Death

Boy, there has been a lot of death already in 2016 :( David Bowie passing away earlier in the week and Alan Rickman leaving us today. The world lost two amazing entertainers.

I lost my favorite hen Alice yesterday. I'm not sure what happened, I found her outside, alone, laying on her side. I brought her in, and she was still alive, but barely. I held her in my arms, sent her love, but alas, it was too little too late. She left this world cradled in my arms. Goddess Bless her, I hope she returns in her next life an eagle or a hawk, something magnificent that soars the skies!

My brother-in-law's (who passed away in 2006) mother passed away yesterday too. I haven't seen her in a few years, but have the fondest childhood memories of her. She was a good woman, full of love and laughter. My deepest sympathies to the Latronico family.

The wheel turns, and with death comes life, and with life comes death.

Rest in Peace my Sweet Alice ... she's the big black and white hen in the photo below.

Wood Stove and Asthma

I have asthma and have sensitive lungs (I had a bad case of bronchitis ten years ago and pneumonia three years ago). Since I moved here, I have had four lung infections; the first one was in August and was caused by mold in the back bedroom, the other three have all been in the last three months. Friday night, my breathing was so bad I had to go to the hospital. I spent almost three hours there with an oxygen mask on.

So, what is causing all my lung problems? The Doctor thinks the woodstove :( I think he is right, as every time I even smell wood smoke I start coughing now. It doesn't help that the ceilings are very low here, only about 8 feet tall, it adds to the smoke problems.

I spent yesterday googling asthma and wood stoves, and sadly the Doctor may be right.

What a huge bummer. I LOVE the wood stove!

If you are interested here is a good article on wood stoves and lung health:
http://www.familiesforcleanair.org/myths/

So, I have to limited my time near the wood stove ... no more sitting beside it to read, to play D&D or work on art (I was spending many hours each day sitting within a foot of it).

I had planned to move for April 1st, but I need to move for March 1st if possible. I started a Go Fund Me page as I could really use a helping hand coming up with first and last months rent. Sadly it is hard to make money when I cannot do my normal online work and I'm too sick to take many dances :(

My Go Fund Me Page

If you could help out a tiny bit it would be greatly appreciated!

Hopefully I can get out of here for March 1st and get my life and health back on track!

Hugs and kisses!

A Cold Snap

This morning when we awoke it was -25 ... damn that's cold! I was up every two hours during the night to feed the woodstove and keep it going. This whole woodstove thing is sort of like having a baby, it takes constant care and dedication.

I really like the woodstove and hope our new place has one. It is a wonderful heat. However, it does take a lot of hard work and constant care.

I have found the woodstove does a great job heating the house until it hits -10 and below and than things go down hill. It sadly does not produce enough heat to keep the house warm at -25. We had to turn the propane heat on today to help get the cold out of the house. 

The woodstove also has a few dangers. As seen in the photos below I have managed to burn myself fairly badly several times. When putting wood in the stove, it is super easy to touch the stove with your hand, a split second is enough to burn the skin.

Thankfully the cold snap ends tomorrow and we are back up to around the zero mark! :)