The temperatures this February evening dropped rapidly as the wind kicks up the powdery white stuff and lands it in places where it is least welcomed. The woodstove chimney shivers with protests as old man winter admires his own strength. It seems as if it were forever since the warmth of the sun comforted my old bones. I think I'd even welcome a huge wood spider stomping across the ceiling right now as opposed to this draft streaming through the cracks of our tired old cabin.
Husband and I had a serious discussion last week about whether to continue the homestead or move to warmer digs. We even went as far as to contact rental agents, we felt this was the right move, at least at that moment. When it came right down to it, what we discovered, we didn't have the heart to leave, to just abandon, our homestead children. So until or when our bodies finally have had enough, we will continue to dedicate ourselves and to nurture that which we have etched out of this forested wilderness.
For the last several months I have had my head buried in a manuscript. If not for the fact I am not a professional writer, I feel the information that I present the reader is very pertinent and worth the effort. I am very close to having it published. The contract has been signed and now all awaits proofs and cover design approvals. They tell me 120 days.
"How to Survive and Thrive When the Power is Out"
This is not a prepper manual, it is an after the disaster life saver. Researched and written especially for those who believed there will always be someone to rescue them or anyone just wanting more self-reliance in their lives. "When the Power is Out" is a guide for basic everyday know-how when *normal* has been turned off. It is not for the squeamish, this book discusses real human issues.
You will be able to find it on Amazon books and by asking for it by name at any of the larger book stores, although, it will be a few months before that happens. I'll update when more information is available.
So until Lady spring shows old man winter the door, we will keep the wood stove cranking and the hot chocolate coming. Waiting for spring as the daylight becomes stronger is the toughest part of this time of year. Waiting for signs of life, green sprouts and chirping frogs.
Excerpt from "When the Power is Out"~~
Sleeping when the wind blows~~Getting a good night sleep.
One of the most irritating things about being without power is trying to sleep when your feet are cold.
On a really cold March night our oil furnace quit working at 1am. It happened to be Sunday. Of course, it was the weekend, that is when this stuff happens, right? To make matters worse, it happened to be the coldest March in the history of our area. The air temperature dropped to -30 that night into the early morning. The kids were all tucked into their beds and were unaware that the heat was out, luckily. We were caught totally off guard. We had no electric blankets or any other source of heating. The indoor temperature dropped so fast that even the bowl of dogs water on the kitchen floor began to ice over.
What we learned that night and what we did was one of the best learning and memorial experiences we had to date.
http://handygranny.com The book is up and running. you can see it and more at Handy Granny in da Woods.
