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!

The Hero of the Hoop

Eklutna Lake March 2016

Sadly, for you basketball enthusiasts (which we are), this blog is not about a round ball, a net, and the three-point-buzzer-winning shot.  It's about a hoop of a different sport -- marathon cross-stitching! Winters here can be long...even longer when there is no snow to play in and only muck to greet you each day.  Our newspaper columnists have been bemoaning the embarrassment of making national news because we had to "borrow" snow from the Interior of our beautiful state to make ago of the ceremonial Iditarod start this past weekend.  We had to do the same thing last year.  And realistically, how do you "borrow" snow?  It isn't likely that we'll repay it in future years.  Right?

Youth Fishing Derby at Finger Lake Feb 2016
No Snow...but Ice for Days!

It was sooo cold,
but that didn't stop 1000+ children from fishing!

But I digress.  Needless to say, with muckiness outside and having played board and card games ad nauseum, I've rekindled an old hobby.  I'm excited to report that as a novice crochet bandit, I've been able to "master" several simple crochet stitches and designs -- completing my first scalloped-edge baby blanket and a team-themed birthday or Christmas gift.  Many thanks to my mother (an original creator of preemie baby beanies), my grandmother (who helped me master double crochet at the age of 11), and You Tube for step-by-step video instructions for V-stitches, borders and edgings.

First Scalloped Baby Blanket

Go Hokies!

With new "crafty" confidence, I decided to dig up some old thread and Aida cloth for a reunion.  I loved cross-stitching when I was much younger, and haven't done it for nearly twenty years. With six women in our church pregnant, and one who just gave birth to twins, I was trying to keep my gift giving options versatile.

But can I just tell you that those little x's have gotten really little?  And so in true 40-something, pre-menopausal fashion, I finally broke down (literally crying in the aisle at Walmart) and bought "reading" glasses to aid and abet my efforts.  I've needed them for awhile, and starting an old hobby anew provided a perfect excuse for the purchase.  I really hadn't expected to continue with it for very long, but now I'm involved in this project, and I'd like to see it through to completion.  Glasses, however, were not the only thing I needed to continue the work.  Thankfully, the crocheting, blogging, and other projects at home have strengthened my hand muscles; but holding the Aida cloth for extended periods of time without a cross-stitch hoop was beginning to take its toll. This aging body process is definitely taking some getting used to (particularly when it is accompanied by outbursts of crying for no apparent reason).  For those of you young 20-30 somethings, aging "gracefully" is a choice!

Some days I choose well...other days I choose...w-e-l-l...

Thank the Lord I have an understanding husband who is helping me navigate these changing times. If the flirty winks while I have my reading glasses on weren't enough, he's gentle and kind enough to rub the soreness from my left hand after an epic cross-stitching session where Aida and I are duking it out for bragging rights.  But the real coup de gras of the week occurred after he and Ethan had been having a "guys' day out."  You know what I'm talking about -- a day spent basking in the glow of all things "manly."  Their guys' days typically include visits to Bass Pro, Cabelas, Sportsman's Warehouse, a local gun store, shopping for historic artifacts, and eating meat of some sort.  Did I mention fru-fru coffee?  Oh, wait...I wasn't supposed to tell that part!

While they were basking in the glow of manliness, I was blessed to be having a "girlie" day with Maddie.  I didn't grow up with young ladies, and you all know that I am surrounded by testosterone in my home.  As a result, my days with her are a special treat, and she is patient with my learning curve. I've learned to r-e-l-a-x in a store, taking time to look and enjoy (and maybe even try on a thing or two just for kicks and giggles).  Of course I have done those things before, but usually I have been spending some coveted "alone" time.  It's so much different when you've got another female enjoying the day with you!  After a relaxing trip to Walmart, (there is such a thing because our Walmart is hardly ever super busy) and a chatty-Kathy lunch at Krazy Moose Subs (one of our faves), my girl's day was complete.  I even splurged, finally raising the truce flag to Aida, buying a cross-stitch hoop for myself.

And then...wouldn't you know it? That manly man I married -- the one who fishes, hunts, and grunts -- met me at the door when I got home so we could swap stories of the day.  As he helped me carry in my "bounty," he burst into laughter.  Then, in what I consider that "final stroke of mercy," he ever so tenderly pulled a wooden cross-stitch hoop from its hiding place -- the hoop he and Ethan had purposefully and carefully chosen from a CRAFT store during guys' day out!

Two Hoops Joining Hearts

With him by my side, I may do this aging thing gracefully after all.

