Open Thread – Brian! It’s About Time.
I was turning down my street after work today, deep in thought and I almost missed him. He was lurking behind a patch of alders and willows, but the large dark shape just managed to register in my brain as I turned in to the driveway. Brian!
It’s been a long time since my favorite moose has been spotted at Mudflats Central. I think that most of the reason for that is because of the long dark months of winter, and the fact that it’s difficult to spot a moose in the dark. I could tell he was out there at times because Buf the dog would start that special bark that she does whenever Brian is around. And I pictured him reacting as he always does. By standing there and chewing on whatever he was chewing on, and looking at the barking ginger-colored dog with the raised hackles and thinking, “There’s that thing again.” And then he’d go back to chewing on the tips of bushes, and the little shoots that grow out of the trunks of birch trees. And then Buf, after doing her duty, would come back to the door and bark to be let in. They have an understanding.
But today, Brian was back in visual range. He even cooperated and waited for me as I drove up to the house, ran inside, got my camera and came back. I got a few nice shots, so I’ll spread them out and share over the span of a few open threads.
If you’re wondering how it’s possible to drive right past a 1500 pound mammal and never see it, here’s how. A shadowy Brian lurks among tasty branches.
It was about 5 degrees here today, and snowing diagonally due to a bit of a breeze.
And yes, Brian was buck naked. I’m not referring to a lack of clothing, but rather to a lack of accessories. You can see the little bald spots where his antlers fell off at the beginning of the winter, and where they will start to grow back soon.
He’ll have a bigger rack than he did last year, and soon his mundane diet of bark and twigs will be supplemented by all sorts of green, tasty treats. OK, maybe not ‘soon’ but it sounds nice to say it. His favorite treat is fireweed, and I seldom have any left around here by the time he gets finished with it. I don’t mind, though. I’d rather have him eat fireweed than my broccoli, although he usually ends up getting both.
Here’s a close-up of the antler site. No sign of new growth yet.
More pictures to come.
So glad to see Brian is back (and that it’s colder in Alaska than it is in Vermont, as it should be). Can’t wait for spring to come.
Brian! Such a mighty muncher and magnificent mountain of mudflatter
moose-a-tude… even buck naked!
Who knew broccoli builds a bigger rack? (Yes, going there before austintx does…wink wink)
Watch out, swingset!
Don’t hate me when I tell you it should be near 70 here this afternoon. Rain in the forecast, if it makes you feel any better. Peaches and blueberries in full bloom, and hummingbird feeders filled. New leaves pushing the old ones off these crazy southern oaks, so spring (or “almost summer,” as Happy calls it) is really here. 20 + years in this forest, and I’m still surprised and a bit disoriented by the leaves falling in the spring. Isn’t that why we call autumn “Fall”??!!
And also, too, we lose an hour this weekend. (Okay, so we’re “saving” it for the fall…)
Whatever your weather, here’s hoping your day is a wonderful one.
Five degrees? Whoa. That is about what it was here when I came to Anchorage! All of a sudden, it is Spring here. We have the early, early baby daffs opening. The previous owners of this house planted thousands and thousands of daffs from the street all the way back to in the woods. They march and flow around the house and down the hill like a piece of ribbon. So beautiful. Then, the tulips come! Of course, the squirrels generally knock off the blooms because they are punks.
Thank you for the pictures of Brian. It is nice to see him again. I know he is huge and all, but I was worried about him a little bit.
WELCOME BACK, sort of, BRIAN!
Thanks for sharing pics of Brian. Enjoy learning about him.
Steve Aufrecht attended the State Affairs Committee meeting and reports on suggested changes to Personnel Board here: http://whatdoino-steve.blogspot.com/2010/03/state-affairs-electronic-voting-for.html
Brian ain’t no buck and that ain’t no bull.
He likes broccoli? Must be a political statement about the bush family. …
Unlike Bush & Reagan who were elitists pretending to be cowboys and ranchers, Brain truly does clear brush. It’s not just a photo-op for him. Brian is the real McCoy!
Edgar Wayburn, a Leader in Saving the Wilderness, Dies at 103
When President Bill Clinton awarded Dr. Wayburn the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999, he said Dr. Wayburn had “saved more of our wilderness than any other person alive.”
