Spring Thaw

That short period of time between winter's freeze and spring's awakening has got to be the least enjoyable time of year in southern Ohio. The forest trails become sloppy mud ruts that are not only impassable except for the hardiest 4x4s but are unsightly and filthy too. Hidden beneath an appearance of solid earth is an oozing slop that quickly overtakes a vehicle's tires. Should a trail rise under such conditions, the chance of successfully passing is greatly reduced, as was the case last night.

After watching the Ohio State men's basketball team fall in the NCAA tournament, the best way to put the sting of defeat out of my mind was to grab Kuma d.o.g. and head to the cabin. So late at night, a hastily assembled travel plan meant throwing on some pants and t-shirt, donning worn out,
hole-filled sneakers (absent socks) and a light sweatshirt. After all, it was late and we were just going out to enjoy a quiet night of sleep in the woods to put the game out of my head. In haste, I forgot a cell phone.

The Liberty Jeep was chosen because of its availability and past success. As I approached a decision point in the dark where alternate trails could be selected, the quickest, shortest one was picked to save time; unfortunately, it was not a good choice. As I begin ascending, traction was lost and the Jeep came to a stop with all 4 tires spinning. Even the lowest gear failed to help so I attempted to back down for another run. As luck would have it, the Jeep went sideways and over an edge in even wetter, deeper soup that resulted in being stranded about 300 yards from the cabin. No egress route from the warmth of the Jeep was without deep, pools of mud. As Kuma jumped out and sank mid-leg, I could only imagine how dirty she would be upon our arrival. We both were mud covered as I felt the intrusion of it's cold around my toes in the worn shoes.

As we finished our walk, I couldn't help but think of how significant the error of not carrying a phone was. With Easter Sunday just hours away, the chance of summoning a ride in the morning without a phone was lost. Our absence wouldn't be recognized until evening when Laura would be serving up Easter dinner for our family. Only then would she call and realize my phone was still at the house.

Now, after midnight, there was no time to worry about such minor inconveniences; stripping wet, muddy clothes off on the porch and finding wet towels to clean off a mud caked dog was a higher priority.

Fortunately, our little issue of being stranded did not prevent getting a good night's sleep; the cabin's magic still delivers even in the worst of times. A light rain on the roof was a gentle reminder that the Jeep's status wouldn't be any better in daylight.

Awakening to a pot of fresh ground coffee took my mind off our plight as Easter's morning in the woods was alive and filled with the sound of birds singing. Perhaps they too were filled with the joy of His resurrection.

A trip to the barn provides yet another opportunity for my brown companion to enjoy a run through the mud. Thankfully, a cold diesel tractor started and a tow chain was available to wrap around the Jeep's axle. The escape plan hatched over a pot of coffee was coming together. If it wasn't for having to get on the wet, sinking ground to reach a tow point, it would have been flawless. I'm getting proficient at this routine even when working alone. The 4x4 tractor had no trouble pulling the Jeep onto solid ground where it could finally make it on it's own.

Laura was quick to notice the mud on Kuma and my clothes as we finally returned home just before noon. After stripping in the laundry room and once again wiping down my dog, we were no worse for wear.

It will take the better part of a week to restore the Jeep to its pre-trip condition though due to the spring thaw.

Bird Watching

Today was overcast and cold for mid-March with winter not wanting to yield to spring which is just a week away.

Sitting inside I have a clear view of the recent arrival of feathered friends that enjoy a cabin's hospitality and free treats that fill the feeders.

Even with the Regulator on the wall ticking seconds away, the silence inside is so complete that my ears ring. As a breeze blows just beyond window glass separating nature's wonder from a camera lens, I sit comfortably in the recliner capturing images of God's creations. Nothing can be heard except the passing sounds of time.

Not a sound but that of time as it ticks away

Blue jays are always getting their share of food

The male cardinal is so beautiful and proud

Cardinals were always my mother's favorite bird on the farm

The eastern bluebird is so very beautiful

How can anyone not like these beautiful little birds

Winter must surrender to Spring's arrival

Mid-Night Surprise

A late night walk with Kuma through the woods came to an end on the cabin porch.