Eklutna Lake March 2016

"...when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not;
until I have showed thy strength unto this generation,
and thy power to every one that is to come."
Psalm 71:18

Tons of Fun and Smiles for Miles Here in the Frozen North

It seems like ages since my last blog, and so much has been happening here that it almost feels like those crazy days of summer!  Perhaps it's because we have more sunshine these days...or maybe it's our warmer than normal temperatures. Whatever the reason, our season has suddenly turned "busy." We are doing our best to enjoy each of our new adventures, though they appear to be doing their best to come in as rapid a succession as possible!

Mud Lake - Feb 2016

Ethan's studies have blossomed into full-blown algebra, theories of magnetism, creative writing, participles, verb conjugation, and ancient world history.  History, is his favorite subject, obviously; and we have been having long, insightful discourses about Hammurabi's Code and how terrible it must have been having whole scores of people terminated for minor infractions.  For those of you who haven't cracked a book in a while (or surfed historical documents on the net), please do!  It's very enlightening...and sometimes frightening!  But our learning continues, and most days there is at least one new thing that we uncover, discover, or recover.

In addition to the good 'ole book learnin', we have also begun to add more life skills.  We did fire building 101 last year, complete with birch bark scavenging, ax sharpening, and wood chopping. Since we weren't fortunate in our fall hunts or any ice fishing ventures last winter, we decided to ante up this year, and really try to make a go of it.  I have "ice fished" before, m-a-n-y years ago; but mostly as an adult volunteer helping the kids at our camps bait hooks, take fish off hooks, scoop the ice holes, etc.  So I knew a little something, but not much!  Keep in mind, the only "real" combat fishermen in our families are Grandpa Beaver, Grandpa Bradley, and Grandma Bradley; and they are all far away. Text and Skype advice is a bit harder to decipher than if we were face-to-face, but we definitely appreciated the tips from the "pros."

A Small View of Lake Lucille -- nearly 100 vehicles finally topped the ice

But the real full-on "SHOUT OUT" this time has to go to Mr. Jerry and Mr. Rob.  They talked us into coming out for the 2nd Annual MDA Fishing Derby at Lake Lucille in Wasilla last weekend; and...they hooked Ethan up with ice fishing gear so he could "try it."  Well...thanks so much, Mr. Jerry!  Ethan is more hooked than that 20-inch rainbow trout he caught!  Never mind that you have to brave the ice (which by the way is still 24 inches thick), or that you have to drill a hole with an ice auger, or that you have to drive your truck onto the ice and across the lake to get to Mr. Jerry's "honey hole."  But what a honey hole it was!

Fishing Mr. Jerry's "Honey Hole"

Ethan's pole wasn't in the ice water more than 15 minutes before he had a trout playing with the shrimp scampi on the other end!  Voila!  Got him!  What a nice 15-incher he was.  Ethan decided early on we were keeping and eating whatever he caught, as long as we didn't go over limit.

First Ice Fish -- Rainbow Trout!

About the time we got that one off the hook, the flag on the tip-up we had set was blowing in the breeze, and the bell was ringing like the Polar Express sleigh bell!  Maddie and I jumped out of the truck and ran/slid to the tip-up and began pulling it to the surface.  That fish was halfway across the lake -- which was a great thing -- because Ethan had time to pull his pole out of the water before coming to help. Ahh...another keeper!

Another Keeper!

And just when things started to slow down, and we were going to call it a day, Ethan set his hook and caught the monster -- a 20-inch rainbow trout.  With ice pole bent almost in half, I helped pull the fish up before Mr. Jerry's pole could snap.  He already lost another pole earlier in the day; and since he was so gracious to allow us to use his gear, we were really nervous about the possibility of destroying it!  But no worries...fish off line and all the gear safely returned, we called it a day and took Ethan's fish to the judges at the derby table for measuring.  His fish tied for 5th place overall in the kids' division, so we may have another potential contender for "family fish pro."

Rainbow Trout for Dinner

If you catch it, you clean it!
And we eat it!

Mr. Jerry assumed Ethan's spot on the ice, and ultimately went home with a 2nd place finish thanks to pulling out a 23-incher before the end of the derby!  Included in his prize bucket was a new ice rod -- a better one than the one he'd broken earlier in the day!  Ethan is gearing up to go again...in another youth derby on Finger Lakes in Wasilla this weekend.  He's trying to finish making his own pole for that one! (Ahhh...yet another life skill)!

