Homeless Part Nine Hundred Eleven

Yes, you all know that I am crazy... but some of you have actually expressed an interest in what I am up to so here goes...

48 hours after my 61st Birthday (which I celebrated for two full days) I am moving once again.

All expected and planned. But moving none the less.

When you move as much as I do, it gets sort of a rhythm. You get a feel for how long the milk will last, how much coffee you really use in a week and how big a package of toilet paper or Ibuprofen to buy.

At about ten days to 'lift off' there becomes a 'Use it up' department. Usually a special section of the refrigerator, freezer and kitchen counter. Some times at the very end of things... the combinations and offerings get a little strange.

As in a couple of nights ago when the V-8 juice was in the 'use it' stash and I was out of white wine. Solution.. V-8 and tequila. The following day I bought some wine but in between I used up the V-8.

To answer the often ask: "What's Next" here goes:

Vancouver and Victoria and area for the next two weeks, House sit on Fox Island for a week, two weeks at Libby Creek as long as there is no additional blizzard over there, two weeks in Oklahoma City for Jeff's wedding and house sitting while they are in Mexico, two weeks in Spokane house sitting for Tanya while she and Bruce take a road trip, two weeks in China and then from June 6 to October 31 most of my time at Libby Creek.

Goal for Libby Creek this year is to manage at least an improved camp site if not a cabin or some sort of camp able digs. WHERE on the property to put a cabin is not as easy a decision as one might think. There are three really beautiful spots along the creek but I find at the back of the property there is an interesting view... Inbetween the back and the creek there are also some nice spots. LOTS of decisions.

So that's whats new!

Also, after having been misplaced for a couple of months I found my camera!

R

Small house?

I am spending a couple of months in the Tacoma, WA area doing my annual gig with the seafood industry. It is also a time that I am using to study up on house designs, ideas etc. My mind on the Libby Creek property.

To that end, I have a couple of books to recommend to anyone who is considering small housing and things like 'green' building and just generally being responsible in terms of finances and carbon footprint.

The New Cottage Home (Jim Tolpin)
The Big Book of Small House Design (from the editors of Black Dog & Leventhal Publications)
Little House on a Small Planet, second edition (Shay Salomon)

A lot of evaluating is involved. How much 'stuff' do I really use; how much 'space' do I need to be comfortable; where do I actually spend my time (in front of the computer!) and what did I like best about being over on Libby Creek this summer and fall.

Much to evaluate and a lot of learning along the way. Lots of lists. Like, a list of the 30 plus places that I have lived and what I liked best and least about each one. THAT took some time! What a memory lane!!! But a really constructive project.

So, that's what keeping ME entertained!

Happy Holidays!

R

Lady in Red

Hunting season arrived at Libby Creek and it was REALLY evident that the smart thing to do was to wear red! As much red as possible.

My indestructible travel wardrobe was long on black and beige. One large exception being an over sized red sleep shirt... so....

Neighbors don't even blink at such a getup. It wouldn't have turned a head in the market I think but I didn't test that theory. Ron from up the creek did comment, "They can see you! Good girl!"

First Snow at Libby Creek

I am Sooooooooooo over due for updating this!













































































My almost three months in the Methow Valley ended on October 30th and in the last few days the first snow of the season fell. Very beautiful! I am on record as being 'goofy' for snow and it was a huge treat to be there for the first of the season.

Watching the seasons change was an absolute delight. From the bright bright of mid summer to the colors of fall to the first snow. Just wonderful!

Following are some of my favorite photos from those last few days.

The Box Has Landed

The container ARRIVED!

Three men, one pickup, one flat bed, one crain, one container hauler 18 wheeler thingie and three hours later the box is sitting in it's spot!

First try, logical driving up the road but won't work with the curve of the road and the drive access, soo...

Second try, back up to the 'Y', trun around and back toward the driveway.

I call this threading the needle, he is backing that monster BETWEEN the gate posts! (I deliberately did not have them set in so that he could move them if need be,) but NOOOOO he is threading thru them!

And here it goes, back in the trees. He had about a foot to spare split either side.

And here we have 'Tilt'. He has made the wheels under the trailer move forward and then lifts up the front end and something sort of spits the thing off the back a few feet.

And here is the second end... splat!

Now it is Jerry's Turn!

Hook it up...

Pick it up...

Move it over...

Set the blocks...

Pick it up...

Set it on the blocks!

End number two underway...

And that's all there is to it!!!

Unexpected Gate Posts.

This morning early, I went up to the creek. I saw four deer cross the road on the way up, beautiful. I putzed around for a bit, finished my coffee and decided to drive up a ways toward Black Pine lake and study the trees and watch the sun come over the hills. Came up with a couple of nice photos.

On my way back down the forest service road, a truck came toward me and slowed and rolled down the driver side window. In Okanogan speak this is the sign for stopping and having a chat. I did.

Turns out this is another neighbor, this one Mike, told me that he had dropped off a couple of gate posts at my place.

I am much in favor of gate posts but I had never before in my life met Mike!!! I suspect the neighbor Ron sent him. I introduced myself, said thanks and went down to investigate.

Amazing...

A Wolf This Time!

A wolf! A real one!!!

Driving up to the Saskatoon Circle primitive skills gathering on Saturday morning I saw a wolf very near my property. It was along the left side of the road, going the same direction I was. As I neared it sped up, I slowed for a better look and then it crossed the road in front of me. I had a totally clear view of him. Definitely a wolf. A large, full, healthy looking wolf. It ran up the right bank of the road. I stopped to check out the tracks (having just spent two days taking tracking etc lessons) but found nothing clear enough to photograph. The bank soil showed his track but they had all caved in on themselves due to the light soil and the steep slope.

Yesterday one of the people from the class came by the property to see me with a friend of his who is involved with the local wolf reintroduction and studies. I took them to where I had seen the wolf and we had quite a discussion. Apparently the 'pack' that they have identified has a couple of wolves with GPS collars and that morning they were about 20 miles north of where I saw this one. They questioned me some as to my ability to identify a wolf. Totally reasonable questions and I believe that they are convinced that I did in fact see a wolf.

He was SO beautiful!!!

Consensus is it was a mature loan male, not part of the identified pack.

There continue to be fresh deer tracks on the property, almost every day. I have taken to brushing some areas where the clearing has been being done with a large evergreen branch making a 'track trap'. The soil is soft enough that it gets lots of markings easily. No cougar track yet but bear, deer, turkey, squirrel, coyote, and something small that may be a marmot or the like plus scads of birds.

These little tracks in the photo are about an inch across and are all over the place.

I am having so much fun it probably is illegal...