The new roof

We have been so blessed by our “kids.” The ones that aren’t biologically ours but love and accept us anyway.  They take such good care of us. No one tells a young couple that doesn’t have biological children what it is going to be like when suddenly, they are pushing 70-80-years-old and things take longer are just not something that can be done. 

Our local tribe has stepped up tremendously. From doing irrigating five years ago when Rick was sick and in the hospital all summer, to cleaning chicken coops, cutting and hauling firewood. Lately putting a new roof on the cabin. 

They are so good about it, too. I know they think we are both hardheaded, stubborn people, but they keep back and let us do everything we can. They step in when we ask and things just get done. No pressure, no bossiness, just helping where we need the help. 

The roof project started in the spring, when Kevin, Marla, and Angie put their heads together. They bought enough beautiful green metal roofing to do the whole house. They got it ordered, picked it up and stored it at Angie’s until the weather cooperated. It was touch and go finding enough days in a row without thunderstorms or wind to be able to strip everything off the roof then get the new on before something made it worse. The back porch got done one week, it was the worst and took the most repair, then this last week they started working on the house. 

I felt so bad for Kevin, working on that roof during what was probably the hottest week of the year. But we did our best to keep him hydrated (he is at least as stubborn as Rick). Meghan came out for a day or so to help, especially when he was stripping the north side and the lambs kept trying to eat the old roofing and tarpaper. 

After the stripping the roofing started going back on and Kevin realized he needed a safety system because the roof angle is about 30º. Once the metal was on; the whole roof became a ski slope. A friend of theirs that we claim as ours came out to help then. 

He acted as an anchor for the harness and rope so Kevin would slide off the north side of the roof. At one point even on the south side Doug was bracing Kevin’s foot while he put screws in the roofing. 

It is done now and we are tremendously grateful for all of them, even down to the little great granddaughter who would hear the noise of the drill/driver and look around whispering, “Papa?” as she was looking for Kevin. 

We are so grateful and humbled. Grateful that they are here and willing to help. Humbled that we have reached a time in our lives that we can’t do it ourselves. They have never made us feel like it is a burden to do things for us and for that we love them even more. 

Canned Coleslaw

1 medium cabbage

1 large carrot

1 small yellow onion

1 red bell pepper

2 tablespoon canning or Kosher salt

1½ cups apple cider vinegar

3 cups sugar

1/3 cup water

1½ teaspoon celery seed

1½ teaspoon mustard seed

Thinly shred cabbage then chop it loosely. Shred the carrot, then chop the onion and pepper. add the salt, mix well, cover and let sit for 2 hours. Drain and rinse several times. In a saucepan combine the vinegar, water, sugar and spices. Bring to a boil and let it boil for 1 minute stirring often. Pack the jars tightly with cabbage mixture leaving 1-inch head space. Pour the brine into the cabbage filled jars. Put on the lids and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. 

Note, I do not use the onions, pepper, or the mustard seed. We like a basic coleslaw. This stays surprisingly crispy and we eat it straight from the jar. If you like a creamier slaw, just drain and mix in some mayonnaise.