Shaping his own ice Birch Ice Fishing Pole

After the derby, we headed into Palmer for the gun show and the art walk.  The guys hit up the gun show and the girls hit up the art walk.  Gun shows, I think, are self-explanatory; however, an art walk is something totally unique.  The premise is this...several businesses pick a weekend and showcase a particular art piece, practice, etc.  Patrons go from business to business to participate, and enter special raffles, contests, etc.  The whole "walk" typically covers 2-3 blocks and lasts about 4 hours. We were pretty bushed from being on the ice for most of the morning, so we only made it to about half of the businesses featured.  I will take full responsibility for that because I got us "stuck" at Fireside Bookstore coloring.  Yes! Adult Coloring!

Adult Coloring is Such a Thing!

It was amazing...particularly since I met one of my future selves there.  Maddie knew we were in trouble when we were greeted by a trio of older soprano voices cooing, "Did you come to color with us?"  Three of the most fashionable, extroverted senior ladies sat in the middle of the store, crooning to everyone that entered like sirens.  So, without the proverbial cotton balls for our ears, it was impossible to say, "No" to them!  We sat for awhile and colored, all the while soaking in their intellect, the benefit of their years, and their fun loving spirits.  One particularly brazen gal said, 'Next time we do this, I'm bringing my flask!"

Imagine for a moment, if you will, your grandmother, sitting amid other ladies her age, coloring "art" on fanciful pages, having "proper" conversation...then busting out her flask!  I had a great grandmother that dipped snuff so I guess flasks and Prince Albert in a Can could go hand in hand (or tongue in cheek, as the case may be).  It was a hoot just sitting there listening to them.  When we were finally included in the conversation, they made no small to-do of Maddie's southern accent. Poor thing!  I thought they were going to don her with pearls and tuck a Honey Ham up under her arm before they let us out of there!

I was most intrigued by a new phenomenon that has become popular here called art journaling.  I tend to keep a journal, but this was more than the written word and included collage, painting, sketches, poetry, etc., all gathered inside of a painted book.  We may try it for play time one day just for kicks and giggles!  By far, the grandest adventure of the day was courtesy of the Palmer Museum.  In honor of Valentine's Day, they were hosting "The Art of Love" contest.  Maddie entered this photo of her reveal to her Daddy on her wedding day and won first prize!

Included in her prize basket was a museum t-shirt, Giardelli chocolates, handmade soaps, and a gift certificate for a date night at the Wasilla Chepos (not cheap-os!) Mexican restaurant!  Yay, Maddie!

As if all of that weren't enough, Ethan and Ahtna have hit puberty together, and we are having a time! Ahtna spends most of her day talking back, turning her back, or in "time-out."  I feel certain she is rolling her eyes at me when I'm not looking, and she would do it even if I could see her!

What a teenage dog looks like in the midst of a tantrum!

Ethan spends most of his time in front of the mirror fixing his hair and shaving.  Yes...you read that right...shaving! He has a goal to have a mustache like Mr. Jerry's or a mountain man beard at age 13!

How do I do this again?

Beyond that, Ethan and Maddie have been hitting the watercolors, and we have spent some time at the new range in Palmer (more life skills) and sight seeing at Mud Lake.

Water Coloring AK Forget-Me-Nots

Range Ready

You Go Girl!

The views remain spectacular here, with bright, warm mornings that are starting again at about 8:15. Thank you for letting us share our adventures with you!  Until next time, God bless you all!

Mud Lake

"Now the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Romans 15:13

Scrambled Brains and a Side of Deep-fried Regret

Denali Destroyer Dolls

So here we are in the midst of a wintry thaw while our family and friends receive our deep snowfall again this season!  How is it that Alaska has been basking in 40-degree temperatures and our loved ones are receiving "gobs" of snowfall -- upwards of 3 feet? In January? In North Carolina, Virginia, and Missouri? With more snow for the central United States in the forecast?

Ah well...but all is not lost.  The warmer temps have given us reason to escape the "cabin fever" and enjoy some of those adventures that only the Far North can bring!  Ethan and I rallied behind the Denali Destroyer Dolls during their recent tournament and got our first ever taste of hard-core roller derby!  Those ladies are intense!

Ethan wasn't quite sure what to make of the mayhem; but once we figured out the rules of engagement, it was so interesting to watch the strategies unfold for the teams -- all while they were balancing on eight wheels!

What in the World?

