Evening folks! Update on the house hunting before I crash, was another long night last night, whew.

Saw two really cool places in VT, one, a large old house built in 1840, so many features shared with out own, the natural, wide, soft-wood board floors, foundation of rocks, great feel on a corner of 2 streets, the smaller with a stream running through the trees into the main river across the larger street, to which the house owns riverfront property.

Very nice, nooks and crannies galore and a garage/barn as well.

Drawbacks: a little too large, as we slim down so much would be wasted. Main reason though is the main street, which is part highway. Be like taking the dog and cat, saying, “Hey, let’s go sit in our yard by the river.” Look both ways and yell: “Run for your lives! Whew, anybody get pancaked that time? No? Cool, lets chill...”

Ah well.

Next place was a 2 story LOG CABIN. Oh, my, oh, my looked like heaven. Huge living room with cobblestone fireplace, big, round, tree natural open beams for the ceiling to which some had been cut out for the sky-light in the room. 16 acres of mostly natural woodlands, flat enough where you could cut a few trees if you wanted garden, deer paths, streams. (Oh, boy, oh, boy!) All you could hear the entire time were birds, the wind, the sound of all the local streams. Had a room on 2nd floor that felt like the writer’s room in Steven King’s “The Dark Half”. I mean really, it was dark and sweet and the place was covered with deer heads and antlers. (Guy is a big hunter.) Some of you may or may not recall I have a thing for bones. All natural found, skulls for most part. Do not know, they bring good energy and comfort.

Gorgeous open wood deck running the length with direct access from the kitchen--where you eat all summer long as you look out over the trees. (Whee!)

Drawbacks? Driveway is 1st. Gravel and a 4 wheel drive is a must even in summer. Owner’s to plow because it is a right of way for other neighbors further up the hill to use.

Basement was huge, wood stove you keep lit to help warm rest of the house. absolutely perfect for Emile from drums to darkroom. (though neighbors on the hill might not be too keen of jazz drumming at 2 a.m.) Basement problem? No water. Oh, sure, pipes can be put in, but...what? NO access for washing machines? Never had one? (Hmm, dug well, do they run out of water? I mean, 3 kids raised there and some winter get snowed in, but...)

Oh, look at the walls...you can see sunlight peeking through. Uhm...it does get cold here, right? What is that you say? The logs are slotted so they fit together with no gaps? Wow, that is some groovy-butt sunlight to be able to dive down, slip under the groove and come back up the other side...

Some other stuff. So no, despite log homes looking beautiful, unless they are made the old fashion way, think we’ll pass. Nuts.

Still, no problem. We know something is there for us. Not yet on the market, but coming soon. Fingers crossed because there was a small bit of trouble last night. Main antagonist has either returned from camp or juvie prison (my guess it the latter) and 11:30 p.m. there was some big THUMPS! Run to front and a pair are across the street hurling green apples from a local tree, trying for windows. Chased them off, called the cops (who were here real fast) and they cruised the street several times, bless them.

Still, not much sleep, wondering if they would be back in middle of the night once they worked their courage up again. Waited till 3 a.m. to put out the garbage just in case. Not first time they would have been knocked over. Still, everything is fine. Gang is hanging out there right now, tense as Emile takes Timber out for his walk. Tonight should be fun. Going to be ‘light out’ from now on, draw less attention to ourselves. Try at any rate. Feeling is the real trouble will hit in the fall after the college kids are back. More cover for the a-holes. Taking precautions, back-up of our writing and other items now at the safety deposit box at the bank. Ah well, no problem, just a hassle. Again, we know that whatever happens, they are going to get what they deserve, no more getting away. Next people to live here will be fine.

Again though, this is all just a small ‘nudge’ for us to buckle down and hustle. Better times and place for us ahead, and gods, we can use it. More, we deserve it! That is what this whole situation is about, after all. Smile as I think of the new life ahead of us. It is going to be wonderful!

So anyways, guess I am saying is there might be a little delay to getting more stories posted. Will do my best, yet it is time to go into overdrive here with matters other. Still, will try.

Ah, they are home from the evening walk. Time for me to crash and attempt to get some rest. Good day working at the gallery today, yet I am feeling it.

Cheers, nighters and blessing folks!

Melissa