Hi everyone,
I wanted to let everyone know that I have moved my blog to a new location. You can now find it at www.drycabinchronicles.com. Please stop by! The old posts from this blog are all there and I will be adding new ones. Thanks for visiting!
Kate
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Project
Lee and I went to the dump the other day and while he was unloading the car, I went to look at the drop off section to see if there was anything useful. And there was!
I had to convince Lee that we needed it. It can act as an outdoor bench, I said! Or a potting bench, or something we haven't even thought of! So Lee loaded it into the trunk. And now I have a project.
I'm going to sand it up, stain it and then put some sort of protective coating on it. Polyurethane, maybe? I don't actually know what you'd put on it, but I'm going to figure it out. And we are going to have a bench. It's even got wheels!
Ta Da!
I had to convince Lee that we needed it. It can act as an outdoor bench, I said! Or a potting bench, or something we haven't even thought of! So Lee loaded it into the trunk. And now I have a project.
I've already started! And yes, I'm sanding
by hand...
I'm going to sand it up, stain it and then put some sort of protective coating on it. Polyurethane, maybe? I don't actually know what you'd put on it, but I'm going to figure it out. And we are going to have a bench. It's even got wheels!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Fresh Veggies
So my absence on the blog has been a result of being holed up on rainy day after rainy day trying to plow through these summer courses. I've been busy, and as I'm not the best student (in terms of quality study habits) I have found it to be a bit stressful. But the past week has turned sunny and perfectly warm - in the 70's - and I'm finding my mind turning to other, summer like things. This, of course, is despite the fact that all my course work is due next Monday and I have a crap ton still left to do.
One of the things that happens when your head is in the books, and your husband's head is in the books, and its cold and rainy, is your routine is the same. For example, grocery store routine. We've been going to the grocery store to get all our produce, like it was winter. And the other week Lee and I noticed that the grocery store produce was icky! The onions were old and bruised, the tomatoes were really red cardboard, the lettuce was awful. And I thought, wait a minute, isn't it summer? What are we doing buying crappy veggies?!
So on Saturday, Lee and I went to the Farmer's Market. I know I know, you are saying to your computer screen, "Well, obviously Kate. What were you thinking?" Clearly, I wasn't thinking. I was so engrossed in my school work that I wasn't thinking at all about the fact that it is summer and, despite our short growing season, people grow food here in Alaska, and not only are we craving fresh produce, but we should be supporting the farmers who work to provide local produce.
Here's our bounty (and Otis).
Most vendors had the usual cucumbers, onions, chard, kale, lettuce, and carrots. Some had beets and turnips. Lots of kohlrabi and cabbage. One farmer had beautiful green and purple string beans. Another had sugar snap peas (my favorite!). There really was some great variety. And so far, it's all been delicious! Lee made scrambled egg quesadillas this morning, with sauteed farm onions in the local eggs from the green house, and topped with a homemade salsa with farm tomatoes and green onions, with our own cilantro and basil growing on the porch. Seriously delish. For lunch we are having a quinoa salad with arugula we got from the market. And for dinner we are having tacos with all the veggie fixings from the farm.
I will say that I noticed there was no cheese being sold at the market .... and this got me thinking... maybe I should be raising goats instead of writing papers.
One of the things that happens when your head is in the books, and your husband's head is in the books, and its cold and rainy, is your routine is the same. For example, grocery store routine. We've been going to the grocery store to get all our produce, like it was winter. And the other week Lee and I noticed that the grocery store produce was icky! The onions were old and bruised, the tomatoes were really red cardboard, the lettuce was awful. And I thought, wait a minute, isn't it summer? What are we doing buying crappy veggies?!
So on Saturday, Lee and I went to the Farmer's Market. I know I know, you are saying to your computer screen, "Well, obviously Kate. What were you thinking?" Clearly, I wasn't thinking. I was so engrossed in my school work that I wasn't thinking at all about the fact that it is summer and, despite our short growing season, people grow food here in Alaska, and not only are we craving fresh produce, but we should be supporting the farmers who work to provide local produce.
Here's our bounty (and Otis).
Most vendors had the usual cucumbers, onions, chard, kale, lettuce, and carrots. Some had beets and turnips. Lots of kohlrabi and cabbage. One farmer had beautiful green and purple string beans. Another had sugar snap peas (my favorite!). There really was some great variety. And so far, it's all been delicious! Lee made scrambled egg quesadillas this morning, with sauteed farm onions in the local eggs from the green house, and topped with a homemade salsa with farm tomatoes and green onions, with our own cilantro and basil growing on the porch. Seriously delish. For lunch we are having a quinoa salad with arugula we got from the market. And for dinner we are having tacos with all the veggie fixings from the farm.
