Life in Alaska

What's Up!?

2010-06-19T13:23:00.013-08:00

So, I've been completely busy with my etsy party plans, that I haven't posted in a while. I thought whoever is out there may want to know the happenings of my life in North Pole.

Mama Bird:
STRANGE thing about her...After being attacked by Mommy Bird AND Daddy Bird several times, I was never able to take pictures of the growing babies. I am slightly concerned about their fate, however. One day, I found a small pile of teeny birdy feathers in the yard. :( Noticing that both parental bird had been away for a while, I checked the nest and found it void of life. One, still-born egg lies in it still. I don't know why, but it just makes me sort-of sad.

Garden:

I am happy to report that my thumb is quite green these days! The tomatoes are flowering along with the peas. The Potatoes are requiring new dirt daily, and the broccoli is getting so leafy! ~Can anyone tell me when it will turn into sprouts?~ Carrots, strawberries, and herbs are good, and scallions abundant! Overall, I am very pleased with the gardening progression. I am slightly disappointed at the availability of garden soil, however. No one has any! Home Depot, Lowe's, Fred Meyer-it's all gone! My poor cabbages may not move into the garden at all!

BABY GABEY:

Last week, Gabe caught a little cold. Unfortunately for his premature lungs, a little cold becomes a big ordeal rather quickly. We spent the better half of last weekend in and out of the hospital, but avoided admittance, nonetheless! Though his oxygen was low, and his breathing labored, we were allowed to take care of our little guy at home, giving him breathing treatments via a nebulizer and oral steroids. A week and a half later, he has a runny nose, but is doing MUCH better. The nebulizer is a different story...

Moses:

My beloved "pound puppy" had to go to the doggy doctor for the first time since we got him in 2006. He has some sort of yeast infection on his skin due to allergies. He is most likely reacting to the high levels of pollen and cottonwood this time of year. One-hundred and thirty-one dollars later, we left the vet with special shampoo and started bathing him twice a week. Of course he LOVES this, right!? ;) Well, he isn't a TOTAL waste of fur and money...A couple of days ago, Moses refused to sit in his seat. After much his continual protesting, I went to see if he may have wet the bed and been embarrassed. No wet spots, BUT, I DID find a burned-up outlet behind the chair. The nebulizer plug was completely blackened and the wall was hot. After unplugging it and taping off the outlet, Moses reclaimed his seat. I would like to publicly declare him to be a "good boy!" (this time)

Etsy party:

With only two weeks of planning, my business, MB's, was able to pull off a pretty good craft party! Of course, I had some excellent help from two friends, Tara, and Jennifer. We built a fun, hot-air balloon pinata and stuffed it with candy AND craft supplies! We had a huge cake, mustaches on a stick, and so much more! The infamous crafter, Kate Clark was there with her news-worthy iMaxi for the iPad! SO very funny and clever, Kate was a star at the party! (Once she admitted what her product was, that is! ;) ) All-in-all, it was a great beginning to what I think will be a regular happening around here for years to come!!

Food:

Unfortuantely, there is not a GREAT selection for lower-priced yummy foods to go in the Fairbanks area. BUT, I am hungry and off the Chili's to spend a rediculous amount of money on food to share with me and my hoodlums. Love to all...will blog again soon.~MB

Area Crafters Invited

2010-06-04T19:57:00.001-08:00

So, I got totally psyched about this thing Etsy.com is sponsoring. It's a craft party and it's at my house: June 18th and it's open to the public. PLEASE RSVP here: http://www.meetup.com/Etsy-Craft-Party/6803/
AND, invite your friends and ask them to RSVP too!

Someone's been eating my lettuce!

2010-05-28T08:30:00.005-08:00

A few days ago, I planted the salad greens in my garden bed. I watered them, and clipped a few leaves for my husband's lunch. The next morning, I noticed that one head was thinner than I remembered making it. I questioned the kids to see if they tried to help. "No." was the answer. I didn't give it anymore thought, figuring it just looked different from pruning, transplanting, etc.

The kids and I walked next-door for a little Vacation Bible School my neighbor is hosting. We were gone for a couple hours. Upon returning, two more heads of lettuce were chewed to bits! A closer look revealed a vole hole!

Though the little rodents are cute as can be, and I protested their death for a year, I will not be sharing my salad with them! I couldn't find any guaranteed natural deterrents online, so traps it is. Ick.

An avid predator trapper in my past, I don't really enjoy catching anything small and cute. Fox, mink, lynx, wolves, no problem. Voles: spare me! John was taking care of the dead ones yesterday (2 in a couple hours), but I woke this morning to find a dead one that I will have to dispose of. Birds, voles, squirrels, mice...they just shouldn't be dead. They should run around and be cute. I suppose, however, if being cute means eating up all of my hard-earned gardening produce, the voles must die.

Looky What I Found Part 3

2010-05-25T15:22:00.004-08:00

Ok, so I admit, I have been harrassing the nest somewhat. Yesterday, I attempted to photograph the babies, when I was dive-bombed in the head by Mommy Bird. I ran....and ended up with a blury nest shot. Today, Mommy Bird was out again, and no where to be seen. I snapped this picture and got attacked again. NOW, I plan to leave her alone until the babies are a bigger. :)

Mommy Bird

2010-05-24T10:01:00.002-08:00

Well, it's been two weeks since the eggs were found. What I have read says babies should be hatched now, but Mommy Bird has NO INTENTIONS of letting me find out! :) I snapped this VERY CLOSE picture last night, and hope to find those babies if I can catch the nest while Mommy is out bug hunting!

