Historical Marker

Himself and I have been looking for the south fence. It has been there 100 years and now fallen into rack and ruin. However, we can trace the south line by looking for the biggest trees.

When it was pasture, the farmer would have mowed the ground a time or two each year to keep the trees out of it. Except in the fence line. Sometimes trees were allowed in the fence line because they eventually became the fence posts. Other times the trees were just left in the fence line as the mower couldn't get to them to take them out.

So now, when we go looking, we look for the biggest trees. And we find this. Barb wire strands swallowed right up by a growing tree.

This surviving stretch of fence is short -- just between these two trees. It is hard to see in the photo but the fence is only there because the trees have grown up and around the barb wire. So if your Mama ever told you pounding a nail into a tree would kill it, it was an old wives' tale. The wire in these trees is a quarter of the way into the tree.

Problem Solved, a Day at III

A dead tree leans. Potential for danger.

Himself hooks the "mule" to the problem and unleashes the power!

Now to work with the new Husqvarna.

A job well done!

BOI

RESERVED FOR HIMSELF'S STORY
in case anyone hasn't figured it out yet, if you "left click" on any photo in the blog, it will "blow up" several times larger. some of the things that are hard to see in the small version are much easier to see.
Pa(boi)

Uptown

oowheee! Look at that bathroom floor!

That is just pretty sweet for a little blue weekender cabin with no hot water.

I owe this to Himself as he did this floor before the cabin fever set in. By the way, his defense regarding the Japanese Beetles is "the devil made me to it!"

I do NOT like sleet!

We thought the weekend would be decent in Mo. We thought that the temps would surely be in the 50s and that would be bearable. Even high 40s and we could have worked outside. But no. Not. Wrong! A high on Saturday of 37, I think, and to add insult to injury it snowed and sleeted all day long! All the live long day!

Fortunately Himself had an indoor project lined up -- tiling the bathroom floor. I went to town and spent an entire hour crawling through the local consignment shop -- and I do mean crawling. I pick up, fold, hang up and move things off the floor just so I can get through the shop. On days like this, I have time to "pick" and it is worth my while. On a day when I have to hurry because Himself is waiting back at the ranch for parts or materials, it probably isn't worthwhile stopping -- but I usually do anyway!

After the tile was down and I was shopped out, we managed to keep busy for awhile. We managed to entertain ourselves . . . then the cabin fever set in.

Cabin Fever

Mike. Holmes on Holmes. He's a right nice guy, do you think? Do you wonder why I am taking pictures of the TV? So did I. If it hadn't been snowing and sleeting outside I could have been outside doing something constructive, you know?

so . . . is it really weird taking pictures of the TV?

Burn in Hell!

You can't really tell what he's doing but Himself's cabin fever took the form of "torching" the Japanese beetles that had the audacity to crawl out of the walls. Could he just fling them to the floor and squash them? or end their little miserable lives with the quick smack of the flyswatter? Oh, no . . . torture the dumb little creatures with the grill igniter, instead! Okay, now THAT is weird!

I like a thunderstorm . . .

Click the arrow above to hear an August thunderstorm. Click here to read about this summer storm in August 2007. Not that the storm was so exciting but I'm just practicing how to link!

Night Tour

The next time we are all down to III, we should take a night tour . . . but I'm not going by myself! Eerie . . .

Deer, 3 at least

Turkey!

I'll put some photos on here and maybe Himself will be propelled to write . . .

These birds are big! You don't realize how big, until you scare one up walking a trail. And then the "scared" one is me!

A place to investigate

It appears to me that a log lay covered by something. That log rotted out and left a void. The question becomes, what lay over that log? Could it have been a cabin roof? I need to go back and investigate!

The Cat came back

You may remember, last year I posted a photo where a big "kitty" had scratched a tree raw. Last fall we found another tree that had been scratched upon. Today, in addition to the one we found in the fall, there were two more scratched up. May have to put the game cam in this area.Speaking of the game camera, we have 270 photos on there since we last checked. So the game cam came home with us and Himself will take the memory card to work with him to see if there's actually "Game" in the pictures. We'll keep you posted!

Spring in the Timber

To see Spring this time of year in the timber, you have to get down and look close. She is small, shy and discreet, yet. In a few more weeks, she will be showy. She will flaunt her new new green finery -- but for now, Spring still is in disguise as Fall:

We rode the trails and cleared them, as needed. There was one good ice storm this winter, and maybe more. Several smaller trees had the tops broken out of them and there were plenty of limbs down, all sizes.

It is a maybe

Alrighty, then. It is March. We had snow fall just the other evening. The weather forecaster's are now saying that next weekend will be in the 50's and -- believe it or not -- there is no precipiation in the weekend forecast either! So, Maybe. Just Maybe, Himself and I will high tail it to III this weekend.



After all, the little Dutchmen's britches are probably blooming.

DALE HOFMEISTER

PRESCOTT, IOWA

February 15, 1941

Grandpa's Toolbox

Dale G. Hofmeister worked in an airplane factory in Kansas City during the early part of World War II. Grandpa and his partner were hotshots. They found ways to be more efficient and productive. They did Quality work. I sure wish I had written this down when your Grandpa told me about it so I could pass it on to you. For now, until I can find notes or can sit under a shade tree at III and dig around in my memory, you'll just have to accept that for what it is worth.

Himself has known this toolbox all his life, I imagine, as Grandpa made it in 1941. It says 1941 right on there. February 15, 1941. To show how life has changed in that time, Grandpa put his Social Security Number right there on top, to prove it was his toolbox and that he made it. Today, we'd put that Social Security Number inside the box and triple lock it!

The leather handle has come off but Himself and I think we can mend it well enough and put it back on to last another 30 years. So now, the toolbox is at Too but someday it will be at III. It will be a prized possesion at III. As was Dale G. Hofmeister, Prized and Priceless.

Aviator

I read somewhere recently that the Bluebird will be starting to nest in southern Missouri this week but wonder if that can be true. We usually don't see Bluebirds in northern Mo until May. This little fella got his photo taken on May 12, 2007.

A Blue Bird must have to back pedal while entering the Bluebird house, more or less like an airplane putting on the reverse thrust, to stop. Now I'm not an aviator and know that isn't the proper terminology so I suppose, I'll have to go look it up. But this Bluebird is backpedaling!