I will say that I noticed there was no cheese being sold at the market .... and this got me thinking... maybe I should be raising goats instead of writing papers.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Dear Lee
Dear Lee,
It's Saturday and you have been gone now for four days. I've been saying all day, I've made it half way. It's been hard, though not as hard as I thought. Mostly, I just miss you. We've been managing fine, Moose, Otis and Me. Otis has been snuggling on the couch with me all morning. We all slept in till 9:00! Now I'm just taking a break from school work to give you an update on our week. I know you won't be able to even read it until you are home next week, but I thought I could send it out to the Universe.
So far most of our antics have been Moose related. He got out of his Kennel on Wednesday. On Friday, I came home to his bed torn apart (sigh). On our walk on Thursday evening, we had an encounter with two dogs not on leashes which was scary because Moose went all bat crap crazy. Now I have cheese with me on every walk for those moments. I had to babysit Wednesday night. Their heat was all messed up so it was like 80 degrees in the apartment. Kept having to open a window, let it get cold, then close the window. Moose came with us. Despite the heat, he did really well. We came home at 5:00 am exhausted from a night of not sleeping.
Let's see... I have a ton of school work still left to do and I find it harder to focus on work when you aren't here. I just feel a bit lonely and can't seem to escape into writing a paper. It's easier to escape into Angry Birds :) Plus I'm feeling some stress by all the other things that need to get done, like dishes and groceries and laundry and bills. Not to mention walks and workouts and cooking and you get the idea. I just wish you were here to talk me through it all.
So, you aren't missing too much around here. The leaves haven't opened up like you thought they might. It's been chilly. It does get close to 60 in the day but still drops down to 30 at night, and the last few days the sun has only peeked out a couple of times, so it stays chillier. I like it like that. I think Moose does too.
Sending you all kinds of love and hugs. It looks like it's been raining in Paxson. I hope you are staying warm and dry and hope everything is going successfully and you'll be home sooner rather than later. I love you.
Kate
It's Saturday and you have been gone now for four days. I've been saying all day, I've made it half way. It's been hard, though not as hard as I thought. Mostly, I just miss you. We've been managing fine, Moose, Otis and Me. Otis has been snuggling on the couch with me all morning. We all slept in till 9:00! Now I'm just taking a break from school work to give you an update on our week. I know you won't be able to even read it until you are home next week, but I thought I could send it out to the Universe.
So far most of our antics have been Moose related. He got out of his Kennel on Wednesday. On Friday, I came home to his bed torn apart (sigh). On our walk on Thursday evening, we had an encounter with two dogs not on leashes which was scary because Moose went all bat crap crazy. Now I have cheese with me on every walk for those moments. I had to babysit Wednesday night. Their heat was all messed up so it was like 80 degrees in the apartment. Kept having to open a window, let it get cold, then close the window. Moose came with us. Despite the heat, he did really well. We came home at 5:00 am exhausted from a night of not sleeping.
Let's see... I have a ton of school work still left to do and I find it harder to focus on work when you aren't here. I just feel a bit lonely and can't seem to escape into writing a paper. It's easier to escape into Angry Birds :) Plus I'm feeling some stress by all the other things that need to get done, like dishes and groceries and laundry and bills. Not to mention walks and workouts and cooking and you get the idea. I just wish you were here to talk me through it all.
So, you aren't missing too much around here. The leaves haven't opened up like you thought they might. It's been chilly. It does get close to 60 in the day but still drops down to 30 at night, and the last few days the sun has only peeked out a couple of times, so it stays chillier. I like it like that. I think Moose does too.
Sending you all kinds of love and hugs. It looks like it's been raining in Paxson. I hope you are staying warm and dry and hope everything is going successfully and you'll be home sooner rather than later. I love you.
Kate
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Welcome Moose!
Last week, Lee and I went to meet Moose, the sweetest dog in the entire world. He came home with us and is living here for a mandatory 2 week trial period before we are allowed to adopt him. But there is no doubt. He's staying.
Moose is a Newfie and Lab mix. Lee says he seems more Newfie, but to me he just looks like a big, black golden retriever. But I really don't know anything about dogs. At puppy class (yes, we already have him in dog obedience school) two different people said they thought he looked like he had Chow in him. I just shrugged my shoulders because, okay, what's a chow?