In 1967, during their first of many vacations in Alaska, they encountered growling grizzlies and proposed 10 pristine areas as national parks. With the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, these and many other Wayburn recommendations became law.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/us/10wayburn.html?ref=obituaries
And don’t ever get on the basketball court and play HORSE with this guy………
http://www.randomfunnypicture.com/pictures/1776this-guy-will-never-lose-game-horse.gif
I was just looking at my snowy faced picture of Brian this morning on my desktop and saying to myself there haven’t been any sightings of Brian in a while and lo and behold Brian pics. What a nice surprise and pleasant way to start the morning. Thanks AKM for running in to get the camera and taking pictures of our favorite and bestest moose.
good to see Brian
What a comfort to see Brian again.
Of course the snow melted where I am in Ohio–finally.
You can now see the squirrels (not as cool as a moose) but nevertheless spring is coming!
Not good news for the AK wolves:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/11/candice-berner-killed-wol_n_496096.html
As a kid, my nickname was Moose, so I have a soft spot for Brian and his kin. Unfortunately, here in Northern New Mexico we have no moose. We’ve got more elk than you can shake a stick at, but not a moose in sight.
On Monday I did spot a small herd of five elk that were about 1/4 from our house. I’d never seen them that close. It is also a pretty low altitude for them. Like Brian, maybe they just dropped by to say “hi.”
AKM, tell Brian that this Moose says “hi” right back at him.
SO cool! I’m a city girl so the wildest life we get are racoons and squirrels (although we do have a black squirrel living in our porch roof; for us that’s kind of wild). We have been in the hi 50′s-lo 60′s the past few days and I love it. Slept with the bedroom windows open a crack last night for the first time and it was heaven! I love the fresh air wafting over me while I sleep. Spring is definitely coming our way. Have a great Friday and an even better weekend!
Hello Brian!
You know, I say his name in my head like Stewie says it in Family Guy, when he’s talking to the dog, Brian. It’s more of a one syllable “Brine” in that little English accent that Stewie has. Fun.
Have a grand weekend, all.
seeing brian gives me moosebumps…
tingly all over in anticipation of that rack growing in
Here, just for kicks… and watch #6… you will laugh. Especially the very last part of the scene… if you’ve ever been loud and drunk.
http://tinyurl.com/cgj3np
Good to see you, bro!
how can you not be so frightened out of your skin??!! …when you see something so monstrous and so close to your house, says the mudpup from southern cali.
Thanks for sharing the pics of Brian. He is a handsome fellow. Brenda’s sister and her calf were about 15 feet away from my house yesterday, but alas, I was too busy wrestling frantically barking dogs inside so they would not be disturbed, and lost my opportunity for a good shot. Later, they were at the neighbors, too far away for my little camera. I am glad to see the moose each year. I think, like Brian and Brenda, they know they are safe here.
Brian, long time no see homy. Very happy to see you made it back..
Did anyone watch Letterman last night…?
I posted this on a thread late last night and tried to sort of tell the Joke… BUT
then I am a Comedian… Like Sarah.
I sort of paraphrased the joke then, but you can hear for yourself how REAL Comedians get REAL laughs.
Wait for the ” Barbie Birthday Joke ” at the 2:30 mark
And with all this flying Sarah does for these speeches…. I’m sort of wondering if she is dressing like a ” Flight Attendant ” when she travels..?
2:30 mark…. wait for it…
http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/video/?pid=ihiM0QPYShS76v2ozXyMvQQ6hf5KpnGu
Good article on GAWKER this morning about how “fawning political interview have ruined America” (something like that). Accompanied by photo of Palin of course.
—————
“Take, for example, Palin’s 2008 claim to ABC’s Charlie Gibson that because she could “actually see Russia from land here in Alaska,” she had foreign policy experience. Imagine if he’d thrown it directly back to her with follow-up questions. What bearing does this have on your ability to make policy? Are you seriously telling us that your qualifications are based on proximity? I put it to you, Governor Palin, that if you have to rely on such a shabby justification, you are woefully lacking. The resulting stammering and incoherence would have sent her limping back to Wasilla. Instead she was, and is, coddled.”
“This, to be frank, is pathetic. Take a look at the dysfunction in DC for evidence. All the stations, from Fox to MSNBC, are doing is validating absurd lies by airing them as news. Politicians should fear, to their very cores, being interviewed by people other than Jon Stewart. We need to stop blaming Fox, and start asking questions. Repeatedly.”
#14
This event has gotten the villages in the area pretty scared.
IT IS unusual. I believe I heard only the second death in North America in recent history.
