Lake House Diaries 3

     Frugality was a driving force in the lives of Greg and Ethel. Having spent their teen years surviving the ravages of WW11 in the European theater, they had little to nothing in the way of possessions or even food, in their teen years. Finding something of value, making something out of almost nothing, and just making do with so very little, shapes one's approach to material goods and possessions. Being resourceful was a strong trait that Greg had developed throughout his young life and that ability to innovate, invent and create, found a home in the construction of their dream vacation cottage on the lake. 

    Greg's livelihood was in the construction business and he had many friends who were contractors who would buy older "tear down" homes, salvage what was still useful, and then haul away the rubble and build new. The salvage piles were treasure to Greg. Light fixtures, turn of the century glass door knobs, patio railing, furniture, and scraps of old but good quality carpet were but a few of the items that found their way to the Lake House construction site. Apart from the main frame and concrete work on the house, almost everything was a hodge-podge, a potpourri of mismatched odds and ends. It was always interesting to see what new treasure was incorporated into the house as it slowly became a home. 

    It became apparent early on that it would be a place where roughing it was going to be the norm. It was much better than a tent, but it was by no means luxurious or even all that comfortable. But that was OK because when at the lake in the summer, indoors was only for sleeping at night. During the day there was gardening, pruning, cutting, raking, planting, weeding, harvesting, and maybe if all the work was done, a little bit of beach time, or a boat ride. Everything was happening outdoors, so who needed a nice house. 

    The walls and ceiling had little insulation, in fact the house had to be "winterized" each Fall before abandoning it for the winter months. There was an electric furnace and an airtight wood stove in the basement, but these were only adequate enough to make the house comfortably warm in the shoulder seasons. In a very cold winter, the water pipes would probably freeze as well as anyone trying to sleep in the cold bedrooms. 

     In 1982, the final concrete pour took place. Initials were carved in the wet cement, and a little brass plaque was imbedded in the last stretch of sidewalk to be troweled smooth. The initial push was completed. Now it would be a home for up to 8 months of the year, and the finishing touches could be done leisurely. The dream was taking shape, and the new life adventure was becoming a reality.       

Lakehouse Diaries 2

     Greg and Ethel were hard workers. Having both come from a youth of deprivation, they learned early in life that for them there was no free lunch. If they wanted something, or wanted to accomplish a goal, they had to roll up their sleeves and do it. Procrastination was not in their vocabulary. No sooner had the plans for the property come to finalization, earth movers, bulldozers, and backhoes were on the property. The gentle slope of the property had to be terraced, making a series of benches for garden areas, a place for their first, but temporary dwelling, and a level building site for what would eventually be the permanent house.  

    If their plans were shared with their family, it was unbeknownst to Em and Tod. For them, each visit was a new revelation and a surprise at how quickly things were coming together. Friends as well as their oldest sons were recruited to help. There was a lot of heavy work and Ethel was right there beside Greg, shoveling rocks and dirt, pouring cement, all while preparing the garden for the first planting. As if that did not keep her busy, and tire her out, she was responsible for feeding the crews and catering to Greg's restrictive diabetic diet.

    Friends from Vancouver would come, being promised a free camping spot right on the lake, and then would be recruited for some kind of construction work. Mealtimes were a big party with plenty of watermelon, BBQ, and homemade baking. If Greg was the brains and the brawn of the project, Ethel was the heart and soul. She never wavered once under the workload. 

     The "cabin" was completed early in the process and soon they lived in it instead of in the camper van. It was only a place to sleep or perhaps take shelter in adverse weather conditions. All activities were outdoors, as the land began to take on a civilized shape. Fruit trees and shade trees planted, many coming from the eastern shore of the lake which was undeveloped. Those trees would, in the years to come, be such an incredible blessing when the hot July and August sun would beat down from the south. A long cedar hedge was planted along the southern perimeter of the building site, both as a wind break, a source of needed shade, and a privacy shield from future neighbors. 

