Hidden Treasures

While out for a pleasure drive enjoying summer's end, I passed a yard sale on US Route 50. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of an old storage trunk sitting proudly under a tree. I immediately thought of how that trunk would look in the cabin as a coffee table if only I would get it. After continuing about a mile, the realization that I just had to have it was overwhelming as I made a U-turn, returned and pulled up into the yard. A feisty little lady in her early sixties was the owner and was quick to explain the trunk's history and how she had just emptied it before dragging it out on the lawn. I inquired about her asking price and was pleasantly surprised when she said $50. Out of respect for those that labor in yard sales, I never challenge a fair price so I quickly closed the deal and transported the trunk to the cabin. It now has a home as a coffee table that won't be offended by men's boots and shoes resting comfortably on its rim.

There are hidden treasures all around, you simply have to keep your eyes open or they'll pass you by.

The trunk is perfect for storing blankets and pillows while not minding a boot or two
on its rim.

At $50, the trunk was a good find. There are treasures out there.

Life Passing By

Today a couple of good friends we have known for many years came to visit Laura and me. We have known Chris and Eddie Burkitt from Smith Hill in Piketon, Ohio, for years; too many to count actually. We always enjoy their company and typically laugh together until we almost cry. It's times like today that I realize how short life really is. It seems just yesterday we were young and reckless with so much before us. Our children were young and so innocent and we spent most of our time sharing pictures and talking about each and their events. Now we find ourselves discussing our own retirement and our now adult children; still worrying about each and their every move.

Chris and Eddie followed us out to the cabin this evening where we once again enjoyed each others company as in years gone by. In the dusk of the day, we sat on the porch and laughed as we have many times in the past. Later in the evening, Ed and I went inside and sat on the sofa in the light of a fire, oil lamps and candles while we discussed alot about nothing. The cabin provided us both an opportunity to appreciate the simplicity of life where you really don't need much at all around you to be happy. A fire in the hearth, a couple of oil lamps casting shadows across the room and music streaming from the mantel stereo above made us both recognize how little it really takes to bring peace to the mind.

Through the course of the evening, we all enjoyed plates of shrimp, cheese, meat and crackers as we visited until late into the night. Near midnight, Laura and I offered the cabin to Ed and Chris as we returned home.

Seeing their faces, I knew we were giving them romantic time alone that money can't buy. Life passes us all by. Tonight, it slowed down and gave us each an opportunity to appreciate the ride.

Eddie and Laura enjoying the shrimp

Eddie and Chris checking out the loft accomodations

Eddie enjoying yet another cabin beverage

Chris and Eddie just before Laura and I said good bye for the night

I knew when we built the cabin we would need electrical recepticals on the porch. A box fan does well addressing hot flashes.


 

Man-Camp unplugged

I added another cabin essential prior to Fall's arrival; a recliner to sit in by the fire. It really has been long overdue. Over the weekend I found out just how much I've missed having one and broke it in. With the generator silent and the battery/inverter at rest, the candles and oil lamps were lit to set the evening unplugged atmosphere just before starting a fire. Although it's still August, as in years past, Brandon's birthday on August 10th marks the beginning of cooler Ohio evenings and nights. The weekend temperature in the forest fell into the low 50s. Warm enough to still have the windows open yet cool enough to start a fire; especially since I choose to sleep on the sofa with nothing but goose down pillows all around me.

Kuma was with me and she loves sleeping in front of the fire on the hearth rug. I opened a small bottle of wine but hadn't finished a glass before falling into a deep sleep in my new chair.

After waking long enough to throw another log on the fire and to move to the sofa, I was quickly back to sleep. At around 3 am, a pack of coyotes began howling right behind the cabin. If you've never heard them or knew what you were hearing, they'd scare you to death in the middle of the night. They howl like sirens with a modulating pitch up and down. When there is more than one, they sound like something off "The Lost Boys". Kuma d.o.g. was scared to death. Then again, it doesn't take much to scare her as she's a big baby.

After taking the bin of squirrel food to the porch for filling the feeders, I got distracted and forgot to fill them before heading back into town. Upon my return, they had 'broke in' to it, and cleaned it out. The little impatient rodents have no appreciation for all I do for them.

The new recliner is just what we needed for sitting in front of the fire.

I don't remember why I didn't finish the glass of wine before falling asleep.

With the cabin unplugged, there is still plenty of light sources to make it comfortable.



The candles in the window are battery powered LED with wax and flicker flames.
Much safer than actual candles. They come on at dusk and stay lit for 5 hours.

The beautiful deer mount is over 23 years old. Such a proud, majestic beast he was.

The bear candle flickers in step with the fire.

Another view from the recliner.

Kuma d.o.g. loves to sleep on the hearth rug.

The kitchen table reminds me of Little House on the Prairie. A perfect setting
for eating soup beans and corn bread made by Beulah.

The little rodents couldn't wait for my return to fill their feeders.

Chillicothe Gazette Living It Up features ManCamp

The Sunday, July 29, 2012, Chillicothe Gazette Living It Up! publication featured an article, "To the man cave" that showcased Dave's ManCamp. The article was well written by Stephanie Stanley, Living It Up correspondent.

I didn't know the article was published until a friend approached me about it recently. He shared his copy with me that I've posted.

Family Drive to ManCamp

Darren and Carma Baker own a Jeep Liberty which made a perfect vehicle to take their young family for a drive back into the forest to visit ManCamp. Darren and Carma are a couple made for each other; both love the fine arts, including pottery, photography and folk art. Darren is an instructor at an Ohio university while Carma pursues her first love of art around her day job in a chemical plant.

Visiting with them was a refreshing blast from the past. I can recall the day Carma was born in 1972 and her parents proudly presenting her to her grandparents, Pearl and Freida Barch for the first time as I just happened to be in their home at that time. Its funny how life works and how events seem connected through the course of time. Now, 40 years later, we sat on the cabin porch and exchanged stories while observing various wild birds as they stopped by for an evening bite.

Darren and Carma's young children followed the lead of others with their fascination of the loft ladder and sleeping loft. There is something about that steep climb that attracts the little ones.

Darren and Carma Baker and their two children visiting the cabin
for the first time.

Carma and me sharing a Kodak moment at the cabin.