The work begins, already

This little Hawthorne had struggled but we finally thought it was going to do okay. Then, an ice storm, broke it off this winter. Last weekend, Himself took the chainsaw and cleaned up after it.

Spring time in Missouri (hurry up!)

A week ago, at Too, with the day warming and the snow melting, Himself and I found buds. Amazed, we found them on the Bradford Pear and the little lilac. As I picked up sticks and dug around in the wild flower bed, I could see wee bits of green here and there.

We hope this last week of cold weather didn't "do them in". Should have been above freezing today and tomorrow too -- then we should be in for a real warming!

Foolish?

Some foolish person had driven right across the small end of Twin Lake. Now, the temperature had risen and the ice was going out . . . but while it was still cold, they did. Drive right across.

Austin Hofmeister

Except for that d_ _ _ cedar tree, this would have been a great picture! Austin. The beginning of an era. Hofmeister, the second verse. Austin Hofmeister. The rest of the story.

But that cedar tree is blocking the cabin! Where is my axe?

Shagbark Too

this site has almost exclusively been about Shagbark III. With this winter, long and excessive as it has been, keeping us from III, I have to write so guess I have to write about Too!

Himself and I drove to Too Saturday morning. The forecasted temperatures lured us (60. 60! we couldn't wait; had to see for ourselves!) We were going to go to III but after seeing Too which actually has Gravel Roads (hoohah!) we knew we'd never get in the dirt road at III. Or if in, we'd never get up the dirt road and "out".

The roads into Too were the absolute worst we had seen there. Ruts, 8 or 10" deep, and full of slushing, muddy water. I drove back out to go to town and I dreaded meeting another vehicle for fear of getting too close to the soft shoulders and ending up in the ditch. But I made it out and back and learned a thing or two about driving in mud.

And one really surprising thing about mud and LJSJEEP. Himself can drive it muddy. Himself always has kept cars washed up and buffed but Himself can drive a muddy Jeep.

Jack Frost

found this little poem. hadn't read it before but it reminded me how, when I was a child, we'd press our noses on the house or car windows or "huff" on them to frost them over.

We'd get up in the mornings and there would be frost on the single-paned windows . . . until the sun got on it and melted Jack Frost's art work.

For, creeping softly underneath
The door when all the lights are out,
Jack Frost takes every breath you breathe,
And knows the things you dream about.
He paints them on the window-pane
In fairy lines with frozen steam.
And when you wake, you see again
The lovely things you saw in dream.

Gabriel Setoun

If we stay at III this weekend, maybe Jack Frost will visit. They are calling for 45 or 50 degree daytime highs so hopefully we are coming out of the deep freeze!

I'm Not Sure

what the previous post(about greens) had to do with III, or with anything, for that matter.
Anyway, I have a decision to make. President Bush is going to provide me and herself with some money to spend to help keep the economy growing. I am torn between a solar system, which would be good for keeping the cabin electronics going. BUT, we (I) want to build a storage shed. So, I need power. Lots of power. We have no electricity, but a generator could provide me with the power I need to run a Skil saw, jig saw, and other power tools. It would also keep our battery charged up for the cabin, and could also provide the power needed for a composting toilet, or a more powerful pump for the shower. While the solar system is drawing me towards it, I think I can at this time accomplish more with a generator. So, for now, the generator is winning. Of course, this has to be done with the approval of herself, as by now you can tell, she rules the roost.
Boi

More to come?

This was early spring 2006.

Remember what the wise folks say about a late storm like this -- at least it won't last long.

Misery loves company

http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/diaryjan.htm

The Weather Doctor's Diary: maybe reading these will make us feel better about 3 degrees below zero? nah, that won't work . . . we won't feel better.

29 January 2004, Minnesota: All Minnesota weather stations record a low temperature below zero Fahrenheit (-18° C) this morning. The coldest is Park Rapids where the low was minus 45° Fahrenheit (-42.8° C)

1 January 1864, Midwestern States: The most bitterly cold New Year's Day to date hits the Midwest with snow, gales and severe cold. Afternoon highs reach only minus 16° F (-26.7° C) at Chicago, Illinois and minus 25° F (-31.7° C) at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

10 January 1975, Duluth, Minnesota: Barometer pressure drops to record low of 28.55 inches (967 mb) during intense winter storm over Minnesota. storm deposits two feet (60 cm) of snow on parts of the state and wind chills reach -80F (-62C) there.

24 January 1922, Danbury, Wisconsin: The coldest recorded temperature east of the Mississippi River: minus 54° F (minus 47.8° C).

Well, you get the idea. Follow the link if you want more!

Spring Greens or pissenlit (I had high school French too!)

Click here to go back to Green Onions in Nana's View!

One of my earliest memories was of my Gramma Austin wishing for some dandelion leaves to add to her meal. As young as I was, I knew dandelions and I also knew somehow that a dandelion could be very bitter -- had I tasted the pretty yellow blossom?

In the "olden days" of my grandmother's youth in the last decade of the 1800s, folks had only to eat what they had taken care to put away during the growing season. They would can or dry berries, fruits and vegetables. They tried to preserve everything they found or got a hold of. Waste was irresponsible, if not down right evil. They didn't have much cash to spend at the general store and the general store wouldn't have had many fresh vegetables or fruits to sell anyway. There was no such thing as a refrigerated freight train car.

Had the summer been dry, short or the garden hailed out -- or the winter long -- the meals would have become monotanous and maybe even sparse. (My dad told of one winter during the 1930s when his folks and family lived almost entirely on bean soup.) Perhaps the family was down to the last few jars of home-canned tomatoes. Maybe the potatoes they had managed to get to the cave were shriveled and starting to sprout. The canned berries, corn or green beans were probably gone or spoiled. The canning methods weren't as good as they are now. Each family member might each have had an orange at Christmas but fresh fruit and vegetables were too expensive or too scarce for most common folks to have even on a weekly basis. Unless they still had some apple cider (probably "turned" by spring) there was no fruit juice and sure no frozen concentrate.

Which brings us to Gramma and spring greens. Gramma got to craving green vegetables come late March or early April. The earliest green in all of Iowa would be the lowly dandelion. Find the dandelion leaves before the bright flowers pop some early spring day and you might beat the "bitter". Of course, after a winter without any fresh vegetables, bitter is a matter of perspective anyway. A little bitter on a fresh green in late March would be far more acceptable than bitter in the middle of August with the garden in full glory. Ripe tomatoes on the vine and sweet corn on the cob.

