Kids noticed black smoke out our front window emanating from the trees so Claire and I went to investigate.
You know the delay in your brain that happens when you expect to see one thing (like a bonfire with tires) and there is something entirely different (a burning vehicle) and your not sure there’s a person in there or not? Yeah.
About the time my brain registered what was going on, there was a small explosion, probably the battery, which really startled me. Then my neighbor saw me and hollered at me to get away in case the gas tank explodes.
Time is so strange, it seems to happen so slowly but really it was just seconds.
So at least I knew the old Capt was okay, he was standing in the street. We were both on the phone with 911.
I’m so thankful that our neighbor seems to be okay and the fire didn’t spread to his cabin. The fire department arrived very quickly too.
Yesterday we had a window of opportunity. A light mist and fog in the morning which tapered off by late morning. Then few hours of no rain! And, *gasp* a couple hours of sunshine! It’s been so long since we had sunshine I nearly forgot what it looked like.
What is that brightness in the sky??
We were able to sheet the carport roof and get the metal up. Sans one edge of trim, and stitch screws to finish up today.
After work I came home and planted daffodil and tulip bulbs in the dark. I figured that window of opportunity was fixing to close. Then I made dinner. Thus I forgot to post.
Later today my Seester arrives for a long visit. I’m so excited!!!
A late season build, a timber frame carport. Got as far as the rafters set before the snow put a halt to the roof going on. Waiting for a dry clear day to finish it off.
Today was busy. BOW hunter education course with Thing 1 & Mo. We’ve been studying and preparing for two weeks now. There’s a lot of info to take in.
Study manual.
Thankfully we all passed the written and field test. Woo hoo.
My qualifying target. Shot pattern being the deciding factor.
These classes aren’t offered down here on the Kenai very often, usually in Anchorage. So not having to travel in winter is great!
The classes are hosted at Snowshoe Gun Club. They have a very nice facility. We had great instructors too.
It was nice to get a good refresher course, it’s been a minute since I took a hunter safety course. This one was more in depth than I remember. Experiencing the course with my girl was nice too. She did quite well and is a pretty dang good shot. Don’t mess with her.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to take the class, thanks to Mo for suggesting it. And grateful for the shared experience. Happy that I remembered far more than I forgot from all those years ago. Hunting and firearm safety is a lot like riding a bicycle, but it’s good having a refresher!
(BOW stands for Becoming an Outdoor Woman, it’s not an archery course)
Warm gear is essential when building outside in the winter. Some days even double layers beneath your insulated outerwear is essential. Without the insulated gear life is utterly miserable and those work days drag on.
My old Carhartts have seen better days. I’ve been wearing them for five years now I think. They were gifted to me by my friends Sam & Vanessa. They were a real blessing at the time and I’ve been grateful for their warmth.
I’ve patched them and tried to keep them serviceable for a couple of winters now. But the time has come that they need to be retired. These can become spares for the cabin.
Patches
I’ve been looking for a good used pair at the thrift stores for some time now to no avail. Even then a pair will be about $40 used. Heavens knows I don’t want to pay Freddy’s price of $200 for a pair! Today when we went for lunch at the local hardware store… Yes, you read that right… They were having a storewide sale and low and behold their insulated gear was included. And they had women’s wear and not just men’s!!
So for a little more than twice thrift price I have a brand new pair of insulated bibs, (that fit right & are long enough) to keep me toasty while working in the snow. I’m so excited! Lots of pockets & a hammer loop too! Woo hoo!
New Ariat insulated bibs, with pockets!!
Plus we had a great grilled panini and homemade soup at the Old Goat Cafe.
We’ve been busy this summer working and doing everything else so our woodshed is looking pretty empty. For the last two Sundays we’ve been felling beetle kill at an elder friend’s house. Both to keep her safe and fill our heating needs. It’s a win-win.
Everyone helps, in some way or another. But of course it’s the biggest and strongest who do most of the work.
The wood stacker
The felling feller
The red dot in the brush pile is the little guy staying out of harm’s way.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
We’ve dropped 7 trees at her place, with a couple more to go. Those beetles have been busy. That has given us with a full cord and a half. 5 more cord to go. It takes a lot to heat this big old house when it gets cold.
The biggest helper trying to avoid the camera. He’s cute when he’s not making scary faces
Alaska on my mind... 