Yes indeed, we have an upstairs and a downstairs here in this cabin. We originally had a downstairs and a loft. The upside of having a high ceiling was that the downstairs was spacious. The downside of having a high ceiling was that the loft was very hot. I was going through menopause during the loft years, and I used to hang out the window when I was having hot flashes.

Pete raised the roof and extended the loft and made a second floor. He put in a bookcase that separated our sleeping area from my work area. I at first had a desk but decided to instead have a standing desk. My standing desk is the topmost bookcase shelf. Pete built this little shelf for my computer and put a light underneath so that I can see the computer keys. Yes, that Pete is a very clever man.

I am surrounded on all four sides by bookshelves and books. I have books piled on books, and I wish that I could have more shelf space. The low ceiling and limited space do not allow for this.

Our bed is a very old futon that is below the windowsills. The windowsills are piled high with books that I am supposedly going to read. I’m actually making headway or this is what I am telling myself.

I am now finishing up a book about a fellow from England who did the Camino Trail in Spain with a donkey. He is a terrible writer, and I have to keep rereading what he’s written. His sentences are very convoluted.

Still, this is a good book – his donkey Shinto is a very endearing beast. Reading this book makes me wish that I had a donkey and was doing a similar trip – maybe the Eska Falls trail in Sutton.

This morning I got Raudi out and I did all but the Tin Can trail. I felt when riding her like I was in a Thelwell cartoon – my legs sticking off the side of my big fat pony whose expression went from contentment to distain.

I had a good time and so did the dogs. This ride had a calming effect on me that lasted the rest of the day.

Back to my ride – it was maybe 35˚ F out, and the sun was low on the horizon. There is still hardly any snow, which is a good thing. I think we’d need a bit more snow in order to ride the white highway, but the snowmobilers would most likely think the same thing.

The high schoolers got to pick books for the bookcase that’s going into their school. They wondered why we weren’t putting it in the Wasilla Library. I explained that the Wasilla Library had a differing mission from ours, and yes, they understood.

Upstairs. I veered off the subject, how this is where I spend most of my time.

Next: 315. 11/24/25: Dog Almighty