My First Love

2010-05-12T12:06:00.006-08:00

I recently read something someone wrote about how they loved Alaska so much, had moved away, and now referred to the State as if it was their old boyfriend. I liked this analogy. My first love was certainly this place. Its beauty, its silence, its mystery, its adventure.

Though being a mom has slowed my ability to take off on the spontaneous, crazy adventures of yesteryear, I still enjoy the everyday happenings of my life in Alaska!

I took my kids on a dog-cart run a few nights ago. We were cruising down the dirt road when I told the dogs to "whoa," and the kids to "shh."

(Picture from 2009)

We stopped and listened. To nothing. The quietness of Alaska air is amazing! No freeway traffic, no dogs were barking, no birds chirping, no horns honking, no people shouting; just silence! It sends a thrilling chill through your soul when this happens and I love it!

~I love it "like my first love." I am glad we still love each other. Yeah, we have our conflicts (-50 always brings up a fight), and our disagreements (why so many months of darkness?), but in the end, we were meant for each other: Alaska and me!

Looky What I Found!!

2010-05-10T20:04:00.006-08:00

Okay...so I didn't really find them myself, the neighbors' 7 year-old son found them. He ALSO took the eggs out, ran them into his house, and showed his mom! Thankfully, she told him to put the eggs back "right away!" I was still concerned that "Mommy Bird" may not return. The nest is only 4 feet off the ground; perfect height for little boys!
I checked last night, and still, there was no mommy bird. I was sad. I checked again this afternoon, and saw only eggs...BUT, there were three eggs, and yesterday, only two! Mommy Bird had returned!

Tonight, I saw Mommy Bird sitting quietly on the eggs! :)

I can't wait to see little, naked birdies in here soon!

Etsy

2010-05-06T12:47:00.003-08:00

I have recently learned of and fallen in love with Etsy.com ! Etsy is an online marketplace for all things homemade! There are so many amazing things on it, I knew it was the perfect place for this Alaskan to buy and sell! Check out my Etsy shop, where you can find all sorts of cool things, like this caribou antler necklace I carved!

Make Your Own Topsy Turvy Planter

2010-05-05T13:16:00.012-08:00

I started my plants in March. The happy, little seedlings have grown wonderfully on my kitchen table. I was hoping to get them outside sooner than later, but it's snowing today! Yes, snowing. Not so happy about that. So, due to the snow, here they are, sitting on my table, longing to live outdoors.

Just yesterday, I planted the strawberries. Everything else, I have grown from seeds. I couldn't find strawberry seeds, so I purchased the plants at Holm Town Nursery in Fairbanks. I purchased a Topsy Turvy planter for the tomatoes, but decided to make my own for the strawberries.

I started with a Parmesan Cheese container. (A milk jug would work too) Also a knife. I left the label on for recycle charm. :)

Cut one hole, staggered from the other sides, on each side of the container.

Layer the bottom with rocks for drainage.

Fill with Soil to just below the first hole, then pop the roots through the hole, into the planter. Fill, and plant accordingly. (Like my little helper!? Yes, he is wearing a headband: God bless big sisters!) :-)

Water, and place the lid back on.

It should work as its own, mini greenhouse. Our planting season is VERY short (About May-the end of August) so that's why I planted inside the house in March, hoping to begin my first harvest around June. So, I beg the Lord to remove the snow and bring back 70 degree sunshine! My family wants the dining table back!

Remodeling in Progress

2010-04-29T09:57:00.003-08:00

When I started this blog, I wanted it to be "all things Alaska." I wanted to refrain from being too personal, too centered around me and my family. Instead, I wanted it to be open for stories and information about Alaska-things that make this place great. In an effort to keep this the center of the blog, I'll be introducing new material such as how-to articles, featured Alaskan handcrafts, and other Alaskan things. I would like feedback on what else you would like to see here on "Life in Alaska." Why are you following this blog? What is it you want to know about life in AK?

Under Contsruction

2010-04-05T08:23:00.002-08:00

Wow, almost a year since I blogged on here. I think it's time for an over-haul....Please Stay Tuned.

Not Even a Sordough Yet!

2009-04-27T13:23:00.003-08:00

I realized that a week ago today marked my 20th year in Alaska! I'm beyond my Cheechako years, for sure, but not quite a Sourdough yet, as I am pretty sure that means 15 additional years here. I thought I would take the blog opportunity to reflect on the happenings of 1989.

I was seven years old and had just relocated with my family from Dover AFB, DE to Eielson AFB, Alaska. Dad had just returned State-side from a year's tour to Korea without us. He was withdrawn and our adventure to Alaska seemed like the only thing we had going for us. There was no room on Base, so the Air Force put my family of six and our dog up in a Fairbanks hotel. That was so much fun, especially because the maid was afraid of Russie, our fat, old Brittany! Soon, my dad moved us into a nasty, run-down cabin in Moose Creek, Alaska. In May, it snowed! My brother, Jamie, and I built 6 snowman, one for each family member, and a snow-dog, of course! :)

That summer was a blast: we had very few toys, as they were all in storage. Instead, we played in the dirt, made friends with a girl down the street, and walked alongside the railroad tracks to the Moose Creek General Store for over-priced candy-bars that are way under the price of cheap candy bars today. Dad broke his nose when he rolled a 3-wheeler on top of himself on those same railroad tracks sometime that summer. Mom worked part time at the BX and struggled to keep up with cabin cleaning and home-schooling.

