City Chick...a-Dee

I never realized I would have a hard sell in the city.  

Last winter, nestled deep in the woods, my birds appreciated me.  

Upon walking in, they would greet me with songs and calls.  

Then, without an invitation, they would land on my head.

I would tell them to wait...but I always had a smile while doing so.

They were my buddies...one of my simple daily joys.

And now, as winter is approaching, it has been decided I will stay in the city, assisting family.

In the city on the bay.

But there's a slight problem.

Although the deer in the city are tame(ish).

The Chickadee's...not so much.

So starts the hard sell.  

I've been trying to win them over for the last couple months.  

I hope they become like my other feathered friends, who live deep in the woods.  

I would venture out of the cabin in the morning and upon my head they would perch.  

One time I drove 1/2 mile away and got out of the truck, and upon my head they landed.  

Sometimes they would sit on the wiper blade, waiting for me to exit the truck, peeking in.

But the city ones?  So far, I've only had one land on my hand.

Now if only I could get the turkey's to show up also.  

Life in the city would get a little better. 

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...

Sherry

P.S.  I hope my feathered friends in the woods, 40 miles south, will not think I abandoned them this winter.  Who knows, perhaps they will find me if they fly north.  I can only dream.  

Old Things New Again

I'm back.  

Back to the world of Blogging.

Old-School.

I'm going to check in daily, Lord willing.

Come along for the ride...

Until tomorrow, Lord willing.

Sherry

1st Year of Berean Bush Living

Welcome Friends.  I wonder what your life is like…as spring emerges.

I was at an outdoor Auction this past weekend (up north, not far from the Mackinac Bridge) when I felt like I had emerged from a long winter.  Call me “Ursa” (Latin word for Bear).  I don’t travel in the winter, so my outings are few and far between over the long winter months, with only local travel.  Even so, the winter went by fast... until a week ago. 

Excited to spend time with my beloved visiting son and his sweet sweet girlfriend last week, I “poo poo’ed” the warnings of a storm.  Everyone was talking about it, but I didn’t hear it.  It even escalated to Severe warnings on my weather radio, but I showed casual interest…as my calendar showed mid-April.  J   But late Friday night when I stoked my woodstove and laid my head down to peer at the moon out my small “south” window, I drifted off to sleep with warm thoughts of a day well spent with my loved ones.  Then…it happened.  I woke to a “rush of heavy snow” sliding crashing off the metal roof to the ground.  Oh my…I haven’t heard anything quite like that all winter.  I reached over to stoke the stove, and slipped back down deep into my sleeping bag.  Then it happened again.  Woosh!  THUMP.

All night long it continued…Woosh…THUMP, and again….Woosh, THUMP.  Upon awakening Saturday morning, I thought “this can’t be good”.  The night before, I had pulled my truck deep into the woods, not heeding the warnings of the impending storm.  The truck was now “buried” – going nowhere, no time soon.  In the next 24-36 hours we would have 22” of snow.  (Actually, I believe that is a conservative figure.)  Short story is…I couldn’t get out of the woods, with the truck, OR on foot.  I tried…but the snow was SO DEEP I couldn’t walk in it without snow shoes.  It didn’t help that the snow had the consistency of sugar/sand.  This had landed on previous snow, and so far this month alone we have had 39”.  (A local record was said to be broken…)  I headed back to the cabin, struggling through the snow, and settled in.  The classical story of the boy with his grandfather and the goat...buried in their cabin…came to mind.  "Buried in the Snow" by Franz Hoffmann.

It was later in the day that Russ showed up to “rescue me”.  Good thing…as I was low on H20 and “substantial” food.  (I usually head up mid-day to tend to the dogs and when I didn’t that day, he knew there was a problem.)  We don’t use phones for such things.  Wouldn’t work anyway, since only one of us has one.  But I’m only ½ mile away… {And yes...I could have melted snow...) 

  

On the way out to the main lane, which was also sketchy, I stepped off the narrow path and went down nearly to my hip on one leg.  Unless a friend, or tree, {or a thick-coated-eager-to-please canine} is near to grab hold of, it’s difficult to get free as the snow holds you firm.  Like quicksand.  {Sidebar:  I had just watched Pilgrim’s Progress several days prior, and know full well the dangers of straying from “the narrow path”.  During the movie, I kept thinking…Christian…don’t get off the path again!!  Isn’t that how life is…we can see it so clearly when it’s someone else who is “in trouble”…or making wrong choices.}

Well, the next five days were rough.  I won’t bore you with the details, but after five days, an angel was finally dispatched to come and plow me out, at what I felt was minimal cost.  {When one is desperate, you are willing to pay dearly.}  This was in addition to the usual front-end loader driver who had tried on Sunday night, but couldn’t get in the woods due to too much snow.  My truck finally got out, and I felt such a relief.  It still isn’t easy getting around, a week later.  But having the wind stop blowing, and the sun shining brightly…sure makes trudging through a wintery slop in my knee-high MUCK boots bearable.

