New life for an old cottage

 We purchased the adjacent property to Hawkscry recently (2022) to protect our privacy. The two properties share a long common border which could potentially alow a new owner to build close enough to be too close! The property has a small cottage with no plumbing and no insulation. Old style, but well built, all in all, with good supporting piers of brick that kept the termites out. After significant cleaning, we painted the ceiling, floors, and most walls to freshen things up. The front porch was pretty unstable, with some severe rot above and below, so we decided to rebuild it and make it safe and sturdy so it will once again offer a comfortable place from which to survey the lower meadow. The goal is to use the cottage as a kind of bunkhouse for visiting family as it is close enough to the upper cabin where facilities can be used. Work continues. Here are some photos of the progress.

Cougar siighting

Today, while working at Hawkscry I saw a cougar! I was arranging the prayer flag poles around the stump of an old black walnut, placing tall bamboo poles in a circle around the base so that the colorful flags could wave in the breeze. I heard a rrustling in the undergrowth at the edge of the property and looked up to see a 50-60 pound cougar skirt the entire length of the property up to the garden shed, before disappearing behind the reservoir. I also hear another rustling which emanated from the same original location, but no cat appeared, probably because at that point I stood tall and began walking toward Cara. I did not want her rushing the cat! It was the most wild animal I have seen thus far here after all these 25 years. Truly majestic and pure in its purpose and element. I wanted to believe this was sent to me for a reason. I looked up the significance of the cougar in a totem and found the following:

Muscles rippling, free on the mountains,
Great cat of cunning, hunting and seeking,
Teach me quietness and stealth of purpose.
Show me the secrets of quiet magic. 

Leadership

This is a very powerful, but very difficult totem. 
Cougar medicine is the lesson of the use of power,
how to be an effective, fair leader and not abuse power.

 This totem’s gift is how to balance power, intention, strength and grace.  

It is the balance of body, mind and spirit.  
The first responsibility of leadership is truth. 
Remember:  Responsibility is no more than the ability to respond to any situation. 
Cougar can teach you how to bring out your power
and fill your heart with it that will enable you to take charge of your life. 
You can use Cougar power to defend yourself or to attack. 

Late Fall Campfire at Hawkscry

Over the past week we have been staying at Hawkscry while refinishing floors in town. The weather was rather warm, the moon was nearly full, and a lovely time was had around the campfire Thursday evening with friends.

Men's retreat June 2012

The men's group I belong to spent the weekend retreating at Hawkscry. Jimmy played with his new camera and produced these photographs.

Dogwood cottage update

Here are a few photos that show the poplar siding and cedar shingles. The work progresses slowly in this heat!