In September, it snowed again! It was the 20th of September, actually. I remember this because my dad had taken all of us fishing on the bank of the Tanana River. Our senile, old dog had locked point on some bushes nearby. We scolded her for taking an interest in squirrels. A closer investigation, however, revealed a shivering, malnourished black Labrador. She was pregnant, abandoned, with fishing line cutting up her feet. Though a year in Korea without us had made him somewhat emotionless toward his family, my dad could not resist our cries to help the poor dog. Dad cleaned her up, named her Lucky, and built her a cardboard box to birth her babies. Seven perfectly plump Black Lab mixes, and one Chocolate Lab mix, of the same stature emerged from Lucky's skin and bones the very next day. Though we found a great new home for Lucky, we did keep her brown pup. We named him Sasquatch and he was the most well-behaved dog I have ever known.

We learned that winter pretty much starts around then, and soon, Christmas was upon us. It's the only year in my memory where our tree wasn't topped with a golden star my parents had made before I was born. Our tree of 1989 wore construction-paper strings, and popcorn strings at the top where Russie and Sasquatch couldn't reach them. Cut-outs from magazines also hung from the branches. It was perfectly Alaskan!

I'm not exactly sure when we moved out of the cabin, but I know we spent a significant amount of our first winter there, if not all of it. We learned that the hole we'd discovered in the summer when mosquitoes swarmed into my and my sister's room would turn that room into a frozen isolation chamber in the winter months. After that, we slept in the small living room. We also learned that squirrels could make a huge mess inside of a cabin and were very vigorous at finding a way in during the hard-to-forage winter months. We learned that if you feed a moose a potato, she will ask you for another, and another, and another, and so on. Sasquatch became friends with Molly the moose, whom my mom was the first to offer a handout to. Dad fed her from his hand, but soon made an executive decision to stop the handouts and force Molly to move on. Probably a wise decision, as I am sure we couldn't afford such an expensive pet!

Still, I think the most important thing we learned was that, together, we could make a great life here. We could endure any trial. We could overcome our past conflicts. We could love each other and be a family again. Those were the life lessons we should have all held on to as the years passed. God really used Alaska to bring us together back then. And together, we were a great team.

Break Up

2009-03-13T22:25:00.007-08:00

Alright, so my motherly duties are causing me to lack in my blog-writing duties somewhat. I apologize that many of the events on here are now a thing of this years' past, but please keep them in mind for 2010.

Alaska in the full flavor of pre-spring. Of course, we don't call it spring. Maybe it's one more act of refusal to conform, but in Alaska, it's called break-up. It's the time of year that rivers and snow begin to break-up. But what exactly does that mean to those of us who call "Seward's Icebox" our home?

Nenana Ice Classic Tickets are on sale. The event is a State lottery of sorts. The goal is to place the closest guess as to when a large tripod will fall through the ice on the part of the Tanana River that flows through the small town of Nenana. Winners take home thousands of dollars annually. I've never played.
Bad road conditions. "The brakes are not your friends" phrase is commonly heard at this time of year. In fact, Mom hit a moose with her Subaru last week. She's the first of the family to do so in the nearly 20 years we've been here! She and her car were unscratched. The moose, however, broke both her hind legs and had to be shot. In Alaska, churches are called to salvage all moose road kills, including Mom's.

Ice Alaska: The world ice art championships are held in Fairbanks, Alaska. The "coolest" part of this is the kid's park. Fit for all ages, giant ice slides tower above smaller playground equipment: all made of ice. If you aren't up for a trip to Alaska in March, you can visit the Fairbanks Ice Museum from May-September. Though it doesn't hold many sculptures, there is an ice slide, to give you a taste of the real deal.

Daylight Saving Time: Alright, some of our legislators are lobbying to get rid of the tradition, but I love it! Sure, in the dead of winter it is dark all the time, and in the middle of summer, we never see the stars, but this time of year, I just like seeing the sun still up at 9pm.

Fur Rendezvous: Another event I've never taken part in, though this one sounds GREAT! Held in downtown, Anchorage, participants are welcomed to join in a variety of winter games such as dog sledding and reindeer races.

March Madness at Birch Hill Ski and Snowboard Area: Located on Ft. Wainwright, this is a local favorite. Events include everything from pudding eating contests to ski-n-surf. It is held the last weekend of March.

Dog weight-pull championships: The Fairbanks events are usually held in the Bentley Mall parking lot. This is a really fun event to watch or participate in. Dogs compete to see which can pull the sled carrying the most weight. Any dog can participate!

Mush For Kids: This event is held at what I must grit my teeth and call "Pioneer Park" (formerly known as "Alaska Land"). It is free event to support the Alaska Children's Trust. Various vendors provide free services for children such as dog sled rides, hockey, puppy petting, crafts, etc.

Though there must be countless more community events happening, I'll end my list here. What I enjoy most this time of year is the water dripping from my roof, the sun shining past 9pm, taking my own dogs on dog sled rides, wearing a light jacket and Crocs to town, and just knowing summer is weeks away!

Babies and Birthdays

2009-03-02T08:43:00.004-09:00

As I mentioned in my first blog, I was pregnant. I am no longer. Though my beautiful new son was "due" on April 10'th, I had found out about a complication in my pregnancy called placenta previa. A C-Section was going to be scheduled for the end of March. I began complaining that I wanted an April baby and that choosing your child's birth date is not a natural thing to do. Apparently talking to your baby in-utero works because on Sunday, the 22'nd, at 2:30AM, I woke in pool of blood.

I woke John, changed, and instructed my mom to call the ER with my information: 33 weeks pregnant. Placenta Previa. Massive bleeding. Doctor's name is Bartling. We left the kids in their beds and Mom was here to stay with them.