Gramma, with her bibbed apron and her plain black shoes, took up her butcher knife and hunted the lowly dandelion.



Dandelion Greens, 1 cup raw
Vit A, daily value 2712 IU54%
Vit K, daily value 151 mcg188%
Calcium, daily value 103 mg10%
Iron, daily value 1.7 mg9%

Broccoli, 1 cup raw
Vit A, daily value 581 IU12%
Vit K, daily value 89.4 mcg112%
Calcium, daily value 41.4 mg4%
Iron, daily value 0.6 mg4%

Well, look at that! My gramma knew what she was doing! And, read here. Dandilions are a tonic too! http://www.rwood.com/Articles/Dandelion_Greens.htm

Topienie Marzanny, exactly what we need!

Polish Spring & Easter Rituals.

Winters in Poland were long and unforgiving. Therefore people are longing for spring, for possibility to grow plants and other vegetation. One of the ancient and pagan habits that supposedly was helping to get rid of winter was Topienie Marzanny "sinking of Marzanna". This habit is still cultivated among scouts or school kids. Kids made a doll from old grass and tree branches and take it to the river. They burn the doll (called "Marzanna", from the word "marznac" means "freeze") and throw her into the river. The symbolic meaning of this ceremony is to get rid of winter therefore it is performed in early spring. http://culture.polishsite.us/articles/art30fr.htm

I borrowed the photo from here: http://www.spbarwaldsr.iap.pl/konkurs/marzanna_001.jpg

Erica, are you game? :)

Latest Round

The cardinals hadn't been around for a week or more but this snow -- or the extra bird food Himself put out ahead of the storm, brought this one back for a short visit.

We received more snow here in the Heartland. We had a good 2" of snow this morning, with rain ahead of that. Thank goodness the temperature is warmer and I think a lot of this will melt. There had been blizzard warnings as they feared the snow would blow but the snow is to too wet to blow.

I do hear the wind howling.

Next snow in the forecast is due in another 4 days or so. Himself says, everytime he watches the weather -- "every four days! there is snow in the forecast every four days!"

Deep Freeze

Spring is never coming! The temperature is in single digits. It has been, it is and is going to be in single digits! The weather people predict a warm up (32 degrees, we now call warm) in a few days and before that happens, the weather people change the forecast!

We still have 6-8" of snow on the ground and none thawing with these temps. Missouri! I want Missouri and spring! But I would just settle for warmer!

A fine winter's weekend

We headed to III on a Saturday morning, December 29, 2007. We knew that there was more snow there than what we had around Creston, so it was no surprise that there was 6-7 inches of fresh snow on the ground. The only signs of life we're the animal tracks left by unkown creatures of the wild. We had tree branches down blocking the drive in, so had to pull them to the side so we could drive in. III is totally beautiful with snow on the ground, and on the CEDAR trees.

We (I) spent the late morning getting things ready, the fire going, the propane gas turned on, gathered firewood, got the 4-wheeler out and started. As herself had important errands in town, as usual, and also, what is becomming a habit, she will ask me if there is anything I need. I could only think of one thing, d-con. So, what is the one thing she forgot?

We had fun 4-wheeling in the snow. And for you oldsters, I was provoked into doing some Broderick Crawford's. (donuts for you youngsters).

This weekend, the temperatures only rose to mid to upper twenties during the day, and got down to 12 degrees at nite. This is the coldest its been, but the furnace and fireplace kept us snug as snails. The next step is to see just how cold it gets before we, as my first born daughter says, "bolt" and hightail it outta there.

One of my main jobs at III is to listen to the weather. All the radio stations all week-end had been predicting snow flurries on Monday morning, and continued to do so even on Monday morning. After we got up and got coffee going, we noticed it looked a little more seriously than maybe just flurries. So, I turned on the weather radio, and all of a sudden the forcast went from flurries to moderate to heavy snow for all of Northern Mo and Southern Ia. So we just kind of puttered around taking pictures, had breadfast, and still the snow came. Hard. So the decision was made that maybe, just maybe, we better get the heck out of there. So we packed, headed out to the highway, and made our way to Bethany. It was the long way, but we figured the snow plows would keep the road cleared. Wrong. The highway was completely covered. The only good thing is there was not much traffic. Even the interstate was not good, but it didn't slow down the trucks any. After we got past Leon, it started letting up a bit. The next day we found out they had 7 inches of "flurries".
Overall, we had a fine, snowy weekend at III. At least now I know what it looks like, and will look forward to more winter weekends at III.
Boi

Snowstorm

We got up Monday morning and there was a skiff of snow on the ground. About that time the local radio station started talking about some snow in the area. All weekend, the forecast had been "clear". But here it was, the snow. And heavy snow. We thought it would quit so weren't too excited but it kept coming down and now the forecasters are prediciting several inches of the white stuff.

We packed up and headed home.

It was trecherous, the first 30 miles or so, but the further north we got, the better the roads. We have learned since that 7 inches of snow fell in that area. Wouldn't that make for good snowshoeing!

I apologize for the orange cap BUT there are still hunters out there! and it was the only one I had with me. I am such a summer person I am surprised that I had such a good time in the snow.

I woke up Sunday morning with the the word SLED in my head. I should have called in the grandchildren. The pond was frozen over and wouldn't they have had fun sliding (skating) on the pond. The sledding would have been good too and it was warm enough that they could have played outside all day with only the occasional hot chocolate stop in the warm cabin.

I have forewarned my children about future "snow days" . . . hopefully it will still be this year!

Shagbark III

Our #1 Son made the sign, and others. I like the signs. He gave us some last year for Christmas and more this year. Very cool. Can this Nana say that . . . "very cool"????

Blogless in Missouri . . . 'til now!

For gosh sakes. Himself only sits at work every day with his feet on his desk. You would think he could post something in here especially after we just spent two days in a Winter Wonderland this past weekend. Yes! we finally found snow at III. Found snow and frolicked in it. Had nice mild days, 6 or 7 inches of snow on the ground and cold, clear nights. The cold clear nights don't bother us anymore, not with the cabin insulated and the propane heater.

