" I hope this winter's not going to be another long one"

Well I was right... maybe it was only a 15 minute visit, but it will remain in my thoughts a lot longer then that...

We were met by a young lady... early thirties, she looked like she was much older... she told us that after the initial shock of loosing her husband, she started to get things back under control, but then she developed a brain tumor... the operation left her with slight paralysis, and blind in one eye, and limited sight in the other...

We brought her some food that will hold her over for a little while, but I am afraid that her condition is even worse then even she knows... As we sat there she shard how she has no heat for this winter, and the chimney for her little stove is not working. She also shared that water has recently started coming through the bass of one of the walls, she is not sure why, but it causes the dirt floors to become mud and soak through the carpets she has on them..

Vlady and I went around back to see if we could see where the problem was... what we found was disturbing... the wall has begun to collapse, and is only inches from completely collapsing on them ... I will send my boys over there as soon as they are finished at the hospital to see about bracing this up before the fall rains start... Vlady figures that it will only last for another month or so then it will collapse....

We did a quick calculation , and figure that to repair, parg and to paint the outside of this house will be about $250, then the cost to heat it will be another $200 to $250 for the year.... other then that, she is in good shape for the shape she is in... she had planted a good size garden and has raised chickens and ducks that will help her support the family through the winter...

I find it so strange to stand hunched over in this little hobbit house in this state and discuss how well the garden has done .....