Windows to Russia

Boza and I made it…

It took between six to seven hours. I will be honest and tell you that I hurt, but am happy as a fat butter bean…

The snowplow didn’t make it, no one else made it, but Boza and I made it and we are going to toot our horn, just a little bit. Sisoy was dead as a door nail when we got there, then the grapevine went to work and when I left the store, twenty people were standing outside and watching me. The word went fast threw town that an American living at Kommuna walked all the way. This is not a small feat and people took pictures of Boza and I. One thing is for sure, I have changed the minds of many Russians about how they think about Americans and yes you can thank me… 😉

To be honest, a year ago I could not have done what I did today and for that I thank God and Sveta and her family for allowing me to finally recover somewhat and get my life in gear again. I also have to say thanks to Boza, for he was there by my side and if I seemed to struggle, he would come up to me and stare with a worried look until I would tell him, “It’s Okay!” – then he would keep going…

Vova had a friend try to get up here in a huge 4X4 and they failed. The drifts are deep, the snow is wet and you never know what is below the surface. I used my walking stick and poked the ground 1,000,000 times to make sure I would not fall into a hole over my head. Boza was lucky and I only had to save him once as he sank out of sight in a drift…

I am sitting here typing this with a wonderful cup of steaming coffee and feel good about myself. I am finally over the hump and healing,instead of regressing into a hole that I could hardly crawl out of. Vova could not have made it and he had gotten himself between a rock and a hard place. He was out of food, out of cigarettes and vodka. Been out for a week and he was in trouble, as everyone gets who are stuck on vices, they will drag you to hell and farther…

One of those sacks on the sled is for Vova and he acted tough as he talked to Sveta on the phone, but a couple of tears in his eyes, told a different world to me…

Tomorrow, I go to Vova’s and he will have a soup going (I bought chicken legs for him,) and him and I are going to rejoice and watch TV. Then when the news talks about Obama, we will make disgusting faces and thumbs down, until they stop talking about him. It is just perfect…

I bought a bunch of extra food and will keep tabs on what Vova is eating. Then I will make sure he has more when needed. I also will in a few weeks walk back to Sisoy to get more. Vova is financially broke right now, for they have to go to the post office to get their pensions and right now the post office is a long ways away. He will pay me back when he gets his money…

Well I am done, Boza is sound asleep and I will be also in a few minutes. The sun is setting and I just spent a full days work and I will sleep good tonight…

Thanks for listening and have a nice day…

WtR

Looking at news from America is like looking at Three Ring Circus, with a Mac Truck driving across all the rings as the clowns and animals do their acts. Nothing makes sense and nothing holds to a certain moral structure or standards…

We have a Clinton running for democratic president, that everyone knows she is the worse thing since rotten eggs and half the people ignore the demon and still dance the streets for her. What is wrong with us? Hilary would pull your heart out and let you watch it beat its last as you died. Can you not see that?

We have a man who is a multi-bankrupt billionaire and while he can talk a good spiel, is he good for the country? Trump is actually the best person running, democrat or republican and yet he is still the best of a pile of stinking trash that has rotted for years in the equator zone. Trump is one of the elite and are you not able to see that?

This is some serious stink people and we seriously need to clear or sinuses to smell what is cooking in our country. Trump could be president of the U.S. and the fact that he is better than all the others is not saying much for who we have running. But hey, you have a Psycho Hillary Neocon or a Horn Tooter Rooter Trump, who can make money, even if he goes bankrupt to do it…

Now when Ted Cruz (Definitely Canadian born! So what the Duh?) is the next best thing to Trump, then we know we have some issues in the cupboard and we really do not want to open that cupboard to fast for all the crap will tumble out. The rest running for republican president nominee are a waste land of wasted humans…

Then we have basically only Bernie challenging the demon Clinton and his strength is so pathetic, that he is not able to run all over a woman who has more skeletons hiding than a cemetery and seriously he should just let Clinton have it all? (Or is that what it is all about anyway?) Seriously, do we want to just give away any chance of electing someone to president? Or do we just want to allow our government to pick and chose who we have for president. They do it anyway, so why care?