Let’s hope this is not used as a reason to run a wholesale hunt on wolves here in Alaska.
Spring is coming and here in Kali the wildflowers are blooming. With lots of rain this year the state should be ablaze for the next few months. The orange poppies and purple lupins have been out for a few weeks in warm spots on south facing slopes. Now it is starting to explode.
I found this site that has links to a number of other sites that has reports on were the best fields are for anyone considering a Sunday drive to see the show of color. http://spiritsdancing.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-has-sprung-whats-blooming-where.html
Makes me want to hop in the car and cruise for flora.
Newsweek magazine took a poll of its staffers to see what they thought was the most corrupt state – and they weighed in on where they had lived. I like the paragraph below:
‘We at NEWSWEEK are fans of competition, so we put it to a test: which is actually the nation’s most dysfunctional, unethical, and corrupt state politically? The contenders are many, but we narrowed it down to seven states, on the scientific basis of where our staffers come from or have lived. Lucky for us (and you), we seem to disproportionately hail from some of the more unsavory states in the union. Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone from Alaska on staff, and it surely deserves an honorable mention for its recent history.”
Brian looks like he’s got a hangover. he looks like he has been rode hard and put up wet. that’s it AKM! you have got to put your foot down and forbid Brian from anymore out of town trips. he has been drinking wine and eating chocolate and goodness knows what else. now the poor boy is naked and hiding in the bushes, trying to be invisible. he needs a bath and a good brushing to bring out the highlights in his fur. the dear moose has got to be taken in hand and given a good talking to.
An excellent article about where REAL family values reside. Sorry, Alaska, Texas, Nebraska. It ain’t y’all.
“Missing from this debate is recognition of the bankruptcy of traditionalist family values as policy for the postindustrial era. We are entirely sympathetic with those inclined to lock up their daughters from puberty until marriage, but we do recognize that the societies abroad most insistent on policing women’s virtue are locked into cycles of poverty.
In the United States, states that emphasize abstinence-only education, limit public subsidies of contraception, restrict access to abortion – and, yes, oppose gay marriage – have higher teen birth and divorce rates.”
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0312/High-divorce-rates-and-teen-pregnancy-are-worse-in-conservative-states-than-liberal-states
Geoffrey Dunn has a post up on Huffpo as well called…
“OBAMA’S REVENGE: A POLITICAL PARODY”
A nice little baseball analogy… with a special appearance by ” you know Who “.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-dunn/obamas-revenge-a-politica_b_496141.html
*waving* at Brian– great to see you! And TGIF to all the mudpups
*applied for a job today that I hope to get.. even though it’s only temporary, it could be a foot in the door…with the State*
R’ipley: You socialist, you. Good Luck.
Ah, AKM, thanks for finding & photographing Brian! @Lainey, they are huge in person, but not scary. I walked almost right up to a female on a hiking trail in Maine. She was enormous — as tall as a small house — but took my appearance completely in stride, and continued drinking (I found her when I sought water) and nibbling at the greens. They’re beautiful.
Health and peace.
In spite of all of our love of Brian and Brenda and their mooseness, they can be very dangerous if they are hungry (and you are between them and their food), or if they have young with them or if you surprise them. They will stomp anything in their path if they choose fight over flight. I have had friends who have been badly hurt and dogs that have been killed by them. I keep my distance.
I should mention that I have a big lens, and also that I took the pictures from inside my car. So, I was very careful.
All animals, just like people, have bad days and it’s always best not to take risks – even with herbivores.
AKM: I think I have lens envy.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((lLemonfair ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
i been missing you lemonfair. you know i love your name. now i know spring is coming.
Baker’s Dozen@29 says: “We are entirely sympathetic with those inclined to lock up their daughters from puberty until marriage … ”
Or rather, you report what the writer of that article says, and that is basically it in a nutshell.
We, as human beings, are going through puberty earlier (because of better nutrition) and getting married later, because, as our life span is increasing, our ‘cycle of life’ is adjusting as well. We spend more years in adolescence before becoming adults, and then, because of medical and pharmaceutical advances, we live longer. Menopause is occurring later for many women because we’re living longer. It only makes sense that evolution would expand a woman’s child-bearing years if possible. And, it has well been proven possible.
Point being, we’re hitting puberty earlier, and getting married later.
