Russ-Stick Acres: 40 acres

Showing posts with label 40 acres. Show all posts

Sunday, July 10, 2011

1/3 Living - Deep Wood Thoughts

As I sat in a camp chair within our tiny cabin porch the other night,

I reflected on our first couple nights “off grid”.

Zip was by my feet, her nose just inches from the fresh air of the screen door.

It was dusk and darkness was closing in. Earlier, as I walked into the woods to approach the cabin, the birds were singing and pats (partridges) were flying up as Zip and I neared their nook. But now, it was dead silence except for the gentle snoring of Russ, deep inside the cabin walls. My eyes were attempting to adjust to the darkness, as the sun drained from the tree-cluttered sky.

As darkness finally overcame dusk, the fireflies began their syncopated dance among the trees. In the distance, I could hear the yipping of a coyote and a neighbor dog, a mile or so away, on the wind.

While watching the fireflies burst their light forth, HOLD IT, and darken, I thought to myself…is that me? Am I like a firefly, bursting with the light of Jesus for some to see at times, and then fade out quickly, never to be seen again?

Is that me? Saved by faith and grace, bold for Christ, but only in short staccato bursts?

I pondered this thought as I watched the fireflies. Soon the darkness and silence took over, causing my head to bob from the weight of the day's chores.

As the tiny candle was blown out for the night, and the cabin was immersed in total darkness, my thoughts began to churn. Laying on my sleeping bag, in complete utter "out in the middle of the woods" darkness, I thought I must let my light shine.

However, it isn't up to me.

As I die to myself,

Christ will fill me and I will become like a cracked pot,

or perhaps a firefly...

with light shining through…God willing.

Matthew 16:24-25

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,

and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Until tomorrow, truly God willing.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

1/3 Living - Going Off Grid

It's been brewing for a while. A change...a desire.

Something needed to be altered. We needed LESS...

Truth is, God has graced us with so much abundance...
and we are eternally grateful for that fact.

However, for us, less is more.

I knew things would change the day I ~~retired~~...er, retreated from working a "normal", leave-home type job.

But the change was put off, as we were so busy with dog sled rides...

And then, just surviving winter...

In addition, as the dog sled rides waned, and maple syrup season began, we were busy with other projects, including a nice long stay from a 12-year old boy, who stole the hearts of many, including ours, while here at our place.

Jordan, peeking into the Trail Cam, upon a nightly visit.

Simply stated, we put it off.

Then, it was time for Jordan to return home.

And a mere 4 days later, Russ was injured in a fall, where his horse, Raz, rolled on his leg, landing him on crutches.

Now, having lost June, and sliding into July, a change is due.

Truth is, we want to see what it would be like to live without electricity or running water.

At the Bear's Den cabin. On our "back 10"...

We spent the 4th there all day. Working, then taking a nice afternoon nap in the heat of the day. It felt so right. As Russ dozed off, and Zip sighed by my feet, I laid there in the cool of the cabin, listening to the Hermit Thrush sing his soulful tune just outside the homemade screen door. I felt a million miles from any one, any place. Far from the world, but closer than ever to God.

Yes, it is time for our Independence Day. We are moving in tomorrow.

We won't be taking much, as we want to truly have what we only need.

It's 8 x 10. Quiet and secluded.

We're adding a small chicken coop, for breakfast eggs. We will be utilizing 3 Buff Orphingtons, one of whom just hatched 5 chicks, who are growing like weeds. We will move the 3 adults and the 5 chicks. No rooster at this time, even though we have several to choose from. We'll see what morphs into being with the chicks. I'm sure there's a rooster or two in the bunch.

We decided to use a dog house, which has never been used as such, for our new coop. Here it is ...

Of course fencing to be added to protect the chickens, and this unique house will be put up on stumps.

Now, around back, to the new dog yard area. (Outhouse is to the right.)

This will be the new (dog yard) home of our "Fab Four". Broccoli, Skunk, Knik, and Malakai.

More on that later.

NOTE: We are not downsizing or getting rid of any animals. Just trying something new.

So, stay tuned, as we take this step and move "out back" for the next year. We'll be using the dogs and horses more and more for power as we try to get back to an even simpler way of life.

Until tomorrow, God willing.