JANUARY 7, 2000: We had a really busy Christmas season, both at the bookstore and personally. So I didn't get to spend much-needed time at the cabin. PLUS, it was just too cold. But we now have heat! We've installed ventless gas logs to the 57" fireplace. Initially, I was against this idea, wanting to burn wood in the old cabin. But I believe the fireplace would have had to be completely reworked. But the real reason I chose to go with ventless gas was I just don't want to take ANY chances that I could burn this 150-year-old structure to the ground!.....And because with these logs, and with the fireplace sealed off, ALL the heat comes into the room and provides us with wonderful warmth. Our good friend, Donnie, spent the better part of 2 weeks removing the old ceiling, and placing it with good insulation, and new planks. The old ceiling (looking like old plywood) was originally taken from siding from the inside of old railroad boxcars. Some were warped, some buckled, and some partially hanging due to moisture that had built up over the years. So now Donnie has fixed us so we won't be losing any of the precious heat through the ceiling. And he installed a beautiful ceiling fan, which is essential in keeping the heat from sitting up in the peak of the room.
NOW TO THE CHINKING...Richard said, "We need to CHINK! There are holes in the chinking big enough to throw a cat through!"...That statement kind of worried me, since he's not too fond of our cat, Patty Anne. When my friend, Sarah, came and spent the weekend with me back in October, we had some high winds on one of those days. Anyway, we had trouble keeping candles lit in the cabin with the wind blowing in through the holes in the chinking. So she stuffed some of the holes with aluminum foil. I must say it looked very festive. So now, we have another friend, Rod, working on finishing up the chinking for us. And we've put plastic over the 3 doors that we won't need to use through the winter. We added new windows back in the summer. So, once Rod finishes the chinking, we should be pretty much WINTERIZED!....Now that the holidays are over, I intend on taking a few days off and retreating to the cabin with a good book. Traci and Keith gave me a beautiful fleece throw for Christmas, so I intend to curl up in that in front of the fire for, oh, at least 72 hours, or so....and not budge!.....
FEBRUARY 28, 2000: It's been a few weeks since I've added to the journal. No excuse, just busy, I guess. Preacher and I do try to at least spend our day off at the cabin, on Mondays. We light the fireplace, get cozy under a couple of afghans, and do our Bible study for the week. We are currently in a study called "Wisdom of the Word", and we are studying the Book of John. The lesson takes a couple of hours to do. We enjoy it. Spending time in the Word together.
Amanda and Jason were in last week, and spent a few days at the cabin. Morgan sleeps in the big bed in the loft, and Amanda and Jason take the big antique bed in the corner of the living room...down close to the fireplace. A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting on the porch swing, and 3-yr-old Morgan was sitting under a big tree close to the porch. She was totally oblivious to my presence. She was in her own little, magical world. It was one of those 'remember forever' times. The wind was blowing through her silky blonde hair, and she was singing, "The sun'll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun, just thinking about tomorrow, clears away the cobwebs and the sorry, til there's none......la, la, la..." She sang and sang and sang, totally immersed in her 3-yr-old world.....I felt privileged to even be able to watch this unfold. Anyway, what a special memory!
After our Bible study, Preacher left at about 6. I stayed a while longer, just layed back in the lime green recliner, right next to the fire. Eating a few M&Ms & reading a good book. PLUS, I wanted to straighten up a little bit. Our good friend, Harry Curry, from Louisville, is coming down tomorrow to stay at the cabin for a day or so. I hope he'll be able to enjoy himself......away from all the city conveniences!!!...*G*
Tonight, when I left around 8, I stood in the yard, pitch black, and looked up through the bare trees, and saw the most brilliant sky I've ever seen.
Thanks, Lord, for allowing me to enjoy the wonder of your creation!