Yours truly has been known to "cut the proverbial rug" while atop a scary pair of throwback skates -- even venturing backwards during a couples' skate or two -- but not recently!  Beyond their impeccable skill level on skates, I think Ethan was most impressed (or distressed) with the full-on body tackling hits and the nomenclature and costuming they used to taunt and terrorize their opponents!  Names like "Lil Bit O' Lightning," "Pistol Whippin' Wendy," "Rhode Rage," and "Gun Her Down." But it was "Wonder Wooten" that really got him!  Imagine a combination of the scary Joker from Batman (as played by Heath Ledger) and Wonder Woman -- the Amazonian wonder goddess on steroids!  Ironically, she seemed to be one of the friendliest girls out there, even though her costume might give grown men nightmares for weeks!  It was AWESOME!  By far one of our most fun wintry afternoons as we re-live this wonderful state!  Oh, if I were only young, spry, and didn't have a fear of hitting the floor -- HARD!

"Wonder Wooten" -- Roller Derby Alaska Style!

Their athleticism can't be beat, and their enthusiasm was only rivaled this past Saturday when we hit up the Willow Winter Carnival.  Maddie was able to join us for the Carnival, finally getting a taste for some of the sporting events that are so popular in the winter here -- dog sled racing, snow machining, dog pulling, carnival rides and...OUTHOUSE RACING.

Snow Machiners in Willow

Dog Pull (200 pounds)

Goldilocks & the Three Bears after the Outhouse Race

Grandpa Beaver...Goldilocks and Three Bears have already heard your joke and put it into use in their outhouse marketing!  Three teams competed this year, and the Willow Fire Department came away with the "official" win; however, I think the Three Bears won for people's choice.

Super Slide

Who does this at 20 degrees?

Alas...trying to relive more than Alaska, I joined Ethan for a ride down the Super Slide following the outhouse races.  For those of you that know me well, heights are NOT my thing...even under the best of circumstances and when carnie rides are on pavement!  Add to the excitement giant rides that are balanced precariously on wooden blocks atop ice and snow and you're only moments from disaster!

Seriously?!?!

But it wasn't the lapse in judgment climbing to the top of the Super Slide that did me in.  It was the lapse in judgment that said, "Hey, let's ride the Scrambler!" and that still, small, Maddie-sized voice that said, "That used to be my favorite ride! We should ride it 'For the Blog!'" Since when did I start doing stuff "for the blog?"  Well, apparently, since Saturday!

You all remember the Scrambler?!  That carnie ride that spins in circles ad nauseum and throws your body into the person sitting next to you while the ride operator waits for victim number one to throw up before ending the ride?  I'm not sure what made me do it!  Yes, I am.  It was my daughter-in-law, Maddie.  She made me do it!  She gets all the blame -- for my scrambled insides, my side of deep- fried regret, my sore muscles, AND my biggest smiles and loudest squeals in the cold, Alaskan winter wonderland.

Scrambled Brains!

Who ever thought it would be a good idea to strap unsuspecting people into a contraption in the middle of winter that serves to offer its victims as projectiles at rates of LOTS of miles per hour? This is the ride that's meant to cool you off during the hot summers; but no...let's put people on it in the middle of winter and see what happens! So here's what happens...you laugh hysterically, you're thrown into your ride partner (because of sheer force and the ice that you're sitting on), you're squished if you're the unfortunate soul on the outer corner (poor Maddie), tears on your face turn to ice on contact with your cheeks, your makeup is all smeared off, and you don't open your mouth for fear of your tongue sticking to any number of metal objects associated with the ride!

Even though it sounds terrible, it was actually wonderful - and I'm so thankful that used to be one of Maddie's favorite carnie rides!  After Saturday, I'm not sure that's still the case!  But if nothing else, we can say we were living life -- loud, proud, and fun -- daring each other along the way to try something new, in this yet-to-be-tamed wonderland!

Scrambled Brains...yes!
Deep-fried Regret...only in my sore muscles; not in my adventurous heart!

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand
there are pleasures for evermore." Psalm 16:11

Moonlit Walks and Facing the Unknown

Apologies, apologies for the absence of blogging, but wedding plans and Christmas holidays with family will always take precedence!

The Newlyweds on frozen Willow Lake, with Denali Photobombing

     I'm trying to get back into it, but recent events and being out of the habit have created a sort of "blogger's block," I guess.  And I tend to "run off at the keyboard," so to speak, writing on ad nauseum.  So I've been trying to think about how to curb that tendency...as you can see, it isn't really working.

