Oct 31, 2012 No snow!



Valley fog yesterday.

 Come the cold weather every Autumn, I have all but forgotten just how long and how much energy it takes to get ready to go outside.  The dogs get all excited when they see what we're doing, but, literally, end up lying down and taking a short nap while they wait for us.  Then there is the trudging - vs. walking - through the snow.  I'm not really complaining, just wondering how I tend to gain a little weight in the winter.  Oh, yeah - Christmas!  Eggnog, cookies, candy, etc., etc.

While we had snow, JB filled up two very large bowls and three coffee cans with snow and really packed it down.  We ended up with 2-1/2 gallons for all our effort, snow being just very fluffy water.  However, we did find out the real reason why the generator didn't work on Sunday.  Mother Nature was saying, "Oh, don't pump for water.  I can fill the cistern for you now!"  We got the generator going on Monday, our theory being right on why it wouldn't start, only to find that the cistern had once again filled by itself.  Not all the way to the top this time, but a good two or three feet.  Unfortunately, when we tried to pump, the wind was making so much noise that we couldn't tell if it was pumping or not.  Will try again today.

And it was very windy on Monday.  We did manage to get the last three rounds split for fire wood and stacked on the north end of the porch.  And that finished the outside row.  The temperature got up to 50 and the snow is 95% gone.  All 15 inches of it.  But the wind seemed to blow the moisture away and kept the ground from getting too soggy.

We got up at 6:00 am on Tuesday in order to give ourselves plenty of time to make it to JB's 9:00 dentist appointment to have a broken tooth pulled.  The road was actually much better than we expected with just a couple slippery places.  Got all my errands done, including dropping off our ballots.  We were home by noon, and JB slept most of the rest of the day and night, just getting up to eat some mashed potatoes and jello.  Am sure he will be doing much better today.  I spent the afternoon and evening reading the mail.  Lots of catalogues to look through, which I always enjoy, especially toward the holidays.

I am really worn out thinking about the election, so I'm not going to fret any more.  What will be, will be.  If Obama wins, I may just become a hermit and never leave the mountain again. . .

Thought for the day:  I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited.  There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.  Ronald Reagan

Oct 29, 2012 What a weekend!



RJ's enclosed living room and
new wood stove.





Hauling firewood with MAX















Sunday was RJ's birthday, and also Nene and Jack's 68th wedding anniversary!  Happy, happy to all of you!

We were fogged in most of the day on Friday and two more inches of snow fell.  Another inside day.  I baked banana bread, and a blueberry coffee cake for RJ's birthday cake.  Cleaned, dusted, and defrosted the refrigerator and freezer, scrubbing them both out.

Not fun going to the outhouse with layers of clothing on.  Almost too late by the time I get them all undone!  Nene says this all brings back memories of the outhouse on the ranch.  Carrying the lantern in the dark.  The Sear's catalogue. . .

I certainly hope the snow melts and the road drys up before long because we haven't taken the garbage down yet.  We usually do that this coming week,  but I just can't see it happening this year.  I think we have decided to move our date for being ready for winter from November 1 to October 1!  You just never know with Mother Nature.

On Saturday the fog moved in and out.  I was busy cooking a big pot of chili and cornbread for RJ's birthday dinner that night.  RJ, Mike and Brian made it up Friday evening - very slowly.  So at 3:00 pm, we packed up MAX and headed down to RJ's cabin, the long way.  Took about 45 minutes and seemed like we were going down to celebrate Christmas instead of his October birthday.  Had a great time, but only stayed a couple hours as we didn't really want to get back after dark.  It had started drizzling when we left and was a complete downpour by the time we arrived home.  It continued pouring for another hour, then off and on all night.  Pouring rain on top of 15" of snow trying to melt.  What a slushy, mucky mess!

The sun managed to shine most of the day on Sunday, so we were able to get a lot done outside.  We tilted the solar panels all the way down for the winter.  Got the snow blower out of the shop and the ladders in.  Split two good loads of fire wood and stacked them on the north end of the porch.  I finally cleaned the snow off the deck.  We used MAX and our small trailer to move the wood.  Thank goodness for all the hay and chippings that JB had scattered on the paths!