When a man like Trump and a woman like Hillary are the top runners for president, then you can see how someone like Obama was able to be elected twice even. It is called, “Crap in and Crap out!”

Really just look at everyone who is running for president on either parties side. Seriously look and have an open mind. Would you be friends with any of them? Would you want them to touch your kid? Would you eat dinner with them? Would you bet your life on them? Seriously people, are these clowns worthy of being president of a wonderful country such as America?

No they are not, not a single one of them…

Not a single person running is there for the country. They all have personal agendas and or personal goals and they are not capable of putting anyone but themselves ahead of anything they do. I see Trump being spouted about as for the country! Seriously people, Trump is for himself. Others say that Hillary is a woman and we need a woman for president, seriously again, that is a criteria? Not hardly, kinda like he is black, he needs to be president…

Why all the ones running and know that they can not make it, are simply there to make a name for themselves. I know that if even if someone comes along who is good and has their heart in the right place, as with Ron Paul, they would crush him and laugh all the way to the bank. We had our last chance with Ron Paul and we turned on him and allowed him to be buried, even as we laughed with the establishment as they did it to him…

Being president takes commitment and desire. The commitment to do the job for the country and do the job free if need be. Commitment is never a paid position in life. Commitment comes from the heart and soul…

* * * * * * * * * *

What is it with the “Dog and Pony Show” that us Americans have to have just to open our eyes?

Have you ever had someone you dislike, yell your name out from across the street? That person who seems to follow you and want your friendship, but they also have no commonsense about then at all. We all know that person and they usually cause havoc whenever they come around. They are the ones who look at themselves in the car windows as you walk down the street and they only want you around because they are sure that they are more beautiful than you and you make them look good…

Well, I hate to tell you this, but America is one of those kind of people. We stand across the street and yell out names, point fingers and in general stir up crap all over the world. We do anything to draw attention to us when it is good and draw attention away from us, when it is bad…

Right now the world is watching the Circus we call presidential elections and really we should be worried that our so called friends are trying to run away. For we have embarrassed them too many times and now as we threaten even our friends, by calling them out on the carpet for no reason… (80 Swiss banks – Seriously)

Soon we will find our circus has no customers…

WtR

Sveta says it is good for me and learning patience is a virtue. But Big Bear does not like being told what to do, even if it is Mother Nature doing the telling. Most of my issues are not planning ahead. No skis, no snowshoes and such. I have good food for over a month and can stretch it for two months easily. Boza has food for three months, thus we are not going to starve… 😉

Therefore, tomorrow if the weather holds and it should, I have found a place where snowmobiles have been transecting the area. These are forest ranger snowmobiles and they lead to were I want to go. Maybe not straight there, but regardless to the village I need to go to. I have been practicing this morning for over an hour and I am able to walk on the snowmobile paths if I exercise caution. Otherwise I am up to my waist in snow and it is wet snow right now…

It will reach -4 tonight and that will freeze my path better and make it stronger. I watched four snowmobiles playing around on the lake bed this morning and I am here to tell you, they can go anywhere, literally…

I am checking everything twice and making sure I have a snack to eat for on the way and will have matches, flashlight and a knife with me also. Boza will stay home(?,) for regardless he is better off stressed at me leaving, then trying to walk, what it seems to be about 4 kilometers one way through the woods. Now he may argue with my thinking and I know he wants to be right there with me. For what ever I do, Boza wants to do also. We are a team and best buddies; You know!

