As I Live and LearnBack   to   My   Universe

Thurs. -6:00 p.m.?
        My Carmex won't come out! The fire is nice and warm. My shelter is up and I think it will be good for the night. When the guys came around before dark I was still working on the shelter, they said they've never seen so many buttons before! Anyways, I hadn't even thought of a fire so they started one for me. Finally got the Carmex to come out. I'm bored. Wish I could see more stars. There are so many trees They block out most of the sky. Wish I knew what time it is. It's so long between sun-set and when I usually go to bed at 10 to 11 p.m. You don't really notice that when you can watch T.V., read a book, or play a game. I want to sing the campfire songs that I sing with my relitives when we go camping, but I don't remember many of them. Someone finally responded to the whistle. I hope that person is O.K. This fire eats wood! At least I have a lot of coals. Mom was right, I'm a talkative person. Look how much I've written (and I'm not done yet.)! {Editor's note: this is almost the end of the second page in the book this was originally written in.} At first I was opposed to a flag solo. Then Today I thought maybe. Now I'm not so sure, I'm lonely. I miss the daylight when I can move around and still be able to see. Maybe I will take a flag solo, of course they have to offer it to me first, so I may not even have to make that decision. Getting low on wood. I'll use my wind barrier if I have to, or else I'll go to sleep. Wish I knew what time is it. They said we might be able to see other people's fires at night, but I can't see anyone's from where I'm sitting. I sort of wish I could, maybe it's make me feel better. I don't feel lonely at all while I'm singing. I need to think of more songs to sing. I'm almost out of wood. Hey! I can use my journal as a fan for the fire! Well, I'm going to enjoy this fire as long as I can (Which has actually been a while), then I'm going to warm some water to drink and go to bed. Singing really helps, I'm not lonely anymore. Oh, yea, the water in my cup froze but I'm warm! Talk to ya later!
{Signed Jennifer}



Friday- Let's say 9:00 a.m.
        I've been up since it started getting light, but after sunrise. My fire is going great! Definitely NO FLAG SOLO. Last night was so bad. I had at least one nightmare. I woke up so many times I stopped counting. I was scared, I kept shivering eventhough I wasn't that cold. (Actually it was only my legs.) I did something to my wrist last night. It hurts if I twist it. It didn't help anything while I was collecting + breaking wood. It was so hard to strike a match too. I used two before I could get it so my wrist didn't hurt and three more before I got one lit. Daytime isn't bad, it's actually fun, but I hate the night. Only two more. Maybe tonight will be better that last night.
{Signed Jennifer}



Fri. -6:30 p.m.?
        Well they offered me a Flag Solo. I said no. Today wasn't bad at all, it was pretty good, but I definitely need to talk to somebody. I have a nice fire going and can hear the people at the teepee. I like that. I think someone brought a child through the woods. Sort-of wish they had of seen my fire and come to talk to me. I was writing some of my story, but it's hard with this light. I'm feeling lonely again so I'm going to sing. I wish I knew what time it is. The child has been quieted (s/he ended up at the teepee) either s/he is just quiet or s/he has gone to bed. My guess is the latter. That would probably put it at some where between 8:30 and 9:30, (Maybe) now. We're supposed to get between 1 to 2 feet of snow tomarrow morning. (Ahhh!) I hope tonight is better than last night. I'm going to read Kim's note, may be sing a little more, and then I'm going to bed.
{Signed Jennifer}



{Editor's note: The next two entries are written very neatly}
Sat. - Morning Sometime
        There's a little show on the ground now. It isn't colder than any other day. Eventhough, my hands feel terriable. I can't wear my gloves when tending the fire and the snow melts as soon as it hits my hands 'cause they're so near the fire but they don't dry. It hurts to break wood without wearing anything. Maybe I'll get my mittens. Last night was pretty good. Except for the helicopter that flew overhead when I was going to bed. It hovered around for a while. I think it was wondering what all the fires where doing down here. But it eventually went on its way. That's all,
{Signed Jennifer}


Wed. - exactly 5:25
        I know what time it is! I went home Sat. night. Rob and I talked the entire way home. Guess we were lonelier than we thought. Then I talked with my Mom for a while. Then I wateched T.V. for ½ and hour. What a wonderful invention! Then I took a shower. Another awesome invention! Then I went to bed. It was so nice and warm and soft and big and I didn't sleep on my back. Sunday morning I slept in. For a few days I was going to bed early and getting up at 7:00 without being tried. Last night we lost power. My brother freaked out but I was totally calm. I pulled out my candle, used the light of the moon coming through the windows to find my Coleman flashlight and went and got matches. The solo definitely helped me with my fear of darkness. I had a good time.
{Signed Jennifer}