I am Still Alive

I am still very much alive. I am so sorry I haven't written much lately. Folks have been asking for a new post. The fact is I have so many things to write about I am overwhelmed by it. Life here is so good and amazing that I can't stop to write about it, I am having so much fun living it. Today we woke up and went to Church. Then we went out to eat at the Cut River Inn for Whitefish, came back and took a nice long nap. Afterwards, Jomay and I went out snow-shoeing on the Big Lake. No wolves, coyotes or deer seen out there today, despite the heat wave. It hit 36 degrees today, too darn warm, really, not kidding. It's amazing how our bodies acclimate to different environments. I can go outside in a T-shirt at 36 now, and it's very warm. I am reminded of a friend of mine who is in Antarctica right now, who told me he acclimates to the -30 degree tunnels connecting the complex about now---and he goes between the buildings in a T-shirt at that temperature!!! Such is life, we are designed to overcome, improvise, adapt, acclimate. With that thought, I am not sure where to start....well, let's stick with FUN!!!

Three days ago the most beautiful woman on Earth and I went Cross-Country skiing on the Hiawatha Club---we went into to woods pretty darn far, enjoying the most incredible depth of quietness and peacefullness that can be found down here on this planet. Have you ever had the joy experiencing a cedar forest in the winter? With the boughs filled with new snow but the trail well-groomed and miles from nowhere? You finally stop after exercising and trailing and just breath in the fresh, cedar laiden air and stop and listen and hear nothing except maybe the snowflakes joining the snowfall. WOW, mesmerizing to say the least, you can hear your ears hear. Then, the next day we go down-hill skiing at Boyne Highlands. What a joy to go parelling down those familiar runs---the lazy back miles, just being with my Main Squeeze (Jomay) again, after so many months of separation due to the New York City Experience. After snow-shoeing today (our His and Her Christmas Presents)---we went into town to join our Church Friends for a movie and popcorn in the fellowship hall---we were about the last to leave enjoying our newfound friends and home and a great movie. The fact is, there is so much continual FUN to be had here, there are not enough hours in the day. People ask me how in the heck can you live up there in the winter? Well, it's true we don't have mall and a Lowes in less than 1 and 1/ hours away, but I do have a Great Lake to travass on and look back at the two miles encompassing my beach and see 4 houses with lights on---that's how many neighbors I have over a two mile stretch. Then, when the winter sun sets, we see new colors with shades of orange and blue and yellow that are different everyday, and this is followed by the plethoric display of stars that dot the winter sky like packing peanuts falling out of your Christmas Present Box shipped by your Mom. You look up and say WOW, see the steam from your breath and then are breathless....

Basketball season starts tomorrow, and back to school. We are looking forward to a lot of fun there, seeing our star athelete Jeffy assume the role of Center for the eigth grade team, and drummer in the Pep Band for the varsity. Our Sarah went bowling tonight in Saint Ignace with a group of girls from Church and had a great time. However, she had to say goodbye to her boyfriend who is off to college tomorrow---we like David a lot, but are glad to have a little relief from having to stay up late and chaperone them! Lorhel is back to college too, settling in to her life of practicing the viola and earning A's and spending time with her boyfriend Nathan. We miss her a lot, she really lit up our life here. It was a realy joy to take Jomay, Sarah and Lorhel to our local bed and breakfast/lodge 4 star restuarant and all eat prime rib next to the fireplace---we actually ate that for two dinners after--they give you so much! It was great as hash for breakfast, etc. Such a nice treat to have such a great restaurant so many miles from nowhere.

We have finally started putting pine paneling on the ceilings in the new additions, so much so that my arms can barely type. It has been an intricate system of levers, pullys, scaffolding and ladders to do finish carpentry on a 14 foot high ceiling, but we are managing it. We realize it will take a long time to finish all this, but at least it is insulated and warm. The Geothermal Heat Pump is working very well, FINALLY, after many well issues. But last month, including electric in a deep freeze of sub-zero temperatures and the heat pump running continuously, the bill was $150. It would be well over $400 if we were still on propane. At this rate it will pay for itself in just over two years. Pretty amazing that water can be your heat source, no fire hazard, no carbon monoxide, etc., plus, it will be air-conditioning in those very hot July and August days when the wind lies down.

Speaking of wind, I have never been so humbled by nature in this season of SNOW. When the south wind blows a gale off Lake Michigan it is very hard to walk the complex----snow blowing into your face with wind chills beyond belief make taking the garbage out an adventure. But then, the next day it lies down to a complete calm. However, it leaves you humbled knowing it can come back and rip cedar trees out of the rock it if wants too. But the place is built so well, inside in the new great room you can't ever hear the wind thru the 2 x 6 walls, incredibly strong and insulated. Sometimes we make a fire in the fireplace just for FUN, and enjoy the extra warmth and glow.

Well, tomorrow I hope to take a bunch of pictures and get them posted of all that is going on here---thanks so much to listening to me. Suffice it to say that life is FUN again, and no, winter is good too---there's so much to do. We are thinking of adding some snowmobiles in the future too. The Hiawathata Club trails spread over 36,000 acres and you rarely ever see anyone else---but yet, if you seek human company that is never far away and the people are loving and friendly and HAPPY. I know all sorts of folks here now, and what's amazing to me is that whether they are poor or rich they are overall very happy to be here and live life. If you are hungry and poor you can still go out and catch or shoot something. Maybe that's what does it, knowing there is always hope and you can live off the land. That's some part of FUN we forget and miss out on living next to a Kohl's and Lowes and a Shopping Mall. Many Blessings, see you soon, Jeff.