Now, who thinks it is realistic to expect a man or a woman to not engage in sex, when, after puberty, their bodies are going to naturally want to do so, the completely natural biological urge to procreate? Hands, anyone? When they are 13, 14, even 15 or 16 I might agree with you.
But what if people don’t get married until age 29, or 31, or, like my dear Mr. Terps, 40? Really (with Seth and Amy)? Really? Do the math – puberty at 13 subtracted from when hubby got married at 40 = He was supposed to not have sex for … (click .. click … click) … TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS?!!!!
When men swear they’ll be celibate until marriage, even if it takes up to 27 years, and will be found criminally negligent if they are not, then that is when I will consider overturning Roe v. Wade.
But, I suspect, my premise ain’t never going to happen. Right guys?
i was just kidding about Brian being a winebibber and a chocolate eating moose. i was getting kind of worried though. so many bad things can happen to a handsome fellow like Brian who is friendly towards humans and one human in particular. he could try to follow AKM to work one day. hee hee. wouldn’t that be something to see?
Oh, and at post #40, no disrespect was meant to people, men or women, who have by their own volition made vows to remain celibate until marriage;
I applaude you for making your own choices. I just don’t think the government should be making those choices, and I think any real Republican would agree with that.
YAY Brian!!!
Now I can admit it: I was, well, let’s just say “concerned.”
Our girl Colleen is into Cripple with all 16 of her dogs. They will be resting out the heat of the day there I am sure. The dogs really don’t dig on running in the middle of the day (nap time for them, work time for me). Some of my forever friends’ ashes were left in Nikolai (she said because it was such a friendly place that it felt like home). She is carrying the rest further down the trail still looking for that wild and beautiful place. It makes my heart warm but also sort of soft and weepy. Grief is an expression of love I guess…
44
lovemydogs Says:
March 12th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Grief is an expression of love I guess…
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yes. yes it is, dear one.
Letting go sure is hard… I’m so grateful to Colleen for doing this.
Not sure what’s up with the moose today… I saw 7 between Bear Valley and downtown this morning.
Speaking of adorable moose–from a respectful distance–here’s something about Brian’s own Mr. Hyde. (Rush)
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2010/0311/Why-Rush-Limbaugh-would-go-to-Costa-Rica-if-Obama-s-healthcare-plan-passes
And a big wave to our neighbors to the North (or West) or South if one lives in Windsor!
http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM-Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2010/Photos-of-the-Day-03-12/(photo)/3
Neighbors to the East, also, too.
Thanks for including the easterners, Baker’s Dozen!
And ((((ripley)))) Good luck!
(((lovemydogs @46 and Colleen and teh doggies))) L’Shalom.
R’ipley @33 *wishing you luck* Plow right on through that door!
Baker’s Dozen @30 linked to CSM: “In the United States, states that emphasize abstinence-only education, limit public subsidies of contraception, restrict access to abortion – and, yes, oppose gay marriage – have higher teen birth and divorce rates.”
Now that’s some Christian Science I can believe in. I see the evidence every day in my school high school. Teachers aren’t allowed to even mention “the C word” (condom).
As the librarian (and former science teacher), I make sure students have access to an abundance of books about sexuality. Knowledge is Power, eh? Those books circulate in heavy rotation.
Now under consideration by Florida’s legislature: Elimination of funding for public libraries. Oy, vey! This on top of Senate Bill 6, a 61 page assault on public education. How stupid do they want us to be??? (Happy says, “Paylin Stupid, of course! Sheeples are easier to manage than peoples.”)
Florida folks have Important Work that Must Be Done. I’ll be at a meeting with state school library association folks and state teachers’ union folks tomorrow, working on our action plan. A lot of angry librarians, teachers, and friends of education…fired up, ready to go.
Just saw my first hummingbird of the season! Right outside my open window!! I’ll take that as a good omen and a lovely start to the weekend.
L’chaim, everyone, and Shalom Bayit. To Life, and Peace in Our Homes.
‘And yes, Brian was buck naked’
I totally missed the word play until you started your explanation. Swee-eet!
Wonder if Brian knows how much his return is always anticipated.
Good luck, R’ipley!
lovemydogs–Sounds like she’s doing well! I’m keeping an eye on her.
I think Brian looks happy to see you. Or at least he acknowledges you! “Hmmmmooo….funny looking two legs waving horns. Next I’ll be finding good food soon in the big eating area in long rows with no bushes in the way.”
