The Maine Moose Memorandum

Flickr Photo Credit: Fisherga

Well, it has certainly been an exciting couple of days on the wildlife watching circuit here at St. Froid Lake. While we’ve seen numerous animals all along, including the moose we’ve been seeing along the road while we are running errands, we’ve been wondering where and when we’d be seeing them right here at the camp, as everyone has been saying we would. When my folks were here this past weekend, my father the Maine woodsman told us that once the lily pads started blooming we’d be guaranteed to have some moose visiting. Boy was he right!

Within 24 hours of the first blooms on the lily pads in front of the porch, we’ve been having serious moose sightings every 12 hours or so. The night before last, David noticed a huge one was swimming and munching across the lake and playing in the rain for nearly two hours. Yesterday morning, on my way out to pour my first cup of coffee, I looked up to see one looking back at me through the porch window. I called to David and got the video camera fired up. Unfortunately, by the time that happened, he was already nearing the end of the next door neighbor’s property. But he was a sight to behold and took his time meandering around the water’s edge on our land and the lot of the cabin next to us.

Last night’s sighting went to Maggie, our Labrador and youngest dog. David and I were both working on some things when she started going crazy with her barking. We assumed someone had pulled into the yard that we for some reason had not heard. Nope. As we made our way to the porch to open the door for whoever it was, we saw that “whoever it was” was Mr. Moose again, coming out of the water and looking in the direction of our porch again. This time I got luckier with the video camera and was able to walk right up and get some really great footage. Apparently, he found me interesting as well because he turned around and headed directly for me. (Guess I should be trying harder to remember my childhood wilderness skills. As I headed back for a little more safety on the porch, David reminded me that was probably a good idea because after all . . . it was a buck.) We got a few more moments on video before he headed for the road via the property line of the neighbor’s fence. I followed from behind on my side until he stopped and noticed my presence. We eyed each other for a little bit and then he trotted up to the road, turned right and then turned toward me at the end of my driveway, stopping to give me a long look that said, “Do you mind?”.  Then he meandered along the road for a while (David and I moved out to the road to watch.) and headed back into the woods.

This morning, I’m up early with the video camera out of the pack and charging. Hopefully, I’ll get lucky again. I’m really hoping for a great close up shot when he walks up out of the water again. Will keep you posted. Gee, and we thought it was ultra cool when we saw the eagle the first week or so. . .

How to Take a Shower in Sixty Seconds or Less

Flickr Photo Credit: Jurvetson

Due to an extremely small water heater and the fact that our ground water is the same temperature as the lake (a degree or two above freezing), we have developed this technique for shower survival. It’s also a handy strategy to use on the road: desert camps with limited water supply tanks, solar shower bags, hostels where hot water is in short supply, etc.

First, get organized. Make sure all of your needed supplies such as shampoo, soap, razors, rinse-off cups for poorly functioning water heads, and pumice blocks are in easy reach. Next, turn on the hot water tap until the water becomes hot enough to stand under. (Depending on how high your heater temp is set to, you may or may not need to mix in cold water.) Turn the shower knob to get the water flowing from the shower head instead of the regular faucet, and immediately jump under. Get your hair and body wet enough to lather easily and turn off the water, leaving the shower nozzle on. Lather up your hair and skin. Turn the water back on to rinse. Since the shower nozzle handle is turned on this will save you a few precious seconds of hot water for your own use.

Turn the hot water off again. If you feel the need to condition your hair, this is the time. Put the conditioner on your hair and leave on while you shave. (Guys, this won’t take you quite as long as the ladies.) Lather up your legs with the product of your choice (shampoo, soap, gel, foam, hair conditioner). Turn the shower nozzle off and run cold water only to rinse your razor every few strokes. Fill up your rinse cup or use your cupped palm to splash water and rinse off face, legs and underarms. Turn off the cold water. Then, turn the shower nozzle back open and the hot water tap back on. Quickly rinse out conditioner. Done. While your overall time in the shower stall is longer than 60 seconds, your time with the hot water on is not.

We’re perfectly able to purchase a larger water heater, but have decided to fore-go that until we start renovations / rebuilding. In order to have the place we want and still remain somewhat financially independent, it is important to eliminate any unnecessary short term expenditures. So for now, we’re plugging along with our one minute shower option. We think this is blog-worthy because as David points out, even our military people in Iraq get two minutes to shower. Hooah!

