Monday, September 27
Jeff came by on Saturday and helped Chuck clean the wood stove pipe. He also brought all the tools we needed in order to get it done including a shop vac for the mess.
He and Chuck propped a ladder up against the cabin to reach the roof.
Then they hung another ladder precariously over the tin roof to serve as steps on the slick surface. In order to get it to stay there, they drove the truck up to the other side of the house, tied a rope to the trailer hitch, slung the rope over the roof, and then tied the other end to the top of the ladder. Chuck climbed onto it unsure if it would hold.
I stood at the top of the ladder for a few minutes contemplating what it would take to get me to the top of the roof. My services weren't needed for the repair so I was trying to decide if going to the top was worth the risk. Chuck and I grew up climbing to high places for the sake of fun and in some cases, jumping off, so I felt the my youthful, carefree days pulling me up. In the end, I decided that it would be a whole lot easier to get up there if The Apple of My Eye was there teetering on the edge. Then I wouldn't have time to think about it so dang much. I climbed back down and decided I'd find a less dangerous way to feel young again. Later. Now, I'll curl up next to this wood burning stove and enjoy the warmth like a little old lady.
The stove is doing a fine job keeping the house warm and toasty. The bedrooms are still a little chilly but I can't sleep in the heat anyway, so it is kinda nice. I love, love, love not using the heat that requires pricey oil and electricity.
More winter preparations....
Regarding the weather and the skies...
On Sunday, it snowed. It didn't stick and I was kinda glad. There is a small part of me that eagerly anticipates snow related activities, but the rational side of me doesn't want to rush it along. It is September for crying out loud!
One more thing. Chuck and I have seen the Northern Lights! I feel guilt ridden for not posting about this sooner, as we saw the lights on the evening of September 13th. We've been so busy around here, posting about it slipped my mind.
Late that night, Chuck was letting the dogs out for the last time before we settled into bed and when he finished (but not before) he told me the lights were out. I rushed outside, not taking the time to dress for the cold, and ran around the yard in awe. God had formed a green arch from one side of our little world to the other. The green ban spanned a great distance and disappeared into the treeline beyond our line of sight. It appeared to be perfectly arched over our little cabin alone.
I am sorry to say, at the time I was too tired to take pictures and I didn't want my first experience with the Aurora Borealis to be overshadowed by my photography efforts.
Being new to the world of the Aurora Borealis, I am constantly on the lookout for the lights. Earlier that same night, I told Chuck that the sunsets were so beautiful and strangely colored that sometimes I wondered for a second or two if I was seeing the Northern Lights. Of course I knew better but until you've seen them, it is hard to believe in their magnificence. I liken it to the way an expecting mother thinks of contractions before she gives birth. You know, you feel a hint of pain and wonder, "Was that a contraction?" and then another, slightly more painful feeling comes along, and you think, "What's the big deal about? I can handle this kind of pain." And then, a real contraction hits. Then you KNOW what a dang contraction is. The same is true for the Northern Lights. Once you've seen them, there's no mistaking them.
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More winter preparations....
Earl and Cheddar came over yesterday to help Chuck winterize the truck he drove up from Alabama. They got started in the garage by firing up the wood stove and popping the hood. I made hamburgers and pie and brought it all out to the warm garage as a thank you. They had a man-style garage picnic while prepping the truck for temperatures below 10 degrees.
I've heard of people paying $500.00 for winterizing a vehicle so when Earl's girlfriend Jamie offered Earl's services up for the project (hehe) were incredibly grateful. Earl even looked over our other vehicle to make sure it was good to go too. Our new friends continually amaze me with their generosity.
I've heard of people paying $500.00 for winterizing a vehicle so when Earl's girlfriend Jamie offered Earl's services up for the project (hehe) were incredibly grateful. Earl even looked over our other vehicle to make sure it was good to go too. Our new friends continually amaze me with their generosity.