All those details aside, he's an absolute doll. Happy, loves to play with his squeaky ball (which annoys Lee but I, surprisingly, don't mind) and is very interested in Otis. In a week, we have had many successful times with both Otis and Moose in the living room, sleeping and happy. It's not always like that. Moose gets too close. But he's learning, and in the meantime, Otis has the upstairs to himself. And Lee keeps reminding me that it will take time and if I believe they will be okay, they will be okay. So that's my mantra. They will be okay. And it's not all wonderful. There are a few behaviors that we need to work on, like pulling on the leash when we walk, and growling at the neighbors (that one was shocking). But that's why we are in doggy school. We'll learn, and he'll settle in.
Having a dog has been all consuming. I am exhausted. Many people have said to me that getting a dog is the step before having kids. Having a dog has me questioning if I could handle kids! I'm pooped!
Here are some pictures to help you fall in love with our new munchkin. We are totally smitten!
Moose is a Newfie and Lab mix. Lee says he seems more Newfie, but to me he just looks like a big, black golden retriever. But I really don't know anything about dogs. At puppy class (yes, we already have him in dog obedience school) two different people said they thought he looked like he had Chow in him. I just shrugged my shoulders because, okay, what's a chow?
All those details aside, he's an absolute doll. Happy, loves to play with his squeaky ball (which annoys Lee but I, surprisingly, don't mind) and is very interested in Otis. In a week, we have had many successful times with both Otis and Moose in the living room, sleeping and happy. It's not always like that. Moose gets too close. But he's learning, and in the meantime, Otis has the upstairs to himself. And Lee keeps reminding me that it will take time and if I believe they will be okay, they will be okay. So that's my mantra. They will be okay. And it's not all wonderful. There are a few behaviors that we need to work on, like pulling on the leash when we walk, and growling at the neighbors (that one was shocking). But that's why we are in doggy school. We'll learn, and he'll settle in.
Having a dog has been all consuming. I am exhausted. Many people have said to me that getting a dog is the step before having kids. Having a dog has me questioning if I could handle kids! I'm pooped!
Here are some pictures to help you fall in love with our new munchkin. We are totally smitten!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday Night
I've been sick. Like, curled up on the couch with tissues scattered around me, moaning kind of sick. It's not fun. We haven't been able to enjoy the weekend because of it. But last night, the Northern Lights made a strong appearance. As we sat watching the live feed from Poker Flats, Lee wanted to get out to go see them. Some place high. I wanted to go too. Even though I was sick, I figured I could stay in the car with the blanket wrapped around me and my pillow, tea, and tissues and still be able to enjoy them.
Now, I'm going to stop the story here to explain something about my husband. Sometimes, when he gets really excited, he's like a little kid. You know, when kids get so excited all reason leaves them and they do something irrational and impulsive that, in the end, causes a problem, but at the time, their little-kid mind couldn't foresee anything bad happening because it wasn't actually thinking? I love this about my husband, most of the time. His child-like excitement and wonder about things makes me feel excited too. Unfortunately, this childlike wonder and impulsiveness can sometimes get him into trouble.
Back to the story. So Lee and I loaded the car with camera equipment, a warm blanket, my pillow, and some tea. Off we went, headed to Murphy Dome. From the top of Murphy Dome (about a half hour north of us) you can see the whole sky. We made a stop in Goldstream Valley, along with about 20 other people, and then continued on to Murphy Dome (there were just too many people in Goldstream). I was cozy in the car, looking at the Northern Lights as we drove and watching to make sure Lee was watching the road and not the Northern Lights (this was a challenge). Up up up the mountain we climbed. Farther and farther. Now, the further we drove, the farther away from town we drove. Up up up. Near the top, we could see the naval radar dome and the aurora all around. About one hundred yards from the top of Murphy Dome, to the right, the aurora burst out over the radar dome. It was spectacular, blue, green and red. And Lee, in all his impulsive, childlike enthusiasm, saw this sight too, and decided that he had to turn the car toward it. Yes, he needed to pull off the road immediately so he could capture that image, not stopping to consider that there was no one else around to pull to the side for, or that there was no side of the road, only snow drifts. So you can imagine, the car, turned sharply to the right, went WOOSH and then THUD. Straight into a snow bank. Lee said, "Uh Oh." and then continued with the impulsiveness by throwing the car into reverse and flooring it. This happened all so fast that the only thing I could spit out was, "Rock it!" meaning, when you are stuck in snow, you need to gently rock it. But the flooring of the gas made the front right tire spin itself about a foot and a half down into that snow bank.
