Cabinet in the Woods

 

   "The Cabinet." AI named it. Victoria texted "cabin" and her phone corrected cabin to cabinet. It's a small cabin, 8' x 12', so cabinet is good. Victoria is our son Ned's wife. They helped build the cabin over a nine day period in early April. Matt and his wife Heather helped build it. Young Joe helped build it. His kids Isla and Nash and girlfriend Ellen lent moral support. Friends John Carstens and Joe Stenzel helped and provided voices of experience. John brought a generator and an ATV. Joe sent ladders and sawhorses via Steve Reynolds. Steve offered to help. I'll take him up on his offer in Phase Two. And of course there was Teresa, helping on the site, cooking, and running to town for stuff.

  The cabin floor and walls were built in the garage and carried .14 miles (347 steps) to the site through two gullies, across a meadow, and through a stretch of woods.

Teresa, Matt and Joe. Flooring mostly by Joe

    Walls up. Teresa, Joe, Matt, Heather.

   Sheathing and rafters. Ned and Matt.

   Roofing 

   Windows. Victoria and Teresa (outside)

   Minesweeper (safety first)

  Matt, on ladder, Teresa, Ned, Heather, Victoria, Joe. (Young Joe and family had returned to Mass.)

  Voila! Le Cabinet!

  It's a miracle that this cabin has appeared as if by magic on the spot I've been saying for over fifty years that this would be a great spot for a little cabin. The workers have gone home now and over the next days and weeks I'll put on the siding, etc with nothing to disturb me but the honk of a goose.  During his two years living in the woods, Thoreau used to walk home occasionally for his mother's cooking. He also had numerous guests. Teresa makes great pies and cookies and guests are always welcome.