The sparseness of cars on Alaska roads (especially at 2:30am) came in at a great advantage. John drove over 80 mph to get to Fairbanks Memorial hospital. The administrations clerks at the ER were throwing fits that I was not pre-registered. I told them I was bleeding all over thee floor and they said, "That's ok, we'll clean it up!" LOL, like I cared about the floor!

Once in Labor and Delivery, the Dr. stated the obvious: immediate C-section required. We had to wait for the anesthesiologist, which seemed like forever. Finally, just after 4am, I was taken into the OR. It was 6 minutes from the time I went in, to the time Gabriel Wayne was being walked out! I was not conscious, and I had nearly bled to death. They started a transfusion right then, and I would end up receiving a total of 6 units of blood just to get my blood count stabilized.

On a side note, please consider donating blood to your local blood bank. Thank you, Jen, for donating and saving people's lives. It might not get your name in the newspaper like saving someone from a car accident or something, and you might not get an award for inventing a great piece of life-saving equipment, but giving blood is just as heroic. Somewhere in Fairbanks, Alaska are 6 donors who maybe received a glass of orange juice for their contributions, but they are my heroes. Without their donations and God's mercy, my newborn son would not have his mother today.

Anyway, as I received my care, Gabriel was getting his. He was a tough little fighter! He received lubricating medicines for his pre-mature lungs and was breathing heavily on his own. When his breathing continued to labor, his Dr. opted to put him on a ventilator. Gabriel kicked and swatted at the Dr. so much he had to be sedated. Dr. Foote said we were going to have a discipline problem with this one. I think he was right: a day or two after it was inserted, Gabe removed the breathing tube himself! He seemed to be able to breathe without the heavy laboring, so they left it out and placed a feeding tube through his nose. a day or two after that, he pulled that out!

At that point, it was decided he could suck minute amounts of breast milk through a rubber nipple. He did it, but the "nutrient IV" was still providing his basic needs. The IVs soon began to swell, and an increase of milk volume was made. Gabe sucked it down. By yesterday, at one week old, Gabriel was off the IVs and medicines. He was only hooked to a monitor. A nurse last night put another feeding tube in. She said he only ate half his food, but I have not had any trouble getting him to eat and neither have any other nurses. He eats over a 1/4 of a cup of milk every 3 hours and loves it. Though he dropped from 5 pounds, 12 ounces to 5 pounds, 2 ounces, he has now gained back almost 2 ounces. He has also grown one inch: from 18 inches, to 20. His only step left toward release is maintaining his own body temperature in an open room. Really, that means adding more body fat to keep him warm.

God is amazing. He had this planned and controlled since he first formed Gabriel. As the Psalmist said, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." I truly believe my bout of pneumonia and month-long illness was to keep me from walking and having this happen sooner than it did. Gabriel would not have been ready a day sooner. God made him a large baby too. I know His hand is in all things. I miss my little guy more than anything in the world. The love I have for him truly is, as they say, like wearing my heart on my sleeve. Leaving him in the NICU was very hard, but knowing he is doing so well, makes it much easier. I think he may be home within a week or two.

The Sun Returns

2009-02-16T10:49:00.003-09:00

Yes, it's true: about 8 1/2 hours now and it is so nice! Just seeing the brightness shining through the windows makes one think more posatively.

The temperature has been great as well. Saturday, it was 20 degrees. John took the kids skiing. At 3 and 4 years old, I didn't expect them to stay out too long. Five hours later, John was dragging Paris into the lodge and leaving Judah to follow after "one more time." They were awesome and I was jealous to be confined to a chair by the window to watch. Still, knowing I had taught both of them this sport was pretty gratifying. Paris did insist that "Daddy teached her," and I suppose that's ok since she is a little girl and I understand how little girls idolize their Daddies whether they deserve it or not. LOL

When we finally left the ski lodge, Paris was asleep before we left the parking lot. We managed to keep Judah talking for the 20 minute drive home in order to prevent him from a late nap. At exactly 9 pm, they were both in bed for the night. Within 5 minutes, they were both asleep. They slept. And they slept. And they slept some more. We opted out of Sunday-School just so they could finish resting. It was a quarter 'til 10 when I woke them up. Nearly 13 hours of sleep and they were still well worn!

Today, I will send them in the backyard to go sledding for a while. This time of year really is great!

99705-

2009-02-10T12:09:00.003-09:00

Unfortunately, I am still quite "under-the weather." I really have no idea what that truly means, or where it originated, but I am applying it to my current state none the less. I currently have pneumonia and a misplaced rib, on top of a pregnancy complication known as "Placenta Previa." The pneumonia is the worse of it, and since one generally catches pneumonia from bad weather, I have decided the aforementioned proverbial phrase is entirely appropriate for my condition.
~
During this time of much sitting, my last post has been bothering me. Though it is a very small town, North Pole is so much more than the last post. There are so many more memories and things to say about why I am happy to have grown up here, and even happier to raise my children here. I suppose I may just have to compile a book about it one day. :)
~
In the meantime, to Jennifer, I'd like to say that I am not arguing that North Pole is better than any other home-town. I am sure there is charm and deep memories in most peoples' home-towns. Perhaps that is what I am digging at: a reflection from my heart of why North Pole was great for me, and a challenge to others to reflect on their places of origin as well. We all come from somewhere. Though that Somewhere will never be the same as it was when we were there, it will always be "perfect" in our hearts.
~
For Shane: The Great Alaska Pizza Company took over all of the area Little Ceaser's when the national chain downsized. The only topping unique to the Alaska-based company is reindeer sausage. The pizzeria itself is fantastic competition to the more well known, Pizza Hut, offering such deals as an every-day Large, one-topping pizza for $7.99 and a once-a-month "customer appreciation" day where Large , one-toppings are $4.99 each. Still, the place is nothing real special, in my opinon anyway. It is not specialty pizza or something anyone considers a local favorite.
~
And, for my "anonymous husband:" Elkhart, Texas has its charm as well. It's just that no one explained to anyone there that life is ever-changing, so the people there all seem to be "stuck" in the same reality that they have been for years! ;) I am glad you found your way to "zip code 99705;" even if it meant bringing some of your "redneck" ways with you! :)

