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Retired Mathematician Restores Log Cabin

Have you ever dreamed of getting away from it all, for real? What would it be like to say goodbye to civilization and head into the back woods to start a new life? One man decided to do just that and the results are shocking.

When a retired math teacher named Richard decided to build his dream house in the remote wilderness, his friends thought he’d finally gone off the deep end. But the calculating retiree set his sights on a $100 log cabin that was literally falling apart, and all the pieces of his dream began to take form.

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After plunking down a hundred bucks to the owner of the dilapidated mess, Richard was shocked to find the inside of the one-room hut full of dead trees, animal nests, and giant boulders leftover from the old foundation. The so-called “log cabin” was really just a huge mess enclosed in a barely-standing wooden shell.

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Because most of the wood was rotted through, the foundation was shot, and the cabin was not habitable, Richard decided that he’d have to start from scratch. He first had to evict a family of squirrels that had taken up residence in the old place. Then he set out to restore it completely.

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Richard wanted to use as much of the original lumber as possible, so he salvaged a couple hundred pieces, took dozens of photos of the original structure’s shell and design, and entered everything in his workbook.

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The surrounding wilderness area looks like something off a postcard: it’s truly stunning, surrounded with gigantic trees, rolling hills, and clear blue skies. The nearest town is more than 50 miles away. There could be no better spot on earth for escaping the modern rat race.

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After finding a natural spring while he was digging nearby, Richard decided to enlist his family’s help. They dug with shovels and even brought in a small bulldozer to cut out a space for the water to flow into. Now the property’s front wall looks out onto a large pond that is filled by the spring. They even built their own dock right on the water.

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The mathematician and amateur builder had his work cut out for him, in more ways than one. He used his notebooks and woodworking knowledge to begin the long job of restoring the rustic log cabin to its former backwoods glory. All those old boards came in handy, and not a usable piece of the old lumber was wasted.

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Bedrock was just a few feet below the surface, so Richard decided to “lift up” the cabin’s base and build it above ground level. This meant he’d have to work even harder to retain the original flavor and look of the cabins 1800’s appearance.

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He poured a simple concrete basement, added a functional porch, and made roof shingles from nearby cedar trees. The original cabin remained, but it was now spiffed up and finally started to look like a habitable structure. But there was still plenty of hard work ahead.

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The family wanted an old-fashioned fireplace to match the era of the original cabin, which they figured was the early 1800s. They installed a Rumford hearth, which was common in early America, and it instantly became the focal point of the interior living space.

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The family found a very large tree that had fallen in the nearby woods and decided to use it to create a natural staircase. The oak steps were carefully cut, sanded and finished. Now, they lead the way directly to the “upstairs” sleeping loft.

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Richard and his family drew up plans for windows and doors, again matching the historical era. A professional carpenter took their plans and created these essential elements of the cabin.

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Now the cabin’s central space includes several chairs, the fireplace, a stack of logs for burning, a long wooden table, and other creature comforts.

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Even though Richard wired the cabin for electricity, he made sure to install an old-fashioned chandelier that holds several large candles. There are also a couple windows on the roof peak to let sunlight in.

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The loft is a makeshift bedroom that includes nothing more than an enormous mattress and a skylight. This addition allows the once-tiny cabin to serve as a home away from home.

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The cabin’s hearth does double-duty as a source of heat and a cooking area. Whoever originally lived here likely had a similar arrangement for heating and cooking. The 1800s were a much simpler time, when daily life was hard but uncomplicated.

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It took a full decade for Richard to get the place looking the way he wanted it. By 2013, he finally reached his goal. The cabin is now fully functional, has water and electricity, and resembles the original structure in many ways.

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Richard and his family are still doing touch-up work on the exterior of the cabin, but the interior completed to their satisfaction. They spend vacation time there and have come to think of the once-dilapidated cabin as a real home.

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Richard’s dream about having a remote cabin in the wilderness is now a reality. He and his family spend a lot of time and money making that dream happen but they are glad they did.

Now the former number-cruncher’s permanent home is a stunning piece of wooden architectural art that is the envy of anyone who ever entertained the notion of chucking it all and moving to the woods.

It’s a wilderness hideaway that combines comfort, class, nature and old-fashioned living. Maybe there’s a $100 cabin out there waiting for you!

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And if there does happen to be a fancy ‘future cabin’ out there with your name on it, how do you get started? Well, besides making sure you legally hold permission to the plot of land you’re considering, in addition to licensing and a title deed, you need the proper materials for constructing. Let’s have a look at what some of those might be…..

Some nice concrete bricks

Start with these as some of the more crucial foundational materials for getting the whole DIY project up and running. It all starts with bricks. And thankfully, in our modern world, there are lots of styles and colors you choose from. Get something durable, strong and preferably quite heavy as the foundational basis upon which the home will be firly planted upon, for the long haul…..

