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THE
JOURNAL
ONLINE
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QUIRE
SEVEN:
CHAPTER
SEVEN
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The Quest for the Winter Harbor, Part Four
The Winter Hiatus
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STILL, MY SLEEP LAST NIGHT proved to be ever so elusive due to the host of cerebration filling my mind and plaguing me with wakefullness. Well, I guess that even thought my
solivagant vagabondage has notably diminished during these winter months, my mental seafaring journeys are continuing at full sail.
Methinks that it is because of these mental journeys that I often find my self thinking about my computer work in my dreams. So, in order help bring on sleep, I consciously make the effort to click on the X in the upper right hand corner, turning off the mental computer.
However, the unconscious mind is an interesting entity in that after that working for several times, then when I would look to the upper right corner of my mind, there would be no X there for me to click on.
(Day 693 BR) 37°F.
(Day 213 in Port)
21,952 DA, or
743 full moons,
3618 DR70,
7270 DR80
Indoor sleeping berth
Beginning last week, the mornings have become noticeably colder causing me to move my sleeping berth into the living room of my home so that I can gain some warmth from the propane fire place.
It doesn′s take long before I run out of propane because I only have a ten gallon tank. I keep the temperature as low as possible during the night, not too much above freezing, and find that the mid-forties are best for sleeping comfortable within my sleeping bag.
This afternoon, I hear the familiar call of my new friend, the bald eagle, walk out the back door and see him on the top of the tallest tree in the forest just east of my home. I use my camera to photograph him and then zoom in to get a close up of this bird.
(m3an-chb-latr-070ba-2010-1108.1359) The Eagle has landed!
Click Here to zoom in
(Day 679 BR) 28°F.
(Day 227 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
Upon awaking this morning, I prepare coffee and then as is my custom each dayspring, open the dining room window, because it faces the east, to view the sunrise. Although the light of day has arrived, there is no sun to be seen this day as I watch the snow falling from the low hanging dark clouds.
The snow, coming down in a light drizzle allows me to see the trees across the highway a thousand feet away. Staying inside to work on my business, I watch during the early morning while the snow continues to accumulate and by eight this morning, it has nearly covered the foot high grass in the field east of my mowed lawn.
Shortly after eight, the sun breaks through the clouds, so I grab my hat and gloves, go outside, clear off the walkways and then take some photos.
(b4mowing-2010-1123.0922) Early Morning Shoveling Snow at
my Home
By noon, it begins to snow again so, I go back inside to have something to eat. While eating, I notice that the bird feeders are completely empty, so after eating, I go back outside to refill the bird feeders.
(m3an-chb-latr-093do-2010-1123.1353)
downey woodpecker on Suet Feeder
Then, I come inside for a hot drink thinking that the temperature has dropped noticeably. Upon checking, I find it is now 22 degrees and it does not appear that there is to be any letup in the snowfall.
Methinks, that to someone else who may read this journal entry, it would appear to be no more than a weather report! However, during my twenty-one years of living on this rock, there has never been snow in this harbor port earlier than the fourteenth of December which occurred in 2008 when we had what was then called the storm of the century. Now that I think of it, last December was a abnormally cold one too.
Normally, during the past two decades living here, I would only see a snow fall every four or five years and usually only in the last week of December or early in January. Methinks, this odd weather could be a presage for a climate change.
(Day 678 BR) 20°F.
(Day 228 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
The dayspring brings a clear sky and a beautiful sunrise but the twenty degrees this morning begins withe is suppose to be the high for the day. Except for the occasional trip to the bird feeder, I plan on staying inside all day and complete the work on my paralegal website.
The radio tells me that the freeze should break Thursday evening with rain in the forecast. It is amazing how you never realize how much you appreciate rain until there is one of these winter storms. I do however, go outside and spend several hours sweeping the snow form my deck, brick walkway and driveway.
(Day 677 BR) 11°F.
(Day 229 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
This begins my third day of captivity but the temperature is suppose to rise up to near 32° F.