Zip Code 99705

2009-02-04T17:01:00.007-09:00

North Pole, Alaska

Candy-Cane street lamps decorate the roads in the city itself. On some buildings, Christmas lights are present year-round. The world famous Santa Claus House still stands on St. Nicholas Drive, and is now a home to four of "Santa's" reindeer. Though the store has posted the animals' traditional names, I prefer to call them things I find more suitable than Dancer and Prancer, etc.. My names for them are: "Breakfast," "Maple," "Sage," and "Italian." Of course they all share the same last name: Sausage.

North Pole has very little to offer in the entertainment world, but it is the home to five franchise restaurants: Subway, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and Wendy's. In addition, there is The Great Alaska Pizza Company, a fairly new diner, Harley's, two Chinese places, FireWok and Pagoda, The Thai Cuisine, a bar/diner, The Elf's Den, Dallman's Family Restaurant, and a country cafe' that I honestly don't remember the name of. Oh, yes, we have more than our share of eateries!

We do have our own radio station located here! 100.3 KJNP is a Christian station which also hosts a TV channel. The station is made of rustic, old log buildings. Their broadcast does come in clear, however, owning the largest antenna in the area, and possibly all of Alaska. In fact, if you still have a phone with a cord, you can often hear the radio through that phone!

The central location of North Pole is the grocery store which now displays the store label of Safeway. Since I have lived here, the same store has also been called Super Value and Carrs, and I must note, that it is perfectly acceptable to use any of its names interchangeably. Any true Local will not notice if you do not call it by its current title. The store and its adjoining strip-mall is owned by the Gavora family of Fairbanks. They own several locations in the more popular town as well. The mall itself has changed very little except for the lack of stores it is home to. Sentry Hardware is the only store that has been a constant since I have lived here. Everything else, from movie rentals to pet stores, have come and gone. I think the Gavora family is hoping to change that turn-over with their recent addition of North Pole's first Hotel, which is just being finished just outside of the mall's entrance.

There are three gas stations here; all of which are over-priced and typical of small-town charm. (ie: semi-warm hot dogs at $3.00 each and the restrooms are no place to rest!) I used to work at one of them, Sourdough Fuel. Petro Star owns that one as well as a credit card only pump station under the notable name of Texaco. The third used to be our 7-11, and again, it is perfectly acceptable to refer to it as such.

The United States Postal Service has a wonderful, little branch in North Pole. Giant Candy Canes in front of the building, and a sign stating its address make the location a very popular photo-op for our many tourists. Though the clerks at the Post Office are the friendliest, I know them each by name, and they have seen me grow up, it is a horrible place to need in November and December. No one can resist sending a Christmas package from North Pole, after all.

My family moved just outside the small town of North Pole in 1990. Nineteen years later, with the absence of just under a year, I am still living in Alaska's Christmas town. It has been through its course of changes; new buildings up, old ones torn down, growth of population, roads re-routed, etc. But nothing has changed of its personality.

The Mayor, Mr. Doug Isaacson, (once my youth-group leader, by the way) is often seen walking down the sidewalk and will always smile and wave to anyone and everyone driving by. He is a wonderful mayor, I will note. He has implemented several things for the community including a Christmas Ice Park that has been fantastic the last two years!

Going into "The Super Carrs Way" (grocery store), you are nearly guaranteed to run into more than a couple familiar faces, in addition to "knowing" all the cashiers. In fact, at the onset of this pregnancy, I noted to my visiting friend that I might be pregnant and she insisted we purchase a home pregnancy test. I refused to buy such an item in North Pole! She bought one. I told that wasn't much better: instead of whispers of the possibility that I may pregnant, North Pole would now be contemplating the state of my single friend visiting from Arizona! Ah well, even today, as I discussed pregnancy issues with one my favorite cashiers, three others and several customers listened in and added their input. Some may find these situations "nosey" or annoying, but it is just the small-town way.

These same people will be the ones to help raise money when your loved one has cancer. They will help put a porch on your house when the snow caves it in. They will stop to ensure his safety when your child's chain comes off his bike. They will "rescue" your lost dog and most likely keep it in their own home instead of turning it in to the Animal Shelter. North Pole-ians are people with great heart for their community. I'm so happy that my kids are growing up here as I did. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and this is one great, charming village. :)

"Raven"Like A Lunatic

2009-01-23T15:34:00.007-09:00

Hello to you too, Mr. Raven in the backyard. I'm not sure why he is looming around the branches of our super-tall Spruce trees. Maybe he is scoping out the after-Christmas gingerbread houses and rotten apples I just threw out. Around town, we refer to these birds as "dumpster chickens" because of their filthy way of life in the city. They are most commonly found at McDonald's, Burger King, or any other place that frequently dumps food remnants into a dumpster. Sometimes we call them "soul chickens" or "Spirit Birds" as well. That is because the Native Alaskans believe that at some point after death, the human soul enters a raven and can then guide and be with the tribe forever. What they then say happens when a raven dies, I'm not sure! It is that belief that has earned the raven a place on the State's protected species list as well. In any case, ravens in the city are fat, grossly dirty birds.