Slipped and slid down the driveway to get the photo card out of the game cam.  120 pictures!  Turns out a branch was blowing in front of it, so only a couple shots of coyotes, Jesse and cars.  Somehow it didn't get a picture of us going down or back up in MAX.

We were going to try pumping for water yesterday, but the generator just kept backfiring and turning itself off.  I think it's because the last few times we used it was just for a few minutes.  Since we haven't been doing laundry or pumping water, it hasn't had a chance to really run.  Today we are going to shut off the propane to the generator and try to run it.  That ought get all the excess fumes out.

Tuesday JB has a 9:00 am dentist appointment and I have several errands to run while he's there.  We plan to drive his Jeep down and hopefully back up again.  Will take the snow shoes and big boots just in case we don't make it all the way back up.  The weather forecast is for warmer temperatures and rain all week long.

Thought for the day:  Life is too important to be taken seriously.

Oct 26, 2012 Tracks on MAX



We want to help, too!

My psyche was not ready for this much snow this early.  Until Thursday, all I really wanted to do was sleep.  Hibernate.  Four more inches fell on Wednesday and more is due today.  It stopped snowing early afternoon but the fog moved in.  And out.  And in again.  We had a total of 13-1/2" before the sun started shining yesterday.  We are socked in with fog this morning and it just started snowing a few minutes ago.  After almost a month of temperatures 8-12 degrees above average, now we are 10-15 degrees below average.  JB thinks we need a solar seat warmer for the outhouse.

Wednesday was another inside day, so I re-typed the food and supply list.  Needs to be done once or twice a year.  Just puttered around the house, once again only going out to visit the outhouse and bring in firewood.

Thursday was sunny, but became overcast by sundown.  We spent three hours total putting the tracks on MAX.  That includes getting everything out.  Taking off the tires (all six of them) & deflating them.  Putting the extenders on the axles.  Putting the tires back on.  Getting the tracks on - always a struggle.  Then inflating the tires.  Very labor intensive.  The dogs wanted to help get it done so we could all go back inside (see photo above).  Feels so good to get it over with each year.

I look at my list of projects we were to do this year and am disappointed that there are some left undone.  I think these are the same ones left from the year before.  The porch pillars remain unpainted.  Only the west end of the under the eaves has been caulked, leaving three sides undone.  Only the west end of the shop has been caulked where the deck meets the metal sides, leaving two sides undone.  And the cord to our wireless antenna still comes through at the top of the deck door.  No hole drilled for it.  So I will put them on our list again for next summer.

However, we did get two major projects completed.  We had our yard re-sculpted for drainage, and the results are very pleasing to the eye.  It also seems to have resolved the problem.  The crawl space under the house is drying out and even now with more than a foot of early snow sitting on the ground, the melt is running under it, down our "stream bed" that cuts throught the front yard.  And we finished the great room walls, which is also very pleasing to the eye.  What a difference that makes in keeping the house warm.  Wednesday night we both slept through til 7:00 a.m. and it was still 62 inside.  This with our bedroom window open and the temperature in the low 20's outside.  Once the fire was lit it didn't take long at all to warm up. 

Okay, so I'm not all the disappointed.  The only big project we have for next year is an extension on to the north side of the shop in which we can work on MAX.  As we have planned it, with RJ's help, it should be fairly easy to construct.  Especially when compared to other projects we've tackled.  We also have to finish the west and south walls of the loft.  Will probably do them in wallboard.  The worst part will be moving everything away from them.

Thought for the day:  The best of all government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves.  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
 

Oct 24, 2012 And More Snow



Looking west off the deck this morning



Our yard on Tuesday

October 22 and I am pulling firewood to the house on my sled!  After posting my blog on Monday, I decided that I better get Down There right then and get everything done.  Good decision.  When I left, we had about 1/2" of snow and by the time I got back home we had 7".  When it was all said and done for the day, 9" had stacked up.  Even as I sit in our cozy loft writing this, JB is trudging up to the south ridge to clean off the solar panels.  I must have slept through October.  Surely this is the end of November. . .