I wouldn't let The Apple of My Eye take her tools out there to work with the boys and my heart hurt for her. If I had let her go out, she wouldn't have been able to control her constant rambling to Earl, whom she has a crush on, and that would have made it difficult for them to get anything done. I remember always wanting to be alongside Dad and the men folk while they were fishing or working on various motors out in the yard. I also remember how my heart hurt those few times I wasn't allowed to go out with them. But what can you do? Sometimes little girls can't find a place outside with the men.
Regarding the weather and the skies...
On Sunday, it snowed. It didn't stick and I was kinda glad. There is a small part of me that eagerly anticipates snow related activities, but the rational side of me doesn't want to rush it along. It is September for crying out loud!
One more thing. Chuck and I have seen the Northern Lights! I feel guilt ridden for not posting about this sooner, as we saw the lights on the evening of September 13th. We've been so busy around here, posting about it slipped my mind.
Late that night, Chuck was letting the dogs out for the last time before we settled into bed and when he finished (but not before) he told me the lights were out. I rushed outside, not taking the time to dress for the cold, and ran around the yard in awe. God had formed a green arch from one side of our little world to the other. The green ban spanned a great distance and disappeared into the treeline beyond our line of sight. It appeared to be perfectly arched over our little cabin alone.
I am sorry to say, at the time I was too tired to take pictures and I didn't want my first experience with the Aurora Borealis to be overshadowed by my photography efforts.
Being new to the world of the Aurora Borealis, I am constantly on the lookout for the lights. Earlier that same night, I told Chuck that the sunsets were so beautiful and strangely colored that sometimes I wondered for a second or two if I was seeing the Northern Lights. Of course I knew better but until you've seen them, it is hard to believe in their magnificence. I liken it to the way an expecting mother thinks of contractions before she gives birth. You know, you feel a hint of pain and wonder, "Was that a contraction?" and then another, slightly more painful feeling comes along, and you think, "What's the big deal about? I can handle this kind of pain." And then, a real contraction hits. Then you KNOW what a dang contraction is. The same is true for the Northern Lights. Once you've seen them, there's no mistaking them.
The entire last paragraph of this post made me smile. :o) Thoroughly enjoy reading these, & I'm constantly relaying your stories to my husband. "Hey, guess what? Remember that girl I told you about? The one that I knew from the Y that moved to Alaska?" He finally told me the other day that I can stop prefacing every Alaska story with that because he knows who I'm talking about now. Oops! :o) Anyway, glad you guys are enjoying it so much...love reading about it!
ReplyDeleteWe've been trying to look for those same lights and couldn't find them. (We did see a shooting star a couple of weeks ago, so that was a little exciting) Ditto on the whole last paragraph making one smile. I know it made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteI feel you on the temptation of doing young, carefree and dare I say...a little stupid, bit of things. I used to climb trees like a little monkey, but some things are just not as possible anymore. :) You're cabin looks so adorable. Have you made it Home yet? If you don't mind my asking, I'd love to see the inside. Never saw a log cabin before. :)
Wow, Hayley, I can only imagine how beautiful the northern lights were!!! I am so glad you described it so well. But, I have to say, reading about the cold and the preparations you are making made me shiver (I am sitting here in my flip flops). I hope your mom takes lots of pics on her visit and I am wishing yall some good weather while you are all together!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Tina! I am glad you enjoy our stories enough to re-tell them! I do that to my husband too. Before I got here I was reading 2 blogs written by girls here in Alaska and I would tell Chuck their stories and preface them with, "You know that girl, who is going to be my friend, but doesn't know it yet?" Yeah, that's a little creepy of me isn't it?
ReplyDeleteKatie, I think it is so cool that the Northern Lights sometimes show themselves in places other than Alaska! It is a shame not everyone can see them. Maybe you'll get a peak one day. Oh and Magnolias are still good for climbing :) And YOU are a lot younger than me! You better find a tree and climb it! And yes, I plan to post photos of the inside but that would require a thorough cleaning, and I haven't been willing. Soon though! I will.
Tonia, I am glad you followed the contractions/northern lights comparison because when I re-read it, I wasn't sure if anyone would follow. Yes, our shoes selection are worlds apart. Mine our lined in fleece and up to my knees!
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