@ # 52 thatcrowwoman
“As the librarian (and former science teacher), I make sure students have access to an abundance of books about sexuality. Knowledge is Power, eh? Those books circulate in heavy rotation. ”
——————————————————–
Your students are lucky to have such a wise (and joyous) caretaker of knowledge! We honor you….
thatcrowwoman, I was taught at a very early age to NEVER tick off a librarian! That they are the strongest believers in free speech in this country. Bravo to you.
Question about your HS and MS. Has your county noticed an increase in cases of oral gonorrhea? I have been watching this trend. Interesting that in some of the more restrictive evangelical areas, the kiddos are presenting this.
Definite signs of spring here in Western NY:
1. the first robin of the season greeted me from the branches of my still-nekkid maple tree on Monday morning
2. the oh-so-lovely aroma of skunks who are too busy looking for love that they don’t notice the vehicle about to squash them (three this week on the way to work…yuck!).
3. Bunny moseyed back into my yard earlier this evening, looking for a snack in my flower beds
4. most of my lawn (well the green weeds pretending to be grass, at least!) has made a return appearance from under the rapidly melting blanket of snow and slush in front of my house
5. Gardenscape (Rochester’s big annual garden show) is this weekend!!!!
Lee323 Says:
Your students are lucky to have such a wise (and joyous) caretaker of knowledge! We honor you…
*************************************************
Yup , better than that OTHER librarian. I did not catch your response until this am. I gave her a website to visit.
Now , let me introduce Sean Cummings , a true blue , REAL American :
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Hotel Owner Offers to Pay for Prom for Miss. Students in N.O.!
This is good news. Most of us have heard about the Itawamba County, Mississippi, School District’s decision to cancel the prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School (near Tupelo, Mississippi) rather than let a lesbian student attend with her girl friend. Well now they can party in New Orleans, if they want to:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/12/845...
Lee323, toda raba. (I’m the lucky one.)
jimzmum: free speech and intellectual freedom also, too, and equal access. I don’t know all the answers, but I’ve always loved a mystery…
I’ll have to ask the school nurse about the incidences of oral gonorrhea…but I wouldn’t be surprised…
Supper’s on.
Later, later, sweet po-taters.
This makes me steam!!!!!
The Texas Board of Education (and I have a really hard time using the word ‘education’ in connection with these idiots!) are at it again. They’re still making a sludge pile of the social studies curriculum and this is the newest little nugget that caught my eye:
“The Board removed Thomas Jefferson from the Texas curriculum, “replacing him with religious right icon John Calvin.”
W H A T ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Thomas freakin’ Jefferson?????? Ya know…the guy who had a lot to do with that little piece of paper you may have heard of called the Declaration of Independence. I seem to recall he had a pretty important job a few years later….now, what was it again? Oh yeah, President of the United States!
But, of course, John Calvin was also an American President. Oh no, that’s right, he wasn’t. But he was a founding father, right? No, not that either. Wrote some of the Declaration? Nope. Lived in the late 1700s and helped win independence from the British? Uhhhh, noooo. Never mind.
Yeah, THAT substitution makes a lot of sense. But wait, maye they’ll just rewrite the whole pesky Declaration of Independence chapter to show that it was written down on the same tablets as the Ten Commandments. Yeah, that’ll work!
I saw one comment on Think Progress that suggested that all the other states declare that Texas high school diplomas will no longer be acceptable for college admission or for employment requirements.
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/03/12/texas-education-board-cuts-thomas-jefferson-out-of-its-textbooks/
austintx…..yeppers. thatcrowwoman is beak and feathers above other crows.
Still laughing my head off at your splendid website. You peerless linker, you!
Any word from Ripley? Have been wondering how her interview went… maybe the good news is in an article further up. …
Breathe, ladies and gents.
The Texas BoE has always forged textbook content. Years and years ago, publishers realized that the state of Texas bought more texts than anyone, so they started that whole pandering thing.
It has been worse. History books have been skewed to pretty much ignore the Civil Rights movement, and Texan history keeps showing up as one of the most important points in the US resume.
Smart school boards buy other books.
Go to your BoE office and ask to look at the texts adopted. Really look. A lot of them will be fine. Some? Not so much. Have a fit! Order a copy, or ask your local library to get you one, and make notes. Take the book(s) and study them. Research and have good arguments ready.
Ask to be included at the next BoE meeting.
They have to let you speak. Do your thing. Maybe it will help.