    By the second year, the constant watering and the installation of irrigation was paying off. The property was turning green but there was no lawn in the first year or two. The garden and the few fruit trees were being watered and were thriving. It no longer looked like the barren wasteland of desert that it had been. Em and Tod were beginning to see the vision that their parents had, although it was still looking rough and a bit primitive. 

Next came the collecting of the odds and ends from demolition sites in Vancouver, house parts that were still usable, but dated and worn. These would become a hallmark of the vacation home. 

Lakehouse Diaries

      The following ramblings are about a real life adventure. I thought it was time to immortalize the story in printed format before a) I get too old to remember b) life goes on for everybody and history is forgotten. This is a true story with some details and names changed to avoid offending anyone. Only those who are intimate with the story will know who the characters are and I do not doubt that perhaps some might be offended. Let it be known that this is the story according to my own personal memories and recollections. Included is "my take on things", realizing that many events are open to interpretation and seen through different eyes, experiences, biases, and general views on life. 

     Let's start at the beginning when Greg and Ethel were approaching possible early retirement after starting and growing a successful business. They heard about some property in the interior of British Columbia, that was on a lake, had a warm dry climate, and was just south of the US/Canada border. Some friends had already purchased in the area and were very encouraging. 

     The idea appealed to Greg and Ethel because in their early married life, they were pioneers in a South American Country and if they bought this piece of barren desert it would be like reliving those early years, except this time they would have the resources to do it properly. It was 1979, the Canadian $$ was just above par, and it was very easy to cross the border in either direction. The children were more or less all grown up and could not only fend for themselves when alone, but could even help with the ambitious project taking place in Greg and Ethel's minds. 

     The realtors were approached, a price ($40,000.00)was agreed upon, and they were soon the proud owners of 3/4 of an acre, right on the lake, but with a whole lot of nothing else, unless sage brush, cactus, and rattle snakes count for something. 

     Their eldest daughter was married with two small children and they were one of the first to visit the 'new property'. Greg and Ethel were staying in a camper van while scouting out the property, drawing lines, measuring, and planning where the house would be, etc. Ethel seemed to only care about where the garden would be, but played an active roll in all plans. The daughter Em and her husband Tod, were a bit shocked at first. They did not have the vision or desire for anything like what they were seeing and were skeptical to say the least. Tod particularly, saw nothing but back-breaking work in the heat and dust, not having a creative bent, but more appreciating that which had already been built or developed. But then, he and his father-in-law were so very different in so many ways. Soon the work would begin in earnest and Tod was content to know that he had his own business to run back home and this would be a project that he would observe from a distance. That was true, to a point. 

Day 29

      I pulled the plug today. Last night we had my grandson and his wife over for dinner and although what I ate was carnivore, I had a rich and creamy chocolate desert with whipped cream. I think that officially ends it. Except for February on a leap year, there are no months with 29 days, but that is close enough to a month.  

    The evaluation: It was more difficult that I thought it would be. 

                              No question, the weight loss happened and I am better for it. 

                              My appetite was definitely decreasing as the days went by, but then that might be why I always felt like I was running on an empty tank. Perhaps not enough fat. 

                             The metabolic highs and lows (glucose levels) were most certainly leveled out. No strong desire for that afternoon nap.

                             Strength felt diminished somewhat. Often a bit shaky in the legs. 

                             Definitely a fiber shortage and the accompanying problems with little fiber in the diet,. 

                            The lack of variety is a big problem, however I will never tire of one of those amazing steaks that I learned to perfect. I am done with greasy bacon and eggs for some time to come. 

                            The diverticulosis is completely gone. We will see how long it takes to return, if indeed it will. 

                           General aches and pains decreased to a very tolerable level. 

                           Itch on upper body and arms is getting worse by the day. Don't know if it is related, but will find out as I ease back into a 'normal' diet. 

                           The Viking's disease that I thought was in remission was feeling better for a few days but I attribute that now to a change in the weather. It is a type of arthritis and as such is susceptible to changes in atmospheric pressure.  