After a long week I was too tired to do anything other than stretch out in the recliner for about an hour before migrating to the sofa for a quiet night of sleep.

Sometime in the middle of the night I was awakened by a heavy rain on the roof. Once I recognized what it was, deep sleep returned quickly. There are few sounds as pleasant in the middle of the night.

Mid March Visit

A mid-week cabin visit without family, friends or trusted companion, Kuma d.o.g., fills a personal, nagging need. An uncharacteristic absence driven by obligations, stress, and fatigue is finally overcome by shear desire to do my own thing, my own way, on my own time as I return once again.

While I've been away, the youngest son took full advantage of our cabin creation. At an age closing in on 21, who could blame him?

Parental instincts influenced an inspection to confirm order was maintained in my absence. To my surprise there was little evidence of wear from sharing our hideaway. Empty wine glasses in the sink, a well burned fireplace candelabra, a lingering scent of incense and a young ladies' signature in the guest book adorned with hearts was all that remained.

It was clear the cabin served a purpose that extended beyond my personal needs.

A passion for quiet time alone was the primary objective of my visit. Raiding the fridge, a Coke was tapped to mix with the last ounces of Honey Tea to accompany peanut butter encapsulated pretzels found on the bar.

The recliner waiting by the fire forms to a middle-age spread as shoeless feet reach beyond it's length to the warmth overflowing from the hearth. Music breaks the silence as it streams from a favorite station on the airwaves.

Content, with no desire to leave, reality reminds me this mid-week visit will be cut far too short.

After absorbing as much as I can, acknowledging the return to the world I live and work includes recognition of how special these opportunities are.

A Special Place for Rest

One of the symptoms of a tendon tear in a shoulder's rotator cuff is discomfort when trying to sleep. Although days are now filled with nagging pain, it's not until bedtime that the pain intensifies where sleep evades the body. At the end of a long sleep deprived day, hiking in the woods with Kuma d.o.g. at my side provides a much needed distraction as we navigate the creek bank and climb the thawing, muddy hill to the cabin lane.

Once on the cabin porch, I remove my muddy shoes and wipe the wet earth from my companion's four paws before entering our evening sanctuary. Inside, I check the thermometer on the wall and am satisfied with its report. Powering up the inverter was as simple as flipping a switch that instantly powers lamps, the fireplace garland, furnace blower and the radio.

Finding a bottle of Red Stag Honey Tea that accompanied me home from Jim Beam's Kentucky distillery weeks earlier, I pour a shot as I kick back in the cabin recliner. Kuma d.o.g. paces in circles repeatedly before settling in a curl on the fireplace rug.

With no memory of falling asleep, I awake with an empty shot glass in my lap hours after kicking back for a little rest.

Beulah rules the cabin kitchen

After late word Friday that the pain in my shoulder and arm was due to a torn rotator cuff tendon, I finally knew why I was only getting about three hours of sleep a night due to discomfort. It also identifies the root cause of an unfortunate fire drill I went through at a hospital ER this week after asking to have someone evaluate my condition. Unfortunately, when male, mid-50s and 'thick', hospitals assume you are having a heart attack when you show up at their door step complaining of pain radiating down your left arm. After 2 days that included blood draws, stress tests, blood thinner shots in the belly, a romp on a treadmill and an afternoon in an MRI tube, they let me go; I left radioactive which wasn't so unexpected since I'm a nuclear worker and familiar with Technetium-99. The 10,000 counts per minute decayed off within 3 days leaving me no worse for wear.

With a sore shoulder and knowledge my heart was fine, I took Kuma d.o.g. to the cabin for some much needed rest. Stretching out before a fire in the peace of a dark, silent, winter night in the forest was just what I needed to finally get a full night's sleep.

While on cabin time, I've learned to appreciate the work horse of the kitchen, our wood stove affectionately named Beulah. Although it was 29 degrees outside, a small arm full of fuel was all that she needed to heat the kitchen to a balmy 80 degrees. Her hot oven cried out for a pan of chocolate chip cookies that I couldn't resist accomodating.

With all that is wrong in the world around us, its good to know there are sanctuaries off the grid to go and relax.

As Beulah rules the kitchen, Kuma and I enjoy the bounty of her labor.


Beulah