Nine-Step Cabin

I won’t kid you.  This past week was rough.  Lots of snow, and lots of cold.  Bitter cold.  It’s not like I didn’t expect it this winter.  Every winter we hit a wall, and go into what we call “survival mode”.  But this year it hit early.  And keeps hitting.  These –25 mornings are getting to be all too common.  

Living the way we do, we have to thank the Lord for the little things:  a roof over your head (no leaks), a working woodstove, wood to put in that woodstove, running water, electricity that rarely goes out, 3 freezers (for both us and the sled dogs) teeming with good meat and vegetables, and a spouse that is easy to live with/communicates and entertains.  Come to think of it, those are big things.  And we should all take a moment to thank the Lord for all those provisions.  For they are His, not ours…  He could take them away in an instant.  Each and every one of them. 

This past week was cold.  There were some days I didn’t venture out – it was enough just watching my hubby, Russ, bundled up from head to toe, tending to the animals with feed, bedding, and water while snow blew about in blizzard form.  Although our small cabin is only 9 steps from end to end (15 x 20), on those cold days I don my big moon-boot type arctic {rated –100} boots and tend to stay within 3 feet of the woodstove.  When a venture a step or two away, it is when I’m cooking or baking, {which is daily for both}.  Or sleeping.  Or traveling out back to the outhouse.  It’s not so bad.  I always have good books at my disposal.  My Bible stays within reach now.  It wasn’t always that way, but each day the desire to know His word increases tenfold. 

I find such joy in the birds who visit their filled feeders.  We have several types of woodpeckers now.  Pileated Woody has made an appearance several times – each time leaving us in awe.  He’s so calm, not even seeming to mind our gawking and talking in whispers as we get as close to him as possible. 

God has done a lot in the last year with us.  We have stripped down more and more, leaving our life exposed for His purpose.  Apostle Paul stated:  “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8).  When we take up the Cross and follow Jesus, we better be prepared to lose it all.  As for me, I am honored to live a life that is totally in God’s plan and economy.  If someone had told me 20 years ago that I could live on a small amount of money (which falls into today’s poverty levels) arriving only once monthly, I would have never believed it.  I always had a steady paycheck (or two) and was reckless with my stewardship.  Now, I look forward to seeing God’s blessings.  He has never, ever, EVER, let us down.  We have so much in abundance.  Less is more, folks.  Pray that your heart accepts this concept, for “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple”, says the Lord (Luke 14:33). 

Today (Saturday) was a good one.  I visited my local Library to check in with folks on the Internet.  Then I chatted with the Librarian before heading out to the local Laundromat/Resale spot.  The folks who work the resale always have an abundance of food in their little kitchen, with smells wafting through the resale.  Today they were eating a homemade savory Beef Stew.  The aroma was tantalizing, and I was offered a bowl.  I smiled and declined, thinking to myself, only in a small town.  Later, while my clothes were drying, I joined in a conversation with two Godly men, one who had a Bible in hand, and we worshiped the Lord in front of the tumbling dryer for nearly an hour.  Again, only in a small town…

Upon coming home, I quickly changed from my “town skirt” into my thick choring skirt, made by my Amish friend.  After doing chores in the dog yard, I removed one of the residents, Skunk-dog, and headed down our long drive with Zip in tow, running loose, as they do.  Skunk made the mistake of sailing over a 5’ snow bank and getting bogged down with no base in sight.  Just 100” of fluff.  She struggled several times to find an alternative route out of the edge of the woods.  It was a comical sight, and surprised her, and me.  Zip was smart and stayed on the flats. 

Sunday we visited our farm friend, Ellen, and checked out her very pregnant sow.  What a beauty.  I’m giddy in awaiting the winter litter.  We aren’t wintering pigs, so I’m excited for spring, to add new little ones for the summer/fall months. 

We have a new excitement.  Our large smoky black dog with brown feet “Doc” is working on being a farm dog.  {He’s been a sled dog for us the last year, having been raised by our friend Ellen the first half of his 3 years.}  He’s doing stellar so far.  Such a beautiful wolfy looking dog, with a good head.  As he stands regally atop the snowbank outside our cabin, he reminds me of me…always looking.  Ever aware.  He’s watching for Russ moving about our 40 acres.  Me?  I’m watching for His return.  It feels imminent.  Does it to you?

