Cabin Journal

June 18-22

We left home Thursday morning after Bill had already been to work. We noticed something looked different at Carson's and wondered why the motor home was not there. Bill went back on the 4 wheeler a little later, then we called his cell phone to check on him. He is in California for treatments for lung and prostate cancer. He said that he probably wouldn't ever make it back, and he couldn't go through another winter like the last one. Although we came on weekends when we didn't have any contact at all with him, we knew he was there. This weekend was a little different, knowing he wasn't there.

We were greeted at our cabin with a cloud of mosquitoes hovering around the car. Before we noticed them, Bill opened the car door and was gathering keys and getting ready to get out when he noticed that we were being mobbed by those peskyc creatures. We closed the door quick, and I stayed in the car until I could make a run for the cabin. Dad unloaded the things from the car to the porch, then we scooted them in as fast as we could without inviting any creatures in.

After breakfast on Friday morning, we went for a walk and a 4 wheeler ride - before 8:00! The morning air is fresh and crisp and felt great. We just raced past those measley bugs before they had a chance to land on us!

Dad did some more tree trimming and stacking debris. The sign at the bottom of the hill said that fire season was in effect and all burning was prohibited. He stacked the brush and planned for burning time next Spring, unless we can come up with some kind of chipper between now and then. His trimming area this weekend was on the Northwest side of the cabin, out to the road. It was hard to know how far to the west to work because we don't know exactly where the property line is.

Dad did a little wiring and spent quite a lot of time studying and looking at the wiring plans for when we get the new solar panels and all that goes with that project.

I did a lot of knitting and read a book. I stayed inside most of the time with an occasional run to see what Dad was doing, and some quick trips to the outhouse. I sat by the window, knitted, watched Dad work, and watched the chipmunks eating and playing. I made 3 1/2 dishrags, and worked on the socks that I have been working on since September. I'm not sure they will ever get finished. The needles and thread are so small that it takes a lot of stitches to go just a little ways. Big needles and big yarn are the best!

On Sunday morning, Dad sat up in bed about 6:15, looked out the window and said that he saw 2 deer coming around the corner of the cabin. We watched them for a while as they were joined by 5 more - 7 altogether. Two of the deer were bucks in velvet. They played around in that area, jumping around and looking all over. That was a great way to start the day.

For me, this was one of our most relaxing weekends at the cabin. We feel blessed to have this special place for a get-away.