On the flip side, ravens are amazing creatures in the wild. They have mimicking capabilities. I have heard them "bark" at my dog, Tigerlily while we walked our trapline. Sometimes they whistle. Mostly tthough, their sound is just a throaty "caw" similar to a crow or a deep clucking. The most amazing time to hear them is when they have found a fresh animal kill. I don't quite understand what, other than God, directs them to kill sites, but they seem to appear as soon as an animal is killed. After they find the site, they just seem to multiply in the sky. From six to a dozen black birds, soaring high above the blood on the ground; circling and calling loudly. Calling: yes, calling to stir the other forest inhabitants. "Aww-Aww-'Freshly killed moose below,'" they say, hoping to reach the ears of a wolf pack or a hungry bear. They repeat this ritual for hours at times, scarcely ever swooping down to peck at the meat. Ravens prefer to have someone else do the dirty work. If they can call in a hungry carnivore to rip the hide and make a mess of the carcass, they will gladly wait. Then, and only then, does the ravens' feast begin.

It is a shame to see the raven in such a negative light around the cities. Instead of scavenging after bears and wolves, they scavenge after humans. They are pecking at the remnants of OUR meals, and living a very poor life due to that. I once asked a lady from the Alaska Bird Observatory about the lifespan of the raven. Though I don't remember her exact answer, I wasn't surprised to hear that city birds die much sooner than those in the wild. Not because they have a rougher life, but because they have high cholesterol, heart disease, and other nasty illnesses caused by their custom of eating our table scraps.

Well, consider yourself a little more educated on the most common bird in Alaska. And if you come to visit this Great Land, and you share a french-fry or hamburger with a raven, just remember, somewhere beyond the city lights, there are moose who dread the sound of the raven's cry. It means death to them, but life to a wolf and to the ravens there, who know nothing of our human filth.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

2009-01-15T00:17:00.011-09:00

WOW, what a heat wave! A ninety degree difference from last week's -50, temperatures climbed to 40 yesterday! Even more significant, according to this article in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, it has been 87 days since the temperatures here in the heart of Alaska have risen above 20 degrees. With this information spinning through my head, I have to laugh a little about the national news coverage of the "cold snap sweeping the country."

Go ahead, Outsider's, blame us for your "arctic cold front." However, this picture just tickles my funny bone: According to the accompanying CNN article, these ladies are "enduring the cold" which is hitting Massachusetts at 20 degrees. LOL, we haven't had 20 degrees since October! Now I will recognize that the humidity level near the east coast and the wind in the mid-west contribute greatly to a cold feeling which is more than ambient, but, there is nothing like the way your lungs fail to open at -40 and colder. Sorry you're cold, Lower 48ers, but I can't deny that your misfortune comes at a time of great pleasure for us!

Of course, as the title of this post indicates, this "heat wave" is not all fun and games to those of us who now have to drive to work on wet roads which are still so cold that the melting snow immediately freezes over. I am sure as my husband drives to work at 5am, that he will be praying for his safety. I am sure he will pass a half a dozen motorists whose cars will have slipped off the roads. His patrol should be quite eventful as well. Ahh, weather sure is a complication to our lives here in Alaska. Still, it amazes me to no end!

On a personal note, I haven't had the chance to enjoy the weather myself at all! Two days ago, I woke up with a sore throat which quickly turned into some sort of strange flu. I ache all over, feel chilled to my bones, then in the next ten minutes, I sweat harder than I would after running the Midnight Sun Run! I sent Judah and Paris out to go sledding this afternoon and the 30 degree weather felt like -12 to me. Pregnancy is adding to my discomfort. Oh well, it will pass: probably about the time the temperatures fall back below zero!

UPDATE 01/16/09: It's nearly 50 degrees at my house today! Another problem is occuring: Our stash of ice cream and crab legs had to be relocated from the front porch to the freezer! :)

Seven Weird or Random Things...

2009-01-07T17:48:00.008-09:00

Shane tagged me on his blog and I am supposed to list seven weird or random facts about myself, then tag seven others who are to do the same on their blogs. Trying to stay on theme with my blog, here it goes:

If I step on the snow beginning with my left foot, I must leave the snow from my right foot.
Lynx chili is pretty good and I know because my dad made it for his own retirement party.
I can't swim: I just don't know how, and this is not very smart since there is so much water in Alaska.
The longest I've gone not owning a Brittany (Spaniel) was the first year of my life.
The longest I've been without a shower is 10 days while on float-hunting trip during which time I shot my first moose.
(slightly off topic, but funny) When we first got married, my arm muscles were bigger than John's and I owned more firearms....Now he has a couple more guns than me.-and FINE, he's managed to gain some muscle too. :)
I was 18 years old before I saw a black bear in the wild...and I shot him!

Alright, that was everything you really didn't need to know about me and now I am tagging: My Sister-in-law, Jennifer (Because she's the "survey queen"), Rebecca (Because she'll probably do it), Gretchen (Because -45 for the last week and a half is driving her to boredom), Jennifer's sister, Lauren (Because she's the "survey queen's" sister), Crystal (Because she's online all the time), John's Aunt Kristi (Because she might be up to the challenge), and James (Because I just don't know anyone else who might keep this thing going).

A Cold New Year's Day

2009-01-01T11:04:00.006-09:00

Global Warming!? Well, I am sure I know nothing of it. And if it has a grain of truth, I am totally for it! As temperatures reached -50 degrees at my home, I was barely able to see a neighbor's fireworks through the lingering ice fog outside. Today, we are having a slight heat wave, with temperatures RISING to -28! That's in Fairbanks, actually. Here, it has only risen to -40. When it comes to it, anything -35 or colder feels the same: FRIGID.