The trees and bushes are testament to our late Autumn and very early heavy snowfall.  They still have most of their leaves, which have usually been discarded by early October.  Makes for some very pretty photographs.  Wish I had brought my camera with me on Monday, although I doubt I would have stopped to use it.  I felt I was racing against time the whole day, and it was a very long day, what with doing the laundry and the big winter shopping.  But there was one place coming back up when I came around a corner and there was an aspen in all its golden glory surrounded by evergreens heavily laden with snow.  Wish I was an artist and could draw or paint it.

I really had no trouble driving back up in the snow.  I would much rather drive in new snow than mud.  And I am sure I will have that opportunity again soon.

JB was outside alot on Tuesday, shoveling and trying to get the snow blower going (which he wasn't able to), and cleaning off the panels.  I, however, spent the day inside putting all the food and supplies away, and updating the list.  Then I vacuum sealed all our pasta in half-gallon canning jars.  Did the dishes and did some general house cleaning.  I only went outside to use the outhouse and get firewood.  Looks like today will be the same.

RJ planned to go back to Seattle today.  It may take him awhile as all the passes are getting heavy snow also.  Only RJ, Mike and Brian are coming up for the weekend.  Sure hope they are able to make it all the way up.

Thought for the day:  The government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.  Ronald Reagan

Oct 22, 2012 Snow!



RJ's cabin




Rainbow Friday afternoon














Our high temperature for yesterday was 33 and Saturday was barely 40.  Saw a few snowflakes each day and lots of them obviously fell on the mountains.  The snow did finally reach us during last night.  We woke up to about 1/2" and it is still coming down.  Snowfall is predicted for every day this week at our altitude.  As I write, JB is getting dressed to go clean off the solar panels.  I was planning to go Down There twice this week, but will try to do all the laundry and shopping in one trip.  Question is - which day.

Friday I was up with the dogs at 6:00 am and just stayed up.  Haven't done that in a long time.  By lunch I had split and stacked five loads of wood, which finished the outside row on the south end of the porch and started the inside row on the north end.  After lunch I split and stacked another four loads before my hands gave out.  JB helped me with the last load, and that finished the inside north row.

It was very windy on Friday but not really cold.  I had planned to finish splitting the last six rounds on Saturday, but the wind turned icy cold so it was really an inside day.  We washed the dishes and after lunch I drove down to see what RJ had been doing on his cabin since he got back Up Here on Thursday.  Wow!  The windows are in the front and he was laying the slate on the floor where another wood stove will sit.  He's going to pick up the stove today and ask Larry to help him get it into the cabin.

RJ came to breakfast on Sunday and we chatted til almost lunch time.  The wind had finally blown itself out, but it was still too cold for the splitter.  So JB split two large rounds by hand, and I stacked them on the porch.  Then he went in for a well-deserved nap and I puttered around outside.  Gathered one more sack of pine needles and made sure my basket inside was full.  Brought fire wood in and made sure everything was wrapped up for possible snow last night.

I have been thinking about the forest fires alot lately.  We can see a few spots still smoldering every day from the south ridge.  A person cannot go through such an experience and come out the other end the same as they were going in.  But I am not sure just how I am different.  More sure of myself living Up Here, perhaps.  Knowing that now we are better prepared and having actually experienced the threat of fire.

And, speaking of threats, if the sh*t ever does hit the fan, whether thrown by either Mother Nature or man, our friends and family know that they are welcome Up Here ONLY if they bring their own food, supplies and at least a temporary shelter.  RJ came back up last night and stayed til 10:30 talking about our situation in relation to the rest of the world.  It never ceases to amaze us how many people Down There do not have even a month's supply of food stored up.  Especially with all the former Boy Scouts out there and all the current hype on being prepared for a major natural disaster, since there have been so many of them in the past several years.  I remember talking to a relative about this scenario a few years ago, and asked if he had ammo and a reliable firearm.  He said he did, but since he lived in a suburban area there wouldn't be much to hunt.  I replied, "Oh, Honey.  That gun isn't for hunting.  It's for protecting your family and food."  No, I do not consider myself a "survivalist."  Just practical with a little common sense thrown in.

