Been awhile, eh? Things are a’poppin’ in the Spring and I’ve been pretty busy. Way too busy for a guy who is retired.

Heidi came by. Then, after she left, Dave and Lindsay came to stay for a week. While this was going on, we had a work day/market day/yoga day at the bunkhouse, a boat to launch, a dozen or so logs to haul and buck and a semi-shopping day to get in. And that is just the last three days!

Heidi was one of our volunteers in Hong Kong. She is mid-twenties, smart, attractive and has a lovely nature that would invite students and even curmudgeonish 60-year-old recluses to seek her company.

We didn’t get to meet Heidi before sending her to Hong Kong. It was an e-mail thing. It was the one exception to the rule. But she was, at the time, already teaching in Seoul, Korea and had been for a year and so it was a good bet that she could do Hong Kong. Plus she wrote well in her e-mails.

She stayed over night and we spent the evening planning and arranging how the volunteer program might re-invent itself for next year (Dennis and the school had ended the pilot program and then had a meeting about it. The early decision was to discontinue the program due to government changes in regulations and funding. The second meeting resolved to work around those changes and reinstate the program anyway. Seems the volunteers were a big hit.)

So, the Hong Kong Volunteer program is afoot again! And the new plan that was hatched by Sally, Heidi and me is pretty good. It included Heidi doing ‘dog&pony’ presentations to colleges on the island, in Vancouver and, because of her upcoming traveling months, (June and July) across Canada as well. She will eventually get as far as Montreal with her ‘presentation’ to possible volunteers for the future.

She is also casting a net for a full-time English teacher. Or two. This position is paid a full salary and requires a minimum of a one year commitment, preferably two. A young couple hoping to break into the teaching profession could do a lot worse than take this job! It would be an incredible ‘first job’ and, if HK is deemed ‘homey’ by them, there would be a lot more opportunities that came from it.

Anyone wanting to offer Heidi a place to stay overnight in any Canadian city with a college or university, please let me know. She needs billeting for a night. So far this recruitment plan is running on ’empty’ and she is unpaid. As are we. She is volunteering to get volunteers. She could use a little help. As could we.

Dave and Lindsay are the latest Woofers. They are from Chicago and they are very good. Great attitude, smart, easy-going and eager to ‘get to the job and get ér done’. This is good. We are a bit late in getting in the wood in this season and this should get us back on track.

But I had to take Dave to the work site yesterday (instead of chopping) and he was thrust into the weird dynamics of old weird, Canadian guys building a bunkhouse extension. Illuminating? I don’t know but I am pretty sure it helped confirm D & L’s choice of living an urban life in Chicago. Some of ‘my guys’ can put you off the forest like the fellers in Deliverance put Ned Beatty off canoeing.

Our materials for the bunkhouse were short and so the workers have downed tools for the day. Too bad, really. We need to keep up the momentum. But at least I get to write this blog and help get in the wood. Sal is going into town today, in part to get more plywood so we can get back at it tomorrow and in part to stock up with more food. We need two sheets of T&G plywood to finish off the back room floor and at least a case of wine.

Priority? The wine, of course.