Even though we live in a place and live a lifestyle where it seems time stands still, it most certainly does not. Life has been so busy and the days has flown right past us, seeing as my last Blog was written the beginning of September and now here we are, fifteen days before Christmas. It’s also hard to believe, that as of last month, we’ve been living here for 2 years and I have been writing and sharing Off-Grid Soul for a year!! I’m hoping to get back to regular write ups this coming year!
I have written in my mind a thousand stories as I go about my days. There’s always some dialogue going on up there. Just getting the chance, a single moment, to sit and write, has seemed impossible the past few months. I actually had to look back in my photos to recall the past three months. Perhaps I have a mild case of amnesia. I’m not really sure. Possible abduction? It also seemed my days of being home, were far and few. Within the last couple of weeks, things have started to slow down a bit. Just a bit. This morning, I saw Jesse off to work, drank my coffee, started a fire and had my housework done by 8am. Now I sit here, pondering my thoughts, as Willa sits at my feet gnawing at her bone, and the snow falls on the other side of the wavy lead glass windows. These are the days I look forward to.
Back in October I started grabbing skeins of yarn to start knitting again. I have yet to pick up my needles. I’m not even sure I remember how to knit at this point, it’s been what seems like forever. I have started reading 4 different books. I like options. Today I will probably try to finish one of them, so I can return it. I had all these projects that I planned on doing for the Holidays, not an ounce of time. I did, however, get one day in, with some girlfriends, to make an evergreen kissing ball. When the wind blows, watch out. That suckers huge! Life has just been busy.
September was unusually warm and our gardens thrived. The flowers loved the humidity and the vegetable garden just kept producing, until I harvested everything near the end of the month. The sunflower heads were all cut and delivered to my neighbors chickens. They had a feast. The remainder of our firewood was delivered and most of it was stacked in the wood shed, until there was only an aisle to move about. Trying to figure out what to do with the excess, I ended up building a large stand for the covered porch with left over lumber.
Then it was October. The most amazing and beautiful month in Maine. The colors of the trees started to really pop and the humidity finally went away. Nights were much cooler and the day air seemed fresher. Most of my morning were spent running around with my camera in hand, capturing the scenery and the morning light. Afternoons were for painting and odd jobs that had been put on the back burner during the summer months. Then, mid October arrived, the winterizing began, knowing that soon enough, the bitter wind will be biting at my face once again. The vibrant colors across the fields, will turn to reds and browns seemingly over night. The wildlife will begin to retreat deeper into the woods for shelter. The morning birds, that once sang as the sun rose, will have all moved on, leaving the morning air empty. My flip-flops will be replaced with Muck boots and my cutoff shorts and tank tops stored away. All of the above did and has happened. Except, I left my summer clothes in Florida last month. They will have zero purpose here in Maine for a spell.
As we prepared for our third winter, the house was once again banked and the plexiglass storm windows were hung. This year when I banked the house, with the plastic, I also used insulation board. We have had some seriously windy days here on the hill and I haven’t heard the linoleum in the kitchen flutter once, as the wind sometimes comes through the walls and from underneath the house. The kitchen feels much warmer now and the cats aren’t looking so perplexed, as they do when the floor moves. We also covered the remaining windows with plexiglass that we talked about for 2 years and never got to. No more floating curtains!
Jesse installed, yet again…another stove. Our third one. Just a simple woodstove with a glass front. Much more practical. I miss having an old wood cookstove, it’s nostalgic, but not the paranoia that came with it. The firebox is just far too small to keep a good hot burn, without creating creosote. Those are my personal findings and feelings. After the chimney fire last October, I may have started a handful of fires the rest of the season. With all new pipes, a clean chimney and all the wood we had left from last year, plus what we got this year, we will stay nice and toasty, as well as safe. Plus, the glass front gives off a nice ambiance, especially on those snowy days.
When November rolled around, and the days became shorter and darker, I decided that the holiday lights needed to come out. Online I had found some solar holiday lights, for outside on the porch and the window boxes. I opted to go that route. I didn’t want to have to deal with annoying extension cords that ran to the generator. The lights we use inside, for holiday decorations, are regular lights we plug in while the generator is running in the evening.
At the old house and even the past 2 years, I would go all out decorating for the holidays. I guess all this simple living has me even more simplified, but still festive. A few green swags with white lights, as well as our tree, adorned with red bulbs and ribbon. A few Santa’s here and there, along with the Gnomes and my antique watering can full of silk poinsettias. Living in 400 square feet, space is very limited. Excess stuff just feels like clutter and chaos to me. All I know is when all these things come down after the holidays, this house will feel really spacious. For a minute. 😉
I’m hoping that as we move into the next year, I can pencil in some more time for writing and dabbling in my photography. I wish you all Happiness, Positivity, Good Health and Love in the coming year!
Happy Holiday Everyone!!
Off-Grid Soul 