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Tree log wood

Another huge material choice you need, and in bulk, because you’re going to be adding quite a few logs if it’s a log cabin after. Or even a wood chimney can look nice, if you’ve got enough pieces to pull it off just right. 

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Solid roofing material

If you want to get a powerful roof going, especially one that can take wind, hail, falling objects, storms and much more, then before setting down those shingles, ensure that you have a solid, foundational roof of a permanent structure as well. 

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Concrete, or concrete mix, perhaps?

Mix some concrete, near the base of the home, and let it dry. You’ll be amazed at the ‘roughness’ it can add. Get a house that not even that big, bad wolf can blow down!

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Coverings

And of course, when you leeave the site for the day, with some of your progress completed, cover things up, as best you can, from the elements. If people or animals pass by, even, they should want to not mess with your development. If the house’s doors are ready, then perhaps consider getting a lock on them, as well, to protect your building materials inside while you are not around….at least until the home is finished. 

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Glass (of the non – broken, not – easily – breakable kind)

You’ve seen broken glass, right? It’s usually poor – quality glass that can break easily. But when you’re building an entire home, in which your family is going to live, get something a little less penetrable than the usual – grade stuff. Go hog wild! 

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A vision

And of course, any project starts with a vision. Make sure that, in your case, it’s the right one. And to give you a few ideas, you can look around at similar homes either where you live now or homes that have also been built “from scratch”. Read the stories and visions of other DIY builders as well. And then, “visually map” your new home and how you want it to look, at each and every step of the building process…..

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Paper for taking notes along the way

And of course, it can never hurt to bring along a pad of paper and some writing utensils. When you realize a certain quanitity, or type, of any building material, is needed, you can then jot down some notes. Believe us ; it is a whole lot better than constantly making ‘mental notes’, which you can easily forget, especially when it all boils down to taking specified measurements. You cannot get those wrong. Be “off” by a single inch, and it can affect your greater project, not to mention its completion date, more than you know. 

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Leather (if you’re also building some of the indoor furnishings, by yourself, to be a part of the new home….)

This is an optional material, usually. But if you do want to make this thing 100 % homemade, both internally and externally, then you can also make those couches, chairs, seat pads and more using fresh leather. It smells great, and it looks even better. 

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Galvanized iron

Use this in certain foundational elements where you will lay the groundwork. It can’t hurt to keep some around. If anything should fall loose, or even come apart entirely, you can use this iron and mend it to solidify the need, holding numerous structures well in place at a single time. It’s truly amazing what iron can do, much less galvanizing…..

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Additional wood & lumber, in various forms

Keep some extra wood parts. They can home in handy. Have all shapes and sizes near you. 

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Some stone

Stone, like concrete, is also great for so many things. It’s great foundational material. And it even looks elegant in certain bathroom designs. Get creative.

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Final, top – layer shingles

Put some shingles on that roof. Add that last layer of protection. Get brick or hardwood shingles for more durability, strength and protection overall. 

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Steel rods

Keep some handy. Can it hurt to do so? Not at all. You can use these as replacement or reinforcement materials, or even to make your own fence surrounding the home. 

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Pebbles

Spread them out around the outside of the home to form a nice, little garden area. Pebbles are always externally attractive, very visually appealing, all in all. Get them in different colors and variations of size and composition, if you wish, adding some more variety and attractibility to the outside of the home, which anyone can be drawn to as they see it. Make your guests feel like they’re about to walk into someplace special……

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Axes

These are a no – brainer. Have at least one. You need to chop down that wood, after all.

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Optional chains

These can be so useful if you wish to protect your fence or other parts of your properties. Steel chains are so awesome. Even if you merely wish to “chain up” certain parts of the ongoing construction, so that no one gets in or has the option of destroying anything. When you come back to the home in progress that next day, you can unchain things and pick back up right where you had left off. Be prepared to protect your property, and if anything should fall off or break apart (even after the home has been completed and you’re now living in it), you can close or seal off certain parts of it with your chain(s)….do be prepared for when you might need to pull it out for use. 

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Hanging textiles

These make great wall curtains as well. Once you’ve got that home built, with its rooms and windows, consider these. Keep those windows covered.

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Daring Rescue: Duluth Firefighters Save Dog from Frigid Lake Superior

Kevin Wells

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In a heart-pounding rescue mission on the shores of Duluth, Minnesota, a brave dog found himself in a perilous situation after leaping into the icy waters of Lake Superior. The daring rescue unfolded amidst eight-foot waves that crashed against the shore, creating a challenging environment for both man and canine.