Thought for the day:  The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism.  But, under the name of "Liberalism" they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened. . . I no longer need to run as a Presidential candidate for the socialist party.  The Democratic party has adopted our platform.  Norman Thomas, 1944

Oct 19, 2012 Water - It's a Coming



Sunrise on the new mountain snow
Wednesday



We ran the well pump yesterday.  There was a trickle of water and the pump did not turn off.  But we turned it off and will try again next week for a stronger flow.  But, hey, we're getting there!

Spent a few hours Down There on Wednesday checking out Big Lots (got some great deals on Progresso Soup), picking up my car and the new washing machine.  Also found out that one can no longer get a free phone at Verizon.  I received an e-mail saying that I was due for a free upgrade, however that was for a smart phone which comes with a $30/month fee.  If I want a new regular phone, it will be at least $100.  So I was just going to buy a new battery for my old phone but they didn't have any in stock. . .  After that experience, I needed to splurge on a latte.

When we both finally arrived home, we had a late lunch and installed the new washing machine.  By then it was too late to get started splitting wood, but somehow I wasn't too upset.

Yesterday we did the anti-freeze thing with the old washer and it is now sitting on the porch under a tarp with the dryer waiting for a buyer.  I was able to get four loads of wood split and stacked, while JB puttered around getting the place ready for winter, which included folding down the lawn mower and getting it into the shop.  And, speaking of the shop, it looks like JB's caulking kept the rain from seeping in, at least through our first storm.

The house frog certainly is vociferous lately.  Usually he doesn't start in until 7:00 am, but yesterday morning he was singing at 6:00!!  Enough already!  Must be too cold for the shop frog, as I haven't heard him for a while.

JB changed from the electric coffee maker to the manual Melita one for the winter.  With the shorter days, the electric one just takes too much power too early in the morning.  And, speaking of shorter days, where did all that daylight go?  Seems like just a week ago the sun was still up until 7:00 pm but yesterday the sun set at 6:06 pm!

We vote by mail-in ballot in Washington, so we should be receiving ours soon.  I'll be going Down There next week to do the big pre-winter shopping.  They better be there by then.  I just want to get the election over with.

Thought for the day:  Government: It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by the men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.  James Madison  (Sounds like he was referring to Obama's health care plan, the IRS tax code, etc., etc.  Sure wish we had politicians like him around today.)

Oct 17, 2012 Rain - and Snow!



Snow on Mission Ridge Tuesday morning



Real rain finally arrived Monday evening.  As it had over the weekend, sprinkles started around 3:30 pm, but this time they gradually became a downpour that lasted several hours.  The wind started up also, about ten hours earlier than it was forecast to begin 5:00 a.m. Tuesday.  And yesterday we discovered that our rain was actually snow on the mountain peaks and Mission Ridge.  Now there is snow in our forecast for the weekend.

We both went Down There on Monday driving both cars.  The aspen were almost blinding with their brilliance in the morning sun, and the road through them was right out of King Midas' realm - paved with golden leaves.  Dropped off my Jeep at the shop to have the valve gasket replaced.  Then we drove to Lowes and bought a top-loading washing machine that we will pick up today.  Did a little grocery shopping, and were home in time for me to split and stack three loads of wood on the porch, starting the outside south row.

The winds were very strong and just as noisy Monday night, so we didn't get much sleep.  Plus it started raining again in the early a.m.  The rain quit, but the wind kept up all day and into yesterday evening.  We ended up sleeping in til 9:00 am on Tuesday!  Felt so good.  Did the dishes and got the washer and dryer unhooked and out on the porch.  That was before we read the directions on storing the washer and getting all the water out. . .  Seems you have to put in RV antifreeze with a gallon of water, then run the washer through the last rinse cycle.  It was definitely going to freeze last night, so we had to move the washer back inside the great room and we will buy the antifreeze today when we are Down There.  We can move it out on the porch and plug it in to the shop generator to do the antifreeze bit.  We'll just put the machine's hose in a 5-gallon bucket.

Our first stop Down There today will be to check out the new Big Lots store.  Had those in Illinois and they are the best store to find great deals.  Then pick up my car.  Pick up the washer with the trailer we will bring down with BJ's Jeep.  A few more errands, and it's home to install our new washing machine.  Of course we need water to use it, so Thursday we will try the well pump again.  Larry and Elsie's spring is almost overflowing, so hopefully the water level has worked its way up to our well.

