Last Day of October

Good Morning -
It did not snow last night but, we did have a good frost.  When I woke up this morning, the outdoor temperature was 28* - a bit nippy I'd say. We are warm and snug however.

Later, when it warms up a bit - we will go outside and do some chores.  More than likely, we will continue with the woodshed that Ernie is building.  Around the cabin are dead falls - mostly pine and birch - that we will cut-up and store in the woodshed.  Our plan is to stack four cords of wood.

I'm looking forward to when we can move into the cabin to complete inside chores.  Right now we have twelve panels of Styrofoam stacked inside.  We will put the panels on the cabin's interior walls then, cover them with pine panels to add additional insulation to the cabin.

We have a small attic in the cabin which I've converted into a pantry.  Most of our food items are stored there because its cool, dark and dry up there. Since I had to plan holiday meals well in advance - I'm experimenting with storing red and sweet potatoes. I've placed them into clean burlap bags and hung them from the rafters.  I'm also storing green apples for Thanksgiving and Christmas pies -- so I'll see how that works out.

Today I will bake bread - so I'm looking forward to gracing the cabin with yummy smells. I more than likely will make a soup as well.  It's rather amazing learning how to conserve leftovers into a tasty meal. We are also into serious recycling since we cannot go to the dump or set the trash out.  Ernie is setting up a 'burn barrel' that he ordered specifically for burning trash.  Cans, glass and plastic will need to be stored for removal from the island come spring.  One major reason we purchased staples in bulk - so that we will not have a lot of trash hanging about.

Since we don't have snow yet - some of the bears have not gone into hibernation yet.  We've not seen any bears on the island but have seen some across the lake on the mainland.  As you can imagine, they are looking for last minute foods to stuff themselves on before going to sleep.  Another big reason to be cautious of trash at the cabin.

We've not seen the Little Moose - I named her Maggie.  Today on our walk - perhaps we'll see her. I'll touch base with you all later to let you know what other events have unfolded during the day. Love to All -- M/D

It Seems Like Snow.

Hi Family:

Ernie and I went to Anchorage for five days - and returned on Friday.  Ernie had his annual physical -plus he's had a case of diarrhea for two weeks - the doctor ran some tests to see what is going on - but no results yet. I'm doing fine. While in Anchorage, we did some last minute shopping and 'early voting'. 

The weather has been warm here - in the 40's - but we are expecting snow sometime soon.  It almost seems like it will snow today - but who knows. Our temperatures are just above freezing. We are looking forward to our first snow fall.

We have done some research on the wife of Andy Anderson - the man who first homesteaded Caribou Island. His wife is buried on the island - the only grave site here and its hard to find.  Our friend, Kathy Day sent for Mr.s Anderson's death certificate. Anyway, we learned her name:  Jessie Cook Anderson - she was born October 3, 1900 and died March 22, 1940 - she died of heart failure brought on by bronchial pneumonia. 

While in Anchorage, I bought some material for an applique project - salmon swimming in a stream.  I've never done one before so, I thought it would be fun to try.  Ernie bought a helmet headlight - a "lead dog' to go on his snow machine helmet - now he has to attach it.  Not sure how it will go. 

We've not seen the Little Moose since our return but, I expect she will show up - plus she more than likely is hanging out on the other side of the island. The rabbits are not completely white yet. I'm wondering if its because of our warm weather and no snow. 

Ernie is out helping Kirby - he has a cabin on the island and is putting his flat barge up for the winter - so Ernie is helping him pull it up on the beach.  I went down to watch them for awhile and then took a walk on the beach.  It's very still and quite - except for our human noises.  Rather awesome. Kirby will be coming for dinner this evening and be at his cabin for another day or two then, leave for the winter.  At that time, Ernie and I will be the only ones here. 

Love to All - M/D

Ernie & Calf Moose

Ernie - 'gassing up' when the calf moose came to graze.