I keep telling myself that he needs to stay home, but I also know that he is my right hand and we go down together or not at all. So I have to do some thinking if he goes or not. It is not often in my life that I am indecisive and this is one of those rare times…

This is a challenge to me and that is the way I am. Can I do it? Am I able? Should I do it? Do I need to do it? Nothing matters except I want to do it and prove to myself that I am still able to fulfill what needs to be done when it needs to be done. If Sveta was here, I would be gone, for Boza would have someone to watch over him as I was gone for about 4 hours…

* * * * * * * * * *

So yes, If the creek don’t rise and the snow don’t fly, I will make it out to the store…

* * * * * * * * * *

I am going to make a chicken soup today. I use one half of a chicken breast and cook it down until it starts to come apart. Then add some potatoes, carrots, salt n pepper and onions, then cook it until everything is done. The chicken is literally gone and mixed throughout all the liquid of the soup. The second day is the best for this soup, at that point the potatoes have gone to starch and the soup is thick and creamy. Oh so good…

* * * * * * * * * *

You can see the path Boza and I take to the bottoms. Everyday this path has to be stomped out again, for it snows all the time. This truly a winter wonderland and now that it has warmed up a bit. I hope to get out and buy some goodies to eat…

Boza and I want steak, baked potatoes, asparagus with cheddar cheese sauce and a huge piece of cheesecake with cherries on top…

We can dream, Right?

WtR

Here comes the sun…

Boza and I simply get tough and force or way through to thin areas of snow. The bell tower is one of those areas and Boza and I can stand in awe at how beautiful the world is from the top of the hill. This morning we had a rare occurrence and I just happened to have the camera, since it is warmer. A Red-Tail Hawk and or Chicken hawk floated over us as it hunted. I was lucky enough to get a few shots of it and I am so pleased with myself…

A solitary bird unless breeding time and this bird is always alone and lives by the small pond down below us. He is a successful hunter and I have seen his handy work all over. Mice are history with him around. This hawk has successfully defended himself against the Huge Mamma Eagle and thrives in his little spot of life…

Finally got a good image of him…

I could not help the song above. It just is perfect for today and what a beautiful day it is. I was thinking of Sveta in Moscow and she is taking some psychology classes this weekend and I am so glad that she can do what she wants, when she wants and I love that she loves to learn. Sveta is one intelligent girl and is truly what I call an intellect…

Father Pavel left this morning; a snowmobile came by and picked him up. He waved at Boza and I and off he went into the wild blue yonder. He spent three days meditating and I understand that is part of their training and such…

I seriously scooped about three hundred meters of snow trails yesterday. Hundred meters to the dump, hundred meters to Vova’s and a hundred meters of old trails that were filled up with new snow. Today, it has not snowed and I am blessed, but I feel better than I have in many many years and could do it all again today, if need be…

The path you see is all the way to Vova’s home…

But I am smart and will rest today, for I need to pace myself and not over do it. Boza said it was okay and his paths are good enough, so that he can run around and check on the village… 😉

Have a nice day…

WtR

This morning, not so bright, but very early. Boza and I got up and walked around all the paths that I have cut. I specifically cut paths to the four big trees in our front yard and Boza appreciates that effort as he visits each tree several times a day and does his doggy business. Boza ran his paths and checked on his yard. We found several mouse tracks and what looks like a kitty cat has been hunting those mice…

It was a rough night and Boza and I both tossed and turned, as we were restless. I had to rub my arms, legs and neck down with my favorite muscle and joint cream. It works, but when you hurt as bad as I do, nothing solves the problem and I refuse to take pain relief, for I just do not believe in covering it up and getting to rely upon such crutches…

During my heart attacks, I would get grouchy and upset as they kept trying to push morphine for the pain. Several times they sneaked and gave it too me, but I stopped them as soon as possible. I want to die alive, not drugged up… 😉

* * * * * * * * * *

Therefore this morning as I decide to go to get supplies or not and sit here sipping my second cup of coffee. I am thinking about how I wonder at and about things. Things that happen all over the world and what is the problem with humans. We are suppose to be a step above the other creatures on our planet, but seriously, sometimes I wonder…

Humans are so easily made dependent. Dependent on who ever gives them the most toys and food. Humans willingly become slaves just to have what seems to be an easy life for them. Hardship seems to be a dirty word in most human minds and doing something for yourself is not priority, but last on the list. Well behind iPhone and Android syndromes…

