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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
20 Oct 2023
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Details
Description
If you like to garden and play in Nature, come spend a one or two weeks with me in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. I live in a sweet farmhouse bordering a wetland 2 miles outside of Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
My eco-friendly home was built by a master gardener 40-odd years ago. She and her partner spent hours every day, spring through fall, working in her exquisite gardens. But that is not my life and I need help!
I'll have 500 daffodils that brighten up the garden by April, irises and tulips in May, then dozens of peonies blooming in every direction the eye can see in mid-June, lilies all through July, and zinnias making crazy spectacles of themselves until the first frost. Every bed is crying out for attention.
I love to garden, but 15 years ago I founded and now help to facilitate a rapidly expanding and exciting non-profit. With COVID I left my office in town and now coach and counsel private clients from my front porch or online. I travel when I can locally and internationally for work and leisure.
I loved raising my 3 children, now adults and living busy lives elsewhere. When I'm not working or in the garden, I'm laughing with friends, visiting with my partner, dancing, hiking, or doing yoga. I have a smoke-free home.
I'd love to have you get in touch if working on the earth in my garden and hiking the surrounding trails sounds like YOUR kind of workaday vaca!Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practiceGardeningDIY and building projectsCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Should you be interested, my home is one of 17 others in a land trust community (meaning we share the open space that surrounds our properties). You will have interesting and friendly neighbors who will wave “hi” or loan you a few eggs if we’ve run out, but won’t bother you otherwise.
Great Barrington and the Berkshires is a cultural mecca for fascinating people. We have a vibrant farming and socially conscious community of all ages, a fabulous weekly farmers market, nationally recognized organic co-op market, and enough music, theatre, and movie options to fill your craving for arts and entertainment. And our little town was voted "Best Small Town in America" in 2012 by Smithsonian Magazine.
I'm also a continual learner, always curious about those I meet and excited to expand my minimal knowledge of Spanish and French, should you speak those languages.Help
I'm in need of 4 to 5 hours of mulching, edging, weeding, cutting back, dividing beds, mowing the lawn, and tending my garden between mid-April and mid-November. If you have basic home repair skills there are always small projects here and there, though those skills are not essential for your stay with me. We would also share some cooking/shopping/meal prep.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.Accommodation
I live alone part of the time in a simple 4-bedroom farmhouse. The first floor is an open plan with a beautiful granite countertop kitchen and gas stove, great if you like to cook.
I’m happy to provide healthy organic food; internet, a sweet and comfortable private bedroom with a twin bed, closet, and desk (and a loft with another twin bed); a shared bath (with shower and deep tub); and a bike for riding in and out of our lively small town 2 miles away. Smithsonian Magazine voted Great Barrington the best small town in America in 2012! Just sayin'!What else ...
There’s a groomed 20-minute walk through the woods around the perimeter of our community should you desire an easy walk. Or should you like more challenge you might bike a few miles to the Appalachian Trail that crosses Rt 7 just south of town or to the many other hiking trails nearby. Also there are great country roads for biking.
We also have 4 yoga studios in town, a CrossFit club, a number of great cafés and coffee shops, fabulous shopping and dining, and a few great nightspots for fun.
I eat a very healthy diet and love to cook great protein-rich breakfasts. I'm gluten-free and non-dairy, but have no problem stocking the kitchen with other healthy options if you're not.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have pretty decent Wi-Fi here. Sometimes spotty phone service
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (7)
Perhaps the greatest gift Clara brought was her lovely and sweet manner, willingness to jump… read more
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Perhaps the greatest gift Clara brought was her lovely and sweet manner, willingness to jump… read more
On her free time Janice was courageous to make connections with young people in our area. Our time together was a… read more
So she didn’t have much gardening experience when she arrived, but she was eager to learn and happy to contribute with determination and great follow through.
I’d love to have her back… read more