(Day 676 BR) 30°F.
(Day 229 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
On this forth day of this white out, the dayspring through my window has resumed the dark overcast appearance with snowfall that was seen Monday. The snow must have started during the middle of the night because there is a fresh one inch layer on my deck this morning upon arising.
By midday, the snow was two inches but stopped at about two in the afternoon when I go outside and swept the deck, brick and concrete. By four pm, the temperature has risen to thirty-three degrees. Also, I noticed rain drops on my window and think, The snow melt begins.
(Day 675 BR) 40°F.
(Day 231 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
I awake this morning and when I go outside to take the garbage out, notice that it feels really warm.
Methinks that this is odd because before this winter storm, I would always feel that forty degrees is really cold. It is amazing how our environment affects our entire outlook.
I grab my computer, start the jammer to drive into town and stop at the w-mart. I sit in the coffee shop and while my files are being uploaded to the paralegal website, I write in my journal.
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The
Boreal Birding
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(Day 639 BR) 35°F.
(Day 267 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
Waning Crescent Moon
The Dayspring comes after eight this morning, I have been up a long time and waiting for it to begin. The first thing I notice is that the crescent moon is less than one hand width above the sunrise which means that tomorrow will be a new moon.
(m5he-ch-mooncrescent-2011-0101.0844)
Crescent Moon
Soon after that, the sun rises but with very little color, and there is quite a bit of birdsong in the air, however, today′s light proves too dim for photography
(m3an-chb-soco-156go-2011-0101.1005) Golden-crowned Sparrow
This day does finish with a spectacular display of red, orange and yellow.
(m5da-sunglow-2011-0101.1748) Days End come with a Grand
Sunglow
But, then the cold wind blows in from the north, which causes all warm blooded creatures to quickly retreat to their berths and take rest for the night.
(Day 632 BR) 39°F.
(Day 274 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
A couple of days pass and a second cat, a marmalade colored one begins to feed on the tree stump behind my home. I have put a plate on the stump on which I place all of my food scraps. The chicken parts are what is eaten first by the feral cats.
(b4mowing-2011-0106.1641) Marmalade colored Feral Cat
Interesting, the cats never arrive together, neither even at close intervals but rather seem to have separate routes that they travel which keep them apart.
(m3an-chb-latr-092nr-2011-0108.1544) Northern Flicker in the tall grass
(m3an-chb-sost-119he-2011-0108.1558)
Hermit Thrush (gray extreme)
During the midday, I notice that some of the birds seem to be foraging for food in the green grass. It is at this time that I see my first Hermit Thrush.
(Day 631 BR) 36°F, high 39.4°F.
(Day 275 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
Now this is how it is suppose to happen! It is the second week in January when I awake to find the ground covered with an inch of snow with the snow continuing to come down.
Upon going outside, I observe on the deck that the purity of white snow has been ravaged by thousands of bird tracks, so, I grab my broom to sweep the deck and brick walk all the way to the garage.
(b4mowing-2011-0109.1001) One inch of Snow on the Ground
It is just after seven this morning after returning from feeding the birds and note that the Sunglow is well past even. While outside, I observed that the ground is wet under the snow but is beginning to freeze due to the temperature of the snow even though the ambient temperature is still above freezing.
Both the tall trees and low lying scrubs have their boughs bending under the thick cover of wet snow. The heavy clouds allow only about a thousand yards visibility and the snow continues in a quite solitude.
Outside, the animals remain in their dens; the birds have retreated to the protection of their roosts and nests only to return often in throngs to the feeders for more nourishment as the snow continues to fall.
(m3an-chb-sost-142bu-2011-0109.1338)
Bushtits Throng the Suet Feeders
(m3an-chb-sost-142bu-2011-0109.1340) Bushtit on the vertical suet feeder
(m3an-chb-sost-142bu-2011-0109.1339) Bushtits hanging at horizontal feeder
Now, one or two things will happen. If the snow continues all day, the temperature will drop, the roads and walk ways will freeze and we will wait at home for a couple of days until it thaws. However, if the snowfall stops or changes to rain, then the snow will be gone before the day is out (which is what usually happens here on the coast of Washington state.)
