Finding Home

Chapter Eight

I got into my old rhythm again, getting up around five thirty to make my coffee and enjoying it while the fireplaces heated back up and making sure the stove had a nice small fire in it for breakfast when I came back in.

The animals were well taken care of, I was spending more time in my garden barn since a few tomato plants were starting to ripen. I had blacked out a few of the window pains to soak up some of the sun's heat when it was out.

I transformed a rundown old barn into a beautiful greenhouse kind of barn. It was not easy, but I made it work. Now I have plants thriving here during the winter months.

The summertime I just make sure the soil is resting and adding the right nurturance to it when needed so when fall started to come around the seeds were in the ground and some mature plants were repotted into the soil to keep growing until the seeds grew to maturity.

My pantry in the house was looking good and full, the plants by the window were blooming. Everything was thriving just as I wanted and hoped for, the generator showed up and the guys installed it for me.

Along with a new water heater and making sure that everything was set so I could run the fridge again and be able to take a nice hot shower or bath if I choose to.

I now had hot water to do dishes which made life nice and easy, the tank that held the gas for me was also set in place. Somehow everything was working perfectly.

I could tell that within the next two months the sun will start to be out longer and hopefully melt some of the snow down so I can at least let the horses out into the pasture.

I was set to go into town within the week, I made sure the weather was going to be good for flying. I would only be in town for about five hours to get done everything I need to.

Even though it has not been that year mark I wanted to get a few things that were easier to buy than order and shipped. The guys would send someone to pick me up and take me to their little airport.

It was only a few miles to the north, but it was easier instead of me going on my own.

I lived here only a few years but still could get turned around fast if I were not too careful. Summertime was easy to keep on course but winter where everything was all white and full of pine trees, no landmarks, forget it.

That morning the one guy if I remember correctly was Tim, he was an older man who had lived in Alaska since birth. "Athena, you have done this old property proud" he said every time he showed up and he smiled when he said it.

It would warm my heart knowing that I was doing right in everyone's eyes. Once we were in the air, it would only take thirty minutes to get to Nome. In town I saw my doctor and his wife.

I made sure to give her the blanket that I knitted, which just made her day her husband said smiling at me. I bought some indoor plants that I wanted for the house.

I also bought some herbs, like mint and lavender and rosemary for in the house and would plant some in the springtime but half would stay in the house year-round for my teas and for my cooking.

I could not resist and bought a few new outfits and some sleepwear, even a nightgown that went to my knees and it was silky. Something just to make me feel like a woman plus it was light and airy for the summer nights when I would sit on my deck.

I did not have to worry about neighbors, even if I wanted to walk around naked outside I could, but I always worried someone would just show up.

I stood there for a moment remembering Devon and how he just showed up one unexpected day, and the incredible two weeks that we spent together. At least he made me feel again.

I thought after losing my husband that I would not ever love or feeling anything towards another man, but somehow, he changed that for me. That part I will always be grateful for.

Taking a breath, I took my stuff to the airport where Tim was waiting, "you got everything you need?" he asked as he was loading it all up. I pulled out my list that I made just to double check.

"I got everything on my list and a few extra things" I said smiling at him, Tim knew to always help with getting me to double check my items. It would not be for another six months or more before I came back here.

The flight went nicely and smoothly, a good thing too. The forecast was set for another storm to hit within two days' time. Once home and Tim was off, I put everything away.

I loaded up the garage with more wood, got food from the pantries and the guys drove up the hay and fed the animals with a truck load of straw and woodchips that went into one side of the barn.

After they left, I was able to walk around and make sure everything was secure, I never let anything chance or just assumed it was good.

Once everything was set and secure, I stood outside and looked in the distance, I could see the clouds that were headed this way. They said on the CB that this was going to be worse than the last storm.

"Great, just what I needed" I said aloud into the wind. Taking a breath and a moment to take in some fresh air, I made sure the generator that was in its own shed near the house was good and solid.

I did not need anything to go wrong with that while this storm was going on. The tractor was fully filled and ready to go when I needed it. The animals were set till tomorrow with fresh food and water and bedding.

Their stalls and the arena were all cleaned and new bedding put down. There were a few piles of hay set up in the arena in case they wanted to graze while being out.

The fireplaces were keeping the heat going inside the barn so when this storm hit at least it would not freeze in there.

I went inside and locked the doors, made sure the storm shutters were on most of the windows that would get hit the hardest from any storms that came this way.

I made sure the fireplaces had a few more logs loaded up in each one, I started the stove up and made dinner. A nice chicken and rice soup that simmered for the evening so I could have a few bowls when I wanted it.

It took me a few months to get cooked on a fire stove, the old fashion kind that was used way back in the day. Now I can cook or bake anything on it.

I decided to treat myself since I bought twelve cases of batteries for my DVD player. I put it on the kitchen table and watched a movie while I ate my soup. A good old-fashioned comedy is what I needed.

Next trip into town I was going to have to get a radio for the barn for the animals for the winter months, so at least there was some noise in there for them.

After two movies and two bowls of soup I was full and happy. I turned off my DVD player and added a few more logs to the fire in the family room. Looking out the window the snow had started to fall.

Going around making sure everything was locked up for the night, I went into my bedroom and loaded up the fireplace in there and went into the bathroom and decided on a long hot bath before bedtime.