5/5-9/25 I went up to Camp Serendipity for 5 days: Monday through Friday.

I arrived at 12:10. The temperature was a pleasant 60 degrees. I brought up my gear in one easy trip, hoisted the flag, unpacked, and had my lunch. Then I walked to the grave and had a nap. When I got up, I practiced the piano and worked on the puzzle.

On Tuesday morning the temperature outside was 30 degrees. I think it is still safe enough to mix and use mortar.

I practiced the piano and then went outside and wheeled two 60 lb. sacks of mortar mix from the truck to the cabin in two trips. I noticed that I am somewhat stronger than I was last fall and didn't run out of breath as quickly. I think carrying 20 lb. of rocks on my back during my walks has paid off.

Next, I walked to the grave, carrying my rocks of course, and was passed by Marsha McComas and one other woman I don't know. I might walk slowly, but at least I get there. Marsha invited me to come over and swim in their pool now that it was ready. I thanked her but declined.

After lunch and a nap, I mixed batch number 108 and used it to lay up a few stones. I didn't like the amount of deflection in the scaffold planks so I decided I needed to stiffen them.

While I was up on the scaffold, I got a call from Paula informing me that my sister, Gayle, had died. When I got off the scaffold and put away my tools, I went inside and called John with the news.

On Wednesday morning, the temperature outside was 34 degrees. Plenty safe. I practiced the piano and walked to the grave. On the way I met John who was walking Abby. He told me that he had hurt his back, and I wished him a speedy recovery.

On my way back to the cabin, I brought the big tool bag up from the truck. Then I worked on the puzzle a little before lunch and a nap. When I got up, I went outside and stiffened my scaffold planks. For each of the 8-foot spans, I screwed the planks to a 3-foot 2x8 crossways under the planks mid-span. I used four screws in each one which securely tied the two planks together.

Then, for each one, I found a post that I stuck under the 2x8 and to the ground. That really made the whole deck solid and a lot nicer to walk on.

When I went in, I worked on the puzzle for a while before dinner.

On Thursday morning, I fertilized Tiger, the snake plant, and then practiced the piano. Robert called and told me he would be over to visit in the afternoon.

I walked to the grave and then had my lunch and a nap. Then I got my work clothes on and went out to mix mortar. Since Robert was coming over, I decided to have him give me another lesson in starting the chainsaw, which I still was unable to do. I took the saw outside and set it in the sun so it would warm up before Robert got there.

With the saw sitting there in the sun, I decided to give it another pull just on the chance it might start. I was pleasantly surprised that after a couple easy pulls, the saw came to life and started running. I was elated. I took the running saw down to the fallen alder tree and cut a few firewood lengths from it. Then since I didn't have any hearing protection on, I stopped the saw and brought it back and put it away. I wasn't going to need any instruction from Robert after all.

Next, I went to work and found a few big stones to lay up next. I scrubbed them down at my washing station and wheeled them down to the end of the wall where I planned to use them. Then I mixed up mortar batch number 109 and mortared the stones into the wall.

By the time I finished tuck pointing the joints and putting away the tools, the time was 3:30. I had just gone up to the loft to work on the puzzle for a while when Robert knocked on the door. He came in and we had a nice visit. We talked about chainsaws, trucks, politics, and other topics as well. I returned a book I had borrowed from him, and I lent him a book I think he would enjoy reading. When he left, I had my shower and dinner.

On Friday morning, the temperature outside was 30 degrees. I practiced the piano and then filled and staged 8 water jugs. Then, using the Trapper Nelson, I loaded the jugs into the truck and walked to the grave. Instead of carrying my usual bag of rocks, I used the Trapper Nelson with two jugs of water since they were already loaded. When I got back, I had my lunch, packed up my gear, and left for home at 1:00. It had been a fun, productive, and eventful week.