The next few months were spent cruising all the farms in these hills
that Mario suggested were for sale. The old Red Van, which I bought for
this journey, got a workout. Mario finally showed us the old Paul and
Agatha Beanish farm. After a quarter mile "walk" thru thigh deep snow to
the farmyard, then another couple hundred meters to the hilltop, the
clear view of Golden Lake clarified the obvious choice.

We moved in on March 27th, 1969 and secured the deed on the 29th.
Totally neophytes at ages 18 and 20, and being into the romance of
stories of pioneer days, I was hardly aware that the farm we bought had
no electricity or running water. It was so perfectly natural, beautiful,
spacious, and covered with snow. We'd bought bulk natural food from Wu
at Rochdale's cafeteria, and somehow carried a van full of it and other
supplies into the farmhouse through the thigh deep snow, which
thankfully soon melted.

I think it was Chas that suggested that all the farm outbuildings made
it look like a village, and that's sorta what it has become. Four of the
original buildings are still usually lived in, at least in the summers.

Mike and I soon came to the clear realization and opinion that, in
reality (and akin to Native beliefs), no one can actually "own" a piece
of this Earth. In fact the concept was preposterous to us. From then on,
with that clear in our own minds, we both were taken aback each time
someone else suggested that we were the "landlords". Instead, we
essentially "opened the door" for anyone to live here with us, and that
is what has happened here ever since, tho' there have been many changes
that went down over the years to clarify and more clearly define the
situation of what is now "shared land".

Circles also became common for decision making and working out
differences in opinion. Most recently, we (six members) just made
significant changes in the legal trust agreements and now have three
women and one man taking legal trusteeship responsibilities for the land
and the community, for the 24 people who are living here now, this
Morninglorious summer of '09.

In the late 80’s, Gary Beckett began a Morninglory legend by opening his
cabin door at the back of the farm every Thursday night for a music jam.
Everyone was welcome, young and old. Many budding and experienced
musicians, and those who just listened, took advantage of this unique
opportunity to experiment and grow their music in a setting of no
criticism, just encouragement. With the coming of solar panels in the
90’s, amplified music arrived as well. For about 20 years, Gary kept the
welcome mat out on Thursday nights, including the night before he died
in February, 2009.

While I don't know how many babies were conceived here, I do know that
at least seven babies were born at home here. It's been a wonderful
place to "raise" children, several have chosen to "learn at home",
rather than going off the farm for their education. The Killaloe
Alternative School had its last year here in the farmhouse. While other
souls chose to be born here, two elders chose to die here on the land
they loved. Their ashes, as well as those of one former resident, are
spread on the land.

Morninglory has also welcomed WWOOFers (Willing Workers On Organic
Farms, www.wwoof.ca) for many years, thus inviting in and hosting people
from all over the world. We share shelter, food and what we've learned,
in exchange for them helping us with our work on the land and teaching
us what life is like for them. Others have come here through our
connection with the Intentional Communities network (www.ic.org). And
even more through friends telling friends. In this way, Morninglory
continues to be a rural learning centre and "shelter" for those who need
some time to tune into Earth, her seasons and her many many creatures of
so many kinds: mammals, amphibians, fish, birds, trees, shrubs, grasses,
insects, and so much more.

At the same time, we have learned that a community is similar to a
garden. Like the concepts of "companion planting", where some plants
grow well close to certain others and not at all around certain other
plants, we have found that some people actually grow better around
certain other folks, while other equally valid humans simply do not
enhance the growth of the others or themselves here. Which is to say, we
rarely, yet occasionally, do have to ask some people to depart for the
good of the whole. A challenging position to take, yet necessary.
Maturity and experience have given us good lessons.

Nineteen eighty-three saw telephones arrive on the farm, opening greater
communication with the rest of the local community and the world. In the
90's, solar power came to the farm, supplementing and often replacing
our dependence on kerosene, candles, and propane for night lighting and
adding other benefits, such as water pumping. The internet came with
computers in the late 90's, especially when The Cool Hemp Company
(www.coolhemp.com) took up residence here.

Gardening and growing food has been a very important part of life on
Morninglory for most of us. For me, it's been a minor, tho' very real,
miracle to plant tiny fruit trees and then be inundated by bushels and
bushels of pears 20 years later. The trees have been nourishing in many
ways, not just in their fruit.

For me, the Anniversary Reunion and Celebration brought me face to face
with my past, my roots, and so many wonderful people whom I have loved
and befriended over the years. So many were life teachers for me, so it
was reassuring to see them alive and well and still actively creative
and having fun in their lives. As the Morningloryite who has been here
the longest, I was able to introduce old friends/residents to the
present residents, who thereby got to see "legends" come to life. People
I've talked about having lived here many years ago were suddenly here
again in person, with tales to tell and energy to share. At the same
time, many friends and neighbours who had never walked up our driveway
got a chance to see the Farm and meet the Community.

All of us pulled together for this recent party, helping out where
needed and hosting our friends, new and old, young and old, and our
neighbours. It was a joy to welcome so many to celebrate this community
of unique individuals, each on our own separate path, yet each finding
harmony and spiritual upliftment through our sharing land and life with
each other.

We are grateful for all the help, support and encouragement we have
received locally and from afar over all these years. And we are grateful
to Earth and Sun and so much more for all the nourishment we have
received through the "Cauldron of Morninglory".

A seed that was planted 40 years ago has been, and is, bearing fruit and
nourishment for body and spirit. May other similar seeds sprout, take
root, and bear nourishing fruit to nourish a hungry world.

May we each see each other as equal in the Circle of Life.