Well, I take that back, about the heater. Himself, a throw back to less civilized times, still gets up to feed the woodstove even tho he wouldn't need to but it is habit and that is okay.

We drove down on Saturday morning. I shoved the ol' man out to unpack and put away and I headed back to Princeton to my second favorite consignment shop. I also picked up a few groceries but the one and only thing he wanted me to pick up in town, well, I just plain forgot it. It wasn't an emergency or needed right this minute, but still! you would think I could remember the one thing he wanted!

We experimented this weekend. Himself gave me a pair of snowshoes for Christmas so I experiemented with them. I had done some research but put them on and hiked with relatively little trouble. Sometimes I would forget I had them on and end up with one on top the other which does not allow me to take the next step. A few times I got them tangled in sticks or such and bumbled around a bit but one time I did just plain fall. In my research, I had read that if you fall with them on, in order to get up, well, just do it! So, I just did it and it was pretty ungainly and not graceful at all.

We also experimented with dehydrated foods, self heating foods, etc. The reason we are experimenting with these is we want some food stuff that we can leave at the cabin and not worry about it freezing or expiring. We might bop in sometime on the spur of the moment, or get snowed in an extra day or two and don't want to have to resort to boiling tree bark or eating moss or bugs!

The freeze-dried foods look like they will be the best bet. They have long shelf lives and only need boiling water and someone to read the directions (a story for another day). They are designed for hikers and the like. Himself will order us up some C-rations and we'll try them too. Guess they are called MREs now -- Meals Ready to Eat. Designed for the military, I think.

Another experiment was baking in my cast iron dutch oven. I learned a lot on this one! (That usually means it wasn't as successful as one had hoped.) I baked biscuits and I did get them done but it took an hour and 1 wood stove and 1 propane stove. It will be easier next time and the biscuits will be prettier. Do you remember that when we first found III, I wanted a wood cook stove. Himself discouraged me (I suppose because he likes to eat and was afraid he might miss that if I was cooking on a wood stove?) so that I gave up on the idea but I might just work back around to it some day.

It was a good weekend. Hopefully, Himself will tell the rest of the story . . .

Biscuits? Pancakes?

The biscuits, due to the novice baking them, ended up browning like a pancake. But not too bad for the first time!

Kitchen, After

I now have a counter top! I know this looks cluttered but everything we have serves a purpose and it is all right there, at my fingertips. Okay, okay, the dozen metal cans that were in the cabin when we bought it are just gathering dust and there might be a few things I carried down from home that are extras -- but mainly, everything in here has a purpose. And at least I don't have to keep rearranging everything just to get a meal now!

The purpose of metal cans and containers is to keep out the mice and bugs! We swept up a quart of Japanese beetles this visit!

A Day at III

LJ is up early, about 5:30. I sleep in until 7 or so, until the coffee is made, anyway. Then I crawl out. LJ has the wood fire going again but the little propane unit kept the cabin warm all night and he stayed in bed; he didn’t have to sleep in a chair feeding the fire. We have a donut and coffee, then get around and go to town. We need a sheet of plywood for my kitchen cupboard and since we need the trailer to haul it, Himself gets 4 treated 4X4 posts while we are there. Next spring he will replace the old tree trunks that are currently holding up the front porch but are starting to rot and we don't want to lose that porch!

Took the plywood to Too, to use the electric saw as I needed a couple of pieces 5+ feet by 20 inches and that would be a lot of hand sawing! Unfortunately, after we throw the wood out and plug in the 35-year old circular saw, it doesn’t work. The switch is bad. We discuss, while Himself bangs the saw on the ground and knocks it up along side the switch, that we bought the saw when we lived in our first home in Sioux City. We needed the saw when we shingled the house. So, it has been a good ol’ saw but today, it is not going to work. We take it down to the cabin to warm up. It is about 18 degrees and I’m freezing so I think maybe the saw is cold too. Himself finally takes it apart and there is 35-years' worth of sawdust packed in around the switch and it won't toggle. He clears that out and uses some WD40 and works and reworks the switch and when he puts it back together, the switch works and Himself saves the day! He is good! Working in the snow and cold, I mark out the pieces I need and even mark out notches for the corners so I won’t have to hand saw them back at III. I’m feeling mighty smug – Himself has saved me a lot of hand sawing and that cupboard should go right together!

So, we batten down the hatches again at Too and skip back to III. We get right on breakfast as that donut didn’t stick to my ribs. After eating, Himself takes the chainsaw to clear more saplings up the drive and I start in on my cupboard. I have to attach some braces to my frame, to hold the shelf so I saw several 2X4s and I have gotten pretty capable, hand sawing, and soon have the braces cut and screwed on to the frame. I no sooner think about the next step and I realize that the notches I had Himself cut out with the power saw are not big enough and I am going to have to enlarge all four notches. With the hand saw. ¾” plywood . . . oh no.

So, back to the saw but they go quicker than I had imagined and recutting my notches hasn’t been too much of a set back. I carry the shelf in and have to drop it in from the top, all the time hoping that there is enough room in there to work with it. After I drop it, I see that I still need another half inch out of two corners and not only that, I can’t get the shelf back out. Now, I am disgusted!

I wrestle that shelf and cuss and spit. But that doesn’t help so I go sit down and think it through. There might be just enough room for me to get the saw in to take out that inch. Sure enough, I wrestle it some more and wield the saw and one place I have to use the chisel. I am just about done when Himself walks in. I tell him that I will never ever attempt to build anything and he can see I’ve been in a fix but just then I knock that last bit of wood out with the chisel and the shelf falls down into place. Aha! A tight fit but it works! Himself helps me carry in the counter top, the last step, and at least it fits. Then it is just a simple matter to throw a screw in each corner of the top and I am done.

Sitting by the fire, several hours later, I say, “the next time I build . . .” oops. Already I have forgotten my promise never, ever to build another thing!