We accept people controlling us…

Such as fluoride in our water, police/cameras on every corner, politicians making decisions about our children, being told when we can think about God, being told what we can eat or not eat, who to kill or not kill, who to hate or not hate, we are told and taught might makes right, rich is better and a million other propaganda/fallacies/manipulations/untruths/lies and power is always the best…

And probably the most problematic issue that humans have is; we see what is wrong, we know it is wrong and we still look the other way as what is wrong is committed, time and time again, flagrantly right in front of our faces and then to our relief, we finally accept such depredations and become happy that all is well in wonderland…

Therefore, I have no choice but to wonder at all around me…

We live in hives called cities, in mass numbers of humans, masses so great that a single bomb would wipe out 10’s of millions in one big bang. We live en masse on earthquake fault lines, river banks and other tidbit of areas and then cry our eyes out when Mother Nature takes her toll upon us…

There is enough land upon this planet to support everyone and everyone could eat, drink and be merry, but we gather in huge groups to be able to support ourselves in misery…

We allow money to be god and we put God on the back burner, only acknowledging him, when the going gets rough and the rough kick our asses…

We live in a world that the man or woman preaching the pulpit at the front of the room, is sleeping with your spouse or maybe you also and we accept such a person to spout about sins and then to top it all off, they tell us to pray for our service men overseas, for they fight for our freedoms and what they do is all good in the eyes of God…

* * * * * * * * * *

The government has it all under control… Nothing to see here! Just go back to surfing on your iPhone and tablet and ignore the truth… Drink some more fluoride water and it will all be good in the morning… Nothing to see here! Just go back to surfing on your iPhone and tablet and ignore the truth… I repeat… The government has it all under control…

Have a nice day…

WtR

It snowed a foot last night and drifted so deep in places that there simply was no way to get out from the village, much less get around the village. Therefore, I cleaned snow until I could not move and at the same time, cut a new path to Vova’s…

I zigged and zagged until I found the shallowest areas. I made a path all the way to Vova’s and ate lunch there…

We are going to try to get out tomorrow. Vova has a plan to get to the bus stop and him and I will take the bus to Majara a medium size village. It looks like more snow, so I doubt we will make it, but sooner than later we will get out. I think that fact that I cut a path to him has woke him up a little bit and now he is ready to get-er in gear…

Vova is doing much better today and it looks like he is over the hump of having no alcohol. I would like to keep him this way, but that is easier said than done. He is into his emergency stash of tobacco, he rolls his own and that slows down his consumption. All in all life is looking good…

I am going to take a nap and I just thought I would show you some of the small images I took…

WtR

PS: I want to thank people for the donations. Anything counts and a few of these donations are coming from people who just cannot afford it. I get wonderful letters with most of the donations and never in all years I have written this blog, have I felt so good about writing and continuing the blog. 5084 posts and climbing. People do not realize how much information I have on this website. It is literally a proverbial database on Russia and I have been posting for almost 10 years now…

Thank you people for the support…

I decided that I will walk to Sysoi and get supplies. Vova is out of cigarettes and such and I need to walk and think and maybe take pictures. The temperature has warmed up to -2 or so and I will leave Boza home. The snow is too deep for Boza and getting deeper as I write this. The road is plowed up to a kilometer away and after that it will be easy to transverse. So until I am back, I will not be doing anything (writing and such) but getting ready for the trip. It is a long ways and I was reminded by Sveta about using a sled to pull the food and supplies behind me with. Sveta is such a smart girl… 😉

My decision has been made because they broke the plow and will not finish plowing our road. I must then get supplies before we become totally snowed in. I see a forecast of most likely six to eight feet of snow within the next month and it will be literally impossible to walk anywhere at that point, for it just does not melt away. I could really use the snowshoes, but they are with Sveta in Moscow… 🙁

I spent today cutting the paths back open around the yard and Boza straw bossed and made sure I got all his paths opened. I was going to not do one and he stood there and stared at me until I gave in and opened his path up. He is a good straw boss…