Dinga alerted us to six deer bounding across our south ridge yesterday morning.  Of course we didn't let the dogs out until the deer were out of sight.  We think it was "our herd" of does and fawns.

Now that the dust from the outside is gone, we will be generating our own dust inside with the wood stove.  It simply does not go away Up Here.  However, it is nice to have our coffee warmer back again.

As far as sleeping in later these days, I think it is just that I have finally acclimated to being retired, and have adopted the retiree's attitude: Don't want to.  Don't have to.  Can't make me.

Thought for the day: Man does not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it.  Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.  Chief Seattle 

Oct 15, 2012 A Political Rant



JB chipping on the driveway



I can contain myself no longer.  Some twenty-odd years ago, even as Independents, we were thrilled with a new candidate for U.S Senator in our district - Patty Murray.  But now she has obviously been in Washington D.C. too long and has prostituted herself out to the system and Obama.  Patty is introducing a bill that would give financial aid for college to young illegal aliens.  She must be going for the Hispanic vote because she knows that the rest of the Americans in her state have had it with her.  I find it extremely difficult to believe that she and other Democrats actually believe that they are working for the citizens of this country, and are not just trying to get re-elected.  They are obviously caught up in the heady perfume of power, because even if they don't get re-elected, they will be financially set for the rest of their lives.  I am convinced that today's politicians have gone completely off their nut.  Supporting everyone else in the world except Americans.  In today's economy many of our own citizens can barely afford their rent, let alone send their kids to college.  And yet members of Congress see fit to send billions of dollars in aid to Muslim countries which will benefit the the very people who are trying to overthrow this country.  Well, when our own President is part of the conspiracy. . .  Wake Up, People!!!

There.  I feel much better now. . .  So on with my diary:

Our weather has been about 10 degrees warmer than average this Fall.  On Thursday it was 74 Down There, while on the same day in 2009 it was 29, which broke the record low.  It has obviously been raining in the mountains most of the weekend, but we have only had late afternoon sprinkles.  All day Saturday the air was heavy with the scent and feel of rain.  Light clouds were continually blowing over, but they had already dropped their heavy load.  No more rain in the forecast til the end of the week, but lots of wind - 35 mph sustained with gusts to 50 mph.

On Friday I split five loads of wood and finished stacking the fourth row in the wood shed.  JB spent the day chipping in order to cover the parts of the driveway and paths that still needed it to prevent them from getting too muddy.  And, for the first time in months, we had to be sure that everything was wrapped up in preparation for rain. . . that didn't arrive.  And even when it did Saturday afternoon, there wasn't enough to cause any problems.

I kept splitting on Saturday and got seven loads stacked on the porch.  Many of the rounds are more than 2 ft in diameter.  Plus I moved three loads of branch wood from the uncovered area in the wood pen to the porch where it will be under a tarp.  JB spread three bales of straw over the rest of the driveway and paths.  That should take care of the muddy areas if it ever does decide to really rain.

Was going to take Sunday off, but ended up moving most of the uncovered branch wood to the porch, then split two loads to finish the inside row on the south end of the porch.  JB made pancakes and eggs for breakfast, then baked bread.  I took a nice long nap.

The house is much warmer now that we have all the great room walls up.  Just baking the bread and cooking dinner kept it almost too warm.  Had to open a couple windows for a while.  Our high was just in the mid 50's.  I'm sure we will be using less wood this winter.

Thought for the day:  We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.  Sir Winston Churchill

Oct 12, 2012 Finally - Rain in the Forecast!



Smoke to the SW on Wednesday


It's a cloudy morning with rain in the forecast for tomorrow.  Haven't checked, but don't think we have had any for at least three months now.  My Aunt Nene said that Port Orchard is 72 days without rain and still counting.  Extremely unusual, as they are on the Olympic Penninsula just south of the rainforest which receives the most rain in the U.S. 

No smoke this morning and, while at the laundramat yesterday, I heard that the Wenatchee Complex fire is now 100% contained.  Which is not to say that it is out, but it is not going anywhere.  The Table Mountain fire to the southwest is still only 75% contained.  Hopefully this weekend's rain will change all that.

