The rains will begin in earnest soon.

Today is a race around day; up early, grade papers, course prep, do a tour, prepare lunch, pick up bread, serve lunch, finish article, mark papers, sell eggs, do another tour, do a 3rd, get ready to go out for dinner with friends and of course… BHB Community Club Trivia night! Hmmm… ok, today is a little busier than some Saturdays, but not most!

My sister commented the other day I have FOMO. What the heck does that mean?!? In case you don’t know either, it means fear of missing out. I don’t think I have that. What I think I do have is many interests and many friends. If my sister is correct, it should be easy – just strike a few things off my list.  I just can’t see cutting out the people and activities I care about. Things that make life special.

We are almost finished the build season, in the next diary we’ll be sharing what we got done over the winter, how well the new gutters worked, how much rainwater we collected off the new roof and any challenges we encountered. We’ll share photos too of the floor pour. It feels like 2022 is a long way away, but it is just around the corner. So much to do!

This is the last ‘Earthship Diary’ in 2021. It is with gratitude and appreciation we transition from this year’s busyness and towards rest and relaxation. Thank you, so much, Lighthouse Community for your support, curiosity, and kindness this past year. It has been a pleasure to welcome so many people into our lives and our project.

The Diary will be back again in the Spring with our Spring/Summer Garden and various workshop offerings.

Have a safe and happy winter!

Tony and I look forward to welcoming you to theDoighouse.