GETTIN READY-11/20/2007

Ok, this will be interesting. We are heading to III over Xgiving week-end. 4 days.
And there is a very good chance of snow, the high temperatures for the 4 days are not predictated to climb out of the mid-30's. WOW! You can bet the ol wood burning stove will be cranked up. We are taking lots of warm clothing, and lots of food, soups, stews, etc. I can hardly wait. I am looking forward to this more than a vacation in a condo. Our battery for the electricity is fully charged, so we will have lights, and we do still have the ol coleman lantern on standby.
I guess our main projects for the long week-end are: cutting and clearing the rest of the drive and up at the upper entrance. Herself wants to work on her kitchen counter, so we will have to get some plywood. The porch roof sags as the supports was built with trees, which are rotting, so I want to get some 4.4's to shore them up, but that probably won't get done until warmer weather.
We also have to stop at II and finish winterizing as I just did a partial when we were last there.
So if you don't here from us after a couple of weeks after Xgiving, you might drive to III and see if we are frozen in our tracks.
Himself

NOVEMBER 2007 UPDATE FOR OCTOBER

The last time we went to III, it was to spend the night and test out the new propane wall furnace. As the temp was to drop to the upper twenties, it would be a good test. I had worked most of the day cutting trees, etc with the new chainsaw, and was pretty well beat, so went to bed about 9:30 or so. Herself was to let the fire in the stove die down, and ignite the wall furnace, which she did. So, instead of having to get up every 2-4 hours, I would be able to sleep all night. So, what did I do? I stayed up most of the night waiting for the furnace to no longer be able to keep up with the dropping temperatures. I finally got to sleep around 3:00, and when I got up at 6:30, the cabin was still at 64 degrees and the outside temp had dropped to 27 degrees. So, the test was mainly a success, and I will be satisfied knowing the little furnace will keep up, and it was just set on low.
Now, the chainsaw. My old reliable Poulon has ran for 15 years and is still running, but seeing all the trees remaining to be downed, it was time for a biggie. I didn't get the biggest, but a mid-range Husqvarna 455 Rancher. It is a beast. When I first started it and let it idle, it reminded me of my high school years, and the guys with the souped up cars with the high performance cams, and then when I gave it the gas, it roared. It cuts thru wood like butter. Heaver, but boy does it cut. I now realize, I should have had it when we first acquired III.
We hope to spend Thanksgiving weekend, from Thurs thru Sunday, at III. I have to test out our new propane fired cooler, and hopefully maybe we will get a little snow to make the weekend complete. We will cook our turkey as the pilgrims did, over a fire. Just kidding, but it will be different than our usual Thanksgiving dinners, as there will only be the two of us.
Boi

Himself's Bright Idea

Himself, a couple of weeks ago, happened to think of the 12-Volt lights that were in the houseboat. Since we only use the boat for a playhouse now (the Grandbabes, that is), he removed the lights and the wiring and took them to III. Saturday morning we got up in good time and headed to III to get a little work done. We thought to try out the new propane wall furnace too, as the low temperatures were to be in the 30s.

You can see the result of Himself's industry in the photo above. (You can also see the skelton of my new kitchen counter to the right of the stove. I will have a 5' long counter when I decide what to use for my counter top -- then there won't be a mess sitting around like you see in this picture!)

The kitchen corner of the cabin was dark, even in the day time so when he asked me where to put the first light, I knew just where -- over the stove/sink. It was done -- and it is good. The second light was put above the kitchen table and again, it is good. We can have one on or both.

Saturday evening, after the cold and dark drove us inside, I was able to sit and read at the table. Himself, having gotten up about two hours earlier than me and after lots of fresh air and exercise, hit the sack and sawed logs. When I gave up for the day, I turned on the wall furnace and snuggled in. The furnace, on low, was plenty and Himself didn't have to get up and feed the fire.

We, at III, are living the good life!

Here is the wall furnace. It is powered by propane. In our snug little cabin, the pilot light alone furnishes heat! This may be one of my favorite conveniences only because Himself can't rest just using the woodstove as he worries and stays awake to feed the fire. He didn't have to get up once to stoke the fire this Saturday night!

Now, a little white beadboard paneling and an insulated floor and we could live here here around! Well, and some good gravel in the driveway . . .

"After" Kitchen

well, darn! You are just going to have to wait for the "after" kitchen photo.

"Before" Kitchen

A Place for Everything

and everything in its place. Yep, that is my motto. I want that at III. Himself is funny and says things like "we'll be sleeping outside in a tent". Ha, Ha. No need for a tent. Don't we have a wonderful 4-poster bed? And we don't even have to move things off of it, fold it out or make it up. There it is. Ready. Organized.

All I ask for my kitchen is organization! When I cook now, I move the picnic basket from the top of the woodstove, to the floor, to a chair. I move the dishpan from the stove top to the sink to the woodstove. I sit the hot frying pan on the hearth and move the coffee pot from the stove to the sink top to the mouse proof metal box. I go out to the front porch to get the refrigerated things out of the cooler. I just want to be able to put things in one place and not keep moving them! My new kitchen cupboard will help me get to where I am going. It will have two shelves, about 5-foot long and a counter top! Right now, I have a 9-1/2" counter top -- between the propane cook stove and the kitchen sink. Now, that 9-1/2" is more than I did have and I am not complaining -- but add another 5 foot to that and I will think I am in hillbilly heaven! (The cupboard is built of 2X4s, after all.)

Himself's new propane refrigerator will be inside the cabin, connected to the propane tank, and soon the kitchen will be laid out and organized!

Last time down, we finished insulating, we cleaned, baited wee little creatures and re-arranged the furniture. The cabin at III beckons! And if the weather holds, we will answer the call!

PS: himself just received his new "farm tough" chainsaw . . . and it WILL need field tested -- soon!

ANOTHER YEAR GOING BY(E)

We have made it to III on Oct 13, 2007, but only to work this time. We are doing the final push on insulation, and I am installing a propane wall furnace, that will hopefully take the chill off when we don't really need the woodburning stove, and also, will keep us warm enough that I don't have to get up every 3-4 hours during the nite to keep the stove fired up when it is really cold.
One great thing about III is that from early September on thru the fall, no mowing is required, which allows me plenty of time to get winterizing chores done, mowers and 4-wheeler readied for winter, and generally just a break from mowing.
The timber is changing everytime we get to III. It is amazing how it changes from week to week.
The new bridge trail will require a jog, as the section that goes up over a protruding tree root is causing some concern. We will find a new route that will bypass that section this fall.
Girl is revamping the kitchen and building a new storage cabinet. Before long, we will be staying outside in a tent as the little cabin is fast filling with storage cabinets and the like. Things keep coming, but nothing leaves.
This winter we will see if we can get into III after there is snow on the ground. We will be going onto our fourth season, and have yet to see what it looks like with snow. We have plenty of firewood, and with the new furnace we should be in good shape.
And for my birthday, #60, I might add, I will have rec'd a propane powered refrigerator/cooler, which will aleviate the necessity for hauling what seems to be tons of ice. It can also run from a 12 volt battery or electricity, which we don't have.
I do need to get a new chain saw, as my old Poulon is finally starting to wear out. Its about 15 yrs old and has cut down far more trees than it was intended for. Anyway it has been retired to II where it will live out the remainder of its life. The new saw will be an extra heavy duty one.
I have trees to cut.
Boi

First Day of Fall

and we won't be in Mo checking out signs that summer will soon be behind us and winter just ahead. Instead, Himself and I will be in other states -- Himself, keeping his promise that we will have other destinations at least once a year.