I had to take over. I told Lee to let me get out, made him get out so I could drive and he could push, and was certain that we would be out in no time. This didn't happen. We were so thoroughly stuck that nothing worked. Lee took out the floor mats and tried to shove them under the tires to give them traction. That didn't work. Lee tried digging out a path to reverse through. That didn't work. We even found our throwing shovel in the back seat for added digging assistance (thanks Dayle!). That didn't work. This was probably 20 minutes now. One truck drove down the road from the top of Murphy Dome. Upon seeing us stuck, it sped up. I was getting nervous. How would we get out of this? Would a tow truck even come this far out of town, and if so, what on earth would they charge? Another 10 minutes later, an SUV came down the road, slowed down, rolled down the window, and asked if we needed help. Finally, hope!
Out of the SUV stepped the nicest people you'll ever meet. Jessica and Ray and their dog Marty. They had a strap in the car for tying down snow mobiles. Lee got down on the ground, hooked it to the frame of the car, and Ray backed their car up to try to tow us out. I stood in the road with Jessica. Lee drove. Ray drove. The car started to roll back, my arms went in the air in triumph, and wait.... Ray's car stalled. He started up, tried again, and cablammo! The strap burst into a million pieces. Hope faded.
It was decided that Ray and Jessica would take one of us to the top of the dome to ask if anyone had a tow strap (a real tow strap that many Alaskans carry in their car for just such occasions - believe me, it just got added to the shopping list). Lee suggested I go. But I passed that one right back to Lee. I was sick, in my pajamas, and had no desire to go begging for a tow strap. Plus, Lee was the one who had gotten us into this mess. So Lee got in the car with Jessica and Ray and I got on my knees to continue digging. It was futile. There was just way too much snow. About 10 minutes later, they returned with a tow strap. Thank goodness! They hooked it up, and voila! The car came out of the snow bank. Relief washed over me. We shook hands with Ray and Jessica and thanked them for giving up their Saturday evening to help us. And continued on up to the top of the Murphy Dome.
This is what we saw.
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I won't be letting Lee forget this adventure any time soon. But the aurora was worth it. Thanks, Ray and Jessica, wherever you are!
Now, I'm going to stop the story here to explain something about my husband. Sometimes, when he gets really excited, he's like a little kid. You know, when kids get so excited all reason leaves them and they do something irrational and impulsive that, in the end, causes a problem, but at the time, their little-kid mind couldn't foresee anything bad happening because it wasn't actually thinking? I love this about my husband, most of the time. His child-like excitement and wonder about things makes me feel excited too. Unfortunately, this childlike wonder and impulsiveness can sometimes get him into trouble.
Back to the story. So Lee and I loaded the car with camera equipment, a warm blanket, my pillow, and some tea. Off we went, headed to Murphy Dome. From the top of Murphy Dome (about a half hour north of us) you can see the whole sky. We made a stop in Goldstream Valley, along with about 20 other people, and then continued on to Murphy Dome (there were just too many people in Goldstream). I was cozy in the car, looking at the Northern Lights as we drove and watching to make sure Lee was watching the road and not the Northern Lights (this was a challenge). Up up up the mountain we climbed. Farther and farther. Now, the further we drove, the farther away from town we drove. Up up up. Near the top, we could see the naval radar dome and the aurora all around. About one hundred yards from the top of Murphy Dome, to the right, the aurora burst out over the radar dome. It was spectacular, blue, green and red. And Lee, in all his impulsive, childlike enthusiasm, saw this sight too, and decided that he had to turn the car toward it. Yes, he needed to pull off the road immediately so he could capture that image, not stopping to consider that there was no one else around to pull to the side for, or that there was no side of the road, only snow drifts. So you can imagine, the car, turned sharply to the right, went WOOSH and then THUD. Straight into a snow bank. Lee said, "Uh Oh." and then continued with the impulsiveness by throwing the car into reverse and flooring it. This happened all so fast that the only thing I could spit out was, "Rock it!" meaning, when you are stuck in snow, you need to gently rock it. But the flooring of the gas made the front right tire spin itself about a foot and a half down into that snow bank.
I had to take over. I told Lee to let me get out, made him get out so I could drive and he could push, and was certain that we would be out in no time. This didn't happen. We were so thoroughly stuck that nothing worked. Lee took out the floor mats and tried to shove them under the tires to give them traction. That didn't work. Lee tried digging out a path to reverse through. That didn't work. We even found our throwing shovel in the back seat for added digging assistance (thanks Dayle!). That didn't work. This was probably 20 minutes now. One truck drove down the road from the top of Murphy Dome. Upon seeing us stuck, it sped up. I was getting nervous. How would we get out of this? Would a tow truck even come this far out of town, and if so, what on earth would they charge? Another 10 minutes later, an SUV came down the road, slowed down, rolled down the window, and asked if we needed help. Finally, hope!
