In the days and months following his death, I pictured myself cold and alone living in a tiny shack in the woods. The picture was not that dire but no matter what your combined income was before your husband died your financial situation has changed.  And you have to push yourself to to understand where you stand so you can build a new future.

As a widow, you know holidays will be hard but it is hard for me in a much different way than I thought it would be.

With my husband gone and my children grown, I no longer need to take them into consideration when I make decisions.  It should feel wonderful but it feels confusing.

We have made maple syrup each year since we moved to northern Michigan and we planned to build a sugar shack.  But it is a bit harder when we becomes just me. 

Becoming a widow means cooking for just one.  From grocery shopping to leftovers it can be a challenge.  Lucky for me my dog will eat just about anything!

In Michigan going "Up North" means hunting, fishing, kayaking, and so many wonderful outdoor activities.  But living up north deep in the woods is a bit different than going on vacation.

When you become a widow every decision large and small becomes your responsibility.  Sometimes there are so many decisions to make you feel you don't know anything at all.  If only he was here to talk to it would be so much easier.

We have all experienced power failures but when you live in the north woods, the power is out for 4 days and your husband has recently passed away it can be quite challenging.

Chainsaws are pretty scary but if you are a widow living in the north woods they are a pretty amazing tool that you may want to learn how to use. 

This is the first episode in the Widow in the Up North Woods series.  Being a widow means that suddenly the things that your husband once did are now your responsibility.  When you live in a rural area, deep in the north woods, there are a lot of things you need to know!