We had a very enjoyable breakfast and visit with RJ Wednesday morning, but he didn't stay too long as he still has lots to get done before he leaves Saturday morning.  We had a busy day also.  I split and stacked seven loads of wood.  Can easily do more than five if I stretch it out, taking breaks and doing other things inbetween.  JB worked on putting up a metal frame we have for a shelter in which to fix MAX.  We will just afix tarps to it for the top and sides when we need to use it.  Don't want the wind to blow it down.

Yesterday we both had to go Down There.  I had my annual physical, five loads of laundry to wash, mail to pick up, and two windows and a small cupboard to pick up for RJ as they would not fit into his Wrangler.  I stopped at Larry and Elsie's on the way home to get water and give the chickens some apples.  With all that, I was gone six hours and had to take a nap before dinner.  JB had to go to our annual medical insurance meeting, and, sure enough, we will probably have to change companies.  It will be an HMO plan as opposed to a PPO, but the premiums with be less expensive.  Lots of reading to do about this.

Elsie said the pond created by their spring is almost overflowing now, so the water table is definitely on its way up.  We'll try our well pump soon and see if it has reached us yet.

Thought for the day:  Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.  Albert Einstein

Oct 10, 2012

Rope gate to hopefully keep out any hunters

My brain is about as fuzzy as the air this morning.  Can barely see the canyon, let alone the mountains.  We overslept and RJ is coming up for breakfast.

It's been another busy two days.  Monday morning we drove MAX down to our property line on the road to build a rope gate in anticipation of hunting season (see photo above).  Well, actually JB drove MAX loaded with all the supplies while the dogs and I walked.  It's about a half mile but getting there is all down hill.  Prior to going, we had cut the posts to 5' long.  They will stand 4' tall with one foot into the ground.  Then JB drilled a hole in one for the rope to go into and be knotted.  Then a hole into the other pole in which to insert a rod to keep the rope loop from sliding down.  We dug the holes, poured the cement, and set the poles.  I rode with JB in MAX back up the road.

After lunch I cut four loads of wood and JB worked on re-doing the sled that he and Larry made a couple years ago.  Trying to make it smaller and lighter.

It was a great relaxing evening with nachos, "White Collar" and a fire.

No fire needed in the mornings lately, as the nights have only been in the high 40's.  And speaking of fires, the forest fire by us is up to 56,000 acres and 55% contained .  The uncontained 45% is probably within the fire lines as it doesn't sound like it is spreading any more.

I got started early yesterday splitting and decided to time it, which was rather disheartening as it only takes me ten minutes to split and ten minutes to stack if I don't have any large rounds to wrestle.  It's not so much the time it takes, but rather the energy.  Since the rounds are so large, JB rolls several of them over to the splitter and together we split them into quarters.  I split three loads before lunch and one right after, then we all walked down to the rope gate to check and cover the cement with dirt, and hang the rope.  It was a beautiful Fall day and a very enjoyable hike.  Then I split another three loads for a total of seven for the day.  JB caulked the west side of the shop where the roof meets the wall and has been leaking.

We have decided that another inverter is just not in the budget.  We are going to buy a top-loading washer and be done with it.  There are water-saving models available and I will order one next week.  About $650 including a 5-year warranty and tax.  It should pay for itself in propane saving in the first year.

All this smokey air causes an odd lighting in the evening.  If we were in Illinois, I'd be looking for tornadoes.

Thought for the day:  May your life someday be as awesome as you pretend it is on Facebook.  

Oct 8, 2012 Warmer, Smokier Days



Smoke plumes to the SW on 10/1



Friday and Saturday were smokeless with blue skies and clear views, but a bit of an inversion moved in yesterday and most of the hills have disappeared into the haze of smoke.  Wasn't bad enough to wear a mask as the valleys and canyons had the worst of it.

We brought up the last two loads of wood on Friday - all 78 rounds-, and thank goodness that chore is over!  I split three loads and then took a nap.  I love naps.  I only have one maybe once a week, but I certainly do enjoy them and the ability to take one any time I want to.

On Saturday JB returned the trailer to Larry and, since he was so far down the mountain, went into town to get gas in his Jeep and run a few errands.  I think he forgot it was Saturday as many of the businesses are closed over the weekend. . .

