RBC

I started a second job a few weeks ago, something I haven't done in many years.  I've had more than six months to asses the need and scope out options.  When I discovered my local tap room was hiring it was a no brainer. They brew great beer, are a five minute bike ride from my house, have fueled most of the house remodel, and close at 8pm.  

So this is where I hang out most Fridays, Saturdays, and sometimes Wednesdays.  There are board and card games and a record player.  I'm totally unpacking my records and bringing them in to play.  Plus when it's slow I can knit or read.  I also picked up a couple yoga classes where I have been subbing.  Both places are cool and open to suggestions.  But after a couple weeks I realized I really do have to pay a dog walker for the labs because the shifts are too long for them to just hang out at home.  And the brewer is allergic to dogs.  Plus Percy is really good at giving me this look when I try to leave.  And despite the not very summery weather of late it's often too warm in a car for an all day dog chill session.  

This Old House, Episode 1 - Season 2017

Late in the fall last year we put in two new windows upstairs.  They actually open and close when we want them to and they have removable screens!  This was the view for much of the winter, making me very grateful for having new energy efficient windows....in at least one more part of the house.  We won't think too hard about that because if I turned around we would have a nice view of the old windows on the other side of the room.  And the window that will become a door.....yeah, it has a small hole in it.  But aren't these new windows nice?!  And look at that snow and the giant ice sickles - that means we had a real winter.  I love winter.

Wrapping Paper and a Bow

When I was a child, many moons ago, I dreamt of a place like this.  It has everything a girl could want - a dedicated sledding hill, SNOW, the moon, and trees like my favorite wrapping paper.  I had no idea that it was real.  All I was missing Sunday was a sled.  Nevermind that there was a sign saying the hill was closed.  I met a mom and son with a sled in the parking lot and asked how the sledding was today - and they said it was great.  Two thoughts about this interaction with humans I must share: the lady looked like she thought I was nuts and/or was a little scared of me (not the affluent part of town), probably because I parked near her in the parking area which was actually just a pull through and I was trying to leave room for other vehicles to turn around or get past us so I smiled and made it really obvious I was there to walk my dogs; the other thought is that there was no one there.  NO ONE.  I cannot come up with a comparable example of a place like this anywhere I have ever visited or lived where there would be no other humans during daylight hours on a weekend with temps above zero.  And if you know my history - that's a fair few number of places to consider.  

This was a new park for us, a result of my efforts to keep my dogs from going insane with no windows to look out of at home (except the storm door when I prop the front door open on warmer days).  I couldn't believe it was 12 minutes from home or that I had never been there.  Also, it's a campground in the summer.  I had no idea.  

I was afraid I would miss the sunset and I like the view through the trees.  Since we were exploring I didn't know where the snow trail went (or if there is a trail there in summer at all).  Another couple turns and few minutes down the trail we were at some ball fields and had a great view of the sunset.  

There was plenty of ..... evidence that the adjacent neighborhood members access and use the park for dog walking.  We went with a leave no trace policy ourselves.

The bow - now that I'm an adult (hahahahahahah!!!) and an amateur snow scientist I know about gravity and how the moon can be up during the day and how the trees can look like the wrapping paper.  I also know why the sun/moon light makes the snow sparkle like diamonds.   And it hasn't taken any of the joy out of winter for me; if anything it has made it all the richer.

HOWDY

Hi.  Yeah, a little unplanned blogging sabbatical.  Without any warning.  Sorry about that.  But the revival is here and if you are too then thanks for sticking around and welcome back.  I can’t even remember the number of times I sat down to blog; the number of blog posts I wrote in my head – in the shower, in bed, on my bike, on an airplane, on a dog walk, washing the dishes….I think you get the picture.  Like most modern day humans – I have been busy.  A brief summary: yoga teacher training, master gardener course, dog group, work, play, travel, home, husband, and of course the daily adventure of living in Alaska. 

First, the yoga.  This wasn’t really on my radar. At all.  But I stumbled into the opportunity in pursuit of master gardener training (wait listed).  A couple who are both teachers and owned the studio I attended sporadically while I was in grad school and lived in mid-town decided to teach one more teacher training before they moved out of state.  The original dates were in the autumn and I knew I couldn’t fit it in my schedule.  And then my sweet cat got sick.   That’s another post entirely (Loving Fiercely. And Learning).  By the time I lost him it was mid December and I was spent, by all measurements.  Then the dates of the teacher training changed to start in January.  The pieces fell into place and I found myself in awe in a class of amazing people.  Time flew by, mostly.  For nearly every other weekend from mid January to mid May I spent Friday evenings, Saturday days and Sunday days cramming my head with yoga and all things yoga related.  And then there was the homework and the physical aspect.  It was an amazing experience.  I still have more work to do before I can hang out my own shingle or work for most studios. 

Next, the master gardener.  I have tried to take this course a couple times and it’s always at a horrible time – great if you are retired or maybe a stay at home mom, but pretty much horrible for anyone else.  It was an interesting experience.  I can't say that I could recommend the Alaska version to anyone.  Unless you perhaps know absolutely nothing about gardening.  At all.  And you perhaps have done no online research or read a single gardening book.  I completed the course, because that's how I am and I did learn a few nuggets of information and I'm excited to continue working the yard into edible shape.  

The rest is really just the slow fun progression of life.  Tonka is still working and loving it (at 11 1/2 years old!!).  The girls still alternate loving and hating each other.  The man is still working hard and succeeding as an owner of multiple businesses.  The economy is declining here and I work less at science and more at marketing.  I play outside every day.  Every day.  Because I love it and it makes me smile.  I travel whenever I can (Costa Rica last January).  And the house.....progresses......slowly.....but surely....and I love it every day.  Don't worry, I have some pictures to show what we have been up to.  I keep sorting stuff and donating (no one needs four whisks - four!!) and putting some stuff in the camper van.  Oh yeah, we got a camper van.  It's fun and all the dogs and our gear can get out for a weekend adventure and have a place to be out of the weather and bugs.  There is work at the shop too, a project I call the build out and the man calls the mezzanine.  It's the creation of an enclosed space for a micro yoga studio for me (when I'm not out skiing, biking, running, boating, etc.) and drum/music for him (because I keep my music toys at the house).  We also store all our 'stuff' (read: crap) up top until it's needed or can be moved into finished space at the house (out of season gear and furniture).  There, now you are all caught up and we can proceed.  

Loving Fiercely. And Learning.

December 12, 2015 ~10am snow finally came to Anchorage and frogcat left me

In the words of a friend of mine - His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead.

I had to just take a break for a while.  I'm back now.  Here are some picture of my sweet boy who I have missed every day for over a year.  It has been the first year of my life with no cat (that I can remember) to boss me around.  Yes, it has been odd.  

Frog was a special boy - I mean that in the biological way - he had glaucoma and a cataract in one eye when I found him.  The eye specialist was thrilled because he had seen very few cases of this in his many years of research and as a practicing vet.  Boy did I feel special!  

Then he got kidney disease at a very young age.  Great, more special!  And he ended special too - he survived years of kidney disease (thanks to my awesome vet and vigilant daily observation and medication) to die from a brain tumor.  So special that the staff know me by name and his vet made a donation in his name for research on his many challenges.  The special just never stopped.  Kind of like that Chinese curse - may you live in interesting times.....

As with most pets in my life the lessons were many - how to love fiercely, despite biological challenges, and how to observe and trust my gut instinct - and so many more.  

Peace as white as snow be with you.