It’s November 10th, 7am and 50°. A strange occurrence for Kingsbury, especially on the Hill. Weather that I don’t take for granted. These days are far and few from here on out. I guess it’s just following the rest of the years crazy pattern. Summer was abnormally warm, with dead air. We almost always have a breeze (If it’s windy elsewhere, it’s hurricane winds here). The breeze is perfect in the spring, aka black fly season, it helps keep them at bay and not such an annoyance, plus drys up the mud. In the summer it lessens the feel of the humid air. That wasn’t the case this year. Then it turned cold. Quick. No happy medium to prepare our bodies. We had a stretch of cold weather in early October, that felt like November, and the wind returned with a bitter bite. Thought for sure winter was here to stay, apparently not. By the look of the Wooly Bear Caterpillars brown bands, they are predicting a mild winter. I translate that to less snow, more ice. I prefer more snow. For now, I’ll appreciate this Indian Summer. More so, since we are DONE WINTERIZING!!
Last year, at this time, we were unpacking and figuring out what to do with our belongings in 400sq ft. At the same time, buttoning up the house that has zero insulation. None. We’d stayed here in the winter months during the girls school vacations and weekends in the past. The most we had ever done was put plastic sheeting on the windows or wool blankets during the really cold snaps and make sure everyone had warm bedding. The plastic was only done once on the main windows and never again. I couldn’t stand not being able to see outside. We did continue to cover the windows in the breezeways since we’d only walk past them to go to the outhouse or woodshed. We decided we were going to do all that we could to keep the house cozy. We knew it was going to be a long winter on the Hill.
We purchased plexiglass for the four huge 8×4 single pane windows. When we ordered them we had them cut to size and holes predrilled. I bought numerous rolls of foam weather stripping and stuck it to the glass around the edges. Careful not to crack the plexiglass, we used screws with washers to attach to the outside window frames. We no longer had drafts and the shades didn’t move. I need to get on the ball and order some for the smaller kitchen windows. It made a huge difference and they never fogged up or built up condensation. You never would have known they were there.
The Schoolhouse sits on cement footings and has a crawlspace. On the east and west side of the foundation there are these creepy little windows (all I can think of is It) to allow the air to circulate. I built screens this spring for the warmer months and in the late fall I covered them with insulation board. We banked the house with plastic once again this year. Once snow starts flying I shovel the snow around the foundation. I personally don’t like using hay. I don’t want mice getting cozy close to home and bagged leaves would be blown away (the wind here is that strong). With area rugs and wool socks, your feet stay warm.
I’m curious to see what difference the woodshed makes this year. The woodshed is attached by a breezeway (both just up on blocks) and the door is old. Very old. Last year I hung the wool blankets (since we didn’t need them for the windows) over the door. I double layered! Right up until this summer, the woodshed had a dirt floor. You always knocked from the inside and said hello before you entered. With only one window and half of that covered with boards, it was pretty dark, even on a sunny day, you never knew what might have made it’s way in. This spring we emptied the woodshed and layed a floor. Due to Covid 19, pressure treated was impossible to get your hands on, we opted for 2×6 hemlock and painted the stringers with an oil based paint. Underneath, a moisture barrier was layed down to prevent rotting, using heavy plastic. Once the ply wood was layed for the floor, all seams were caulked and insulation was blown into crevices and gaps, then painted. I do know that by putting the floor in, it made a huge difference with the little critters getting in. I’d lay in bed at night and hear scurrying and scratching over head or in the walls. I haven’t since and neither have the cats.
Speaking of mice. If they can get in, obviously the cold air can too. Over the years I have caulked or used canned insulation to fill gaps and holes. When our gas range, an old Vulcan, died and needed to be changed out there was a hole in the floor from tubing years ago. The only thing I had on hand was a beer bottle cap and caulking. Macgyver here, tapped the cap in with a hammer and caulked over it. No more hole and one less entrance for mice. Fit like a glove. With 4 indoor cats, mice aren’t an issue anymore. Every once in awhile one will get in and it turns into a wee morning hours game.
Just like any other Mainer, we burn wood. It’s not our main source of heat, so we only get 3 cords for the season and still have plenty left in the spring. Our main source is propane, as are the lights, fridge and cookstove . We do use an old wood cookstove in the cooler months not only to cook, but to take the chill out of the air. Wood has a different heat and comfort then any other source. Years ago we had a wood heating stove. I hated it. I’d wake up with sweating palms and knee caps, gasping for cooler air. All windows and doors would be flung open regardless of the temperature outside. The propane heater can be regulated and adjusted as needed and with the tin walls and ceiling, the house heats beautifully. Best part, you don’t have to screw around starting a fire in the morning or evening. Instant heat.
When we first mentioned staying in Kingsbury, we were told it’s a whole other world. This was not news to us, as we’ve stayed here throughout the year in all seasons. One of our daughters was convinced we’d freeze. Then again, she lives in Florida and thinks 40° is cold now. I figured since we just finished preparing for winter, I’d share our tricks on how we stay warm and cozy in an 1830’s Schoolhouse. We’ll see what Old Man Winter has in store. For now, I will continue to enjoy this beautiful November weather, high of 74° at noon, on the Hill. Ridiculousness. But I’ll take it!
Off-Grid Soul 