Until next time, Lord willing, dear friend.  Rejoice!  The King is on His way~!

Sherry

P.S.  Last night our friend Ellen's piglets were born - 13 in all!

Trapline Chatter

Hello folks.  It’s been a while since I checked in.  We don’t have Internet on our small farm, so it’s a trek to “connect”.  I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the silence of this winter season.  As I told hubby Russ today, “I think we are slowing down to the speed of life…”

Days on our {cold} snowy 40 acres seem to revolve around a couple necessary events.  Firewood, sled dogs and eats.  Hubby’s day starts very early, and ends early.  As for me?  I read about 4 books per week, enjoying the quiet evenings for this enjoyable pastime.  Chores begin the day and chores end the day.  Bracketed by chores, it seems. 

As for eats, we keep it simple.  This morning I fried up potatoes and sweet onions in plenty of butter, whipped up some blueberry pancakes (using gifted Bader Blueberries from Holland, Michigan) and topped it off with our homegrown bacon and sweet maple syrup from our trees.  Later in the day, I made our usual loaf of bread, via hand kneaded…no bread machine or fancy devices in our small 15 x 20 cabin.  Just good old-fashioned bread, that rises nicely by the woodstove.  This evening we will have grilled (yes, outside) pork chops from our hog, slathered with BBQ sauce, noodles with butter and green beans from our summer garden.  Snacks and munchies fill our stomachs in between the meals.  I make cookies every few days – oatmeal chocolate chip – which go good with a hot cup of coffee from our woodstove trivet.

Our sled dogs are probably wondering about now just where all the people went to this year.  This is the first year, in over a decade, that we haven’t provided rides to the public.  Yes, we are officially “retired” from the dog sled ride business.  However, I’m in the process of training new leaders.  Taking a couple out at a time seems to work well.  (Less dogs to tangle when they are confused and both turn in different directions.)  It’s fun to see things “click” in the minds of these young dogs.   Since we are no longer doing “rides”, we can’t justify paying someone to put in trails with a snowmobile, so the old-fashioned “wood and leather” snowshoes go into action.  Our trails are now made by snowshoes, not snow machines, like in past years.  Although it is hard work, I love the feeling of stomping down the trail, knowing it will serve a purpose – not only for our dogs - but also as a trail system for coyotes and game who have always enjoyed (and taken advantage of) our trails. 

I go into town about every ten days or two weeks.  That seems to be a good fit for me this winter.  I pop into the Post Office (where we are on a first-name basis) to mail letters and packages, and then check the Internet at our local Library (also first-name basis), in addition to getting another armful of books for the next week.  {Sometimes our local Librarian calls me to tell me “news” that she knows I wouldn’t have heard since we live without television – a gesture that is truly “small town”.}  Even so, going to town more than once a week would be too much.  Though we have no TV/Internet/Fancy Phone at home, truthfully…I’m finding the radio to be too overwhelming much of the time.  I’m enjoying backing off and finding quality in good conversations, and the Good Book.  My treasured Bible.

My trips to treasured Amish friends, stores, and communities have been significantly reduced due to weather.  The last time I visited my favorite hardware store, I had spied our previously owned goat near a barn.  I had delivered him the year prior, on Christmas Eve, to be a new addition to a small herd.  I was saddened to learn that earlier this month, that there had been a fire in that community – the barn burned.  However, the goat (and other livestock) were saved from the fire and toxic smoke.   Sadly, buggies, equipment and a freezer shared by several families were lost.  I have been in that beautiful barn – such a shame.  But “Praise God” it didn’t spread to the house or hardware.

We, too, averted disaster this past week at our place.  Not by fire, but by testing out a new sleigh, built by hubby Russ and our Farrier friend, pulled by two HUGE strong Percherons.  During the “take off”, hardware failed, and caused a “little excitement”.  Needless to say, once everything settled down, I stayed back, enjoying the scene of the prancing Giants from afar as they headed down our long snowy drive.