I will tell you that I taught for a thousand years, and was lucky enough to have enough clout to generally ignore the stuff I figured was Texas Evangelical.
How nice to see him again! I’ve been away for a few days and this was a nice site. Thank you AKM.
I have had quite a week – after thinking life was going to be over, I landed a job this week and today was my first day.
I no longer have to clean houses – I am now an office manager in a multi-business office condo. I get to clean up AND type. Yippee!
Way to go, TLGeiger, you tiger! High-five, Mudpup!
lovemydogs,
Your report of Colleen in Cripple with all 16 dogs just brought tears to my eyes! All dogs still, way to go! Is Penny the Small & Mighty still leading the gang?
Ashes spread in Nikolai sounds perfect! Remember the sun when you do this yourself next, and you will receive a special gift from your dog friends. The first time it happened, on a beautiful sunny day in Granite Basin, hanging out on the huge rocks on the creek right above a waterfall, we all cried. The current forever dog jumped up to sniff the sparkles as they came down, and that made us cry even more.
Good tears, you know the kind!
Mazel tov on your new job, TLGeiger62(GA). Yippee, indeed! Cleaning up and typing are both honorable and important work…also, too, you betcha.
Mudpup Management…now there’s a concept that makes me smile. Mudpups on textbook selection committees is a lovely thought, too, jimzmum.
Progressing that Hope and Change is not for wimps and such like quitters and also those whiners and greedy grabbers. Good news is quite a catalyst. I’ll take all of it I find in front of me, so please keep it coming, friends.
@ TLGeiger62(GA)
Woohoo – great news! Dancing in my LR with dogs in honor of your new job!
52 thatcrowwoman Says:
” Teachers aren’t allowed to even mention “the C word” (condom).”
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Can they use the other C word? (Christ/Christian)?
austintx Says:
Hotel Owner Offers to Pay for Prom for Miss. Students in N.O.!
This is good news. Most of us have heard about the Itawamba County, Mississippi, School District’s decision to cancel the prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School (near Tupelo, Mississippi) rather than let a lesbian student attend with her girl friend.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I was just listening to one of my very favorite songs, “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison. My fave of his is with Van and Bobby Bland on vocals.
“You can’t stop us on the road to freedom
You can’t keep us ’cause our eyes can see”
Sounds like Agricultural High could resurrect these lyrics!
TLGeiger
I was gonna say Mazel Tov, but thatcrowwoman beat me to it. Guess I’ll go for “glockenspiel” which, of course, has nothing to do with congratulations, but is a great sounding word like Mazel Tov. (except that’s 2 words.) Anyway, that’s super!
(((MUYS))) Thanks for that.
I just talked to Joseph. He will be updating their blog tonight. Colleen had to drop Arrow (one of their rescue dogs who finished the Quest last year) because “she was grumpy”. No apparent injury, just “grumpy”. Sounds like me on a Friday. She isn’t usually a grumpy dog.
Oh well, better 15 happy dogs with good attitudes, than trying to get 16 to Nome with one bad attitude infecting the rest of the group.
Kwalijah ( a young’un) chewed through her gangline before they could get out of Cripple, setting 14 dogs loose in front of her. All were caught and stopped, no one injured. They carry on to Ruby now. Just another fun-filled day of dog mushing…Colleen would normally say “It was awesome” (Our own inside joke when things go wrong—sort of like “the car wouldn’t start, I lost me keys in the snowbank, I was late to work, it was awesome”). Wonder if she is saying that now….
TLGeiger: Congrats on the job. Now we just need to get one for ShadowsHeart.
Isn’t it interesting how we used to think–I want a really interesting job…now just any job will do. We live in interesting times.
Most people in Alaska aren’t really feeling the crunch anywhere near like everyone down south is. We are generally a couple of years behind the curve. My heart goes out to all who are job hunting and worrying about paying the bills. I send you all my blessings and hopes for peace of mind.
@44 lovemydogs:
Oh, I just know you would like to be there with her. How loving, how special, that you would do that — but after meeting you, I know that’s what you would do.
You truly loved her, in an intensely knowing way, didn’t you?
Bless you, lovemydogs!
YBG: Hi!!!! Waving madly!!!
Yes- I loved them so intensely. Just went to a seminar on the brain yesterday and they were talking about grief and how it usually hits about six weeks after life changing event. It has been more than 6 weeks but I still find myself babbling somedays. Yesterday I had a long drive back from Anchorage and too much time to think. No Kleenex in the car either-darn.
