Spring Snow

When Alaska gets winter, it does take a while before it breaks fully into spring. On Tuesday, snow fell all across the state. Here, in N. Kenai, Wednesday looks a lot like it might rain. Which will start the breakup cycle for sure! Although, we may get more snow for a bit. I'm loving it! One of the cool things about winter is seeing shapes in the trees. I had no idea this tree had a branch curling around itself!! 

 Obi doesn't mind the snow, he does mind shovels. He kept grabbing the plastic blade with his teeth to keep me from using it. Very odd dog!

 It had stopped snowing and at 8 pm I noticed the sun on the tops of the trees. I decided to go look for the sunset. It was moving faster than I was! I wanted to go to the top of  this hill (by Traxinger's driveway) and look over the sky, but alas...I was only able to catch a piece of the glow here in a patch of snow.

 You can see how quickly it dropped!

 It was orangish and then to the left, it was blue like again. What a wonderful world we live in!!

After the sun finally sank into the mountains, the skies lit up again. It was about 11 when I noticed to the sunset side of the sky, different colors in the clouds. Purples and greens lit things up til I could almost read! I wondered how much more amazing it would have been if the clouds had not been in the way? Incredible wonderful world!

Three Quarters

of a century. Years full of wonderful, sobering, incredible experiences. In the last months, I've learned more of some of those things Mum was a part of. What an amazing life she has had so far. But, today? Today, we celebrate Mom! 

Mum got the proofs for her 6 page rhyming book dedicated to her sister, Marilyn, on Saturday. A wonderful gift for her 75th birthday. 

 Since Mum is on liquids for her birthday, we did a mini celebration with quiche and cake on Saturday. Obi was VERY interested in the cake.

 Mum's birthday, March 26, shows break up is eminent. It isn't here yet, but there are signs it might be around the bend. The days are getting much longer (I am typing without lights on at 8pm and watching the sun sink into the tops of the trees!) and there is a modicum of warmth in the rays. It is still hovering around 20 degrees for most of the day, but that means there isn't much mud yet!

 Mum had visitors and phone calls all weekend. These blessed persons were two of those who helped clean out mom's house. This was so she could be safer when we moved back home. Julie, Mum, and Leon.

 Julie gave Mum a cute memorial. 75 pennies to commemorate her 75 years! Leon made her the card/poster at the very top.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr. Seuss

The End of March

Just a few photos from the end of March. Chickadees--still haven't quite got them eating from my hand yet! Nuthatches who are much braver than a chickadee. And squirrels. Am not sure which one I have in the photos, but there was a squirrel burying sunflower seeds in the snow! 

Winter Friends

In one of the versions of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley, the main character, Beauty, asks the magic for birds. She didn't ask for moose, but I reckon this  critter could be the beast! Although, she is a very pretty girl. 

She hung out in the yard for quite a while. When I went down to get the paper, I noticed she had better traction than I did on the icy drive! She also nibbled on the trees she could reach on both sides as she strolled. I didn't take photos of her as she left the yard, I took most of these from the porch or close to the garage when I went out to get more seed for the birds. She may be a lovely lady, but she is not a tame beast.

 You can tell how deep the snow is here, There is a nice crust on top, but when you break thru there is powder underneath. I know this, I tried to get to a bird feeder mom wants picked up. It has fallen off the hanger. It is over on the lake side and I do not have adequate clothing to wade thru the snow and retrieve it. I can't even get to the larger feeding spot.

 So, I sprinkled seed on top of the snow. The birds took a couple of days to find it, but they have arrived. Wings of all colors fluttered through the winter background today. Woodpeckers, chickadees, finches, red polls, and grosbeaks graced the yard with busy cries as they rediscovered mom's place.

 The temps have warmed a bit. At least this week! Down at Station 2 in North Kenai (near the post office) it was about 27 degrees. But, the wind chill dropped it back to 19. Even the chickadees look unimpressed!

Mom is very glad the birds have come back to her castle. She has been watching the basketball madness in between long naps and enjoying being home.

Snow Niece!

OK, this first one isn't my niece, but it is VERY cute snow. Loved how his antlers turned into a sort of a curl! I took his nose and smile off before we left the house, but his picture will last for always! 

Lee, Janet, and JaLeen brought mom her dog, Obi. Mum was very glad to have her dog home, Mittens comes back on Tuesday. JaLeen played in the snow for a bit, so I took some pictures. I had thought about it earlier, but well, I don't have snow gear and that wind made it really cold! She looked like she enjoyed herself-the neighbors were out on snowmachines, too! They didn't manage to stay in the range of my camera so I could have both kinds of sleds in the photos I was taking. No matter, they'll be back!

This first picture made me laugh. She tripped into the snow as I snapped the photo  thru the glass. You can see her hair is flipped up as she dropped down. 

 She often turns from the camera as the photos are taken. But, I got a good one later on!!!!

 See??? Snow Niece!!!!!! What a cutie pie. Thank you for letting me watch you play in the snow today, JaLeen!!!!

A Short Display of Snow and Stuff

Will be heading out north on Saturday. Yes, mom is moving back home after a bit more than 4 months. It has been wonderful being in a house in town. The last time I lived in 'town' was in 6th grade. We were in a trailer park on Beaver Loop across from Borgan's. Not sure who lived in the BIG house on the corner, but that was town in 76. Being in the middle of town is different. It is pretty handy! I never thought I'd say this, but Kenai isn't bad at all!!! 

However, this sojourn has come to an end. It is amazing how much debris one can acquire in just weeks. I will get to wander a bit more in the snow, so stay tuned for MORE snow pictures from this great land!!!  (granted, you may get them all at once, but so be it!) The following photos are backwards,  from March 2 to Feb 28th  and back to March....or thereabouts. 

This one needs edited to remove the spots, but I wanted to make sure the sharp needle like tips on these icicles could be seen. Some may have been good for taking blood tests! 

 Alas, the guardians are collapsing under the weight of sun and wind. It has been VERY cold, in spite of the 'warm' temps. 28 degrees with a windchill of maybe 4. Deceptive.

 After the last really good blow and snow, I had to dig us out!!!! The snow was on the porch and I was fortunate a young man from next door asked if he could help. He got the drive and we met at the end of the sidewalk.

 There was so much snow, this happened several times. Not always in this spot, but in many other places in the area. (these photos were from the cell phone and might actually belong with the post below!)

We celebrated Jacit's birthday with cupcakes from JaLeen's! So handy having two kids born in the same week! 

Steve sent me a box for our anniversary and I got it on Dr. Seuss's birthday!! It had nice surprises inside! (Feb 18 was our 28th)

Not sure when I'll be able to update as the technology out north is less than stellar. Thankfully, it isn't dial up anymore!!! (that was 3 years ago)  Stay tuned!!!