Green is My New Favorite Color!

Greetings Once Again from the Far North!

In true Alaskan fashion, I must admit that I had forgotten how absolutely dreary the weeks of "break-up" can be before summer.  I cannot even begin to describe the deep hues of gray and brown that abound at every turn, and the tree top tips with the earliest buds serve to tease us almost unmercifully.  And yet, with the ever increasing daylight hours and afternoon rain showers, slowly, but surely, we have begun to see life emerge again in this land of extremes.  Preparations for spring hunts are beginning in earnest.

Spring bear hunt prep, 2016

  Last week, thin sheets of ice still adorned our lakes; but within three days, the waters were free once again, seagulls soared overhead, and the open waters baited fishermen and boating enthusiasts alike.  There only remain a few days before people will actually be swimming in these waters!  I cannot even imagine!  Please don't get me wrong...I love a good swim on a hot day...but our hottest day to come for weeks will top out at 63 degrees -- hardly swimming weather, I would argue.
But fishing and canoeing...well, that I can get into!

First Canoe Trip of 2016
Lake Lucille, Wasilla

As you can tell, Ethan and I could barely contain our excitement with our first canoe trip of the season! I'm so glad we waited for Michael as we headed out for the first time.  What a day of memory-making! I foresee LOTS of educational opportunities on the lakes in our vicinity.  Alaska may never be the same! It is hard to tell from this photo, but I am pleased to report that the greenery has suddenly exploded onto our landscape.
It's almost as if the Lord has said, "Wait for it; wait for it; BAM! Here it is!"
The birch trees are alive with bright yellow and green leaves, which contrast beautifully among the ever-blooming spruce.  So, to ease the " brown break-up blahs," I have decided that momentarily, my new favorite color is green! I never imagined I could be so thankful for leaves on trees; except, I guess, for that time I lived in North Dakota, and we had no trees at all!  We are learning to be thankful - in all seasons, and in all things.  We tend to forget how truly blessed we are, and the simple pleasures of the past few weeks have been amazing reminders.

Day at the Dog Park

Puppy Love

In addition to the new greenery, the major increase in road construction, gas prices, recreational vehicles, trains, and tour buses signals us that tourist season is about to begin. That, and Little Miller's Ice Cream stand reopening! Homegrown Alaskans approach tourist season like transplants approach living in Alaska -- you either "love it" or "hate it" -- there is no in-between.  Personally, I am thankful for the tourists.  Certainly, the traffic is heavier, it takes longer to get from point A to point B, and prices increase for a few months.  But how could we assume that we have "claim" to this beautiful place and that it shouldn't be shared with others?  Alaska is at least twice the size of the state of Texas and sparsely populated -- and arguably one of the most beautiful "heavens" on earth!  Almost daily, the views can take a breath away and make grown men weep.  We feel honored to share it -- with friends and family -- that are able to make the journey.

Most recently we welcomed Mrs. Renae back to Alaska while she visited the newlyweds, Maddie and Alex.  There's something healing about making sure that your children are alright as they enter new phases along this path we call life. We hosted a small cookout out back -- nothing that rivaled the Rowan County bonfires of years ago -- but just enough heat to roast caribou brats and hot dogs. Michael used his creativity to build a homemade grill out of garden decor and unused dog crate parts! Ha-ha...when in Alaska...

Michael's Homemade Firepit Grill

 Ah...but then, using the better part of his good judgment, he decided we should let the flames burn off whatever was used to treat all of the grating BEFORE we put any food atop!  Thank goodness for fish grill baskets and marshmallow sticks!  If that weren't enough, before the evening ended, Ethan had bagged a squirrel although his Daddy only allowed him one shot.  From about 15 yards away and high in a tree, I'm sure that squirrel thought he was safe.  But within moments, Michael came into the house where we were already cleaning up saying, "Honey...I may have done a bad thing..."  He then proceeded to tell us how he had allowed Ethan ONE shot - not expecting that it would be a true shot. He provided loving guidance to Alex and Ethan while they skinned it, and Madison reminded them how to cook it on a hot rock in the embers.
"Tastes like chicken!" Alex exclaimed.

Squirrel...it's what's for dinner!

"We the People..."

In addition to embracing all that springtime in Alaska brings, we have been continuing our studies. Most of the time we follow a curriculum, but since our learning takes place year-round, it has been so nice to digress from the "plan" and learn about whatever we want, when we want.  Since much talk has been occurring about politics on a national scale, we have been able to use the latter part of this year to begin an in-depth study of our Constitution.  If you haven't read that document or our Declaration of Independence (in a while or ever), I would strongly encourage you to do so!  Every citizen should KNOW what is written in those documents, and if you do not...for shame! A yearly reminder works wonders and provides an insight into what our Founding Fathers wished for generations of Americans to come.  Enough of my soap box though...

Intently reading Confederate Navy pistol schematics

Not only have we been delving deeply into that part of our history, but a nice fella named Mr. Corso recently "forced" Ethan to put his technology and logic skills to the test. Mr. Corso works with Michael and is, by all accounts, a self-proclaimed "hoarder."  While digging through a recent hoard, he came across an 1851 Confederate Navy black powder revolver replica, completely disassembled. Guess who the blessed recipient of that treasure was?

