A few more Mt Redoubt pictures.......

Back Home....Only in Alaska!

I got home from a wonderful visit in Ark with my kinfolk!  The weather was nice part of the time and precious Marlene came from Florida for part of the visit.  There was lots of good food and laughter!

My blog is really about coming home to Alaska.  There are two things I consider Only in Alaska (OIA).

1) While I waited for my bags to come from the 'magical shoot', two young men were greeting each other and talking about the bags and how easy it is to get one mixed up.  I started to join there conversation when one guy said to the other, "I had a MF-in** time getting out of Colorado."  I sort of stepped back as they continued their conversation with ever expletive I've ever heard.  Now I am usually not around too much cussin' and I don't pay much attention but this was rather loud and I was thinking maybe I'd move to another spot when..... A man, about 6'5", probably around 60 and in good physical shape, sharply and not very quietly said, "Hey, you young men watch your language!  What are you thinking there are all kinds of decent people around here!"  (as all this is happening my bag arrived)  The young guys did not miss a beat and apoligized saying they would indeed shape up.  They appeared very sincere and I was proud of them for not talking back to the guy.  I nodded thank you and left......  You may know that we have many different military bases here in Alaska.  How much do you want to bet me the older guy was ex-military and the young men in one branch of the service or another.  At any rate, I can not remember ever hearing someone stand up for decency in a crowded airport before.  HooRa!

2) My second OIA, happened right after getting home.  We looked across the bay and it looked like someone was sending us smoke signals.  No, it was just the volcano spouting off some steam!  (See picture above)

Read At Your Own Risk

I know it seems like forever since you have heard from Alaska!  Precious Michelle has encouraged me to do an Alaska checkup.  Let me see.... snow today....hmmm...snow yesterday....snow last week.  Don't let all this snow fool you, we do have a few signs that indeed spring (or summer we don't have much spring) is on its way.  We know this because our daylight hours thankfully have been increasing  with each sunrise and set!  People have more of a hop in their step.  Even Baby is more adventuresome.  When the melt does come (in May) the salmon will be coming soon after and you-all-know-what-that-means!  Yes, more fish pictures!

As you may know I am going through Beth Moore's study on Esther and have been getting a great deal from it.  One of our recent weeks was about fear.  I loved it.  Coming from a long line of worriers (which I consider, fear in a package), the lesson really spoke to me.  One of my favorite things in the teaching had to do with God asking Moore a "what if..(insert your worst fear)....." question.  The senerio went like this - Moore answered, I'd be devestated....God, "then what?" I'd throw a fit.... God, "then what?", I'd take it out on everyone else... God, "and then?"  I'd have to get my Bible out, maybe find a promise....   Well you probably get the idea.  The only people who look at this blog are the woman young and old, whom I love and all of you are mighty in the Lord whether you feel like it or not.  You all will continue no matter what if!  

Father, bless us all with courage today.  Help us to be examples of faith, as Debby who stood next to her husband as he died and proclaim, GOD HAS A PLAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Cold

Just a little note about the cold we are experiencing in Anchorage.  First of all, let me say, thank the Lord for a heated garage!  What a blessing that is!  Today I had to do some errands (including fueling up) out negative temps.  My cars outside temp measured as low as -18 today.  Thought I'd give you a heads up about how that feels.  When you get out of your car to go in your face is stung by the cold.  If you take a big deep breath you cough.  The worst thing is that your nose hairs automatically frost up!  It's all part of the Big Alaskan Adventure!

Drew in SC.

Here is a picture of Drew and Belle taken in South Carolina.  Drew, drew (ha) robots on each present that he gave.  It was a shame to open them, but open we all did!   The presents were thoughtfully choosen and we all loved our individual robots.  Yea, Drew!  

I know, I know I haven't kept this up todate but, I thought I would add a note today.  I checked the weather in Anchorage for today, Dec. 29.  It said there is a high of -5 and a low of -9! However, we are in South Carolina!  We arrived on the 24th and have been enjoying the warmth ever since.  Our sweet neighbors reported they "mowed" our driveway for us.  Dale, Baby and I have 3 more days with the gang before returning to the frozen northwest.  

Speaking of the frozen northwest.... The other day there was a fire in a home in North Pole, Alaska.  The owner was trapped in the home.  He went out onto a second story balcony where a helicopter picked him up.  The man was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was treated for....FROSTBITE.  Totally true, totally Alaska!

Snow, Snow and more snow.  I just hope it keeps up, (for the visitors coming in Nov. ).  All those beautiful fall leaves...completely gone.  Nothing stops here becaues of the snow but this past week the roads have been awful!  There are wrecks everywhere.  So many still do not have their snow tires on.  Thankfully last Sat Dale got went to the tire store at 8 am.  They had told him when he called they were only taking 10 more people, he was #10!  We left the vehical all day but the result is great.  Ah, 'studdly' snow tires there is nothing like them!

Speaking of 'studdly' I am going to post a picture of Dale taken on our last trip to the Kenai last Fri.  It was snowing like crazy here and clear down there.  Guess I will post one of my 31" steelhead also.  I was proud of that catch....it wasn't easy!