As much as it saddens me, the cold weather has finally put an end to sleeping in the vardo. Without the stove in it, even the layers of blankets and my husband’s faithfully warm backside couldn’t compensate against the tendrils of chill seeping in.

We did however just get the stove back from Andrew. It was being mended, and re-fabricated in as much as it was a salvaged find and wasn’t quite what it use to be. But now that it is sealed, heat treatment painted, re-grated, re-grilled and embellished, it is beautiful once more.

The porch is also being re-fabricated. It warped during the rainy season and wouldn’t slip back into its pocket. It is much to my relief that he is also adding a handrail. I’ve fallen out of the wagon twice now. The first time, before the porch was added, the little stool skittered out from underneath my foot. I smacked my head on the solid steel trailer tongue and was impaired for well over 6 weeks, and occasionally feel the residuals still. The second, the rain slick leaves shifted off the bottom step. It caused me to sublux my rib again and left me with a beautiful display of spectral bruising. Every work of art comes with a blood payment and it is my most humble opinion that my husband should be grateful I’ve paid it for him!

So now, we wait. Wait for the wood stove to be installed, Wait for the weather to break enough to put in the stained glass. Wait for spring so that we can finish the putty/painting work. Wait to secure the right vehicle to pull it. Wait….

Until then we’ll just be a jallin’ a drom!