Today, the Cassandra Conety Era began. I didn’t expect her this morning, there was so much drifting and piling snow, but I got a text message at 6:51 saying “I will be over around 7:30 to feed for you.” And at 7:30, there she was. Maria had called twice to threaten me if I went outside and didn’t want for her.

This is the first day of what i call the Cassandra era, she is coming early to feed the animals, run the dogs, take care of the chickens., help with the firewood.

I got the firewood myself and was started to rake the roof when she showed up. The idea is for me to have a kind of Creative Fellowship, I just get up and work. I have to say, it is very strange to have someone here taking care of my animals while I am here. That is a first. But I can see the benefits, I think I will get easier with it.

Cassandra is a very solid citizen, she is soft-spoken, professional. She was raised on a farm and is completely at ease with farm chores and responsibilities. She is thoughtful without being intrusive. When I asked if I could take her picture, she just shrugged and said “sure.” I said she was part of the story now.

When I told her Maria’s flight had been canceled, she just nodded. She is not into drama. She is a person you trust, I think this arrangement will work well.

Cassandra is a vet tech at Cambridge Valley Vets, and the dogs know her well and love her. She is very much an outdoorswoman, she was impressive shoveling, sweeping the farm, checking on the chickens and the cats.

The challenge for me is to get up early and get to work, and not set food outside until she comes. That means ignoring the whinnying and braying from the animals once they sense or hear that I am up. A new era, a new thing. The idea is that Maria has her creative experience, I have mine.

I’m not sure why this is hard, but I know it will be easy enough soon, and I am grateful for it.