So, what do we do when it is this cold? I could point out the number of Alaskan babies born August-October, but that's pretty much a given. What really occurs is a whole lot of cabin fever. My kids are sharing germs, arguing over toys they received for Christmas, and wearing so many layers of clothes that they each weigh 10 pounds more than usual. My dogs are mad at me for forgetting about them when they were outside. Don't worry, the dryer was on, and despite their "bird brains," they had enough sense to huddle together under the vent. This kept them plenty warm. Moses must have actually forgiven me because he keeps ringing his bell to alert me that he wants out yet again. Crazy fool, doesn't the air choke his breath as it does mine? Mrs. Jones is not as forgiving: she is huddled in front of the electric fireplace (which is not turned on) and sending evil glares my way.

As for me and John, I assume, we are like most spouses who are forced to deal with the in and outs of life at sub-zero temperatures. Meaning, we are frustrated that elements of our home are not functioning properly, that one of our cars decided it would rather be living in Florida and is refusing to run, and secretly knowing that our utility bills will arrive with a whole new stress of their own.

Still, this isn't the worst of winter. No, after all, we are warm, at least. We are saving money because I am not driving anywhere, using gas or spending money on groceries and the like. In fact, one would think I could accomplish a lot of household duties during this period of self-inflicted "lock-down." However, THE DARKNESS DRIVES ME INSANE! Sure, every light in my house is on, the sun is shining somewhere above the fog, but the dreary, dim light that stays so flat for only about 5 hours is very depressing. Somehow, it is even snowing right now. Tiny crystals of dry ice flaking from the sky don't even cheer the mood. They are menacing, in a way; taunting me to realize that this winter is far from over. 6 months pregnant, truly not long to go, but the months of January and February in Alaska seem to drag like the tip of a snail's tail.

Ahh, I will survive, as I always do. And When March finally does pull through, the fresh smell of Break-Up and the sunshine will rejuvenate me once again. I will not be thinking about today: it's darkness, its depression. I will only see Alaska and its winter beauty. I will see the dogsled teams mushing in the daylight, the sun sparkling on the hills, spend a day with my family enjoying ice sculptures, and as I absorb it all, a twinge of guilt will touch my heart as I recollect today's dark feelings. I will realize that there is no where else like Alaska. There is no where else where a person's body can sway with the seasons like this. There is no where else that I can show my kids how boiling water freezes in mid air. And there is no where else I'd rather be right now.............

Well, Hawaii was great in January...

A moose story

2008-11-24T12:08:00.005-09:00

As promised, but not as easy as I thought it would be. I have too many moose stories, really. But, it was a letter to the local newspaper, www.newsminer.com , that sparked the thought on this particular story.

Right now, as I sit in my warm, spacious home, there are hundreds of American Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, etc. living in less than pristine housing. They are eating tasteless chicken for nearly every meal, waking early, and resting late. They are our friends, our neighbors, and our heroes.

The war our country is in, like most, is an unpopular war. Truthfully, I am not even sure how I feel about it. But I do know America is a safer place, thanks to our troops. We are here because they are are there.

In the middle of summer, as Judah played outside, I sat on th porch tossing a frisbie for Aly to catch. John came out just as Aly grew tired and settled down with the frisbie for a break. John, Judah, and I walked around the corner of the house to choose a place to plant our garden.

As I wandered ahead, John began shouting at me to get inside. Judah in his arm, he was running toward me. Knowing his tendancy to over-react a bit, and aware that a black bear had recently been seen in the area, I stood there and demanded to know why I needed to get inside. In a split second, I heard crashing of trees and saw a very large cow moose, nudging at her small calf as they bolted across the yard, straight toward us. Her ears we laid back, and I could tell she was very angry. In that moment, I saw Aly spring to her feet, cutting the moose off their path, and sending them into another direction. As glad I was that they were not coming toward me, my husband, and our son, I knew that moose would kill Aly if she felt it necessary. "Aly, NO!" I screamed, "COME, GIRL, Come! NO!" Aly looked at me just as the calf ran in front of its mother. In a split second, Aly backed up about six inches, just enough to move away from the Mama-Moose's defensive stomp. I really thought Aly got kicked, but that moose didn't stay to finish her off, and instead, ran into the woods with her calf. All was calm, all was normal.

I said all that to say this: I am thankful that I live in a place where moose run out of he woods, and not suicide bombers. I am thankful that the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are keeping the war there. I don't know how hopeful it is to see an end to the war and the killing there, but I am very hopeful that it will stay there, thanks to our soliders.

Life in Alaska isn't always about moose, bears, and wildlife. Sometimes it is about politics, religion, and all the other things that spark great debate. But whatever Alaskan life brings, I truly believe it is made possible in large part by our military service members and I am very thankful for them a this time of year, and always.

Moose Burgers

2008-10-29T19:18:00.003-08:00

I've never been too fond of them, so blame it on the pregnancy, the snow, the darkness, or something else, but we are eating a lot of them lately. Two pounds of ground moose, a tablespoon of olive oil, plus 1/2 teaspoon each of onion powder, pepper, and salt. Add homemade rolls, bacon, and cheese and I just can't help it. YUM

Anyway, I'll post a moose story soon. I just didn't want anyone to think I'd forgotten about my blog. I'm just busy-making and eating moose burgers! ;)

I promise to post ASAP.