As for daily blessings, we enjoy having the winter northern lower Michigan birds appear at our cabin window each day to feed on the black sunflower seeds.  We have only 2 feeders, (one right by the front window, and one on a tree near the window) but they provide a constant flow of Chickadees, Blue Jays, many types of woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, purple finch, brown-headed cowbirds, and the like.  Our “cabin kitty” also enjoys the daily visits of these “camp robbers”.  She “talks” and swishes her tail and at times, pounces at the window, hoping to make a catch.  We’re hoping she doesn’t break the window!  That would put us in a pickle for the cold winter!

Speaking of critters…does anyone out there run a trapline?  I’d love to hear about it. 

The Blog title {Trapline Chatter} might strike a familiar cord with some of you out there.  It is the name of a radio service for those folks in the Bush.  It relays messages to those with limited communication in Alaska.  Tundra Topics did the same back in the 70’s.  Perhaps these services are still being used today?  Does anyone know?

That’s it until next time, dear friends, Lord willing. 

And remember…Rejoice!  The King is on His way!!  {Are you watching?}

Sherry

Amish Musings

It’s hard to believe 2013 has almost flown by.  It seems like just yesterday I was taking stock in 2012, and reminiscing about the special times I spent with friends and family.  And my Amish friends.  So much so, I came up with a “Top 20” list of my most special moments with the Amish people and community.  So, here they are, and in no particular order:

1. Driving to pick up lambs on a warm summer day with my farm friend, Ellen.  Upon arriving at the farm, Ellen and little Enos literally dove into the little bundles of wool, falling to their knees and embracing them, while father and I smiled at the process, standing at the weigh scale. It was a good, albeit hot, day to catch a half-dozen or so sheep. 

2. Walking through the vast kitchen garden with a mother and her young children, picking ripe watermelons.  Kids with smiles and dirty bare feet.  Me, with foot ware, marveling at the size of the melons and the hospitality of this cherished family as we loaded a couple melons into my truck.

3. Being invited, and attending, an Amish church with a local family.  Three hours on a hard bench, surrounded by a sea of head coverings, was truly one of the most joyful days of my life.  (Some day I will detail this blessed day.)

4. Joining my Amish friend, and her family, for dinner in their home.

5. Chasing the piglet I let get by me while loading, and watching in awe as an older man became a boy while tackling the 40 # squirming gilt in his strong arms.

6. In an Amish kitchen, watching my friend remove her head covering and let down her hair, to show me how to do it up in a bun.  I have {finally} mastered the task. 

7. While driving in a small town, being waved over by an Amish family in their buggy, and seeing the family literally pour out into the street to greet me as I pulled over in my vehicle.  Mother too!

8. Stopping to watch twin lambs born on my Amish friend’s field.

9. Sitting in rocking chairs in an Amish home, studying the Bible with my friend and kindred spirit.

10.  Washing dishes together and chatting endlessly about our different, yet similar lifestyles. 

11.  Playing ball in the aisle of an Amish store, with a two-year old.

12. Having a silent prayer before sharing a meal after church.  Feeling the Holy Spirit permeate the building.

13. Having a young man, a horse trainer, come to our farm and train our horse for draft work.

14. One of my favorite men of the community stopping by my vehicle on his bike, and talking about Jesus.

15. Picking up an Amish friend from his place of work.

16. Young Amish girls, peeking through horses legs and letting out a squeal of delight upon seeing me walk up to their farm.

17. Dropping off a goat on Christmas Eve to an Amish farm.

18. Loading up rabbits and three boys to head to the Auction.  Seeing them eat cookies from the tin I brought, and sip hot chocolate (complete with marshmallows) from the thermos, the trio perched on hay bales.

19. Holding up the freshly killed suckling carcass in a frigid barn, while my Amish friend washes it down.  He nods and smiles, letting me know I am needed.

20. Driving the snowy country roads with young Amish boys, answering their curiosity questions, such as “How old ARE you?”. 

When 2012 ended, I had no idea my life would connect with this community of faith even more.  Now looking back on 2013, I see where I have stepped closer into this way of life.  I will share those new “Top 20” soon, Lord willing.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Remember…Luke 2

Sherry