I return inside to continue the work I am doing, and while doing so, I enjoy the heat coming from the fireplace, which does well at keeping the entire home warm.
(b4mowing-2011-0109.1413) The Fire Place keeps
My Home Warm
At ten this morning, the snowfall increases with larger flakes but the temperature is still increasing, now at 39°F. Then at three in the afternoon I observe the sun as it breaks through the clouds, soon the snow stops and the sky begins to clear. The temperature stays in the thirties and the snow begins to melt.
Later, even though the sun remains out, the temperature begins to drop. What a strange winter this has been!
(Day 621 BR) 26°F.
(Day 277 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
Most of the snow is gone now, only a few patches remain in the shady areas. The black cat came by yesterday to eat some of the food that I keep on the plate.
(b4mowing-2011-0110.1440) Feral Cat returns to Feed
I have been working on the web site for long hours this week and I believe that it will be ready for uploading first thing in the morning. There are still a few things that need to be corrected but it is to a point where I need a break.
I head into town for supper and decide on Mexican. Afterwards, I return and get back to work on the last part of the corrections.
A couple of days later, I get a photo of the moon as it nears full.
(m5he-moon-gibb-2011-0117.1651)
Gibbous Moon 3 Days before the Full Moon
The very next day, the flock of bushtits return and ravish the suet feeder.
(m3an-chb-sost-142bu-2011-0117.1216) The Bushtits return in Mass
(m3an-chb-sost-142bu-2011-0118.1042) Thanks for the Suet!
One of these birds stops, turns to look at me as if saying, Thanks for the Suet.
(Day 621 BR) 32°F.
(Day 285 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
It started very cold this morning but warmed up nicely. Yesterday at about six pm, I noticed that temperature inside was getting colder, even after I had set the thermostat. When I looked down at the pilot light and saw that it was out I realized that the propane tank was empty. Since the propane store closes at six, this will means another cold night inside my home unless I can get to the store before it closes. I grab the tank and drive to the store and make it just in time. So, it will be nice and toasty inside tonight because the tank got refilled.
The sun just set and as I expected, the moon came up over the trees shortly after. There are clouds in the night sky and light from the moon produces some color but nothing worth a photo.
Too, methinks there could not be too many more days of cold weather left this winter, that is unless La Nina postpones the spring?
(Day 595 BR) 37°F.
(Day 311 IP)
Indoor sleeping berth
All during the beginning of February, during the midday, I have been clearing the underbrush out of the very rear of my yard to add more flower gardens and where I plan to set up more bird feeders. However, the suet continues to attract many
starlings and when they arrive, they devastate the suet causing it to fall to the ground. In my firewood pile, I have quite a few pieces of cedar boards and have decided to design and then build a bird feeder that will keep the starlings from reaching the suet.
Also, the woodpeckers have been coming in regularly all this month to feed at the suet feeders: the Northern Flicker, the Downey and the Hairy.
(m3an-chb-latr-093ha-2011-0213.1727)
Hairy Woodpecker (female)
(m3an-chb-latr-093ha-2011-0214.1459) Hairy Woodpecker
(m3an-chb-latr-093ha-2011-0219.1558) Hairy Woodpecker (male)
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The
100 Year Winter
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(Day 591 BR) 39°F.
(Day 315 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
Full Moon, Snow Moon
After that second snow that fell on January 09, the night time temperature has remained in the thirty′s all during February with some nights rising into the forty′s and an occasional rainy fifty something. But the days have been regularly in the fifties. Typically, February is the spring month for the coast of Washington and by now, winter is over and the spring blossoms are well on the way.
Recently, I have been seeing the crocuses beginning their blooms and the tulip bulbs sprouts are now between two and four inches high. Nevertheless, thus far, this has been quite a cold winter.