Out of the SUV stepped the nicest people you'll ever meet. Jessica and Ray and their dog Marty. They had a strap in the car for tying down snow mobiles. Lee got down on the ground, hooked it to the frame of the car, and Ray backed their car up to try to tow us out. I stood in the road with Jessica. Lee drove. Ray drove. The car started to roll back, my arms went in the air in triumph, and wait.... Ray's car stalled. He started up, tried again, and cablammo! The strap burst into a million pieces. Hope faded.
It was decided that Ray and Jessica would take one of us to the top of the dome to ask if anyone had a tow strap (a real tow strap that many Alaskans carry in their car for just such occasions - believe me, it just got added to the shopping list). Lee suggested I go. But I passed that one right back to Lee. I was sick, in my pajamas, and had no desire to go begging for a tow strap. Plus, Lee was the one who had gotten us into this mess. So Lee got in the car with Jessica and Ray and I got on my knees to continue digging. It was futile. There was just way too much snow. About 10 minutes later, they returned with a tow strap. Thank goodness! They hooked it up, and voila! The car came out of the snow bank. Relief washed over me. We shook hands with Ray and Jessica and thanked them for giving up their Saturday evening to help us. And continued on up to the top of the Murphy Dome.
This is what we saw.
I won't be letting Lee forget this adventure any time soon. But the aurora was worth it. Thanks, Ray and Jessica, wherever you are!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Road Block
The other night Lee picked me up from work and we ran a few errands; dinner, Sam's Club for a large doormat, gas. By the time we got home, it was almost six and I had to pee. We brought a load of groceries into the house and I ran out to use the outhouse. Only, there was something in the way.
Well, not technically in the way. I heard some rustling. I stopped, listened, then heard it again. Ahead and just off the trail that leads to our outhouse was a moose chomping on some willows. She saw me, and kept munching, but I couldn't move forward. I would have been walking very close to her to get to the outhouse and I would have most likely walked right into her safety bubble, possibly prompting a charge. I knocked on the window to get Lee. He came out with his camera and tried to get some pictures.
I, meanwhile, did an award-winning pee-dance. It was a sight to behold, I'm sure. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's why the moose stayed - it was just so entertaining! Lee suggested I just pee in the woods. I said no. I already have to pee in a hole outside and brave moose encounters. Peeing in the woods just outside my house would have been too much for my pride.
I finally stepped forward and said kindly to the young moose, "Okay lady. I'm sorry but I need you to be on your way. Please come back later." She looked up and walked away. Just like that. Sometimes you just need to ask. Saying please helps. And I was able to pee.
Well, not technically in the way. I heard some rustling. I stopped, listened, then heard it again. Ahead and just off the trail that leads to our outhouse was a moose chomping on some willows. She saw me, and kept munching, but I couldn't move forward. I would have been walking very close to her to get to the outhouse and I would have most likely walked right into her safety bubble, possibly prompting a charge. I knocked on the window to get Lee. He came out with his camera and tried to get some pictures.
I, meanwhile, did an award-winning pee-dance. It was a sight to behold, I'm sure. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's why the moose stayed - it was just so entertaining! Lee suggested I just pee in the woods. I said no. I already have to pee in a hole outside and brave moose encounters. Peeing in the woods just outside my house would have been too much for my pride.
I finally stepped forward and said kindly to the young moose, "Okay lady. I'm sorry but I need you to be on your way. Please come back later." She looked up and walked away. Just like that. Sometimes you just need to ask. Saying please helps. And I was able to pee.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
A Bad Day in the Dry Cabin
I wasn't really feeling the whole Dry Cabin thing yesterday. It was -44 and I either ate something bad or had a stomach bug thing because, in the -44 degree outdoors, I needed to use the "restroom" multiple times (of course I did....). In reality, it could have been just one long visit to the "restroom." But that would have induced frostbite. So it was broken up into three visits, with warm-up sessions inside each time that caused fogged-up glasses from leaving -44 degree air and stepping into 68 degree air.
When I finally could take off all the layers, I slipped off my boots and put my feet into my slippers only to find there was snow in there! With my foggy glasses still foggy, I bent over to grab the chunk of snow and WHAM! Smashed my forehead on the mitten and hat drawer that was still open.
Later that evening we discovered that the boiling point of propane is -44 (of course it is...). We use propane to cook. Our propane tank is located outside. It was so hard to get a flame for dinner that we didn't eat until 9:30.
While there are days that I like our dry cabin, yesterday was miserable and I was seriously wishing for modern, non-arctic living. At least it's still beautiful where we live. I have to stay positive, because we won't have running water for a while....
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