First Night

I planted the germinations in a secret soil mix and am hoping for the best. I read things about how essential it is to not touch the budding root system or stem as you plant theses guys. I found this difficult. Time will tell if the seedlings survive. 

I started to clear the site for the hermitage...Yes, I was cutting down trees...however, an arborist evaluated the property and came to the conclusion that 23% of the existing trees need to be taken out in order to free up resources for the remainder. I didn't cut anything too big, and chainsaws are fun -

I observed this 'tree feature' several times throughout the forest, I wonder what causes this; if it's natural, or if some type of animal creates it -

While I was clearing the site, I realized that I may be moving a bit too fast. If this is a fundamental re-examination of a way of living, then shouldn't I be questioning all assumptions? To come upon something fundamentally different or to think outside the box, mustn't one fist question its walls? The design of the hermitage was done on a computer and in my head, while offsite. I realized that if I am to transform the immediate environment, I must first understand it. 

To examine what is absolutely necessary, I put down my tools and set up a small camp. I excercised the most ancient of architecture, perhaps that which could be found most years of homo-sapien existence; a fire outside a cave. I gathered large rocks and rolled them up the hill to create a reflective surface for the heat, and hoped that they might have the capacity to store some. I took a guess how far away the fire should be from the cave, keeping in mind smoke and proximity to warmth (Since this was an instantaneous decision, apart from a book of matches, I was ill-prepared for the 'traditional' Coleman-accessory-equipped camping experience.) I spent another hour or so collecting dead wood from around the area for the night. When the pile looked big enough, I started the fire and slept in a small cave created by an overhang in a large piece of granite -

I had never done this before, but it all seemed to make sense as I went along. As darkness fell, I became acutely aware of the sounds around me. A flock(?) of bats passed overhead, screeching like a dog whistle, and frogs were singing and there was zzzzzzs coming from some other insect. I wasn't sure if something would try to eat me so sleep became this half-state of rest and concerted attention. One convenient thing: When the fire died down, I would automatically wake up from the cold so I could restart it. 

I was woken by the sound of a red and white fox trotting by. I whistled at him and he pretended not to hear me. The sun was coming up so I decided to get started - today will be a day of construction.