Less is More/ Life at Top Knot

Two years ago, I was living in my shed and working on the cabin. A lifetime dream coming to fruition. Full of challenges, obstacles, and naysayers​. But also full of accomplishments, achievements, milestones, and delight. Resiliency comes in lots of forms. And there are rewards for constancy. Sitting on my deck, with the new roof overhead, solar panels generating more power than I need, and the cabin being cozy and just as I had hoped makes all of it worthwhile. The cabin is insulated from weather. I am insulated from utility costs. I’m insulated from hustle and bustle.  It’s been quite a journey over these 2 years. Had to say goodbye to Montana…the doggy. 17 years of partnership. So fortunate to have had her for those years.  I wish my parents had lived to see me get this built. I think they would have been proud of it. My dad enjoyed simplicity. And he simply enjoyed life. It’ll be fun to take more pics 2 years from now. The cabin will never be “done”, but I’m continually in...

​ Took some time off today to frame the roof for the deck at Top Knot. A little warm. A little smoky. And, let’s not forget, I’m not in my 20s anymore. That was 3 decades ago. But it’s framed up and ready for me to roof this weekend. I include a couple pictures of what Top Knot looked like 2 years ago today. It’s come a long way and has plenty more to do. Now…resiliency vs tenacity. I’ve stated most of my life that I would eventually live in Montana. It was in my 20s that I started adding that I planned to buy some acreage with lodgepole pines on it and build my Jeremiah Johnson cabin. Life, divorce, career, kids, all sorts of things delayed that happening. But it did…I was tenacious about making it happen.  As I built it, it threw challenges at me. 700 pound logs needing to be brought 100 yards to the cabin and put 10 feet off the ground…that made me tenacious. When one of those logs fell on me and had me pinned on the ground, I had to find resilience to get out from under it and ...

Plenty of rain the past few days. But, as is always the case, after the storms, the sun shines again. Gorgeous Top Knot day today. Grilled some 🌽! One of my absolute faves.  It was a rest day today after lots of social the past several days. Self care is absolutely essential. A chance to recharge and refocus for what’s to come.  The rain put a beat down on some of the fires across the state and washed the smoke out of the air. The heat wave has broken as well. Temps in the 70s. I’ll take that all day. I’m a lucky boy.  ​

​ I get asked a lot of the cabin is done. It never will be. I’ll always tinker and refine it. Just like me…always a work in progress. Long, smoky, productive day. But that productive is relative. The smoke impacted my breathing, so dragging these logs up the notch to the cabin took a little longer. Slowing down or taking breaks isn’t quitting. Resiliency comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s putting one more log in place after dinner. And the roasted corn on the cob is simply fabulous. 😋  But I made good progress on the roof for the deck. It’ll get there. I’m excited to sit on the deck during a rain storm or even a snow storm. It’ll be a metal roof, so even a hail storm will be awesome. But, first, the smoke has to go. Big Dipper fought through it last night, but it wasn’t as crisp. Fall is closing in fast. I love fall at Top Knot. I love all the seasons, but fall is the favorite. Sweatshirt weather. Life is good and less is more.

Fortunate to get to visit DC during a work trip. Always fills me with hope, awe, and inspiration. Walking Arlington National Cemetery and seeing the markers for some who gave all to provide the freedoms I am blessed to enjoy. Humbling. Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier…I’ve seen it a few times and it always gets me misty eyed. Went to the National Archives and saw the original Declaration of Independence. The ink continues to fade, but the ideals remain resolute. The Constitution…written 240+ years ago…written knowing it was flawed and providing the means for amendment. The Bill of Rights beside it. The first 10 of only 27 amendments. That’s how thoughtful the original framers were in crafting it. Again, humbling. Toured the Capital. Just remarkable-the history, the decisions made in those hallowed halls, and the way it continues to function.  I’m not a politician. I don’t have the stomach for it. And so many of those in office, on BOTH sides of ...