Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Cabin Fever

I must admit, I am suffering from cabin fever or it could be Socialization Problems. I haven't figured it out yet but, I am betting on the latter. To tell the truth I really didn't get cabin fever when I was remote and I had more friends and visitors out there than here on the road system. I really don't care to travel much on the roads here and driving on them is an experience in itself. I know only a handful of people here and the problem is, I am to far for them to travel and mostly they live in Anchorage and I will not go there. I have come to the conclusion, I am really out of my element here. I made myself a promise that by the end of this summer, my living arrangements will be different whether it is at my remote property or some other remote place. I may rent out my town cabin by the month or by the day, not sure which but, am leaning towards the latter as that would give me a place to stay when and if I come to town. I am looking at a cabin on the Kuskokwim River by McGrath but, not sure yet.

I know I haven't posted pictures lately do to either laziness or forgetfulness or a combination of both. The weather here has been real different from last year. We have a combination of snow/rain, warm/cold. It has been really crazy. I do have some pics to show this time. On the cold nights it has been:

and the warm days: Talk about extreme

The snow, although it hasn't been a lot. It has been frequent making me shovel more.





Then, there was the ice building up on the edges of my roof. That was a job removing the ice. The ice was about 8" to 10" in thickness.



Plus, shoveling the snow off the roof gave me a lot of exercise.

After all that work, I got real hungry and there is nothing better to remedy a hungry guy or gal than soup. During the Winter, soup is my favorite meal whether for lunch or dinner and I have been known to have it for breakfast a time or two. THE SOUP, sausage, elbow macaroni, corn, cut green beans, pinto beans, parsley,onions and diced tomatoes.

Mmmmm! So good

I got a dog sled that I traded for my wood stove. This is a sled made by Joe May a famous  musher from Trapper Creek. I really like it a lot.





I have mentioned that I was doing more inside work and I would post pictures when done. It's not done but, have decided to give you an idea. I painted my walls and it needs a final coat.
Pictures with the flash.



Without flash

As you can see, it makes the cabin much brighter at night. The color is kind of a cream color. 

Sorry about the blurriness, hadn't checked it. I like it a lot. Makes the nights a lot better. So, that's pretty much what has been going on. The days are getting longer a little bit at a time which is welcomed. Anyway, hope this entertains everyone for awhile. Take care

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

John
Paint job looks good. I'd imagine it makes it lighter at night with the lamps on. What do you pay for lamp oil John? I was in a 2nd hand store the other day and saw some, but didn't know if it was a good price or not. Your about the only one I know that uses lamps anymore. This is the strangest February wx I've seen in a few years..
Stay Warm

Old John

Bushrat John said...

Thanks John, I buy my lamp oil at Walmart, 64oz. $6.88. Best price I have found so far. I have a feeling the weather will get stranger.

wvhiker said...

Good to see you doing well. And the paint job looks good. Funny how a coat of paint brightens anything up. Our weather down here seems to be odd this year also. Keep moving!

Bushrat John said...

Hi hiker, thanks.

Carol G said...

I'm sorry you have cabin fever, but kinda glad that you will be entering a new adventure for us to follow you on virtually. I liked your stories when you used to go into the library and post and your remote cabin... Can't wait to see where you land next.

I think the reason you have more friends in the bush is that people accept everyone because there arent choices there. If you want human interaction, you interact with those around you, no choice in the matter. I like that.

I have a little oil lamp too, but I use it for power outages :)

CottonLady said...

Well, bless your heart, John, sorry about the cabin fever. Think you are deciding to head back out in the wilderness, arent' you?! Whatever makes you the happiest is the best move.

Your cabin looks great with the coat of paint..is much brighter. Enjoyed all your pictures and your soup looked delicious!

Tell us about your sled..how you will use it etc. Maybe get a few puppies??!! :) Enjoy it!

Blessings to you. (I've been here but was having trouble reading the robot stuff after my cataract surgery.)

Anonymous said...

John
Forgot to mention how inviting your soup looked. I see you make it IRISH style. No Carrots. The Irish don't use carrots in their soup/stew, because the English Do! The wife sure likes to add tomatoes of some kind to a lot of the things she makes..
Talk to you later

Old John

Bushrat John said...

Hi Carol, I'm getting over the fever or whatever it is. I think new adventures make for an interesting life. I'm glad I am in a position to do just what I want to.

Bushrat John said...

Ah! Cotton, so good to hear from you. Thanks, I'm doing fine. The soup is/was delicious. Going to make more tonight. Yes, I will be heading out this Spring or early summer.

Bushrat John said...

Hey John, I have to admit, I probably would have used carrots if I had them. When I make soup or stew, I put everything in it.

Anonymous said...

Love the changes...

Wash

Unknown said...

Looking at the volume of the snow on your roof, I could understand why you haven't posted the photos immediately. This is a long, tiring job, and without a doubt, it really took most of your time and energy. Good thing you had a delicious meal to keep you motivated. ;-)

Penelope Dingee