So, we will be off to Estes Park and points beyond! The extended forecast is for 70 deg days and lows in the 40s with only a chance of rain or two. We go seeking back roads, old towns and buildings and mountain roads. We are off to seek adventure! (pretty tame adventure, but adventure non the less!)

And don't forget WORK

Himself, with the help of our two grandsons (Jack, left, Joe, right), mixed cement this weekend and poured another support for the ol' cabin. The boys were interested and helpful. Himself glad to be busy and doing. On Tuesday, with the quiet descending after all had headed home, Himself and I poured two more supports, for the porch this time. Come time to pull that porch off and rebuild, we will have all the prep work done, less one. Can't get to the front middle support of the cabin until the porch comes off. The last week of September, we vacation for a week in Estes Park. Looks as though it is going to be October -- or Spring 08 !! -- before we get to that porch. Time flies . . . For helping, "the boys" got their names in the concrete.

Water Balloons. Sitting in the Shade. Appetites.

Family Reunion

It turned into a wonderful family weekend with all but Johanna and Audrianna in attendance. The weather was perfect! Warm enough for the little ones to swim during the day but cool enough at night for some good sleeping! Kristy and Tony brought a hammock and yard games and camped on the Lake Lots. Himself smoked two kinds of meat. We had watermelon, home grown tomatoes, cukes and ice cream cones. We played at the beach, rode the 4-wheeler at III, played volleyball. The little ones had the houseboat for playhouse, 3 swings, animals, fish and insects to discover (and disect in some cases). There were falls, bumps and bruises and contusions but fortunately no stitches! There were hugs and kisses and good times.

I loved every minute of it! Thanks for coming, thanks for loaning me the bairns and let's do it again next year! Love, Ma

Look out Missouri!

Some of the Hofs and families will be descending upon Too and III this coming weekend. Himself and I can hardly wait to get there -- in fact, Himself will go down a day ahead to mow both places, as needed. I will have to work Friday but will take an extra day on Tuesday as The Fontanas are vacationing here from Illinois and 5 of our 6 beautiful grandbabes will be there too. Mrs. Frey, Son Hof and who knows who all will be in and out this weekend. We are looking forward to good times and good weather!

Labor Day is meant to be a day of celebration for the working man (and woman) but it seems to have become a symbol of the end of summer. I suppose because all the schools are starting, it is the end of summer for the children -- but it won't be me!

I will not be sad nor nostalgic as I will look forward to many good days in Mo this year. Happy Labor Day!

A summer storm

The camera caught some of the rain drops, to my surprise!

Dog Days, II

We were up and at it fairly early today. Okay, I'll retract as I'm sure Himself will set the world straight, if I don't. I think I slept until 8:00 or so while Himself got up at 6 a.m. But, it didn't take me long to get started. So I worked on my garden and Himself held the porch down. I pulled garden fence posts and measured and straightened and rechecked for "square" and then Himself helped me reset two or three fence posts (pound in with a sledge hammer) as he told me I was a wimp. And I let him!

While I pulled and dug weeds out of the garden, Himself took breakfast duty even tho it was my turn so that by the time I was starving, there was bacon, eggs and toast and even fresh tomato! Bless his heart. Then, the day got so oppresive that we sat on the porch and watched while the sky closed in with thunderheads and the rumblings of thunder started off to the south. The clouds rolled through, the wind picked up and finally, while we waited, it just opened up and poured. Some lightening but more noise then anything -- and about 1/3 inch of rain but we enjoyed every drop of it.

If you are reading this backwards -- or from the middle out -- click Here to see video and hear the thunder!

III's Bounty

if you are reading this in 2008, click here to go back . . .

Dog Days

We arrived at III shortly after noon as we had to mow at Too this morning (it had rained Friday and the grass is wet). Saturday is on it's way to being a hot, humid dog day in MO. Himself has to mow both the clearing and the "top" so he is immediately on the mower and going at it. I jump in the Jeep and run to Bethany where I visit my favorite consignment shop and my unfavorite Wal-Mart. Upon my return, I find Himself at the cabin, waiting for me. Fortunately, for both of us, he has not waited long. He needs the Jeep and the jumper cables to get the mower started again. Darn mower, anyway. The mower starts and Himself goes off in the heat of the day to finish mowing the top. It is 90+ and humid with a heat index of 100, at least, and mowing is a hot, dirty job. I am not very ambitious but manage to set up my new sink resevoir, my new wash stand (a present from the children) and a few other odd jobs until the walkie talkie crackles and Himself is calling 911 for the Jeep and the battery cables again so off I go, at his beck and call! (I am not complaining! Here I come to save the day! Nancy is on her way!!)

Before going to town, I asked Himself if he needed a new battery for the mower. No. Okay.

Himself starts the mower again and off he goes, down the lane, headed back to the cabin. I am loaded with water containers so I take it easy and slow so as not to slosh but I soon catch up to him and the cantankerous mower. This time the belt has come off. Himself is busy, pushing, pulling, straining. At one point, I think he is about to push the mower over the edge of the ravine and let her roll! But the "otherside" sits in the Jeep with the air conditioner running, just pretty well entertained -- although I don't smile and I don't offer any comments or suggestions! Finally, the belt is on, the mower starts, and all is right with the world.

The rest of the day goes well, as long as one doesn't labor in the sun and drinks plenty of liquids. I pick tomatoes -- finally and eat them with barely a washing! We have supper and sit on the porch and wait for it to cool down. We have a long wait, this evening.

