Historically Correct Cable Repairs

Back in April, I shared how our float cabin is anchored to shore with steel cables. Steel is strong, but subject to the wear and tear. The attachment point of the cable holding our transition float frayed. Wayne make a temporary fix with rope that lasted us through the final spring storms.

John is our good friend, and the builder of our cabin. He came up to make a permanent repair. He determined that the rest of the cable was in good condition. The anchor point was the weak link, probably because of movement during windy storms.

There wasn't enough slack in the cable for a new loop, so he "invented" a new system.  Taking a piece from logging history, a boom chain, he fashioned a new attachment. A section from an old chain containing the large round end was cut to length with a hand grinder. Then the chain end was attached to the eye on the granite cliff with a shackle.  Now that will never fray!

Then, the fresh cut ends of the cables were attached to the round ring on the other end of the boom chain with secure cable clamps.  


Now our transition float is securely reattached to shore, ready for anything winter storms may bring. Thanks again, John! -- Margy

Afghan Master

As far back as I can remember, Mom was an avid crocheter. She made numerous shawls, ponchos, doilies, Christmas ornaments, and afghans for family and friends.  Her beautiful afghans became donations for club raffles and PEO scholarship fund raisers.

When I was little, I have vivid memories during camping trips of Mom sitting on large granite rocks, or fallen logs, crocheting away while Daddy and I fished in a stream nearby.

Mom loved the outdoors, but wasn't a fisherperson.

In later years, crocheting was limited by arthritis. Yet she continued to make afghans. Her favourite method was crocheting squares and then sewing them together to create the final product. For entertainment, she would crochet a square before bed. That way she could savour the experience.


Wayne and I have lots of beautiful afghans to remember Mom by. And so does her (now our) kitty Stick Tail.  My favourite is on our bed. It makes our mornings colourful and bright, even on cold winter days.

I should have asked Mom to teach me how to crochet before it became too difficult. I've tried learn on my own. Stick Tail needs an afghan for one of his sleeping spots at the cabin. Fortunately, he's very forgiving about mistakes. -- Margy

THE KING is Up the Lake

Wayne and I were sitting on the deck of the Laughing Oyster Restaurant at Okeover Inlet on a warm summer day in 2001. At the table next to us we overheard people talking about a cabin on the lake. The conversation went something like this:

Guy in biker gear: Just got back from a friend's cabin.
Girl in short shorts and a shorter top: Oh?
Guy: Yea, had a great time.
Girl: Where's the cabin?
Guy: Not far from Elvis Point.

The conversation was intriguing. Maybe we should rent one of the small tin boats at the marina and take a look at this lake for ourselves. Well, if you've been reading my blog, you know that boat ride resulted in us finding the home of our dreams ... but back to the reason for this post, Elvis, better known as THE KING.


Powell Lake has acquired quite a few colourful place names: Hole in the Wall, Three Mile Bay, The Washout, The North Sea, Stump Creek, and Elvis Point. The King came to Powell Lake because of local fan. He perched on the cliff behind her cabin to croon her to sleep with strains of Love Me Tender. But in the Winter of 2007, it was more like Heartbreak Hotel. Elvis "left the building" or more specifically the cliff for parts unknown. Even though he didn't grace the rocky wall with his presence any longer, his spirit lived on.


But, That's Someone You Never Forget. When Wayne and I took a trip up to the Head of Powell Lake in August 2009, there was The King back on his cliff crooning to his beloved fan. And he's still there today. The King may have left the building, but I know where he hangs out. -- Margy

First Narrows, Powell Lake BC

We live in Hole in the Wall on Powell Lake, BC. It's near a location known locally as First Narrows. First Narrows is about 25 minutes up the lake (depending on how powerful your boat is).


Before the dam was installed at the paper mill in town, First Narrows was a shallower constriction between the upper and lower sections of this massive glacial carved lake that still harbours ancient salt water at the bottom.


As you move into First Narrows, you can see all the way down to where the very short Powell River (reported to be the second shortest in the world) empties into the Strait of Georgia. On calm days like this one, the reflections are spectacular. -- Margy

Culprit's Caught

Every year I have to do battle with the neighbourhood Bushy Tailed Woodrat (Packrat). Some years, it's more than one. Some years, like this one, it's both spring and fall. The first hint that Ms. Woodrat has arrived is "harvesting" displayed in piles on the cabin deck. The second hint is flowers and vegetables nibbled right down to the dirt, not a pretty sight.

Several seasons ago, we purchased a Havahart 0745 live trap for squirrels, rats and chipmunks at Rainbow Valley Pet and Farm Supplies. Wayne loaded it up with peanut butter as bait. By the second night, we had success. Bye-bye Ms. Woodrat.

The Woodrat is the only rat native to Canada. It eats leaves and seeds (and flowers and garden veggies). They live on cliffs (we've got a big one of those), and in abandoned buildings (our shed isn't abandoned but it's pretty quiet). A Woodrat is a large, gentle, squirrel-like rodent with soft grey and light brown fur. Its large eyes and ears, and bushy tail make it easy to identify. In addition to storing food, Woodrats are notorious for taking and hiding bright shiny objects.

Wayne took Ms. Woodrat for a ride in our tin boat to distant Goat Island to start a new life. There's plenty of cliffs, food, and shelter for her there. And with her gone, maybe my flowers and veggies on the deck will have a chance to recover. -- Margy

Sunshine Coast Sunshine

Sunshine on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia.

Ride BC Ferries north from Horseshoe Bay near Vancouver to Langdale near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast for a great summer holiday.  See how we got our name? -- Margy

"How to Keep a Human: As told by Amaruq" by Kaimana Wolff

I love used bookstores. Right across the street from our Powell River condo is Kingfisher Used Books. I like to go there and browse the shelves. In addition to used books, they have a shelf for local authors. I found a book that caught my interest. I’ve heard of the author before around town in writing circles, but haven’t had the opportunity to meet her yet.

How to keep a human: as told by Amaruq is a unique book because it is told from the perspective of a wolf-malemute. It was written by Kaimana Wolff, the author name of Eva von Loon.

Amaruq's puppy name was Sojourner. Early in his life, his heart was won over by a "human ape female" who could speak his true name, Amaruq (wolf). The story is told by an older Amaruq (Grandpaw) to a new litter of his grandpuppies who are ready to be weaned and need to "know what to expect. You won't be puppies forever." He begins with a story about his own puppyhood. He was born a city dog but dreamed of his true homeland, the True Woods, North of Sixty (the 60th parallel that forms the border of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut). This is the land where wolves (and wolf huskies) are watched over by the Goddess Silva.

Each chapter is a vignette from Amaruq's life with his female human Pack Leader, Kaimana. Amaruq was a unique, all white wolf husky called a Father Brown, a mixture bred to help pull freight sleds in the far north. As Amaruq says, "Our strength and brains are perfect complements for human weaknesses, you see.  What would our humans do without us?"

Amaruq follows Kaimana, his human Pack Leader, to university for what he calls Post Sick-and-Airy (took me awhile to figure that one out).  Then finally to the True North for a job in Whitehorse, and finally to become the King of Dawson City. Throughout it all, he is Kaimana's constant companion, protector, and best friend rolled into one.

It's a fun read that will warm your heart, and give you a greater appreciation for life in the True North.

Additional reviews are available at Powell River Living and Immanence Magazine.

How to keep a human can be found in Powell River at Breakwater Books, Kingfisher Used Books, and online through motleycrewhouse.wordpress.com, Smashwords for e-books, and Amazon.com for Kindle. -- Margy