But the best thing of all was the “wake up call” I received in this storm.  Some of the plans I had for next year, including moving the sled dogs deep in the woods, are scratched.  Bottom line, I need them near the water source.  I truly would have had an impossible time getting water for that many critters, plus me. 

And I know one thing…I’m getting a new-fangled pair of snowshoes.  I do treasure the old ones, but need something lightweight to skitter over the snow.  {Catching your tips and falling in snowshoes is no picnic either…}

So in a week’s time, the weather went from deadly to drop-dead gorgeous.  At the Auction, exactly one week later, the sun glistened off the remaining snow on the auctioned-off property.  Temps climbed into the 50’s.  You saw sheer enjoyment in all you came in contact with – people came out in droves to enjoy the sounds of the auction rings and announcers and visit with their neighbors.  Spring is near!   I even ended up with a sunburn! My Amish friends did too…as they were working the food booth at the Auction.  (YUM…I headed home with a pan of cinnamon rolls, a groaningly delicious loaf of bread, and chocolate-ty whoopee pies…YUM indeed.)  I also loaded up a couple of newly constructed Bluebird houses, sold by the bright-eyed smiling Amish boys at the Auction.  Perfect timing, as I plan to set up a Bluebird trail on my “ten”.  (Days before the big storm I saw a bright blue male BB checking out an old BB house, near the Wee.) 

In addition, it was so good to be up in my “old stomping grounds” and view Little Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan) half open, half covered with ice.  Beautiful country…northern lower Michigan.

As I headed south at the end of a long day of auction and errands (oil change for my truck/critter feed at Tractor Supply, etc.) I felt renewed.  I had survived the winter.  I was looking forward to getting back to my little cabin in the woods. 

In addition, I am looking forward to the summer and preparation for another winter (firewood, etc.).  Twelve cord served me well this year.  This morning, “Woody”, my Pileated Woodpecker was thrilled to find 2 new suet cakes right outside my window in the cake feeder.  He is such a fixture – visits daily.  One of my many “day brighteners”.

This morning I enjoyed my morning cabin coffee (with water heated with a foldable Sterno Camp stove) while watching the riotous antics at my bird feeder.  Besides Woody, I have goldfinches, a bevy of other woodpeckers, 3 black squirrels, several red squirrels, emerging chipmunks, chickadees (of course) and more.  I’ve also had a tall red fox visit several times, one time almost crossing paths with me!  Who can blame him for wanting to check out the flurry of activity?  Of course there are more critters, such as the raccoon that raided my birdfeeder one moonlit evening.  And I look forward to the return of the deer, (and yes, even porkies and skunks…) 

How about you?  Did you survive the winter?  I hope so…J

Until next time…Lord willing,

Sherry

P.S.  If you are wondering why I moved out to my little cabin on April 23, 2017, a year ago, here’s the beginning of the story back in April of 2015...  The SEEKER.   

The rest of the story, my story… is forthcoming.  Woosh…THUMP. 

Woodsy Winter

Yep...I'm here.  Winter is in full swing.

And my little woodstove is firing hot.  All is well.  Lots of firewood remains to swing into spring.

The chickadees aren't even waiting for me to get to the cabin before they come land on my head.  Are they beggars... or do they like me?  I won't answer that...

I'll check in soon.  I'm writing, but have to go from pen to paper, to lap top, to thumb drive, to local Library.  It takes some doing, but I'm committed.  Lots to tell...stay tuned.

Miss you all..."see" you soon, should the Lord tarry.

S

P.S.  No cabin fever...yet.

P.S.S.  Coyotes a plenty - view in broad daylight.  They don't give me a second thought.

Peace...and Quiet

Hello Friend -

I'm still here...still living in my small cabin on ten acres, waiting for winter to set in. 

In the meantime, I have the chickadees landing on my fingers when I call to them, trusting me for their treats. 

Life is simple - my "Berean Bush Living". 

I'll check in more soon, Lord willing, and fill you in on the stories that are piling up.

Until then, be blessed.

Sherry

 

Night Scare

My journal continues…

Tuesday, May 30th

A nightly visitor shows up at my cabin.  The question is...who?  Or what?

I wonder…  Coyote tracks and deer abound, but who is breathing near my head on the outside wall of the cabin?  In the still of the night, that can be quite disconcerting. 

That was just the beginning of my "scary nights".  I had a different scare the night before.  I brought fresh-from-the-mill wood scraps to burn to take the chill off the night air.  Well…my stove “took off”.  Upon opening the top lid, an ember floated down beneath a crack in floor boards.  Also a crack appeared in the chimney leading to the heavy shiny insulated chimney.  I held my breath as the fire took its time to settle down.  The little cabin heated up like never before!  The next morning I realized I dodged a bullet with a smoldering log and a perfect storm for carbon monoxide.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to my new stove getting into place soon. 