How are you guys doing? Ever get your kitchen done? Been duct taped out of the house yet this year? That was one of the funniest stories your straight man husband told us. Is everyone in Eagle tucked in safe for the winter???
@74 lovemydogs:
I wish I could say that rural bush Alaskans aren’t feeling the job pinch. But I think it’s starting. All of a sudden it’s starting to look like the money flow isn’t coming in to rural areas like it used to.
A lot of the money (likewise jobs) that comes into our area, at least, is from federal programs or grants. And if there are cuts, then the jobs won’t be there.
Some of us are employed by non-government agencies, but much of our work is based on hopes of getting government grants. If the grants aren’t there, then we won’t be able to do what we hope to do. We might carry on a skeleton operation, but that’s about it.
I’se a-gettin’ a little bit worried ……
(((YBG))) I know. It is scarey. But it’s been really bad down south for a couple of years now. I have friends who have been out of work for more than 2 years and others who have lost their homes and are living in travel trailers in parking lots. That sucks really bad. At least we can plant gardens in the summer and (if we have to) hunt and fish for food. I don’t mean to belittle the struggles that we all have…just sayin’…
Of course Sister Sarah doesn’t have a thing to worry about. She’s makin’ a bundle off of the bad times…and progressin’ Alassssska and the troops also too…you betcha.
@ lovemydogs:
Yeah, we made it thru winter just fine. Kinda crude, but hey, that’s Alaska!
A few folks had their water/septic freeze up this winter when we had -60 temps. But their cabins weren’t chinked up yet — chinking really needs to happen later, when the logs have dried/settled. We had to thaw our well during that period too, but then we set up a fan to blow warm air from upstairs down into the well space, and it’s worked pretty well. (no pun …..)
The kitchen? — a guy came over for coffee this past week and said we will have the “showcase house” in Eagle! Not sure what he meant by that, but I know that my hubby is doing an incredible job, and I’m just so proud of him!
The kitchen was the first thing done, after the house’s shell was up and the woodstove was going. The bathroom came next, but I know we used the outhouse (which lost its door – don’t even ask) until about the first of November.
We had a fantastic New Year’s party here — some great neighbors who also lost their home to the flood, and Andy & Kate, who helped the whole town so much. It was such a celebration, and I got to use my kitchen big-time!
Do you think Lance is going to mess with Jeff again? he sure does like playing the head games. I heard on the radio that he was ahving some dog food problems with rotted meat in Cripple. Bummer. Hopefully they are past that problem.
YBG: Yea!!!!!!!!!!!! wish we could have been there. Did hubby make any of your fine “Yukon whiskey” for the occasion (sp?) ?
Disclaimer: I have to admit I haven’t been following it — so this is totally off the top of my head, but ….
Sure, Lance will do anything he can to gain advantage, and I think he probably has a history of that — that’s kind of been his game plan over the years. Wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see something interesting. Doggone it, NOW I have to go and check the website!
I’ve been so tugged and torn lately between multiple jobs and taking care of things at home (like ordering stuff to finish the house), that I just haven’t had the luxury of reading the good stuff I like (like mushing websites).
Sometimes life hands you some curves ……..
@ lovemydogs:
“Yukon whiskey???????”
Nah ——– who ever did THAT?????
Awwwwww. And now I give you a reason to procrastinate. Hahaha. Lance is about an hour behind Jeff on the river (Galena I think). But he has been known to kick some but* right before Unalakleet. It’s those long, tough, younger legs burning up the hills…
Something about the only building left standing after the flood?
@84 lovemydogs:
yeah, he’s got somethin’ up his sleeve, I think ……..
But now I wonder, did he rest his dogs before this? Are they prepared to do a last-minute blast?
Oh…they have plenty of miles to go. The coast will tell all.
AKM,how good to see Brian again! He looks like he’s put on a few pounds since last summer….but, then, haven’t we all?