Notes From the Lake: Settling In

Flickr Photo Credit: Lori 05871

Ah, life at the lake . . . the call of the loons . . . the smell of the grass, the feel of the breeze . . . and of wet dog fur!

We’ve been here for a few weeks now, and have been keeping busy cleaning out the cottage unpacking our mini-load brought with us by cart last summer (remember, most of our belongings are in storage), and finding a new doctor for the dogs.

While we’ve seen plenty of moose, none have shown up in our yard toward the waterfront, which is where we usually see them. (David’s Mom was napping on the bench swing last fall and awoke to the sound of grass being chewed . . . and a moose staring her right in the eyes from less than two feet away!) We’ve also had beaver, muskrat, Canadian geese, mallard ducks and loads of jumping fish . . . all right outside the door.

This post will be brief due to all of the projects and catching up we have on our plates. However, we are both hoping to have more time to write about our reflections on the water, post trip.

Notes from the Lake: Items to Salvage from an Old Property

Flickr Photo Credit: Merfam

Eventually, I want to be putting together some posts on what our life is like out here in nature . . . wild life sightings . . . quiet reflective time for creativity . . . wet water loving dogs trying to jump on our bed . . . you get the picture. But for now, I’ll be posting our idea list of items that can be salvaged from the old cottage to incorporate into our new home.  For us, this is basically a reference list to refer to when the time comes for demolition. For you, it may provide some inspiration for things you can pick up at salvage yards and other similar resources to incorporate a unique style to your home without spending a ton of money.

• Our fireplace mantle and hardware. This mantle is about two inches thick and made of solid curly maple. Under it, a rustic iron hook holds an antique fire poker. We are considering a glass, steel and concrete type of modern design with a few stone accents that will incorporate with nature and fit with the local theme. I  know this mantle will look really dramatic against a two story tinted concrete fireplace.
• The large rustic rolling barn door with old steel hardware. I’ve seen sliding doors incorporated into many eclectic loft-like decors. This one has so much patina and is just too cool.
• Old bricks. This one might be a bit tricky, as some of them are painted different colors and some of them are in the outside fireplace with a more rustic surface. Both have their appeal. I might need to consider a couple of different projects, such as the rustic ones being used in the floor of a sun room, and the painted ones all going together and being repainted a different color as a smaller accent wall. Then again, it might all just be too much of a pain in the neck to bother with. If I have to pick, I’d like to save the outside bricks at least. The look they have now just can’t be replicated with new stones.
• The fireplace insert. It’s a fairly hearty Franklin metal insert. While it might not be our first pick for a family area, it’s certainly serviceable and could eventually go in one of our artist’s retreats or other creative spaces.
• Windows. There are a ton of small and medium sized windows in this place, and I’ve found several ideas on the net (see my using old windows to decorate post). We’re thinking at least of a rolling green house if we can’t do the sun room right away, or as neat toppers for a rustic coffee table where we can display certain travel treasures.
• Cabinet and full sized doors. You can also see the other post I did on re-using old doors to see some things we have in mind for them.
• Our bathroom’s corner sink. This has a really neat vintage peachy-pink color and is quite large and deep for an antique corner sink. It’s also the same color as several of the accent flowers in our carved Chinese rugs that are with the movers. I’m certain there’s a way to incorporate it into our future master bath.
• All of the old cabinets without doors. Well, call me old fashioned, but I’d much prefer to put our design monies into the home’s interior than into storage space in our garage or potting area. I think these open pieces will be very helpful and a huge time saver.
• Our kitchen sink and metal vanity cabinet. This also has a vintage feel and removes easily as one piece. We can either use it to get us started at the new place temporarily or put it to use immediately in a potting area or rustic semi-outdoor kitchen.
• Certain furnishings. There are several pieces here at the cottage that are worth hanging on to. A great extra-long pine board library style table sits underneath some built in book shelves. (A writer used to own this place before my husband’s family.) There are several old bureaus which could be turned into other things. The pre-finished pine board walls could easily be disassembled for ready-made shelving for a craft and sewing room. I’m sure we’ll think of more.

If you have ideas for us, please post away. It’s important for us to honor the old structure since it was such an important property for David’s Mom and Dad.