I’ve been remiss in these past few weeks in keeping up the Blog with our daring adventures in the sub-zero Arctic. Fact is, this time of year there’s very little going on in the Great White North. Nature is in her deepest sleep now - temperatures are still too cold to go out and do much except to keep the wood boiler stocked full and do some plowing on the ATV. Troopy awaits his next project sitting in the warm shop - we’ve ordered his new front bearings and seals, with new tie rod ends to finish off the front running gear restoration project. We’ll get started on this work soon and update the website with details.
The snow falls very quietly outside and muffles sounds from the nearby roadway. Every once in awhile a car goes by - you can hear it coming from a long way off, the doppler effect of tires on the roadway magnified by the snow scene. The car drives by quickly and the silence returns. Inside we have the big stone fireplace fired up and the house is warm. Shawna cooks in the kitchen - it was venison and caribou stew last night, making the house smell of earthy meats and hearth.
Outside, everything is still, cold and quiet. The sun stays up a bit longer now, with sunset coming a little before 4 pm, and the quality of the light is changing each day - if you pay attention to the subtle changes of the light as it angles in from the horizon. We noticed sun dogs today - rings around the sun low on the horizon with rainbow points at 9 and 3 around the disk. They say it is caused by ice crystals in the air causing the refraction. Whatever the cause, it is a beautiful sight.
We all await some signs of spring, still many, many weeks off. Keeping busy with Troopy’s projects I resist the temptation of laying on too many improvements at once. I can pace our work on the car, which is an enjoyment in itself. In so many things in our lives we must think fast and act fast. I look forward to finally being able to think slowly and purposefully about Troopy’s restoration, taking time to research the best parts to buy and the best ways to perform the tasks involved. I take great satisfaction in seeing the slow, steady progress and dreaming of the day when Shawna and I take to the road in our Troopy, after having the time spent wisely in his preparation. Deeply satisfying indeed.
Until next time...