Had a first date tonight with a man that seemed interesting, intelligent, self-sufficient, yada yada yada…
After the movie, we went for drinks and the topic of politics came up. Come to find out, he lists as one of the things he does (besides watching, sports, discovery channel, A & E channel), as watching Fox News. I tried to be very dipolmatic and asked who his favorite person is on Fox. He replied that he liked Hannity. So I asked if he liked Beck, he responded “not as much”. So I asked further, what about Sarah Palin, he had even less good things to say about her, but that he didn’t like “politicians” in general. Then, in the spirit of honesty, I told him I was a liberal and not only voted for Obama, but campaigned for him. So, he says “how’s that hopey-changey thing working out for you”? At which point, I just HAD to point out to him that, given that he had pretty much SLAMMED her with his comments about her, he was now reduced to QUOTING her???? He tried some excuse as to how he was using that line before she did…and then tried to add that it’s all about politics anyways and how none of them are to be trusted…..yada yada yada.
He eventually resorted to the old argument that we can’t change anything anyways, so he really doesn’t care all that much….and tried to quiz me on how I could change radical Islamics. I responded that I would change anyone “radical”, be it radical Islamics, radical religious right, radical gun owners, if I wanted the world to be a more peaceful place in much the same way……one conversation at a time. He left soon thereafter.
Tomorrow I hope to go to a COFFEE PARTY!!!
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6500/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=117
Let’s start a conversation over coffee!
@85 lovemydogs:
hmmm, only building left standing ………..
Yeah, it was. That was the only good part. We’ve since learned that log buildings withstand floods here much better than frame buildings do. And strangely, that house was a frame house. He must have built it pretty well.
After it was all over, the house landed 15 feet away from the foundation. The good thing about that was that the water lifted it so high, that the well and septic were kept safe. That was a very good thing.
But the water level was totally into the first floor, plus a few feet into the second floor. The sheet rock was a mess. The cupboards were ruined, because the boards changed shape when they absorbed moisture. The corner where the upstairs stairway was, was so damaged and cockeyed that we were even afraid to go up.
The whole building’s structure was pretty compromised.
We decided to salvage as much as we could, then build the new home MUCH higher. I think it was the right decision.
Yeah, it might have been the “only building left standing,” but it would have been very difficult to make it habitable again. It was pretty sad.
YBG: No, no, no….I was referring to the “Yukon Whiskey” building.
@88 Deb: Bummer. I don’t know how you didn’t just spill something on him.
@88 Deb:
Whoa, fun date ………..
Although I have to say, my hub and I don’t necessarily agree on politics. In fact, he’ll put Fox Business News on, and eventually I’ll change the channel because I can’t stand their self-promoting crap. We also have frequent discussions about politics – all kinds. He can’t stand Rachel Maddow, and I love her.
So, I guess you can have a relationship and not necessarily agree on politics. But there’s got to be something there that connects you, that’s for sure.)
And don’t forget YBG: He thinks Sarah “is hot”….ha,ha,ha
@90 lovemydogs:
YBG: No, no, no….I was referring to the “Yukon Whiskey” building.
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
Yup, it moved quite a bit, but it’s now a tool shed.
93 lovemydogs Says:
And don’t forget YBG: He thinks Sarah “is hot”….ha,ha,ha
————
Don’t remind me ……..
(But don’t we all know that anyway? That’s why all these guys voted for her …….)
Love ya YBG: Gotta go do some chores and then it’s bed for me.
G’nite, lovemydogs!
SOOOOOOOOO good to hear from you! Sleep tight!
@yukonbushgrma
good on ya for figuring how to do that with your hubby! I wish I knew the secret.
At this point, and maybe that is what the “right”sees as well, my politics are so intrinsically tied to my values and to what is appealing to me, I don’t know how to take it back down a notch or two to get to just an “attraction” Have suggestions?
@98 Deb:
Sounds like you might still be interested in this guy, eh?
Oh gosh, we met so many years ago, and it was so different then. People weren’t talking politics then. We were just ‘older hippies’ starting families and integrating into society.
Now — well, I’m not so sure what I would do if I were on a date and met a guy with different political views. (Oh, perish the thought — I can’t even dream what that would be like.)
If you like the guy, then you can survive all kinds of disagreements, and you can agree to disagree. Here, we do that all the time. But you have to know that when the rubber hits the road — whether it’s your family member, a life/death issue, or important financial concerns — you know exactly what the other believes, and you’ve agreed how you want things done.
Variety is the spice of life, you know.
And maybe that’s what keeps us going, at least here.
But every family – home – is different. And you’ve got to make those decisions for yourself.
Hey, it’s still possible he’s a good guy. You’ve just got to get past politics. Because, you know, there’s more to life than politics.
Even though, these days politics holds great sway over our lives.
@lovemydogs – Did you get my email?