My Life Above the Clouds

Who hasn't dreamed of escaping a humdrum existence, shredding unrelenting debts, thumbing a nose at ravenous utility behemoths, and fleeing to some remote mountain hideaway? Ben did! Pull up a chair, pour a pleasing beverage, and follow his journey as he strives to exist off the grid, on ten magnificent acres atop an Idaho mountain. In that isolated setting, as he labors to convert its tiny cabin into a self-sufficient abode, he began to imagine that he was evolving into a modern-day Henry David Thoreau. His story chronicles, with humor and wisdom, his first year with his struggles, trials, errors, lessons learned, blunders made, friends acquired, and curious encounters with neighborhood wildlife. It is informative, enlightening, funny, and inspirational. Military yarns, trucker's tales, and anecdotes abound, and liberally laced with the wit and wisdom of Henry David. BENJAMIN M. SCRIBNER was born and raised in New England and attended Brewster Academy on the shores of the Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. At seventeen he enlisted in the United States Navy, trained as a Torpedo Man, and served ten years in various commands. Following his discharge he became a long-haul trucker. Soon after September 11th he reenlisted in the Naval Reserves, was deployed to the Persian Gulf and served as a Seabee's equipment operator. His Naval career ended with a Medical Discharge subsequent to a year spent at the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. He currently divides his time between his mountaintop home and driving his big rig part-time throughout the Northwest and Canada. MARGARET ROSE SCRIBNER is a semi-retiree, artist, entrepreneur, writer, and recorder of Ben's stories. She has been published in Yankee Magazine, New Hampshire Profiles, New Hampshire Editions, and recently self-published a children's picture book, Hannah's Incredible Cow, plus an anthology, A Sitting Ovation.