The old cabin

The old cabin

Phoebe accidently gets into the cabin, when, running for shelter from a pelting rainstorm, she jumps on the porch. The here-to-for locked door opens, and she can’t resist peeking in, even though she’s been warned repeatedly by her friend Gail to stay out. Gail didn’t give her a specific reason, but her facial expression and body language indicate a fear of the cabin. Once inside, Phoebe is enchanted with the cabin. There’s a rocking chair on one side of a small glass-windowed woodstove, a wingback armchair on the other, with a side table in between the two. A braided rug lay in front of the stove, the perfect place for a sleeping dog. A nearby shelf held two oil lamps, full of clear yellow kerosene. At the far end of the cabin was a small kitchen, with gingham covered cabinets below the counter, and open shelves above. A small sink and stove, along with a floor to ceiling cabinet, completed the kitchen area. Between the sitting area around the woodstove and the work area of the kitchen is a small rectangular table with two chairs. A set of stairs led upstairs, with hooks for hanging coats and hats underneath it. To the right was a writing desk. A door was off to one side, close to the kitchen.

A pillow, adorned with intricate embroidery work and a variety of beads, buttons, and fabrics rests in the armchair. The fabrics and appliances clearly indicated that the cabin had been furnished in the late 1950’s or early 60’s. The stove in the kitchen appeared to be gas, and the refrigerator had rounded edges on the door, a style she could remember from her childhood. Gingham and calico were used at the windows and for hotpads hanging next to the stove.

In spite of the lack of care, the cabin is immaculate. There is no dust, no spider webs, no mice droppings or dead insects. The windows sparkle, letting in as much light as is available outside. No sign of any damage from Gail’s father’s attempts to destroy the cabin is visible. There are stairs leading up, even though from the outside, it looks like a one story cabin.

Upstairs, there is a view of snow-capped mountains that won’t quit. As soon as your head gets above the top step, the window showcases the mountain. There is a another wingback chair and table, set in front of the window. For writing and dreaming while one stares out the window? On the opposite wall is a large canopied bed. Big fluffy pillows invite one for a nap, or perhaps an early evening. A warm log cabin quilt in cheerful reds and whites covers the bed. Two watercolor paintings, apparently of somewhere in the Trinities, are on the walls, on each side of the bed.