I have been receiving increased bird visitation ever since I cleaned the underbrush in the rear area of my back yard and set up the bird feeders there. I have begun making suet feeders with some of the cedar pieces I had. Also, I set out the hummingbird feeder and have been watching for the little hummers but none have arrived as yet.
(Day 587 BR) 33°F.
(Day 319 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
For the past several days there have been forecasts for snow but I kept saying to myself, I will believe it when I see it.
Then just after sunset, I hear hail hitting the roof but still do not think there will be any substantial accumulation of snow because it is just too late in February for that to happen.
(Day 586 BR) 32°F.
(Day 320 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
However, upon awaking this morning, I find up to eight inches of snow covering everything. I put on my working clothes, walk outside and begin removing the snow from the walk ways, drive way and deck, and after three hours, I still have much to do in order to clear all the way to the road.
(b4mowing-2011-0223.1150)
After a short stop for something to eat, I return to the work of removing the snow and continue until about four this afternoon, at which time, I go inside, get into the bathtub and take a long hot shower.
(b4mowing-2011-0223.1525)
During the next two day, it does not get above freezing and the snow continues to come down steadily, but not as heavy as before, only lightly.
Eventually, I change from trying to remove all the snow to just removing a few paths to those places that I must needs access, such as the bird feeders, down the steps from the top deck and to the garage side door. I do remove a little in front of the garage overhead door, but do not go all the way to the street.
I have a substantial amount of supplies, so I will not have to resupply for several days. Too, I had just refilled my propane bottle, so I am go there as well.
I have to say that this has truly been a record breaking winter. As long as I have been here, there has only been one year when it snowed twice during winter, never three! Further, most every time it has snowed in past winters, it has always been a light accumulation and was gone in one or two days.
This year it all began on November 22, an early heavy snow lasting four days. Again on January 09, another heavy snow ravages this Snow Port for three days. Now today, February 23, it has done it, that is snowed enough to stick, once more this winter. Wow, what a seriously cold winter. Many are calling this the 100 year winter, which I believe means that there has not bee one this cold or with this much snow for over one hundred years.
Then by the early afternoon of this day, the temperature has risen up to almost forty degrees and the white is dripping heavily. However, at four, upon looking outside I see that the snowfall has resumed, but with small flakes and upon checking the temperature find it to be 34 degrees F and visibility is about one thousand feet.
By five the temperature drops to below freezing, the snowfall increases, now with large flakes and has begun to stick to the walk way and drive way again. I am curious how long this storm will continue to persist.
(Day 585 BR) 30°F.
(Day 321 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
It is nine o′clock and I have just returned from removing the new snow from the outside surfaces, that taking only one hour this morning.
The heavy clouds have gone leaving large patches of blue sky and no restricted visibility. There is only one inch of new snow and it is powder so it is easy to remove.
As I was sweeping the deck, I heard the buzz of a hummingbird and caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye; my first confirmed sighting this year. Yesterday, however, I thought I saw a hummer by the feeder and now I am sure it was one.
By noon, the temperature is forty degrees again and the snow is in meltdown but shortly after it begins its decent back to freezing.
I open the front door and suddenly a hummer flies from the feeder to within four feet of me, hovers for a second to check me out and then darts away. It is because I was not expecting to see the hummer that I did not notice if it was male or female. I will begin watching the feeder more carefully to find out its gender but do not see the hummer again today.
(Day 584 BR) 28°F.
(Day 322 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
(b4mowing-2011-0225.1153) Forth Snowfall of the 2010-2011 Winter
(b4mowing-2011-0225.1155)
(b4mowing-2011-0225.1156)
What a Winter!
An eagle flies past and disappears behind the trees one hundred yards to the east. Moments later, at 7:02 am, the sun rises. Later, I go outside to take photos and notice that there are now a lot of clouds in the sky which cast a shadow here below.
This is the first time that I choose not to clear the drive way all the way to the street, methinks because I suspect that this snow will be gone really soon anyway, most likely by this evening or at the latest midday tomorrow.
