WINTER?

But the cabin wasn't quite ready for the weather. We had never caulked any of the walls or other voids (knotholes and such) before the temperature dropped to 20-degrees.

So we fired up the woodstove ... and quickly decided that the time for such efforts had arrived. Actual frigid outside-air breezes moved about throughout the cabin in response to the Jotul woodstove heating. We spent an entire working day sealing the seams. Finally no more daylight could be seen anywhere through the walls. Nor could the inside light at night be seen from the outside. (Maybe this will keep the warmer weather varmit migrations away from such night lights.)

One thing we noted: the walls remain uninsulated as no inside wallboards are up yet. The wood stove heats the place up nicely, but turn the stove down (or off), and the coolness of the outside environment quickly returns.

Anyway, we are warmer using the woodstove than if we tried to huddle around an open campfire!

Our work day was finished. So Joyce was ready to go "out on the town". The Cherokee Indian casino (run by Harrahs) is only 10 minutes away. So off we went from our relative isolation from humanity to the relative congestion of humanity while we enjoyed a night of entertainment watching a live performance by The Coasters, The Drifters, and THE PLATTERS! (Note the high-heeled shoes and non-cabin attire worn for the occasion)

Now who says I never take Joyce "out". When we go "out", it is really ... "OUT".

Well, Bob also has some cool new clothes. At his age, he often gets a new tie for Christmas. So he wore this new Christmas tie on our visit to the Indians. (Can anyone guess who that is on his new tie?)

While discussing Christmas presents, we need to also show how "The Eagle Flies" back at the homestead. Previously we have received various stuffed animal presents (from a sister who should actually know better) as attempts to replace a certain favorite "lamby" from Bob's youth. And, of course, such can't be done. So this time, in keeping with his soaring nature (which is mostly bottled up in the work-a-day world), he received an "eagle in a can". Here you see it perched atop another excellent present.

The following is a gratutious picture simply for your enjoyment:

At the Christmas office party Joyce was surprised by some specialized entertainment: Elvis returned. (But do you think Joyce noticed?)

SEE YOU AT THE SPRING THAW!

.... to be continued .....