                          My biggest worry, the gout and kidney stones, was never an issue other than that little scare one day when I woke to what I thought was a pain in my right kidney. It left and never came back. 

      Would I do it again? Yes, if my body required it. Going forward, I will attempt to cut back on the carbs and for sure the sugar. This morning I had toast and coffee for breakfast, but for lunch the same old chicken broth with meat in it, and two boiled eggs. I am looking forward to those Cosmic Crisp apples once again. 

      Would I recommend it? I suppose it depends a lot on what sort of health issues one might have, but, yes, it is worth a try for anyone. Stick to it or you will never really know what it can do for you. 

     Thanks for joining me on this little adventure. 

     Check back for more topics. It seems a lot of people are enjoying my little anecdotes and perceptions of life. I have had around 300,000 views so far, 750 just this month. Thanks for looking. 

Day 26 & 27

      You know you have lost weight when you loosen your belt and your pants fall down without unbuttoning and unzipping. Happened to me today changing after my gym workout. Then we went to Costco and as we were walking the isles, I felt as though my pants were falling down. I turned my back to the crowd of shoppers and tried to pull my belt tighter, to the next notch. I was having trouble and looked down only to realize that there were no more notches. I was on the last one. 

     The last time I was this light was when I was first married. And that was around the time I started loading up on carbs. I went from 155 to 175 in a matter of weeks after my new wife, you know, the one I still have, started cooking for me. From there I crept up to the high 100's and have been there ever since, topping out at 220 a few months ago. This is the same, but in reverse. 

     I have three days to go. I am pretty sure that I will be changing from strictly carnivore to a more varied diet but with less carbs and for sure less sugar that what I was eating a month ago. Now that I have seen and felt the benefits of ketosis, I will strive for a moderation of food intake to keep my body on a fat burning mission. Not to lose more weight, but to experience the great feeling of less inflammation in my body. I will probably know that I have achieved this if my diverticulosis stays away. 

Day 25

      I had no breakfast today. I was not hungry and a friend was coming here for coffee. So, I ate nothing from 6pm last night to noon today. I only had one cup of coffee and nothing to eat. That is a good long fat burning fast. I will weigh in tomorrow and see what is what. 

     My usual winter itch is getting worse. Don't really know why. I do not have dry skin, never have had. My arms, neck and back are the worst. Thanks for the genes, father. This was one of the things I was hoping to get rid of. One thing for certain eliminates it totally and for the rest of the spring, summer, and fall, and that is vacation down south and tropical sun for two weeks. I have tested this method many times it is guaranteed. But is it the sun (UV) or is it the hot moist tropical air? 

     Time for a big, thick, juicy strip loin steak tomorrow. 

Day 24

     I hung in there for another day. There are no pains in the kidney today and that is a great thing. I feel pretty good but by my sleep is not as good as it was a week ago. That could be due to other factors. I felt stronger in the gym today, like I did pre-carnivore diet. 

    I went for community coffee time in our amenities room this afternoon. Of course, there is always coffee but there is always a sweet desert too. Today there was a big plate of ooey gooey brownies. I glanced at them and walked by. Dare I say that they did not appeal to me? At least they did not tempt me to the degree they would have a week ago. 

     Confession time. Yesterday busylizzy baked a big batch of homemade buns. No, not for me, but for others. I had not had enough Salmon for dinner and I had an empty spot. It was either a fresh homemade bun with butter and blackberry jelly, or a honey garlic peperoni stick. You guessed it. There was no bolt of lightening, no heavy duty guilt pangs, no severe stomach ache, no gaining an instant 5 lbs., only pure pleasure and shear joy. I honestly am beginning to believe that my body type absolutely needs carbs. Maybe not as many as I was used to, but it sure ran better for the rest of the evening. 

    We went for our customary 3.5 mile walk this afternoon. It went well except for the cold wind. 

     I think I will make it to the end of the month.