Clyde and Irene first built a structure on this land with the idea that it was a temporary space used to park during summer. Think: a stationary mobile home, only with single pane windows. The project we adopted when we moved here: to transform this under-built structure into an ADA compliant full-season home. We mostly control the time frame in which we undertake modifications. Occasionally, the structure chooses for us.

Michael and I were peacefully watching a movie on Saturday, April 10, when we heard an enormous crash. Michael said it took him a few moments to realize what had happened. As I knew the kitchen cabinets were made of particle board, I’ve been wonderi… — Michael and I were peacefully watching a movie on Saturday, April 10, when we heard an enormous crash. Michael said it took him a few moments to realize what had happened. As I knew the kitchen cabinets were made of particle board, I’ve been wondering how long they’d last. I wonder no more.

We filled several industrial trash bags with the broken crockery. We had things cleaned up that evening. The Corell survived, except the coffee cups.

We emptied the cabinet that used to live in the space now occupied by the chair. Most of the items in that cabinet are now stored downstairs in a box. Half the stuff was out of date paperwork that followed the broken crockery. We cleaned up the cabi… — We emptied the cabinet that used to live in the space now occupied by the chair. Most of the items in that cabinet are now stored downstairs in a box. Half the stuff was out of date paperwork that followed the broken crockery. We cleaned up the cabinet and moved it into the kitchen.

The survivors fit in the repurposed cabinet. We now have a bit more horizontal space in our kitchen!

Yesterday we purchased a small cabinet from the “bargain” area of our local big-box hardware store. It is meant to be installed on the floor with other cabinets on top of it. We will modify it, putting a top on it and figuring out how to deal with t… — Yesterday we purchased a small cabinet from the “bargain” area of our local big-box hardware store. It is meant to be installed on the floor with other cabinets on top of it. We will modify it, putting a top on it and figuring out how to deal with the kick space on the bottom. It is made out of three-layer plywood and is stapled together. The normal price of this cabinet ($525), coupled with its shabby construction, is why I will be making the cabinets for our future kitchen.

I have no idea when I will be able to get back to real construction projects, rather than emergency measures. The catastrophic failure cost us some nice bowls, coffee cups, and a bunch of jars of herbs. Ridding the kitchen of a looming danger without anyone getting hurt was worth it. I don’t hit my head on cabinet handles while doing dishes anymore. We have a wider walkway to the washer/dryer area. Little used items no longer take up precious living space. All in all, I’d say we’ve come out ahead.

In the meantime, I saw the first bloodroot blooms on April 9th.

We have had several inches of much needed rain. It has kept me out of the gardens, but frost danger still looms. Regardless, potatoes and onions need to get in the ground.

April 5 ushered in the first summertime clouds.

Michael and I get our second COVID vaccines later this month. Irene was fully vaccinated about a month ago. We can hardly wait to begin actively sharing the bounty of the Big Woods again! We just have to find the glassware we packed 7 years ago….