I split another five loads of wood which seems to be the maximum amount for me without straining anything or getting too tired.  I also gathered several bags of pine needles for winter fire starter.  I won't use them until after the snow has fallen.  I just fill my basket from the ground until then.

RJ is back Up Here so we invited him to breakfast Sunday morning and JB fixed German pancakes.  So good with my canned peaches and brown sugar.  After he left, I drove down to Elsie's Spa for a shower (felt sooo good and I really steamed up her bathroom), and stopped by RJ's on the way to see what he is working on.  He wants to get the front of his cabin all enclosed before winter.  He, Mike and some friends will be up at the end of the month for his birthday on the 28th.

I split another five loads of wood after lunch and called it quits for the day.  Didn't want to get too sweaty and dirty after my shower.  It was a bit warmer yesterday, and this morning we didn't need a fire in the wood stove.

Must be getting into hibernation mode as I find it harder and harder to drag myself out of bed by 8:00 am.  When we first moved Up Here, I was getting up at 7:00 am or earlier.  I remember blogging at 5:00 and 6:00 am when I let the dogs out.  Hmmm.

Thought for the day:  If God had been a liberal, we wouldn't have the Ten Commandments - we'd have the Ten Suggestions.  Malcom Bradbury

Oct 5, 2012 Cold Autumn Days



Plume of smoke by Mission Ridge





Ready to go!


















Got a late start Wednesday morning.  Had a hard time getting out of a snuggly, warm bed on a cold Autumn morning.  36 outside.  It was after 9:00 a.m. when I was done blogging, and then, of course, there two newspapers still to read from my trip Down There on Tuesday.  I built a small fire in the wood stove to take the chill out, as I have done each morning since.  Finally we got going for what we thought was the first of the last two loads of Seattle wood.  However since there are mainly very large rounds left, we could only get six of them on the trailer instead of ten.  By the time we got home with them it was after noon and we still had dishes to do and the splitter to fix.

And we did get the splitter fixed - Woo Hoo! - but it was too late to split anything as we still had to clear out the splitting area and move it back in, and it was even too late for that.

I feel like I lost the whole month of September with the fire.  Now I really have to get busy making birthday and Christmas presents, which is what I did Wednesday night.  I had started Nene's birthday gift before the fire and it was one of the items I stuffed in my computer go-bag.

We began Thursday by cleaning out the splitting area.  Four years worth and six inches deep of small wood and bark chips.  It almost filled our small trailer, so we drove it down our road and filled in pot holes.  When we returned home, I got a call advising that the propane truck was on its way up, so no trip to get Seattle wood.  Don't want to meet that truck on the road with neither of us being able to back up or turn around.

After our tank was filled and the truck left, we put the splitter in place and leveled it.  Still had time to split two wheel barrow loads of wood, and it seems to be very dry, thank goodness.  One year drying in Seattle doesn't necessarily mean dry enough to burn.  So, two more productive days.  Two more ibuprofen nights.

There was a big plume of smoke yesterday just this side of the south end of Mission Ridge, and, of course, I have already forgotten the name of it that Elsie told me last night.  She called to chat and ask if I wanted some organic hog-back fat for lard (don't know the specific term for it).  She is going to increase her order that she will pick up at the Farmer's Market on Saturday, so I decided to get two pounds.  There is a great article on lard in this month's issue of Capper's magazine giving the various ways of rendering and preserving it.  She will cook and strain it, then I will go down and help her can it.

We put another, and probably more accurate, thermometer outside about a month ago.  It's one my Dad had and gives the high and low temperatures.  It is 34 this morning with no wind and no smoke to the west and north, just some low, light haze.  Will have to walk up to the south ridge to see how those fires are doing.

Thought for the day:  Flashlight: A container for dead batteries.

Oct 3, 2012 Clear Skies!



Oooops!



The wind came up as predicted on Monday evening and the skies were clear yesterday.  Still clear this morning with no wind and very little smoke to the southwest.  Sounds like the Forest Service is letting the fire burn inside the lines they have drawn.  For the past several years there has been a really bad beetle problem in Blewett Pass, but the environmentalists would not let them go in and cut down all the dead trees because of an endangered species of bird (Spotted Owl?).  I guess Mother Nature finally said, "Enough is enough.  I'll take care of the problem."  Thus the lightening storm.