(Day 583 BR) 30°F.
(Day 323 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
It is four in the afternoon and it is snowing again with the visibility back down to 1000 feet; the walk ways are white again and the temperature is 30 degrees.
It is just another day in the
Snow Port. I hope that it will soon go back into the snow melt mode.
I refill the suet holders and the woodpeckers show up right away. They must be hungry.
(m3an-chb-latr-093ha-2011-0225.1232) Hairy Woodpecker (female)
(m3an-chb-latr-093ha-2011-0225.1233) Hairy Woodpecker (female)
(Day 582 BR) 33°F.
(Day 324 in Port)
Indoor sleeping berth
The ground outside is still covered with snow but with the temperature now is above freezing, it will be a full day of Snow Melt.
Too, it is suppose to be raining today so I expect that most of the snow will be gone by tomorrow morning.
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La
Nina Spring
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(Day 543 BR) 38°F.
(Day 363 in Port)
Overnighting in the garage
Indeed, not only has this been the coldest winter that I have ever experienced in this port city, but also the longest winter. This winter has been unlike any I have experienced in my previous twenty years on this rock.
Since my return almost one year ago, there has been persistent near freezing nights, cold days, and now, during the first week in April, it continues to snow on the nearby foothills.
Truly, there are forces that have changed on this planet.
Too, since the disaster in Japan last month, I have begun preparing my emergency stores and now have packed most of these into the windjammer.
Then last week, a friend asked me to work with him, doing the overnight fire watch while he was burning stumps after clearing the land. My job was to stay on the property all night and I chose to sleep in the windjammer each night.
That job was complete yesterday morning when I awoke but I continued sleeping in the windjammer last night, especially now since I am becoming accustomed to sleeping there again. Short of getting all of my personal and business papers reorganized and boxed, I am ready to set sail again.
Come May, I hope to have the anchor hoisted, rudder amidships, sails trim and beams reach, but even so, I will continue here waiting until the sale of my home.
(Day 541 BR) 40°F.
(Day 365 in Port, One Year in Oak Harbor)
Overnighting in the garage
It was midday one year ago when I returned to Oak Harbor and never was I expecting to make this first year anniversary.
I clearly recall my words "I arrive back to what I have for the last twenty years, called my home but now it seems more like only a stop on this journey. I pray it to be just a short stop but also pray that I will accept anything that God provides me."
Yes, this stop abides into another year, and this journey has become life long.
With each passing night, it becomes easier for me in my new sleeping berth. Granted, it is somewhat wanting compared to spacious berth that I have had for the last year but the jammer berth will remain as my home long after the mobile sells.
Too, it is slowly becoming warmer, which I recognize as I do not need to pull the sleeping bag over my nose to keep warm at night and most mornings by six I find myselƒ doffing the covers altogether.
Today, as I am pressure washing the driveway and garage, I tell a person who stops to look at mobile home that I will continue to paint, fix up and improve this home as long as I live in it because I want to enjoy it while I am living here.
However, my hope remains that my wait in this mobile home will not last past the day when the big countdown reaches zero.
(Day 532 BR) 50°F.
(Day 373 in Port)
Overnighting in the garage
Full Moon, Memorial of Christ′s Death, After Sunset.
Why is the memorial celebrated after sunset?
In Bible times a day began in the evening, at sunset, and ended the next day at sunset. So, a day ran from evening to evening.
Leviticus 23:32.
To do something at the first moments of a day or even at the beginning of the evening of a particular day, one would begin just after sunset of the previous day.
How is the day of the celebration determined?
The Bible does not use the calendar that is used today with months such as March, April, May, June and etc. Instead, in the Bible refers to and entire different list of months, with such names as Nisan and Adar.
Esther 3:7
The Jews counted their months from new moon to new moon. They celebrated the Passover on the 14th day of the first month of their calendar, which is called Nisan.