Wednesday, May 31th

Figured out my nightly visitor.  I awoke at 2:30 a.m. last night to something hovering on my porch – making lots of noise by my door.  Nails scratched on wood, schuffling leaves ensued, twigs breaking, etc.  Once again, I held my breath as I aimed my dim flashlight toward the door.  Yep...a porky was revealed.  He lumbered off, looking over his shoulder at the inconvenience of being “found out”.  He returned some time later to say “hello” on the other side of my bunk wall.  My thoughts, of course, go to when I begin bringing sled dogs out to visit.  Porkies and sled dogs don’t mix.  NOTE:  He's probably the one I came across last deer hunting season.  I was heading home after a night of hunting, and I saw a porky ambling down the lane ahead of me.  I got as close as I could and chatted with him for a while.  Well, he bristled and I chatted.  I had my .30-.30 and my side arm, but it wasn't an option.  He wasn't hurting anyone.  Yet...Lord willing. 

Until next time, should the Lord tarry…  {I’ll eventually get current...so much to tell!}

In His Love -

Sherry

 

 

Where I Lay My Head

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.”  Luke 9:58

 

 

Checking in again, my friend.  My previous journal notes were from April.  I’m months behind, so I’ll try and catch up.  Before I do, I had a thought.  This cabin living can be done on any level.  If you dedicate a “prayer closet” in your home, you can make it comfortable.  Even with this cabin living, I’m keeping my supplies at a minimum.  I procured a “bear barrel” from the local resale.  {Nothing can get in this old-timey canner.}  But I’m being careful not to have too many distractions around me…food or otherwise, so I don’t lose focus on the reason I’m there – to study the Word of God.  However, nature always has a way of capturing my attention, if not on the 10 acres I’m on, then on the other 30 acres that the property entails.  Here’s a small sampling…

5/9/17

I’m filled with gratitude for 4 new bunnies at the main Wee House.  Grey/black/Blonde/Merle.  Later named Frosty, - , Pumpkin, and Snickers.  {Their “mama” is a big white Californian, and their “papa” is a big orange/copper rabbit (born here) who is called “copper bunny”.  They are both loose on the property, but live at the Wee House.}  The little black one was too daring/dancing/darling – and unfortunately met her end before she could be named.  That hurts the heart…to see them get to such an age, only to have the laws of nature come down upon them.  I believe it was a fox. 

The little black bunny wasn’t our only loss.  Our special rooster was taken out also, along with my favorite pure-white hen who faithfully gave us a blueish-green egg. 

This morning, as I stood and watched the white Mama rabbit fill its mouth with twigs, grasses, and leaves, I had to smile.  She was going to kindle soon – giving us another batch of newborn bunnies – in the woodpile next to the Wee House.  As I watched her, something caught the corner of my eye along the berm of our property to the east.  It was a huge healthy-looking fox…trotting with a purpose, coming closer, weaving in and out of brush.  He was headed for the area of the dog yard.  Hence…later that day, our remaining 3 hens were moved to a safer enclosure.  We also have 1 broody hen sitting on 5 eggs.  We hope one of those 5 eggs hatches out to become our new resident rooster.  This will keep a 4-generation line of roosters, starting with a beautiful and kind, Java rooster, who was eventually snatched just feet from the coop in broad daylight, by a coyote.  It causes a heavy -  living so close to nature.  There are times when I desire to cage them…to keep them safe.  But at what cost…?  Short life of freedom, or long life of bondage?  It’s a tough call.

5/10/17

End of the day. 5:00 p.m. at the cabin.  The Hermit Thrush and Pileated Woodpecker vie for air space.  One melodic.  One a banshee scream.  But both beautiful to my ears.  The crow also.  I love the crows…and they know it.

The woods are alive with greenery, bugs and beauty (no skeeters yet…)  I nearly stepped on an adult snake 2 days prior while cutting through the woods enroute to the cabin.

It has been cold, but sunny.  Today is warming up.  I’ve been sick, but now feeling a tad better, and hacking/coughing less.  Hauled the last of 12 cord of firewood to my new cabin home.  And my new icebox (you put a block of ice inside to keep food cold) was wrangled in the door.  Cabin now feels like home.

5/27/17 

Up very early.  Auction day in my community of friends (Old Order Amish) for a family who is moving to a new “daughter settlement”.  I will be leaving soon for the hour trip.  Upon looking out the back window of my 8x8 cabin, I do a “double take” as a big doe steps out and crosses across the back.  Wow…I didn’t even have to leave the cabin to view her!  Later, I saw tracks circling the cabin.  Lots of deer activity at this time. 

