Some of my readers have asked for updates on the progress of my new homestead and lifestyle in North Carolina.
My friend Elijah refers to my new home as Noah’s Ark, which I get. There is a certain likeness in its bulky awkwardness.
SEASONS OF CHANGE
Unlike Florida weather, the seasons in eastern North Carolina are refreshingly unique and distinct.
Purchase contract in hand, I came to Pikeville in early September to have my inspections. No one knew this place was even back here.
Sitting at the end of a 1000-foot driveway, it’s invisible from the road. I had never been eye level with a corn field.
When I returned a month later, the corn had been harvested, though the house was still hard to see from the road.
As the trees slowly shed their leaves, I was better able to see what surrounded me.
This was such a sweet season, as warm days blended into cooler nights; an endless procession of sunrises and sunsets.
I never tired of the view that touched me and lifted my spirits.
By the end of October I needed to start thinking about heat, which necessitated clearing the land behind the house.
I found all sorts of flotsam and jetsam back there in the overgrowth.
In the process, I got into some type of poisonous vegetation. I have never felt such intense itching and pain.
I hit it with Benadryl, ACV, alcohol, baking soda, tea tree oil, etc. I never saw a doctor, but it took all of four weeks to ride it out.
My journey into town brought me past fields full of fluffy white cotton.
One day I turned the corner and saw only barren nakedness.
With just a few wisps left clinging to the ground, all that cotton had been harvested into these four huge bales.
I also loved the hayfields. They make a wondrous rustling sound as the wind blows through them.
I began to develop a fondness for large farm equipment…Is that weird?
Deere-ly departed: They even have a place to go when they die.
Speaking of dying, as it got colder, I had lots of visitors. I hated to kill them, but they were shredding all my toilet paper.
Not sure if these were conjoined or just hungry, but it was two-fer. I felt like I needed to buy a belt to put notches in…
While I did enjoy the wildlife on the property around me, it sometimes felt as if I was in the middle of the food chain.
From the tree outside my bathroom window, this large peregrine falcon surveys his smorgasbord below.
Once I settled in, I spent hours and days sketching and drawing. Eventually a workable floor plan began to emerge.
Here are some examples of the two-story loft system I envision. It allows for flexibility and creativity- but less rustic.
I was advised by a plumber that I would require rear flush toilets that would utilize an additional lift system module.
Working from my plan, my son Joshua marked the holes we would need for the toilets and other plumbing.
He then got busy drilling holes through the 3-inch thick brick and concrete foundation.
A plumbing wall, or chase, would hide all of the bulky plumbing as I began to frame my new rooms.
The new wall represents the floor height for the second level. It will have railings on three sides overlooking the living room.
We put together a lumber list on Thanksgiving. The truck arrived the next day.
This fork truck had a versatile crab-like feature that allowed it to go sideways, as well as forward and back.
It was easy to make friends at my neighborhood Lowe’s in Goldsboro. People here are so friendly!
I am looking forward to exploring downtown Goldsboro with its many outdoor dining options and novel shops.
I now needed a trailer to hunt for unique fixtures and features for my “ark”. Facebook marketplace became my new BFF.
I actually drove to South Carolina to get this transom. I found some great lighting fixtures in a ReStore there, as well.
I intend to fashion these components into a front entrance similar to this photograph.
This Armstrong wood flooring came for $1500- a fraction of its value. This will cover the kitchen, living room and bedroom.
It wasn’t all hard work; my travels brought me past wobbly barns, family graveyards and stunning scenery.
I learned to burn my trash and yard debris.
It was also about this time that my choice in footwear underwent a serious transformation.
In mid-November, hurricane Eta had saturated the area. As it continued to rain, it never got a chance to dry out completely.
By late December, above-average rainfall had turned my driveway into a sucking mud pit. Thank God for 4-wheel drive!
Dumping a trailer load at a time into the holes wasn’t cutting it. Now was the time for a serious gravel delivery…or four.
The ditch that parallels the driveway stayed full and overflowed every time it rained- nearly every day.
By now my gravel guy is on speed-dial and I’m putting his kids through college with the cost of it.
The good news is that I was able to locate my pond that was dug to receive the water flowing off the adjacent farmland.
As I awoke to much colder temps and frost in early December, I was reminded of what was coming next.
I’m from New England, but after living in Florida for 15 years, I was not used to this. I don’t like to grumble, but I was COLD!