(
Leviticus 23:5;
Numbers 28:16)
That day, Nisan 14, was the same date that the Romans put Jesus Christ to death and his death occurred 1,545 years after the first Passover meal was celebrated by the Israelites in Moses′s day.
Yes, Nisan 14 is a special day in Jehovah′s calander!
(Day 522 BR) 50°F.
(Day 384 in Port)
Overnighting in the garage
Early in the day, I hear the call of an eagle, so I grab my camera and go outside to look on the perch to the east but do not see the eagle that regularly comes to this perch. I hear the call again coming from behind my home and then walk around back to look and see a different eagle on some dead branches of a willow tree.
(m3an-chb-laae-070ba-2011-0428.0808) A
Bald Eagle lands right behind my Home
(m3an-chb-laae-070ba-2011-0428.0809) A Bald Eagle lands right behind my Home
The head feathers of this bird looks as if he has been in a mud fight. The eagle does not stay long before taking off, just long enough for me to take a few photos.
Earlier this month, I pressure washed the back of the garage and now it seems to have dried out quite well, so, first I will apply the primmer and after that, the white paint. This is last of the painting on my home. It is now so ready to sell!
(b4mowing-2010-0430.1323) Now, it needs to be painted.
(Day 511 BR) 50°F.
Day 395 in Port
Overnighting Indoor Sleeping Berth
Joanne asks me to stop by to look at the possibility of building a
wooden deck onto the front of her mobile home because the old one is rotting. I tell her that I am working on a project but should be able to stop by later this evening.
She says that would be perfect because she is working on getting the front of her home touched up with primer and paint.
(b7wa-noisyjet-2011-0509.1821) Joann′s Home, Primed and ready for Paint
When I arrive a little after six this evening, I find that she has been busy with the paint work. She shows me a pile of two by six boards that she would like to use and I tell her that it will work great for the floor joists and roof joists, but that she will need some four by four boards for the risers and two by fours for the rafters after which she uncovers another pile of two by fours.
I ask her what kind of boards does she want to use for the deck boards and she replies "The same kind as your deck." I ask her, "Do you have those yet?" and she answers no. I take some measurements and then give her a written list of material that she will need to purchase including the roofing material, metal brackets and hardware. She says she will pick up the materials and asks when I can start.
By Wednesday of this week, she has purchased the material, so I stop by to work on the deck joists and under structure. Joann says she has some old paint she wants to brush on all the underside boards so, I stop and let her get to work.
(b7wa-noisyjet-2011-0513.1034) Joann′s Deck is waiting for Paint on the Joist
When I return I find that she has been quite busy putting paint on the deck joists and I offer to help her to finish painting the rest of the joist.
We do not paint the outside faces of the deck joists because these will be painted with the same color as the paint on her home.
(b7wa-noisyjet-2011-0513.1621) Joann′s Deck Joists are close to being finished
(Day 503 BR) 40°F.
(Day 403 in Port)
Overnighting in the garage
We continue to work on the deck over the weekend, and when I need to lift the two roof panels onto the roof joists, two of Joann′s sons come by to help. I tried to lift each of the two panels, but I definitely could not lift either by myself.
(b7wa-noisyjet-2011-0524.1748) Joann′s Deck is Finished
Once the wood frame panels have been lifted to the top, I am then able to secure all the boards with the attaching metal and finish installing the roofing metal. Methinks, this should hold up for many years to come.
Time has come again for Cold Showers
With the days now warming up into the mid to high sixties, I have resumed taking cold showers. Earlier this month, I began reconditioning myselƒ to turn off the hot water and finish my shower with a cold rinse and I expect that by the first of June, this will have become a regular occurrence.
Even when young
2 I would take cold showers, most occasions because it was necessary, such as when outdoors overnight. Still, I learned back then how to do so and always appreciated being clean even though it was often hard to do.
Although hot showers will never be despised, (I still normally take two a day) cold showers will always have their place and especially now since the weather is quickly warming up again.
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This Page Last Updated: 30 April 2026
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