It's been pouring rain all day and I was installing a new tv, as I was screwing the cable from my antenna in, I over twisted it and broke it. My luck, I have spare cables but, it is a real job to lower the pole the antenna is on and not very easy in the pouring rain on a metal roof. So, I decided a quiet night would be in order. In preparation for my trip I went online to look the Adirondack area over. I could see myself living there. {maybe!} Check this out.
Beautiful
This is my kind of kitchen
A couple of living rooms I could get used to
Actually, I like this one better
Beautiful, ain't it?
This view of Lake Pleasant, you gotta love.
I haven't been feeling myself lately. Just feeling down in the dumps and I seem to be bored all the time, the more I look at the real estate in the Adirondacks, I feel like it's calling me. Then I think about not seeing my sister, niece, nephews for 25 years and never meeting their children. Will I miss something great coming back to Alaska and possibly not seeing them again? Definitely something to think about. Who knows, maybe I will find love there, LOL. If only. It's 9:15 pm pouring rain and very quiet, I must do this again. Perhaps, I will start writing poetry again. Many years ago being in the Bush with nobody around, no tv, no villages to visit and no visitors, it helped me to think better and to write. I don't remember if I had ever shared my writings with you but, I will tonight.
"ONE MAN'S VIEW"
I am not a highly educated man but, I am also not without knowledge
I am a man without many possessions but, I make do with what I have
I am not without anger but, I circumvent it with sympathy
I am not without prejudice but, I defeat it with compassion
I do not deafen my ears and only hear what I want to hear
I do not close my eyes and see only what I want to see
I understand those who think differently
But, to them I do not defend nor offend
Because, we must live our own life and answer for it in the end
This is an original writing by me.
I wrote this about 30 years ago when I was a Winter caretaker at my very first lodge. I have never shared the photos that I had there, it was before digital cameras and computers for me. I will try to get them on my computer and share them. Just so you know, this was a very special time in my life.
So, I will end here and hope someone reads it and enjoy my writings.
So long
52 comments:
John seems like your heart is yearning for family ties and a since of purpose that’s comes with it. As we get older we think more about life and the need to connect with our past. I’m sure your sister would love having you closer and more active in her life. The cabin pictures are beautiful I really like them.Maybe new territory will bring you a better chance of meeting someone to share your life with. Whatever you decide I wish you well. Absolutely loved your writing it gives out deep thought and the inner feeling of a good hearted person. All I ask is never quit blogging wherever you go... wishing you a safe trip and enjoying family and reconnecting... Take care Bert From Bama
Thanks a lot Bert, I really appreciate your insight and, perhaps you could be right. I think this trip will tell all.
John.....This post is so insightful into the person that you are. It helps the reader to understand the emotional investment it takes to live in Alaska. I have not traveled much in my lifetime but have had the opportunity to see some of the Adirondacks and they are beautiful. This sounds so cliche but I believe it to be true....follow your heart and it is my hope that you take us all along for the ride! Enjoy. Chris
Thanks for the kind words Chris. I feel that a person should make at least 3 changes in life. I will know after this trip if I am to make a change.
I chose to leave my life living rural in the woods to connect with family. I am realizing this is the winter of my life, and I want to be with my family for the rest of my days. so...........this suburban life isn't bad. sometimes people make too big of a deal of living away from everything. I find it's quite nice to have things close. I still have a large yard to enjoy, and we all know inside our house is our haven no matter where you live. and I have my family close now. it's amazing.
Thanks for the insight Debbie. I have been living a remote life for so many years, I have become accustomed to it. I guess this will be an experiment to see how I do in a different environment.
Thank you for sharing John.
Hi Bridget, you or welcome. It's my pleasure to share.
Thanks, Glad you enjoyed my blog.
Hey John
Have a good trip. take lots of pictures. post up some on your blog to share with us.
Old John
Thanks John, I will post as much as I can. Thanks again for the firewood and your help loading it. Thanks for the Turnips and Celery as well.
Beautiful pictures, John. I like that thought about making 3 changes in life. The trip will certainly give you opportunity for deciding if this is time for one. May you have peace, now and as you make your choice.
Susan in Washington state.
Hi Susan, thank you for your kind words. If I do make a change, this will be my third and last for sure. Keep tuned in.
I just realized you're heading out tomorrow! Have a wonderful visit with your sister and her family. I need to visit my sister in Texas. We aren't getting any younger.
Hope the weather is good. Sure has been one crazy summer.
I'd love to see the Adirondacks. I've been in the Catskills, tho it's been more years than I care to count.
Again, have a great trip/visit.
Susan
Hi Susan, thanks. I am here now and it is hot. First day 93 degrees.
Whew!You arrived just in time for the heatwave. Only in the 60's here in the Pacific Northwest. Our heat is over.
Let yourself get acclimated. That's a big change from what you're used to!
Enjoy your family ☺
Take care John
Susan
Hi Susan, I'm not sure if I can get acclimated or not but, hot is hot but, I'm surviving, lol.
LOL, you got that right!
Just didn't want you to overdo it til you got used to it.
What's your first impression of the
area? (Besides it's hot!)
Love the poem! You're a heartfelt kind of guy, aren't you? I think the way you carve out your living in the wilderness is a sort of poetry, too. I hope you're having a great time with family and getting to know the area, as well. If you ever leave Alaska for good, you will certainly be homesick for your life there, which is a good thing, actually, but you will always have your memories, pictures and blog to feed your soul when it needs it. I often think of this quote when I feel longing for a certain place: "One treasures most the place where he first came to know the meaning of life." (Or something like that) The places I miss the most, I think, are the places where I was forced to test my mettle in order to survive and thrive and be happy. Seems like AK has been a place like that for you. Whatever you decide, we all know the heart wants what it wants...for whatever reason.