     I've started this first blog of the New Year a total of five times.  Each time, I've gotten about half way finished, many complete with pictures, and just stopped.  None of them were "quite right." This one may be no different, but it will be considerably shorter than any of the others. We all start projects with the best of intentions, and then lose the instructions (don't want to use the instructions), it doesn't "feel, sound, look, taste, or smell right" or we simply just get sidetracked by life in general.  I'm sure many of you get that, too.

     I don't know where I am on that gamut, but I did have an epiphany this morning that seemed share worthy at the time...so that's how I'm jumping back into blogging!  To fully comprehend the share-worthiness, there is a bit of back story.  Many of you know that I have always been a bit of a ... what's the right word... a fraidey cat.  Yes, that's definitely it...a fraidey cat.  Even when I was little, I was always excited about moving to a new home, helping set up my new bedroom, making new friends, and exploring in general. That is, until night fell.  The darkness seemed to awaken every horrible imagination I could create, and I have no doubt that my parents' mattress bore a permanent divot from my sneaking into their space in the middle of many nights.  I also recall (and I can't even say vaguely because the memory is burned into my skull) stalking all areas of a new property with my Dad and his flashlight as he "proved" to me there was no such thing as ghosts, goblins, 'haints, and boogey men.  Goblins and boogey men I could handle, it was spiders, snakes, mice, and other unseen things that generally go "bump in the night" that curdled my blood.  Truthfully, in days gone by, if I were completely honest with myself, in a moment of sheer terror, I imagine I would have been that immovable statue -- you know...the one we all yell at on the movie screen -- "Run, Girl, run!"  The only difference is, I know better than to wear high heels!  So I'd be frozen there in my mukluks waiting to be devoured by whatever that thing was that made that horrible noise in the underbrush!

Moose in the Meadow

With that back story, flash forward to present day.  We are currently 4-5,000 miles away from our respective families, living independently in the back woods of Alaska.  And, as you may have read in previous blogs, we are not the biggest things on the food chain here.  You also know, I tend to speak more courage than I actually show -- boasting of wanting to ride moose and such! Now that I think about it, that's probably not courage...but I digress.

Each day begins with a special ritual that Ahtna and I have developed.  I am an early riser, by nature; and regrettably, I have passed that trait on to the four-legged member of our family.  So each morning, in the "uber darkness," we rise.  Usually I hear her stir first, then I get up and make a small pot of coffee.  I get her food dish and together we make our way to the mudroom so I can "gear up" to face the first quick, cold breaths of our Alaskan winter mornings.  Donned in bunny boots (that aren't made from real bunnies), gloves, hat, and coat I grab the most important item of our early morning ritual -- one of Michael's police spotlight flashlights.  On clear evenings, I could land small aircraft in our backyard with that thing! But yesterday morning and this morning...it was not necessary.  The moon, in all its glory, lit up our yard and the surrounding yards like those pictures in The Night Before Christmas.  Earlier this week, the Northern Lights were dancing a beautiful green; but this morning they gave way to fog and clouds.  There's something completely overwhelming about standing quietly in the snow, sheltered by moonlight.

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:3-4  

There in the moonlight, I could hear the slow, deliberate breaths we inhaled and let escape. It was almost as if we were trying to hold our breaths so we could preserve the silence of the morning.  Then, in the shadows, I could see our breath swirl in front of our nostrils and mouths. Those noises and the crunching of our feet in the snow were the only sounds hanging in the air.  Light ice crystals fell from the sky, and the moon was literally hypnotizing.  Then, all at once, reality hit...I was alone, in the darkness, in the wilderness, with our dog.  Sure, I held the power of "instant" battery operated light in my hand, and the house was close by and offered "escape." Even though I was completely surrounded by moonlit woods, darkened houses, and the kind of scary quiet that is deafening, escape was not necessary because suddenly, I was not afraid.  In that scary, beautiful moment, I realized that the God of the universe loves me, cares for me, and "visits" me in places such as this -- most often when I least expect it.

He has been there all this time...in the dark, scary, unfamiliar places from my past and in any new, unknown ventures that await me. He knows what I'm feeling, when I'm feeling it, and why I'm feeling it. I'm not in as much control as I like to think I am.  But He is.  And because He is, my reasons for fearing are fading...just like the moon, with the rising of the sun.

Denali
View from Willow Lake, January 2016

May you have your own epiphany about His love for you -- amid whatever scary, unknown circumstances you face.  Wishing you well with all our hearts!

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."
Psalm 56:3