Moving Along While Standing Still
In the quiet of the cabin, Mona writes...
Hi gang, I thought I’d check in and let you know how it’s been, living alone up here on the island.
It’s been surprisingly satisfying. Deliciously boring—except for one late-night incident that could have been scary but turned out all right and is absolute fodder for a post here someday. But only after I figure out how to write it without incriminating the ‘intruder’. (Did I get your attention? Great! But for those of you who know the story—don’t give it away in the comments. It’s MY story to tell—and maybe someone else’s. 😏)
I thought I would be moving to an apartment in Petoskey, but, as I told you last time, that’s on hold for a while. So it’s me here in my cabin, and, except for a mysterious invasion of big black flies yesterday, the cabin has been pretty docile. Friendly, even.
My dryer quit. That’s not good. But I have clotheslines and I have drying racks in the house so it’s tolerable. And I try to keep two weeks worth of undies in my underwear drawer, just in case…
I finally bought an air fryer. I had to. It was red. So far I’ve only made French fries but I’m hoping it won’t end up just being counter decoration. I need it to make cooking for one easier. We’ll see. (Send recipes, please! No hot spices—I mean NONE—but anything else goes…)
I found snow boots at the Salvation Army1 last week. Like new, fit perfectly, good tread, and half-off because the tag color was that day’s special. Total victory!
My dear, dear neighbors came over yesterday to split some of the big firewood into smaller pieces, then they stacked it on the deck so I can get at it without having to slog through snow later on, since the main woodpile is out back.
They filled the bin with kindling, and now all I have to do is figure out what Ed did to get those fires going so nicely. This may take a while. I’ll feel him standing over my shoulder, laughing. Or maybe tsk-tsking. But we’ll get it done and it’ll be cozy.
I’m writing more, though you may not see it here. I’m turning a short story into a novella, and I’m taking another look at an unfinished novel I put away long ago—maybe for good reason. I’m guessing it’s at some 25,000 words right now, but it’s so old it’s still in printer version. It’s never been digitized and as I’m rereading it, I have to decide whether it’s worth the trouble. I still like the story, I’m just not sure I can get beyond some of the clunkiness (my own doing) to edit it into shape. But I’ve got the time now, so no excuses.
But mainly I’m spending a lot more time at my other Substack, Writer Everlasting. The posts over there are mainly for writers—encouragement, tricks of the trade, long talks on where we are as writers in the current climate—but much of it should be interesting to readers, as well. We’ve built up a lively community over there and I’m in my element, as online as it is. (Feel free to come on over. The door is always open.)
I miss being face to face with other writers—I need that back and forth in order to keep my writing going—and this is the next best thing. And I’m learning. Even after nearly 50 years of doing this, I’m still learning. There are some remarkable writers at Substack and I encourage you to wander around there, if you haven’t already. Something for everyone.
I’m going to take the time to learn how to make better use of the snazzy camera on my new phone. I found an article on all it can do and it’s crazy! I have no idea what any of it means, but maybe with enough time I can figure at least some of it out. I do love photography. I see it as an art form and I’m going to try and get in on it.
So that’s it then. All caught up. How have you been? I hope life is treating you well. I hope you’re finding your moments—those moments just for you. They’re there. You just have to take the time to look. ❤️
Added because this is so odd. During that same trip to the Salvation Army store I was thrilled to find an original aluminum Bundt Pan. I had given mine to my daughter because I hadn’t made a bundt cake in years and then I found some great bundt cake recipes and I was sorry I had given it away, so I snapped this one up three days ago. So what did I see on CBS Sunday Morning today? A whole segment on the Bundt founders and their Bundt Pans! I don’t know what to make of it. Just throwing it out there in case you find it odd, too.
Airfryers are sized right for one or two portions, so ithonk youll find a lot of use for it. We use ours to roast all kinds of vegetables: baked potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, onions - whatever you've got! I toss the chunked up veg in olive or sesame oil and hit 15 min @ 375°, which is the default setting on ours. Or you can cut a small squash in half and roast it. Single portions of breaded frozen fish. Half recipes of biscuits... whatever you'd use a big oven for.
I am imagining you hunkering down for The Long Winter à la Ingalls Wilder. You’ve got this.