Thursday, January 8, 2009

Walking In A Winter Windy Land

Yesterday evening the wind picked up considerably. The rain turned into a warm oozing jello then hard sizable pellets of sleet. A bit of snow fell. Then a thick flurry of flakes commenced. Then it stopped. The stars came out. No snow for you I thought. It has passed.

This morning it was snowing hard when I woke up. The wind was howling its usual, "Here Comes the Cold" howl. The little bit on the ground meant it had only recently started. There will be snow for you after all, I thought. Yes there was plenty snow all day.

Around 2pm the clouds began to lift and separate, a little blue sky peaked through. Finally, it is time to go for a stroll.



It was a warm snow. Even the wicked wind didn't feel quite so vicious. Maybe I am getting acclimated. Nope, the rhododendron leaves aren't even the least bit curled. It is a warm snow, just barely below freezing.



The catalyst of a tall tale beckons. The layers of snow on an old foundation in a naked forest give weight to a time gone by. Typing the first word is always the hardest even if it is the third chapter. Focus has never been my strong point.



The vegetable garden rests. The frozen corpses of beets, turnips, lettuce, spinach and asian greens lie beneath the blanket of snow. The held on amazingly well until the 10 degrees right before I fled south. Upon my return it was all mush. Maybe they will surprise me and sprout back up in the early spring. I didn't look closely at the beets and turnips. I replaced Uncle Ernie's dangling baubles that had been ripped off in the howling winds and moved on.



The cozy cabin is close by. That is what I was more interested in. Is it still there and in one piece? Is there any snow inside? The plumbing vent isn't hooked to any plumbing and a small portion of the ridge cap on the roof is still not permanently sealed and fastened.



The cabin is fine and my dry stack stone walls are still there. Nothing has budged in all this wind and rain and sleet and snow and wind and rain and freezing and thawing and heaving and wind and snow and rain. It is a sturdy little cabin and those are mighty fine dry stack stone walls.



It waits patiently for the weather to improve, for a new layer of clothing, the window trim and siding to grace its exterior. Oh, sunny days where are you?

6 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Your little cabin looks so lonesome. I am sure it can't wait until the heart of the matter moves in, Spots and all.

Christopher C. NC said...

Lisa, even when I can't work I go down and visit. Bonding you know, seeing what it will be like in a winter storm down there.

The Spots have their appointment for next Wednesday. They should be all mellow by the time we are ready to move.

Anonymous said...

The persistence of your walls and cabin in the face of such tests is testament to your excellent building skills! I remember your posts when the first support columns were put in, not to your satisfaction - way back so long ago now. Be cozy with the Spots.

ps I love the winter skies over your mountain(s).

bev

Unknown said...

Oh...yes the third chapter. Will there be a knight in shining armor/prince charming to save the day? You know how I love happy endings. Glad you are home safe & sound.

Christopher C. NC said...

Bev I just read today about a whole house that slid down the hill in Maggie Valley on Wednesday during the rains. I have been up some of those roads. It is scary what they build sometimes on the walls of a steep narrow valley. I feel much better about my location.

Miss Nalani, a love interest will enter the story in future chapters.

Anonymous said...

Hi Christopher! I love those winter view photos...your pictures don't look real they are so beautiful! I hope you will have some window of opportunity to start working on your siding soon. I look forward to Chapter III of Betsy's tales. Have a great weekend!