The intense situation began when the adventurous dog managed to slip out of his leash, enticed by the allure of a chilly swim. Unbeknownst to the canine, Lake Superior’s vast expanse presented a danger he hadn’t anticipated. The situation quickly escalated, prompting the owner to dial emergency services.

To pinpoint the distressed dog’s location, dispatchers utilized cameras on a life bridge, offering a bird’s-eye view of the unfolding drama. The dog, buffeted by the relentless waves, struggled to stay afloat as firefighters donned specialized ice suits to brave the frigid waters.

These ice suits, designed for extreme cold-water rescues, provide a crucial barrier between the icy environment and the rescuers. Comprising layers of insulated materials, these suits not only keep firefighters warm but also offer buoyancy and protection against the harsh elements.

As the brave firefighters plunged into the turbulent waters, the dog faced the dual challenges of the waves and the numbing cold. Despite the difficult conditions, the rescue team, guided by the worried owner who remained on the shore, managed to locate the struggling canine.

The dog, large and frightened, repeatedly disappeared beneath the waves, making the rescue a daunting task. Through effective communication between the owner and the firefighters, the team successfully secured the dog by the collar, preventing him from slipping away.

Once the dog was safely in their grasp, both the firefighters and the canine were brought to safety aboard a waiting boat. The dog, now shivering and scared, received prompt medical attention. After warming up, the resilient pup even leaped happily into his owner’s car, a heartwarming conclusion to a potentially tragic event.

The Duluth Fire Department, often questioned about responding to animal-related emergencies, emphasized the significance of such actions in a Facebook post. They highlighted the deep bond between pets and their families, explaining that in their experience, if emergency responders did not intervene, well-meaning bystanders might take unnecessary risks.

The post also revealed a chilling detail: one of the dog’s owners had considered jumping into the treacherous waters. The fire department strongly discouraged such actions, emphasizing the importance of leaving water rescues to trained professionals equipped with the necessary gear.

“The Duluth Fire Department wants to stress to the public the importance of not putting yourself into a situation you are neither trained nor equipped to handle,” the post warned. “Given the wave and temperature conditions in the canal last night, anyone entering the water without the proper training and equipment would most likely have ended in tragedy.”

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Teenager Sam Sieracki Soars to New Heights, Solving Rubik’s Cube in Free Fall

Jess

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Seventeen-year-old Sam Sieracki has etched his name into the Guinness World Records by solving a Rubik’s Cube while skydiving over West Australia. Jumping out of an airplane at 14,000 feet, Sam achieved the remarkable feat in just 28.25 seconds, breaking the previous record of 30.14 seconds held by Nitin Subramanian of the United States.

In a daring display of skill and concentration, Sam described the intense experience of solving the Rubik’s Cube in free fall. “It’s really intense. It’s very loud because you’ve got all the wind in your face,” Sam explained. “So it’s a lot harder to concentrate than if I’m just on the ground solving it… my record on the ground is a lot faster than in the air – it’s about 6.5 seconds.”

Despite facing challenges in the sky, Sam, who is both a speed-cuber and a skydiving enthusiast, tackled the feat with enthusiasm. It took him five attempts to surpass the previous record, showcasing his determination and resilience.

Sam, who has been attending speed-cubing competitions since 2017, expressed confidence in breaking the record but admitted that the challenge proved to be more demanding than expected. “Having attended speed-cubing competitions since 2017, I was confident about breaking the record, but it ended being far more challenging than expected and took me five attempts to achieve,” Sam remarked.

The teenager’s passion for both speed-cubing and skydiving has been a driving force in his pursuits. “I decided that I want to be a solo skydiver, so waited impatiently to turn 16 … so that I could become a licensed skydiver and go by myself,” Sam shared. “Since then, I’ve gone up to Jurien Bay every school holidays to do a few jumps, and am now up to 80 jumps in my second year of skydiving.”

Acknowledging the support of his loved ones, Sam expressed gratitude to his biggest fans and supporters, his mother and girlfriend, who encouraged him to break the world record. As a self-proclaimed rookie in the skydiving world, Sam doesn’t set grand goals but aims to continue improving his skills with each jump, all while enjoying the thrilling experience.

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Daughter Overwhelms Parents Restaurant With Customers By Posting On TikTok

Renee Yates

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A seven-second video posted on TikTok by Jennifer Le has saved her parents’ Vietnamese pho restaurant from going out of business. In the video, Le showed the empty restaurant and her dad looking sad at the register. She then asked for social media’s help to keep the restaurant in business. The restaurant is in California and was doing ok before the pandemic, but has since had trouble getting customers to dine in.

The video went viral, and within hours, it had garnered millions of views and shares. People all over the world were touched by Le’s message and began sharing the video on their social media accounts. The response was overwhelming, with people expressing their support for the restaurant and their willingness to help.

