January 22, 2012



Back of kitchen counter that faces living room
(Yes, that is a Starbucks cup)



Woodshed





















Friday the 13th arrived a week late for us.  JB went out that morning (1/20) to start the snow blower and it wouldn't.  Then after lunch JB and I left the dogs in the house and drove MAX to pack down the snow on the road.  We were about 1/4 mile from the Rose Camp when MAX hit a BIG rock that was covered in snow, breaking the front right axle.  Fortunately, MAX can be driven quite aways with one broken axle as there are six of them.  So JB drove back home and I walked in order to keep as much weight as possible off the axle.  Of course that 1/4 mile was all up hill, but I did get some nice photos (see below).  And, yes, one of the dogs did get up on the kitchen counter by way of the desk while we were gone that short time, but there was nothing there of him/her to get into.

As of Saturday afternoon, we had received 18-1/2" of snow since Tuesday morning.  The temperature was in the single digits all week and we really used a lot of firewood.  Each night I set the alarm for every 3-1/2 hours for one of us to get up and feed the fire.  JB gets up around 1:00 am and I get up about 4:30.  It warmed up to 27 on Saturday and we hardly needed a coat!  Very windy though, but it was a warm wind and more gusty than anything sustained.  We had several hours of sun also, which was nice, but it looked like it was snowing all around except Up Here.  The first of the snow slid off the south side of the roof yesterday afternoon with quite a roar.  A few hours later some of the north side slide off with another roar and a big thump.

With the wind and more snow expected today, we plan to fix MAX's, axle on Monday.  Then we will really have a job packing down the road.  Hopefully it won't be too deep to cause problems for MAX.  Larry and Elsie made it up the road just fine last night for a visit.  Was very surprised they came in all that wind, but so glad they did.  They brought eggs for us!  Their hens are starting to lay more now, even with just 30 minutes more of daylight. 

Since JB has been gluten free for almost two years now, I have also cut down considerably.  Now whenever I there is gluten in something I eat, it seems to upset my system.  I may have to go gluten free too.  Thank goodness potato and corn chips don't have any wheat in them and neither do chocolate or ice cream!  I will really miss a good pizza crust.  JB hasn't been able to make one and the ones he buys are really pricey.  Oh, well.  I guess it will be worth it not to feel so sluggish and nauseaus.

Thought for the day:  Those who dwell amoung the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.   Rachel Carson

Looking down the end of our driveway
with road to Erno's off to the right