Why?

My favorite book in 2013 (so far) was The Consolations of the Forest by Sylvain Tesson.  Tesson moves to a cabin in the Taiga by Lake Baikul for six months.  He brings food, books and vodka to live during this period.  He has a satellite phone but is largely without connection to the outside world.

During this six-month period, he reads, writes, chops wood, fishes and cooks his dinners.  And, thinks and lives with each day bringing its own harmony and unexpected challenges.

Living like this, in a cabin preferably in a snowy area is a dream of mine.  It is a chance to leave one's everyday life and live a more connected (not electronically) and meaningful life. When I mentioned this to my husband, he asked why I could not do that at home.  Is it the place that makes it possible or is it the determination of the person to make it possible.

So, here I am in the suburbs of New Jersey, trying to live this experiment.  How do I bring the inside in, rejoice in nature and accept the beauty and chaos of life. Our house backs on to a yard but with large and beautiful trees and typically suburban animal life.

Here is where I will have my consolations and find the beauty in life--in my home, my backyard, my family and myself.