JB cut the last tree we wanted down on Monday (see photo above).  None of the boards in the fence were broken, so we just hammered them back up.  I limbed the tree and JB cut it into 16" pieces that I stacked to be split.  Then JB chipped all its branches and the ones left over from the other trees and spread the chippings on the driveway to the south of the house.  I gathered, cut and stacked two large loads of branch wood.  On Saturday I had discovered a treasure trove of large, dry fir branches on our neglected west slope.  Better than a BOGO at Macy's!  (Although I'm sure Sandy would disagree with that statement.) 

I had to wear a mask til mid afternoon because of the smoke.  There was a lot of helicopter activity during the day, one flying directly over the house going to the reservoir with its bucket.

I made broccoli soup for dinner.  Had forgotten how very good it is.

I went Down There on Tuesday, mainly to pick up the part for the splitter that was supposed to arrive by Monday.  Of course I had nine other stops to make and ended up having to go back to the UPS store at the end of my errands because the package had not arrived in the morning.  Fortunately it was there the second time around.  After we make two trips this morning to get the rest of the Seattle wood, we will fix the splitter and start using it tomorrow.

It was finally chilly enough in the house last night to build a fire in the wood stove.  Our first of the season.  It was 38 outside by 7:00 p.m., and got down to 36 during the night.

So nice to see the mountains again, and we are so thankful that the fire was contained before any homes were lost or firefighters injured.

Thought for the day:  Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.  Dwight D. Eisenhower

Oct 1, 2012 Warm September



Clouds and smoke to the SW



October 1 and we still have not had a fire in the stove.  Almost unheard of!  The smoke and inversion layers have definitely helped keep the heat in.  I am sooo ready for the smoke to go away.  The Forest Service is advising that the fire will not be completely out until snow has lain on it for the winter.  Last night we could see the flames on Table Mountain, which is the reason Blewett Pass is still closed.  They were several miles away from us, but it was kind of eerie to be able see them.

After doing the dishes for the week Friday morning, we drove down for another load of wood.  Brought up ten pieces, but just too smokey to get any more.  We have been using paper plates and wiping off our silverware after each use.  Also trying to fix meals that use as few pots and pans as possible. 

Brought up another load of wood on Saturday, then concentrated on cleaning up the two felled trees and five stumps around the wood shed.  JB cut them all into 16" pieces, and I stacked them to get split.  I also gathered and cut a few loads of branch wood.

Larry and Elsie came to visit that evening, bringing us eggs and tomatoes.  Their chickens do not like the smoke and on the worst days only lay two or three eggs.  We had a great visit and Elsie asked if I wanted to come down and take a shower on Sunday.  O, bless her!!

Sunday morning JB made bacon and eggs with Elsie's tomatoes, that actually taste like tomatoes.  Along with that we had dilly bread toast from the loaf that JB had baked on Thursday.  Then I drove down for a shower.  Oh my, did I feel pampered.  And we had decided that we would definitely rest on Sunday, with all the heavy work we had been doing, so we got out the winter clothes and put the summer ones away.  JB sorted out his and got rid of three bags worth of clothes he swears he does not need.  At this point he has room for all his clothes for the year in his side of the closet.  Well, good for him.  But I like a bit more diversity and choice in my wardrobe.

When we lived Down There near large cities, such as San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago, I would often get a "24-hour bug."  Since we have lived Up Here, I have never had one - until the smoke.  Now I honestly think that those were not bugs at all, but rather a reaction to pollution.  Hmmm. . .

Am finally reading a book I have had for several years, Spiritual Literacy - Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life, by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.  An excellent book and one I can really relate to having been Up Here for four years.

Thought for the day:  The spiritual life is, at root, a matter of seeing.  It is all of life seen from a certain perspective.  It is waking, sleeping, dreaming, eating, drinking, working, loving, relaxing, recreating, walking, sitting, standing and breathing. . . spirit suffuses everything; and so the spiritural life is simply life, wherever and whatever, seen from the vantage point of spirit."  John Shea, Catholic theologian