Therefore, I am going to rig the sled up to be pulled behind me and I am going to see about some bungee straps I have to tie the stuff to the sled. Then I am going to rest and gather my energy for tomorrow, I need to leave around 9 a.m. to make sure I get some bread. The truck delivers around 10 a.m. and by noon the bread will be gone. Big town, lots of people and only so much room for bread. They get a daily bread delivery everyday except Sunday…

I will let everyone know what is going on tomorrow after I get back from the deep snow walk. I am not sure I can even make it, but I will try, for in a week I definitely will not be able to walk out, tons of snow coming according to the weather reports…

WtR

The Fish Village is trying to plow the road. The snow is too deep and too heavy at this point. Though from the picture they have the small bulldozer up and running and that can make it without issues. The problem is the bulldozer does not push snow to one side, it just piles up deeper and deeper in front of it…

The tractor plow seems to have broken something and they have their dully 4X4 pickup there and a bulldozer. The bulldozer pulled the pickup there. The pickup is a mechanic truck and the Fish Village uses it to work on all their equipment in the field…

Yesterday the plow was buried in a drift as high as a house, but the wind blew the drift away and moved it farther down the road. I know Father Pavel of the Monastery really wanted to be able to drive up here, but that is life and Vova and I really want to go to town to stock up on more groceries, but that is life…

WtR

I suspect that I weigh under 115 kilos by now. I can’t prove it yet, but I can see it and Vova has noticed it. I think for the first time in a whole bunch of years, I am below 250 lbs. My goal is 225 (actually 100 kilos) and then level out to stabilize. Then I will see how I feel and if I want to take the weight down farther?

Actually at 100 kilos I will be very thin and most likely stay at that size. I have a very large bone structure, thanks to my grandpa the German and other grandpa the Englishman. They both were 6’3″ and big boned men. My dad and mom were small framed…

Therefore, I have around 15 kilos to go (33 pounds) and will fell better all the way around at that weight…

Gotta go walk the dog, see you later…

WtR

 

Wednesday, Jan 27 – 2016: Spirituality Day / St Sava’s Day…

Father Pavel was found by us as he struggled up the hill to his church. He said hello as he stopped to get his breath and he asked how I was doing. I told him fine and happy, he said something like, he had to open the church and today he would meditate from 27th to 29th of January. I asked about ringing the bell and he looked kinda like he wished I would not care about that. So I said something like, if you do, be careful, dangerous. He agreed…

Boza and I watched as he started walking up the steep hill again and I wondered would anyone else walk up?

Yes is the answer! Boza and I have watched at least 12 babushkas work their way up the hill. Darn these babushkas are tough and religious, religious to the point of letting nothing get in their way of their beliefs. I find that good…

They all have skis… 😉

* * * * * * * * * *

It is -12 this morning (snowing like crazy) and by this afternoon it will be -7 and by tomorrow it will be -3. Now that is a blessing and Boza and I celebrated with an hour and a half walk this morning. We chased rabbits, lions and tigers, as Boza enjoyed being able to get around without frozen paws…

We watched babushkas wander up the hill as we walked. Pitch dark and all these people going to the church. We then walked up to the church and Father Pavel waved as he was cleaning the porch steps of the little church. The ladies were all standing out side in a gaggle and talking. Then I watched as each lady went inside and as they did they kissed the back of Father Pavel’s hand. This is normal and I see it all the time. The men never do that, but all women of the Orthodox, kiss his hand…

Interesting…

Tidbit for you: We have exceeded by a longways any Snowmageddon and or Snowzilla and these babushkas are out in this snow…

* * * * * * * * * *

The Fish Village tried to drive/plow out to our village yesterday, but no such luck. They made it to our lake edge, the far edge and became buried. Our lake area is perfect to make the biggest drifts. I finally saw them get a tractor this morning and pull the plow out of the drift as big as a house. They tried it seems to get the road open for Father Pavel, but it was not to be… 😉 Father Pavel walked instead, he is young and can do that…

* * * * * * * * *

Looks like I will be able to get some pictures in the next few days as the temperature rises and gets softer around here. That is a blessing…

WtR