As a result of the video, the restaurant was flooded with customers, many of whom had never heard of the place before. The increased business allowed Le’s parents to keep the restaurant open and the phones are ringing off the hook. The family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and expressed their gratitude to everyone who had shared the video and visited the restaurant.

Le’s video is a perfect example of the power of social media to effect change. In just seven seconds, she was able to capture the attention of millions of people and inspire them to take action. The video also highlights the struggles faced by small businesses during the pandemic and the importance of community support in keeping these businesses afloat.

Le’s video has since become a source of inspiration for many people who are struggling with similar issues. It serves as a reminder that even the smallest actions can have a significant impact, and that we all have the power to make a difference in our communities.

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Massive Sandcastle Built by Auckland Brothers Impresses Scores of Beachgoers

Kevin Wells

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When you have run out of Christmas ideas, nothing beats going to the beach and letting your creative juices flow. That’s what two brothers in New Zealand did this past Boxing Day and ended up with an amazing and eye-catching sandcastle.

After building a massive sandcastle on Boxing Day, two Auckland boys gained praise from other people around Mt Maunganui’s beach area that day.

Jared and Paul Brandon spent 10 hours that day building a two-meter-high sandcastle, beginning with a sketch of the structure “on a piece of A4 paper” and beginning at high tide. The pair plans to turn this into a Boxing Day ritual.

On Christmas Eve, the brothers started strategizing on how to top last year’s one-meter-high tower on Boxing Day 2021.

Because Jared and Paul are “very competitive,” they wanted to outdo their performance from the previous year. Before beginning their construction, the two searched online for sandcastle designs after visiting Bunnings to get tools, buckets, as well as a footrest.

Both residents and visitors have expressed admiration and astonishment at the beautiful creation.

Jared chuckles, “A guy is assessing how tall it is currently with his beach umbrella.

Jared informed the media, “This one is 2 meters, so we needed a few footstools to climb up tall enough and also used a builder’s level so it didn’t topple over.

The 150-liter pail was the biggest we were able to use, and the traditional household bucket was a fairly small one. We purchased them both from Bunnings.

Paul explains, “There are a few techniques, such as two portions of water to one portion of sand.”

Then came the spatulas to shape the windows, then toothpicks for creating the roof piles, as well as the straws for blowing off the “extra sand.”

The previous night, the two worked on it until 8 p.m., and unlike last year, it is still standing.

“Time went by incredibly quickly; it seemed like we were only at the beach for five hours, instead of ten.” “Paul spoke to the press.

He claims that while working for a California hotel plus learning how to construct sandcastles as a kid-friendly activity, he acquired the skill there about eight years ago.

“Now that he’s used that knowledge and developed it, he taught me. Therefore, for the previous four to five years, whenever we had the time, we would construct a sandcastle once a year ” says Jared.

The two, who are both camera operators, intend to go much further next year and are hoping to enlist the aid of a larger family.

We will attempt to teach my sister as well as my brother-in-law to assist us as they appear interested this year. “We are striving to dredge up more relatives to get involved in creating a village in 2023.”

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Man Finds $47,000 Historic Ring

Renee Yates

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England is very much metal detector country. The land outside the big cities is stuffed full of artifacts and leftovers from ancient times, ranging from before the Romans’ arrival to the Middle Ages and more. So, it’s not surprising, with the blessing of local farmers, that many a fellow with a metal detector is out there spending a Saturday or Sunday scanning through a fallow farm field to see what might be found. As it turned out, David Board was one of those hunters, and he just happened to come across a very small gold ring in one of his ventures.

Located outside of Dorset, Board was busy scanning a pasture field and had been doing so for hours. The sun was late in the sky, and Board was about to wrap up when his machine pinged a definite metallic substance under the soil he was waving the sensor over. Sure enough, pinpointing the location and then digging specifically into that spot, Board unearthed a very small gold ring.

It was in the farm soil, the ground typically tilled for planting, but this particular field had been used for cattle instead. So, five inches underground, the ring remained until Board found it and pulled it back into the daylight. At first, he chalked up the discovery to just another piece of metal from old times, he cleared off the dirt, pocketed the ring and kept going. Then, at the end of the day, Board went home and washed off his finds in the sink. It was only then that he realized what that ring actually was.

While the method of metal detecting in England gives archaeologists utter heart attacks every time they hear a similar story, the finds are generally split between the metal detector and the farm owner, unless the farm owner just waives off the matter and lets the hunters keep whatever they find. Whichever the case in this instance, the ring was no small trinket. It turned out to be an exceedingly well-crafted and rare gold wedding ring from the Medieval period and in very good condition. To be auctioned off later this year, the find is expected to net between 30,000 to 47,000 British Pounds.

The only surprise to anyone hearing the story in England these days is why the local farmers still allow detectors to scan their fields without any stake in the finds.

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