EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

I arrived to my cabin in N Carolina in late October. So good to be back and open it up. Five months away!  A bit concerned about my only neighbor, who I imagine might poke around. He or his partner. As mentioned, a challenging lifestyle. Domestic disputes. Chaos.

The well had been tampered with. I left the well pump off, because it sometimes loses prime.  Alas, it was running…grinding away with no water in it when I returned. Also a couple of chairs missing off the back deck. No entry into the cabin that I could see. It wouldn’t take much to get inside. What I mostly found was Mildew!  I had hoped that the rooms open and a bit of air flowing would help…but no!  Such it is in a closed cabin for months.

Often depending on the Autumn weather, I hunker down at the wood burning stove….and as the temps drop, under blankets:  a comfortable Hudson Bay, down feather comforter, cotton quilt, and heating blanket.  Yes, I have difficulty crawling out in the mornings. Esp when listening to local talk radio beginning at 6AM.

I have settled into several volunteer roles, and through these, have met lovely people: Depot / museum; Saluda Community Table; Senior Center Thrift Basement; Pop-up Food Pantry. Although open to change with holidays and winter down-time, many weeks have a similar schedule and routine:

• Monday around the cabin, and occasionally an AM meeting at the Depot.
• Tuesday breakfast (grits and gravy), at the Grille, Pop up pantry at the Pres church helping with grocery unloading, shelving, and trip to Recycling truck with plastic, glass, cardboard;
• Wednesday around cabin and hike with Rich if weather allows, occasional pizza at Bakery.
• Thursday at cabin, bath at Family cabin, drop in to Depot.
• Friday AM at cabin, drop in to Thrift Basement, Drop in at Depot.
• Saturday AM at cabin, drop in to Thrift Basement, Drop in at Depot. 
• Sunday to SC for church and family visit, with Sunday Morning Hymn Time on radio 7-10AM. Return in evening to Saluda NC.

One highlight this Fall was at the Depot, when presenting Night at the Museum in late October, where for the 2^nd time Rick and I were convicts (depicting railroad workers). An evening of fun and history pf Saluda with an interesting group of people.

Another highlight was my 70^th birthday, and afternoon tea at my sister Mandy’s home in South Carolina, with all five siblings.  A precious time and a big surprise when my son walked in, having flown in from Halifax! A complete shock! Stayed a week – hiking, caught a Clemson game, hanging out. A precious time with him. No reflection on his dad, but he’s grown into a fine young man.

I don’t have any profound projects to focus on this winter. As mentioned in other blogs, I have done major tasks on the cabin over the past years. I could always do some interior painting and remodeling, especially the kitchen. Sorting boxes and ‘stuff’. Also landscaping the yard. Put nothing is pressing. It forces me to relax and enjoy, which is out of my comfort zone.  

Biggest challenge this season has been water at the cabin. The fall has been very dry and the water table in my shallow well is sucking water, except after a good rain (sometimes….though we’ve not had much.) Meanwhile at this writing, I prime the pump, collect water in jugs when pump is on, and bath and do laundry at the family cabin.

But as the calendar flips to 2024, the weeks are and will pass quickly. I look forward to a return to Esperanza, after these restful weeks in North Carolina. It is where I am pulled. Where my gifts lie. Where I feel alive.