Thank you Penny, I couldn't have put it any better. It is something to really think about. It.will be a big decision. Thanks again for the kind words.
Nice poem... Sorry I missed your leaving... enjoy your trip and your family. I know the feelings your having because I have been having some of them my self... My son laughs... It is the months and months on end of the rain (no sunshine and no Vit D). I have been yapping about leaving to AZ and the sunshine since July when the rain wouldn't stop. You cant really get much done when you have weeks on end of rain. Your feeling down is also the weather, cabin fever in the summer time ... (Told my son we should have built an ark not a cabin... LOL) We had plans this summer, empty the sheds and give most of it away (down sizing)...a roof at the cabin, and additions at the cabin. The cabin was a scrub. We got as far as mowing twice and then the rain never went away... We have been cleaning, organizing, and tossing inside the house all summer. That is all we have gotten done. Oh and lets not forget the termination dust on the Talkeetna range behind me as of yesterday, 8/30/18.
Wash
Hi Wash, You feel sorta like myself. When inside or outside the city, the lush green rolling hills are beautiful and the many farms are crazy plentiful. Life is good right now. Take care.
When do you plan to come back to AK? Or have you decided to stay the winter? :-)
Hope your visit is good.
Wash
I've been wondering that too, John. Will this be change #3?
Coming through Seattle by any chance?
Susan
WOW! It sure is different. I couldn't believe how big the state university of ny is, it's huge. But, I am amazed at the greenery and how huge the trees and lush the trees are. The farms are beautiful. Well, I better stop or I won't have anything to blog about.
No, I will be back on the 19th.
I don't know if this will be no. 3 yet. Not going through Seattle at all.
What?? Seattle is no longer the stopping point to the great state of Alaska? I guess the gold rush days are over.
Looks like you'll have time to do your winter stock up before the snow flies. I've started. Pantry is filling up. Tomorrow I'll be stacking a cord of firewood.
Have a great flight home.
Susan
Thanks Susan, I fly from Chicago to Anchorage. It will be chores for sure when I get there. Firewood is first on the agenda. Actually looking forward to it.
Back home yet? Hope all is well at your place.
I've got almost 2 cords of wood stacked. Probably get another load next week. It's almost dry, thanks to our hot, rainless summer. I'll be all set for next year.
Just finished reading a blog with detailed lists for winter preparation, and they didn't live in the bush, but in the Valley. Sounds like any interruptions in service can wreak havoc up there.
Looking forward to your impressions and photos of the Adirondacks.
Susan in the Evergreen state
Hope you had a great visit. Looking forward to the pictures.
Wash
Hi John, how was the trip ?
You get back ok? Haven't heard from you lately... anything happening besides prepping for winter? Psst... it has been since Aug when you posted last... LOL
Wash
Hiya John where tha heck are you? �� �� Bert From Bama
Lol ..,... Bert
Hi John. It's been a long while since you posted. Folks could end up worrying about you during your long silences. Hope you are doing well. Please let us know that you are doing OK. OK
Maybe someone can check up on John? It would give us all some peace of mind to know he's okay.
Susan
Hi John Sorry I have been missing in action but I am trying to catch up and boy what A surprise when I read your blog. I hope you had a great trip and enjoyed visiting your family. Looking forward to seeing your photos of your trip.
Take care
Carol
It is funny when I get these feelings I need to check John's blog and see that he has been MIA and all you are wanting to have him checked up on... LOL I will holler at him later today unless he peaks in and says HI... LOL JOHN?????
Wash
Thanks Wash!
Susan
His phone message says he is at his remote cabin.
Wash
Aha. Thanks, Wash.
Thought he would be home getting firewood. Maybe he needed time away to decide whether to stay in Alaska or move to the Adirondacks to be near his family. Wish him the best when you see him.
Susan
Hope you're doing OK at the remote cabin, John! Everyone is anxious for an update!
Wash thanks for the update ... Bert From Bama
It has been over 2 months... Ya I hope he is doing good as well. I thought his phone would work at his cabin. I never got a chance to speak with him before he left to the cabin. Hoping everything is going well for him. When you get back John please check in!!!
Wash
Surely John wouldn’t stay at his remote place without a way to communicate in case he had an emergency. But I guess he just needs some get away time.but sure wish he would check in just to confirm he’s ok to all his friends who follow him. Take care & check in ...... Bert From Bama
I just talked to John (very briefly) he's OK (figuratively speaking). He has been struggling with the flu, he can hardly talk. the has plenty of medicine, and firewood (He got 3 truck loads of dead spruce that blew over in my front yard before he went to NY.). I didn't keep him on the phone any longer than necessary because the talking made him cough, and the coughing sounded kinda painful. I'll might try to talk to him again before I run outside (to the lesser 48) for thanksgiving.
Old John
Thanks, Old John.
Poor John �� Sounds like he could use some TLC.( And chicken soup!) Sure hope he starts feeling better soon.
Enjoy your stay outside and Happy Thanksgiving ��
Give John our best if you talk to him again.
Susan
We’re missing you, John! Sure hope you are feeling better soon. Prayers for a full recovery!
Blessings!
John,
Just a short note to thank you for your service on this Veterans Day. Also, I hope you are feeling better. As we age the flu can be
tough to shake, take care and I hope you will soon be enjoying the season! KC
I wish someone in the Mat-Su Valley could go check on John face-to-face. How is he hauling water if he's sick? Does he have enough food? Just worried about him. He never misses a Veteran's Day post on here, but he did this year.
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