Earlier this morning, I curled my cold fingers around a cup of steaming coffee as I stepped from the woods into the sunlit field to warm myself in the morning sun.  I scanned about, looking for the deer that makes its presence daily.  Sure enough…I hear a foot stomp the ground in disgust.  {I must be interrupting HIS morning routine!}  He topped it off with several LOUD snorts to show his final word on the subject.  Hmmm…I had already received a scolding from the red squirrels in trees circling the cabin, as I exited.  Now I hear the caw of the crow announcing movement in the woods.  To balance this out, my ears are delighted with the sound of the Hermit thrushes singing their heavenly/harmonic melody, and more.  One calls, another answers.  And so it goes, up and down the scale of notes. 

Earlier, I found a young snake in the outhouse.  Hmmm…where is HIS mama, and slithering siblings?  I shudder at the thought, as I scooped him in a bucket and take him farther out into the woods to a new home.  As I leave for a busy day of friendship/food and good conversation with my Amish friends, I marvel at the “stimulai” I’ve already experienced this morning.  My new Berean Bush Living is anything but boring.  And the night hours provide even more curious investigations as I figure out my “visitor”. 

I’ll check in soon, with continued journal posts, should the Lord tarry,

Sherry

 

Berean Bush Living...Begins

Wendell W. Price said this:

“There are many activities I must cut out simply because I desire to excel in my pursuit after God and holiness.” 

This describes my living deeper into simplicity and solitude.  Berean Bush Living.  

{At the Bear's Den...}

In the Book of Acts 17:11, it is stated that the Berean’s looked deeper into God’s Word (scripture).  I want that…

For me, it boils down to small cabin living.  Essential living only.  Lots of quiet time – no outside stimuli such as TV, radio, computers, or Smart phones.  {I still have a radio, but that is “wearing thin” also, and will soon be the last to go.} 

Nope, just my Bible and books.   And what is needed to continue my card (snail mail) ministry that has become so important to me.  {And hopefully others…}

This past April, I spent my first night in my 10-acre wood.  Despite going to sleep hearing the crackle of a wood fire, I awoke to seeing my breath.  April still holds onto winter on the 45^th Parallel.  So does May…June...

The mornings are beautiful.  I’m awakened by increasing light, accompanied by melodic bird songs.  I start the small woodstove to perk coffee and make breakfast (oatmeal, dotted with granola given to me by a friend who makes it and sells it). 

While waiting for the camp coffee pot to perk, I turn my devotion toward God’s Word.

The Second Night

I arrived at the cabin after dark, thankful for the lighting made by flashlight.  The cabin is sans (minus) electric or plumbing.  I quickly started a fire to take the chill off and then settled down to read before retiring to my bunk.  It had been a long day, moving more items into the cabin.  Over the years I have made my life very simple with regard to material items.  My books will be my greatest bulk, and even those are scaled down to just a very select few.  I’m very appreciative for the rustic hand-made bookshelf that newly adorns one wall. 

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt , and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

The cabin living resembles my “normal” living situation for the last 16 years, although this time without electric.  Outhouse isn’t as “fancy”, but it is adequate. 

Wood is put up for winter already – that is a good feeling.  (Thank you “AC Ellen”.)  Twelve cords should bring the winter into spring.  I hope. 

A new stove also sits, waiting to be swapped out.  (Again, thank you “E”.)  Heat is good.  And wood is something I’m careful not to covet.  Oh, how I love a stacked pile of wood. 

As I write this in the early a.m., the sun is streaming in.  I hear the resident pileated woodpecker knocking out the bugs in a nearby tree.  Earlier this morn, before the sun rose over the trees, I heard the gobble of a wild turkey.  This is the first year in the last three that I haven’t bought a hunting tag for the Spring season…  He has no threat from me.  (Did he ever?)

Once I’m settled and get used to the rhythm of the woods, I’ll bring a dog in for the night.  Come winter I’ll definitely bring one of the sled dogs.  They will enjoy the outing.  And the warmth of the woodstove. 

Third Morning:

Arrived at dusk last night.  Much better.  No fire in the woodstove needed.  Settled in to read, no clock to limit me.

Woke to the “Tom’s” calling the hens, circling the ten acre wood.  Lots of deer tracks (sign).  My stand (which is actually a “sit”…) is just steps away through the woods. 

My smaller space feels good.  Very good.  I like tiny cabin living.  Just the essentials – know just where everything is.  My mind goes to “Temple Grandin” and her “hug” machine.  Yes…I am MORE than content to live in an 8 x 10 cabin.  It feels like it’s giving me a HUG.  

I’ll sign in soon.  Lots of wildlife to report!  I had a nightly visitor…with 4 legs.  Can you guess? 

Plus, I had a visitor in the outhouse with NO legs.  Can you guess?  YIKES!!

Until next time, should the Lord tarry…

Sherry