Trapping Tale #1

2008-10-05T22:43:00.002-08:00

I started trapping years ago, about the age of 14, if I had to guess. My dad, who was in the Air Force, was being sent TDY to Japan. He had already set a trapline off a popular snowmachine trail near our house in North Pole, Alaska. I had gone by snowmachine with him to check his line a few times before. Now, as he prepared to leave, he put me in charge of checking the line, a task I was eager to accept.

I was home schooled. This meant if I hurried, I could finish half my work before all the short, winter daylight was gone. Then, I could get on our sled and check the line. About a week after Dad left, I harnessed Tigerlily, my beautiful Brittany, and started the snowmachine. It was very cold out, and I remember thinking it was sort of a waste of time, as I was sure no animals had been moving in that weather. Nevertheless, it was better than math and economics, so I and my faithful friend set off down the trails.

Tigerlily ran effortlessly through the snow, following alongside my snowmachine. We came to a place where the trail narrowed. "Come on, Tiges, get up here," I coached the dog to my lap. Happy for the break, she rested her head on my arm, and we proceeded to the first set. It was a snare which was set on a frequented fox trail. Right away, I saw orange fur. Even so, I couldn't believe it. Tiger barked excitedly, my heart beat fast, and I was filled with emotion. Excitement and fear pressed within me. Was it alive still? Dad had said I could keep the first of anything that was caught. I had actually even set this snare: the only one on the whole line that I had set. It couldn't really be a fox in there, could it!? Of course, it was. And, it was dead. Actually, it was dead and frozen, formed in a tight curled-up position, as if fast asleep. I cut the wire free from the tree which held it, and put the catch into the milk crate we had mounted on the sled for such bounty.

I sped down the trail toward the rest of the sets. I didn't let Tiger run. I was too excited. I just wanted to get home and show everyone my catch. Two, three, four, maybe five sets later, I saw yet another ball of orange fur. "No, way!" Another beautiful red fox lay in the snow, waiting for my arrival. I'm not even sure I did check the rest of the line, I had to get home ASAP!

Somewhere, I have pictures of myself and Tigerlily with our first of many fox that we trapped. My dad returned from his assignment and taught me to skin that fox out. He skinned the second one I found that day, and I skinned the first.

Three months ago, though Tigerlily had been buried for over two years, my dad, not so much my trapping partner anymore, and houses being built in the very place I caught him, the fur of my first red still hung beautifully on my wall. It would be there still, if not for Moses, my "wonderful" dog of today. Apparently, he had a problem with Mr. Red, and fought him to his second death. When I found the fur strewn about the hallway, I felt very much like doing the same to the culprit. Still, I am sure German Shorthair pelt would not be as pretty on the wall. When I finally calmed down, I placed the large scraps into a bag and hung a newer red fox on the wall in its place. I plan to use the salvaged fur to make myself a trapper's hat this year. I need one, anyway, and it mine as well be made from the fur of my first catch.

The Perfect Day to Start My Blog

2008-09-30T17:39:00.001-08:00

Currently, I am sitting at a a window which faces our driveway. The snow is falling steadily and sticking to every inch of earth around. I am watching "Maggie," the Magpie as she hops effortlessly from limb to limb of a Spruce tree. She, no doubt, is returning to continue pecking the meat off my husband's freshly killed black bear skull. I've seen her frequently this month, ever since we came home from hunting with a moose and the bear. Though our meat bounty has long been cleaned, cut, and frozen, Maggie and her Chicadee friends have been gratefully consuming the scraps off the bones.

I saved the bones of our moose, and one shot by my oldest brother, Ken to attract furbearers during the upcoming trapping season. I am the trapper of the family, a skill I learned from my dad. I haven't set a line in about 5 years, but I am determined to get out this year and try again.

I welcome the month of October 3 months pregnant with our 3'rd child. Our oldest is a 4 year-old rambunctious boy, Judah. He can be described with no less color. His strong-willed personality matches his Biblical name. Paris, his sister, is a girly 2 and 3/4 year-old, full of personality too. She loves to sing-loudly-very loudly. :) Hubby, John, works long hours, for few days a week. He's in the emergency field. We have two dogs, a tempermental Brittany, Mrs. Jones and a wild German Shorthaired Pointer, Moses. Both were rescued by us, and now live very spoiled lives. Also living in our home is my wonderful, amazing mother, and her Brittany, Alyeska.

Thankfully, we have a large home, new to us this year. It fits all of us very comfortably and, thanks to Sarah Palin, the energy check she gave to us residents should pay for us to heat this house just fine this winter.

"Winter:" that brings me back to the start of my blog. I don't wish for this blog to become a day-to day or week-to-week play on me and my family, though I am sure to write plenty about us. Instead, it's my desire to make this blog about Alaskans-true Alaskans-their stories: our stories: life in the Great Land-not just my life: the Alaskan way.

And today, was a grand Alaskan day. Early this morning, my brother and his wife set out for a drive to the Yukon, leaving their large, white dog with me. The kids and I set out for a quick trip to the library. We returned home to find a Spruce Grouse at the corner of our driveway. Knowing these are some of the stupidest birds ever, I told the kids to wait in the car while I went in to grab my .22. It is an H&R pistol-type which looks like an old revolver. It's also fun and easy to shoot. I walked straight out to the silly bird, stood 7 feet away, and made her into an easy dinner. I let the large, white dog, Sandy, retrieve the bird, which she did without hesitation. She proudly carried it in her gentle grip until I told her to release it. I saved the bird carcus for trapping as well. With God's help, I should be able to attract a lynx or two with such a tantalizing bait.

In any case, it was a beautifull Alaskan day, as most days here are.