A tired, hot mower

BOI'S DEFENSE

OK, in defense of my actions pertaining to the outhouse dig, first of all it was hot and muggy. I wouldn't have minded helping except most of the time we discuss herself's projects before we (she) jumps in with both feet. As we hadn't gotten to III on a regular schedule this year, my first priority is to keep mowed what we have cleared. It usually takes 4-5 hours of steady mowing just to accomplish this and that's if there are no problems with the equipment, such as having to jump start equipment, fill flat tires, etc. And this does not include mowing the trails, which takes another up to 2 hours if all goes well, such as the belt coming off or getting stuck and having to be towed back by a maniac driving a 4-wheeler. Herself is not aware of the times the belt comes off the mower, and all the sticks, limbs, branches, etc that I have to stop and pick up. And unless it has just rained, I and the equipment are covered with dust and dirt and insects. So, yes, I , when I get done spending hours on the mowers, oh and I forgot, after I do all that mowing, I hook up the trail cutter, fill it with gas, check the oil, etc and go mow with that for an hour or two. So, when done, yeh, i'm ready for a shower and to get cooled off, and drink an ice cold beer. So while yes, my beautiful stubborn wife labored at the outhouse, and I do admire her for that, it wasn't that big a deal. She did her thing, I did mine. That's the way its supposed to be. Both jobs got done, we both survived, and most important of all, we're still talking.
Himself

Too's New Cornerstone

Etched in Stone, almost

Himself worked hard this weekend at Too. The old cabin had settled at the corners. She’s been droopy and needing a face lift for a few years. The porch has settled too, enough that the door won’t always open all the way and the porch has pulled away from the cabin.

This weekend was a preliminary “prep” weekend leading up to a bigger, better weekend this fall when it is cooler. We will pull the porch floor off, replace the porch columns, and pour concrete porch supports – and then put her all back together. If we are lucky. Or determined.

It was a bear of a weekend -- 90 degrees and humid. Just walking in the sun caused the sweat to pour from his brow so Himself worked in the shade, took advantage of the breeze and rested frequently. He got three of the supports done Saturday. Each support involved digging dry, packed Missouri dirt out from under the cabin (not to be mistaken nor compared with the impacted granite dust at III). There also would have been at least one cement block at each post, sometimes two -- which the cabin, plumbed and leveled, originally set on. They had settled and been sucked into the clay and had to be hacked out too.

My job this Saturday was to go to town for groceries, cement mix and, of course, the garage sales. After I returned, I was designated Tote and Fetcher (my Dad’s term) –the “go get this” “go do that” person but I am used to this role so I Toted and Fetched and helped however I could.

And at the cabin’s “corner stone”, Himself left a sweet surprise . . . the other side

Lap of Luxury or is that "Seat of Luxury"?

A while back, Himself received a battery-operated light bulb as a gift from Kristy and knew immediately where he would hang it. It looks realistic and almost fools the eye . . . and comes in right handy for those middle of the night runs.

Sunday Challenge

Yesterday while I plugged away at the outhouse pit, Himself took off on the big mower to mow the “top”, the entryway, to our little hideaway. He finished that up then decided to mow some of the trails so after a late breakfast, off he rode. I was preoccupied with the “pit” and busy. When he left, he had taken the walkie-talkie and given me the mate and told me if he had any trouble, he’d let me know via the little two-way radio.

After an hour or so, here he was on the walkie-talkie. Will you come on the 4-wheeler and bring the battery and battery cables. Okay. But easier said then done. I dragged and carried the heavy marine battery to the front porch and backed the 4-wheeler up to the porch. I managed, out of shrill will, to get the battery up and loaded and I was off to the rescue!

The mower deck had become wedged between two dirt banks. It had died and now the mower wouldn’t start. Himself hooked the battery charger up but still the mower wouldn’t start so he got the tow line and hooked the mower to the 4-wheeler. I could tell he was torn. Should I (i.e. the woman) ride the mower (linked BACKWARDS to the 4-wheeler) or should I drive the 4-wheeler and tow him riding backwards? Finally, Himself told me to get on the 4-wheeler, instructed me what gear, etc, and told me he would steer the mower backwards as I pulled him back up the trail. I was a bit nervous, as I’ve not had much experience towing and was much more nervous after he didn’t like the way I was turning the 4-wheeler around on the narrow path. I almost got off and told him to do it himself. I did tell him, come turn this around but he instructed and I persisted and soon the mower was attached by towline to the 4-wheeler.

He was riding backwards and couldn’t see that because of the torque on the mower, caught between two dirt ledges, the 4-wheeler, even in low gear and 4-wheel drive, was being pulled sideways towards a tree. I was fighting it and doing my best. He yelled. I stopped. I tried again. He yelled. I stopped. I tried to explain what was happening. He didn’t care. He didn’t verbalize that but I could tell by “the look”. So I tried again and got the “mule” back on the trail and we got to moving. I was a little unsteady at first and must have gone faster than he wanted and he yelled, “go slow!” On the down hills, the mower would roll and catch up to me. On the up hills, the rope would tighten and I would tow him up the hill. After a bit, I decided I was going to enjoy this no matter what. I was learning and doing something I hadn’t before. I laughed out loud and soon I was pulling him more steadily, at the low speed Himself demanded. So up the trail – and down – and soon we had the mower and Himself back in the shade at the cabin.
Back at the cabin, we both laughed and congratulated each other on the successful mission and will await the next challenge.

Saturday Evening

After a delicious evening meal Saturday evening, we were sitting on the porch relaxing. Himself had had his shower back in the timber and I was looking forward to mine but one of the projects I had outlined for myself today was pulling the run-away dock out of the pond. I told Himself that I was going to put on the mud boots and see if I could get the dock to shore before I went and showered.

So I donned the boots. Himself said he’d better come along in case I needed help and I waded out into the pond. I pried the dock up with a pole but could hardly budge it as there was still one pole attached to the dock and embedded in the muddy bottom of the pond. After working at it several minutes, Himself offered to go get the 4-wheeler and maybe we could get a hook on it with the tow line. I was in deep enough now that water was running in the top of the boot and the boots were getting stuck in the suction of the soft mud bottom. I was floundering, my broken toe pulling against the quicksand. I had to reach down and literally pull the boot out of the mud with my hands. Then Himself came and threw me the line and I hooked the dock. After trial and error and ungainly action in the pond, we wrestled the dock to shore. We gotter done.