Remember that I am residing above an unheated, uninsulated 2-story warehouse. The food froze inside my refrigerator!
A quilt flap covered the opening and my clothes rack held a blanket against the cold. Even the mice didn’t visit anymore.
I began wearing a serape, (which is essentially a blanket with a neck hole) over my clothing.
It felt like a cross between Moses and Clint Eastwood. I didn’t know whether to say “let my people go” or “make my day”.
I don’t celebrate Christmas, per se, but it was wonderful to be near my family for the first time in decades.
And my great-grand dogs Sunny and Maple…
In early January I briefly made a pet of a tiny baby field mouse when he got trapped in a small waste basket one night.
I released “Victor” when I left for a short trip to Florida a week later. I didn’t think he would do well on the ride.
And then it happened. In the wee hours of January 28, I awoke to brutal cold and whiteness- the real McCoy…
Yes, it was pretty- mostly because it was gone by the next day. This was the only snowfall, for which I am grateful.
In February, I found a local plumber who was willing to take my project on. He would begin with a kitchen sink upstairs.
Brief history: my first kitchen was a table that held a mini-fridge, oven, microwave and a hot plate.
Until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes or cooked in my bathroom, don’t judge me.
Josh had brought me some cabinets from one of his remodels and I was able to put together a worktop, then added a sink.
No plumbing, but I could now use my lavatory for its intended purpose, and prepare my meals on a proper countertop.
My heroes Larry and Ricky at Pikeville Plumbing ran water lines and now my sink is fully functional. Yay!
Although spring in NC can be bipolar, it is in sight. The trees are beginning to bud and the first daffodils have emerged.
Stay tuned as construction continues and I attempt to plant a garden, and fill my ark with chickens, bunnies and goats.
And did I tell you about the pig I fell in love with? I’m told they make great pets.
These are trying times and may inspire fear, but we must seek the One Who brings true peace and happiness.
Keep looking up- our redemption draws nigh! Shalom and blessings, my friends. MH
What a joy to get a glimpse of this journey Marie! Thank you for sharing it …the beauty and the toil
( that rash though!!!). Your whit and your heart always shine tgrough your posts! Blessings!
Oh my, my friend! What a roller-coaster of emotions and experiences you are having! The area is quite stunning, and your little ‘ark’ quite suits you now, as does your constant optimism and love for all God’s creatures (the mice are a different story) and that rash!! Lady..you have the spirit of God in you, for sure. No doubt about it! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. Look forward to continuing episodes! All love, allways……
Wow!! Great job on your planning and work. You are our prayers. Love, Mary Ann and Dave
Shalom Marie!
When you said you were in NC I thought perhaps you had some type of a congregation you were working with
And you’d be back to Florida in a few months! I had no idea you were starting a homestead! Good for YOU and 😂😂😂your more crazzzzy than I am! I’ve been trying to get my homestead up & running since 2014. It’s on a mountain side with about 27 acres in Sneedville Tennessee. I get the gravel thing! I had to buy a tractor last October and about $2000 in gravel to just drive to the trailer! The rash….. probably wild oak or poison ivy! It’s everywhere and I can imagine the pain you had to go through 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 You poor thing!
You’ve got a full time battle with the field mice 😭😬 …been there 😬😬🤢
As allergic as I am to cats, the last young man (Wendy & Bob MCCarthys son David ) had a cat and it was pretty good at running those flea, disease carrying little critters away!
Try planting a sizable amount of mint around the place.. it helps deter a lot of unwanted guests as they don’t like the smell.
It looks like you’ve come a long way since last I saw you at Shoresh Brandon. That’s the spirit!
Have you got room for a garden, chickens, goats…. on the property? Hey girl, I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you’ve got the energy to keep us updated! More importantly, Sending blessings and strength your way!
Marie McKnight
( 😂🤣 the otherMarie)
Hi, Marie, Loved your update. What an adventure you’re on! Has a local educated you on whatever poison plant caused that rash so you can avoid it in the future? FYI, I am an American believer married to an Israeli believer, that’s how I ended up in Israel. Indeed, our redemption is drawing nigh. The prophecies of these days are now becoming three-dimensional. B’vracha, Liz
I am really proud to meet a person like you . Filled with love and open heart for all things around you. All the things that our creator has giving us are beautiful in our eyes until we get to know him. Your vision is amazing for the house you want to build. God will help you to accomplish that . Thank you for sharing and Shalom my friend!
Pretty flowers u have!