Voila!  Completely Reassembled!

After fumbling for a while without success, Ethan finally dug up a schematic on the Internet.  YouTube videos were less than helpful, as all those pieces can get lost in the shadows of amateur film-making.  But the schematic?  Honestly I wasn't sure he'd be able to fully understand it and make out the markings.  Boy, was I wrong!  And does that smile prove it?!  It's that "Look what I did (without any help from you!)" smile.  I must say, it's a look I'm seeing more and more - the look of independence.  It is welcome, but bittersweet. You see, I have watched it in Alex, from boyhood to manhood, to new groom, to settled husband.  I have watched it in Andrew, from boyhood to manhood, to what happens next.  And, now...I watch it in Ethan.  Perhaps because I know this is representative of changes to come, it has made me severely nostalgic for days gone by. I am most thankful that they have moved (or are moving) from a dependence upon us to a dependence upon the Lord.  But I think most mamas like to feel "needed" from time to time, no matter what the ages of their children. 

Thinking on this I have a small request -- as the time stealthily moves along, consider my nostalgia and please heed these words: pay attention to all of the details around you -- they are fleeting.  Make memories whenever you can!  Love your families; and if they can't be close at hand, keep them close at heart.  We love and miss you all!  Always!

2nd Canoe Trip 2016, Finger Lake

Finger Lake, 2016

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
to the which also ye are called in one body;
and be ye thankful."
Colossians 3:15

Springing Forth and Celebrating

Happy Spring to All of Our Family & Friends!

First Week of Spring 2016!

I think most folks enjoy that first leap into spring, minus the whole losing an hour.  Losing that hour represents a gain in other coveted areas, so the loss isn't quite as profound as it otherwise might be.  It represents the "beginning" of gardening season in the southeast; longer evening twilight hours; warmer temperatures; a return to "life" of our hibernating friends; and the occasional taunt of lake trout.  It is the pre-season of beach-combers, who hastily make their way to the Carolina beaches to ready their condos and beach homes for some hard-core use throughout the summer months.

Even here in Alaska, where daylight savings time makes absolutely NO sense (I mean we are the Land of the Midnight Sun for crying out loud), we, too, are embracing spring.

Springtime Pick-up Football Game in Alaska -- where we encourage "playing in the road!"

Scouting Moose Sheds on our Daily Dog Walks

Losing an hour seems to mean nothing, as we prepare to take on summer in all its glory.  You see, we have been gaining daylight since December 21, at a rate of about 4-7 minutes per day.  The only difference for us springing forward is that it is still light out at 9:20 p.m. already, and we are all trying to prepare our bodies for no sleep again until September!  Well that, and the fact that we got 5-7 inches of new snowfall during the first weekend of "Spring."  So instead of watching the blooming of the Bradford Pear trees, spring lilies, lilacs, and daisies, we were watching the snow machiners trek into the Alaskan wilderness for one last "hoorah" before storing their winter toys away.

Getting Ready for Spring at the Outdoorsman Show

We attended the annual Outdoors Show and priced gun belts, fishing rods, filet knives, canoes, and life vests.  Then Madison and I are "chicced" it up at the Alaska Chicks Vintage Show, amazed at the over-pricedness (is that even a word?), but eclectic and creative works of local vendors and artists.  She came away with a fabulous, and reasonable, find.  I came away with stolen ideas for future crafts!  What some creative souls can do with junked cars and dictionary pages is unbelievable!  And we are watching, with great anticipation, the passing of yet another season into our historical lives.

That last part seems to be the most fitting for us.  Ethan has been studying genealogies this year in Social Studies.  At Christmas, we were able to trace Grandma Bradley's people back to the 1100s (we think), which means we must send thanks to the work of so many others that help preserve the pieces of our history.  A few weeks ago, we unearthed that we are distantly related to the Braun Family of the famous Old Stone House in Granite Quarry (many thanks to the late Mary Beaver and Blanche Beaver for those efforts).  It seems that at some point in all of our lives, the question "Where did we come from?" begins to resonate as we ponder our own existence. Imagine the choices, both good and bad, that had to occur in all of the lives of your ancestors for you to be here -- at this very moment in time.  As we let that boggle our minds for a few minutes, Ethan very astutely said, "I'm glad I believe God has a plan for me."  Yes!  God has a plan for each of us; and even through the best of decisions and poorest of decisions, there is a Creator who is orchestrating this mess that we call "life" to bring us to this place in time.  The book of Revelation, chapter four, records a marvelous sight around the throne of God, as the elders that are there give us a peek into our very existence: "...Thou (God) hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."  Talk about having a sense of purpose!  In this new season, we lovingly challenge you (and we are trying to take the challenge as well) to embrace everything that He has called you to -- being a pleasure for Him.

Sunrise Over the Foggy Valley, March 2016

Wishing you a wonderful spring season!
Hopefully next blog, the ice will have melted off the lakes and ponds;
and we will be canoe-bound!
All Our Love!