Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well.

I received your card. Thank you.

It made me think about the cake you made that was never cut. I think about that every year around my birthday.

Every year I have a slice and savor the moment. In my mind I slowly take a bite and it makes me smile, chuckle and think of you. The eternal cake.

It was my tenth birthday? You had spent all day baking and decorating the most amazing cake. White frosting with ribbons of color swirled around the side and up to the top where several frosting clowns juggled, jumped and ran with balloons in their brilliant frosting colors.

A circus. A wonderful circus. It made me laugh. It was so goofy and fun. I had never seen anything like that. I was thrilled.

Topped with candles ablaze, I made a wish. I wanted to hold that moment forever. I took a deep breath and blew them out.

You had spent so much time on it and it was so beautiful that we couldn’t cut it. I wouldn’t let it be cut. You laughed and and I think I saw you blush. I couldn’t let it be cut — I wanted to enjoy it as long as I could.

I remember everyone laughing but agreeing that it was too beautiful to cut and that we would wait, and cut it later. We all had ice cream and laughed there at the table. Everyone was there - you, Mom, Michelle, Cindy, Pam, Michael. It was perfect. The cake remained uncut.

To this day, 30 some years later, my wish that day still comes true. I take another bite of that cake and remember that day. All of us there. The feelings well up inside. It brings back so many memories.

It had been a such difficult year for all of us. That had been my first birthday since and I was feeling so down. Then that cake. A festival sweeping me away letting me push aside everything and feel the joy again - giving me something of yourself so precious letting me know that everything was going to be alright and I have carried it with me ever since.

Yes, I received your card - thank you. But I wanted to let you know that I had another bite of cake. You mean so much to me and I wish I could find the words to tell you how much you are in my heart.

Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well with you

I was digging in the garden near a stump from a very large old American Chestnut tree had been growing years ago. The thick roots I hit with my shovel were still very hard preserved in the soil. The Chestnut that grew there was a massive tree — the remains of the stump just breaks the surface of the dirt.

These old trees had been wiped out in a blight back in the 1920 and 30s much like the American Elm. Before the blight they were the most prevalent tree throughout the east coast reaching a size of staggering proportions.

The lodge here is built of American Chestnut from the property.

I understand that there are a couple of organizations who are making concentrated efforts to bring back the Chestnut. Although they are able to successfully grow them, once the tree reaches about 10 years old the blight attacks and the tree dies. Research has shown it to be some sort of a fungus in the soil from what I have read. I believe that they are trying to cross breed with another more hardy form of chestnut. I’m gathering some information on the organizations as well as the blight.

I actually have a few leaves from an old Chestnut here framed as well as some of the old nuts.

Ill post some information as I have it.

Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well with you.

Spring is getting close. The weather seems to be breaking finally. About this time of year one starts to long for getting back out in the garden. In time in time - as it is a bit early yet.

Soon the bears will awake from their winter slumber. There are a tremendous amount of black bears here and they saunter through out back every now and then. I’ve had a few encounters here and there.

Read more about the black bears

Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well.

The snows subsided and roads clear, I took the old truck for a spin yesterday. Upon turning the key it roared to life begging to get back on the road after a long winter.

It felt so good to go for a drive.

This morning I awoke to find a light dusting of snow. I hope that it is the last of it but probably not.

I’ll be passing through Jackson on my way to Chicago and I’ll be driving the old truck. Great fun. Last time I came through you were up north visiting if I remember right. I took Grandma for a ride and we went for lunch. She stepped up on the running board and climbed right in not waiting for any help from me. At 99 years old she is pretty spry. She loved it.

Well I look forward to seeing you.

Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well.

The snows have been steady this year. Just when patches of bare ground appear another snowfall blankets the area.

I came across this old photo of Cindy, Pam, Michelle and I with the sheep - Tiffany and Belle, and Audie the Lab. I actually remember the photo being taken. We only had Audie for a short time. I remember Dad had wanted a hunting dog and getting the Lab. It used to chase me around and one time dragged me around down near the chicken coop by by hood. I remember, being down feeding the chickens and coming out of the coop and seeing Audie up by the house. She came running down full speed tackled me and dragged me around through the snow by my hood– she was only playing but it scared the hell out of me.

Read more about the sheep

Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well.

The mid-winter party was a success. There was so much food. The weather was absolutely perfect and everyone had a wonderful time. There were people here throughout the day — Mostly those that couldn’t stick around for the evening — there was hot cocoa for their kids and other beverages for the adults.

Around 6pm the evening crowd began showing up. Everyone brought food — oh my there was so much food. for sure everyone was going to have to take some home.

Read more about winter

Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well.

The past several days have been sunny and crisp. A light dusting of snow last night have left behind a landscape clean and white.

This is my last weekend in preparation for the mid-winter party here at the lodge. The RSVPs have been coming in and if it is anything like the first year there could be up to 120 friends and neighbors throughout the day. Great fun.

Read more on before the party

Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well.

There has been an ice storm the last two days. It is an amazing sight.

The ice has weighed down the branches on all the trees, they sparkle in the cold sun and crackle under the strain. The mountain road has become a tunnel through the trees, their boughs hang low, glimmering jewels treacherous and beautiful, belie the danger of falling shards.

The electricity went out yesterday as the power lines could not withstand the weight. Down the road to where the crews struggle the damage is extensive. They believe that they should have the power restored by tomorrow evening. Perhaps.

If need be, I do have a generator and plenty of fuel. The pantry is well stocked and the wood stove is stoked.

Stay warm.

Dear Beverly

I hope that all is well. Thank you so much for the sheepskin slippers! They are so incredibly warm and snug - absolutely perfect! I’m finding it very difficult to take them off at the end of the day. Wonderful!

Here at the lodge winter’s deep cold has finally gripped the mountain. The window panes, now glazed in frost, catch the morning light and sparkle brilliance. Spring seems so distant. There was a fresh snowfall last night - just enough to hide my footsteps from the wood pile.

Read more on a chilly winter morning

Dear Beverly

Night time temperatures are dipping ever lower here in the mountains. Although a smattering of color still clings to the trees the once spectacular canopy of color now mostly lays on the ground - a crisp brown reminder of its former glory.

Autumn is one of my four favorite times of year. I play no favorites - I love them all. I love the drama of seasonal change as well - yes even the squishy muck of early spring.

Soon all will give way to snow. Bring it on. Im ready.