Afterwards, sitting on the porch, relaxing and talking about how to fasten the recovered dock to shore, we had a brainstorm. We’ll build a new dock 8' or 10’ square so fishermen can take their chair and tackle box down to fish or I can take 5 or 6 grandchildren down to look and sail leaf boats. Or Himself and I can just go down and kick back! We will build a new dock. After all, Himself is a professional dock builder. Practically.

Now, if we are going to build a new dock, why did we go to all that trouble to wrangle the old dock?

Weekend Adventures

We have had fun at III this weekend. We also had some tense moments and frustration but over all it was a great stay. I decided Saturday to get at that new pit for the outhouse. It was almost imperative that this chore get done! I had marked it out last visit, it was in the shade and although the temperature was going to get up to 90 degrees, there was a nice breeze and not much humidity. So I got at it. The ground was dry and the digging hard but as I chipped away at what felt like impacted granite dust, I kept thinking I would get down to something resembling soil – soil with some moisture in it. In Iowa if I dig down two feet (8” even) I will find moist soil. After working on and off all day and into the next, I was down about two feet and it was still dry as a bone. Each time the spade hit the ground, it hurt my wrists and my elbows protested. I’d work awhile, go rest, work awhile, go do something else. I couldn’t seem to get Himself interested in the project (now what made me think I could?). I tried telling him a few times how hard the ground was but he had other projects, other things to do and didn’t seem interested so I kept chipping away.

Finally, Saturday evening, we were sitting on the porch talking about our day and the subject of the pit came up. Guess I had reached my limit with it and I let Himself know that I wanted him to look the situation over and I wanted him to do it right now! So we walked down and reviewed the situation. Himself took the spade and nudged the bottom of the pit a bit and said, well, he was cleaned up now (he had showered) so he’d put some time in on it “tomorrow”. It would be cooler in the morning.

True to his word, Himself strolled down to the pit about 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning and tapped the spade four times on the hard bottom of the pit, exclaimed “Jesus Christ!” threw down the spade, and walked away. Oh Great! Now what? I thought. We need that pit finished and if Himself can’t dig it, how can I? But then Himself came back and offered some free advice: dynamite (I didn’t have any and believe me I had already considered that idea!) and water. Soak the bottom with water. I had already considered that too but I had thrown the idea out as water and Missouri soil means big, sticky gooey clumps of mud-like cement but, up against the wall, I took the pail to the pond and carried up a bucket of pond water and threw it into the pit.

Then I went away and weeded some in the garden, made some little wire mouse bait cages as we think something bigger than mice has been feasting on the D-Conn, did this and that and then went back to work on the pit. The water worked but, as I knew it would, it played havoc trying to get that mud/cement off the spade. Sometimes, I would just get down and throw the mud out w/my leather gloved hands. Himself came along and helped a few times and about mid day, we decided we were ready to make the move. We nailed together a 4X4 treated wood frame, leveled it and “walked” the outhouse over. Himself sunk some screws through outhouse and 4X4s and I stapled chicken wire around the bottom to keep out the creatures that have been chewing through the outhouse walls. We are good to "go" for a a bit!

At Last!

Tomatoes at III! But, will they still be there -- and eatable -- this weekend?

We will head to Missouri on Friday. We hope to get an early start and are anxious to be there. We think that MO has had rain so there will probably be mowing on the to do list.

Priority List

Himself and I lolled about on Sunday. I trimmed up a few trees and found a new spot to which to move the outhouse. We have decided a new outhouse has to be moved up the priority list. At least a new outhouse hole, must be a priority.

So, I will dig the hole, lay down 4X4’s for a base and we'll scootch the outhouse over a few feet, atop the 4X4s. We'll staple wire to the bottom of the outhouse and 4X4s to keep creatures from chewing their way in and fill the old hole with dirt. In a few years, we'll have lovely flowers or a shrub growing and blooming there!

This "move" will be a temporary measure to give me time to build a new outhouse behind the cabin where I have had a hole started for a year or better. One thing about it, there's always next year -- the Lord willing and the creek don't rise . . . the other side

Summer Day

90+ degrees and humid. It is Saturday and we are at III. Thank goodness for the shade of the porch and trees and the nice breeze. We will just spend part of a day but it has been several weeks since I have been here and it feels good.

Because of the heat, we don’t have any big projects planned and Himself took an extra day of vacation and was here yesterday to mow. We just loaf about. I tackle a small project of a wooden rack to hold my new bits and feel as though I cheat because I use the battery-powered drill to do it. I should have used my hand brace! But it is done and behind me and I will have other opportunities to use “hand” power.

Himself’s brother and wife stopped in, late morning. It was their first visit to III. Himself took them each around the trails on the 4-wheeler and I think they both enjoyed it. We had a pleasant visit, caught up on families and partook of a late lunch featuring Himself’s smoked pork loin and fresh, homegrown green beans.

It was a good summer day . . . the other side

Larry and Pat, come back soon! I forgot to take your picture to put in here; it is a rule! You have to have your photo in the Blog!

Isn't he handsome?

Dana was sure glad to see this guy. He had started to think there were was nothing but Blue Gill left in the pond. But after a fun, short struggle, this ol' channel cat came to Daddy -- and got put back for another day.

First bridge trail

This is one of my most favorite spots on III. We have talked about putting a picnic area some where around here. Himself's first (and not last) bridge is at the bottom of the photo which is part of the reason I like it so. The terrain is rugged, the trees close. There are delicate wild flowers hidden away and huge rough boulders. It is beautiful!

Me Too

I miss III. Last weekend we went to Too and did the mowing and some maintenance and sat on the porch in the wonderful summer evening and enjoyed. I did hope we would get to III, tho, to check on the game cam, the tomatoes, the flowers, the timber, the trails . . . but we didn't. Maybe, barring the birth of a babe, we will get there this weekend. It would be good even just for a day, just to make some discovery! Here Maddie Mae and Nana discover wild strawberries. .

Shag Too

Comfort at Too. This is a first, putting in a photo from Too -- but Himself commented on it in his last entry so it is called for . . .

Neighbor

Our game cam finally came through. We got this photo of a young doe. I said I was embarrassed though, that any deer of ours was so scrawny. I will feed her corn and give her a salt block! But, no hunting allowed!