Critters, Wayne and Grandkids

Our friends own Nuisance Wildlife Management. They provide help for "when the wilds of Alaska get to close to home." We knew they were in "pest removal,"  but we were thinking bugs and such; not animals killing our chickens.  They came out to help us with our chicken problem today. CoRielle met us when we got home last night with the sad news that they had found one of our hens bloodied. We have her isolated and are giving her tender loving care - but we fear we will lose her too.

We have a live trap and trail cam set up. No activity last night. Robert set out more traps. We are hoping to get in the next couple of days. The main suspect is a weasel.

The original owner of our home came by for a couple of hours today. It's always fun to visit with them. He likes to stop by. We discovered the history of the bb hole in our living room window.

Stacia and I went to BreZaak's to watch Gideon and Bella. Bella had a hard day. I suspect she isn't feeling well. She slept, then simply wanted me to hold her wrapped in a blanket.

Gideon was hilarious. As soon as BreZaak left, he ran to the chest where the blankets are stored and made his wishes apparent.

 I believe he has a favorite game to play with Auntie Stacia. LOL  

Who could say no to this little face? It's easy to clean up. 

Tomorrow will be a busy day in Anchorage....so I need to get off here and finish Bible study prep....the kids and Michael are playing Risk Cataan....who knew?

We Drove to Anchorage to find Misawa or 2019 Fur Rondy Snow Sculpture Competition

My friend, Nora, told me about the Fur Rondy Snow Sculpture contest. I remember seeing them when we lived here years ago.

Our sweet Spurgeon family has moved to our beloved Misawa for the next few years. They visited the Towada Winter Festival recently; I've been yearning for Japan. Yes, we are content, and we deliberately look for the joy of being in Alaska. There is much to celebrate.  Our hearts were broken for the nation of Japan...and from time to time the longing and urgency to be serving there is strong. I knew we would have fun and make new memories - connected to past memories - at this event.

@ Lake Towada Winter Story - photo from internet

After church today we drove to Eagle River, picked up Josiah, and went to see the snow sculptures. Here are some of our favorites.

Tug of Rawr

Stacia, Alex, Josiah 

 This was my favorite one. "Not all treasure is gold." It's a dragon protecting his treasure.....

Thanks, Alex! I wasn't tall enough to get a face. 

They had a big chunk of ice we could carve on....Alex began to carve #Gherkins....but the others were waiting for us. It was a beautiful day. It felt warm. It was in the mid 20's. We're transitioning...we'll know we're real Alaskans when we wear shorts in the 20's.....

Voting for the People's choice award

I thanked Michael for driving all the way to Anchorage to see a few snow sculptures.

He replied, "No, we drove all the way to Anchorage to find Misawa."

Is he a great husband or what?

He knew....he just knew.

Moose Sanctuary

 The word has gotten out. We are running a moose sanctuary at Wibbly Wobbly Acres. ::snort:: Moose tromping through the yard, eyeing our baby orchard, stomping down the sledding hill, munching on our cabbage, have become common place. We don't even take pictures all the time any longer....

However, it is a new to see them bedding down for the night in the driveway. Thy aren't even pretending to hide in the woody areas any longer. 

Sun, Chickens and Family Visits

It was a fairly "warm" day today (in the 20's). The sun was shining bright and we all wanted to get outside. Michael and Alex  continued to re-work the chicken coop.  

As I headed out, Arielle told Benny to get his winter cloths on and he could go outside too. Hilarious. 

Daddy's big shoes to fill

Yesterday, Rosie, our favorite hen, was killed. That makes 4 hens we've lost this week. Michael put out live traps - no results as of yet. He and Alex took advantage of the nice weather to install two new vents.

Our poor, bedraggled flock. We have 12 now. We started with 18 in the spring. 

They made it outside! They even took a walk around the neighborhood. 

Jared is town this weekend. He will go back to the zoo in Juneau tomorrow.  He and Larissa came by this evening. Benny came up the stairs and was fine with Auntie Riss - but then he saw Jared. He reached for Uncle Alex.

It didn't take Benny long to warm up to Jared. 

Gentle Hands

 

It was fun to catch up with Jared. An enjoyable day all the way around.....about that Gherkin scowl?

It's terribly out of focus so I won't enlarge it - but THIS is the look I get when I don't let him through the gate at the bottom of the stairs. LOL

The Joy of February in Alaska

Winter is not without appeal! One simply has to bundle up. 

These kids actually missed winter cold and snow when we moved to California. They are happy to live in a place with a real winter.

As for me?  Alaska IS beautiful in the winter. I do find myself dreaming of summer more often these days.

The Perfect Writing Program

I have searched for the perfect language arts, grammar, writing program.  Sometimes I am SURE I've found it - like when our 14 yo "completed" a novel and attended a writer's conference in CO. Other times, I'm sure I've not found it. I'm sure part of this has to do with a person's individual bent.....

One of Michael's pastimes in retirement is a continuation of his years as a chaplain. He edits: research papers, book reviews, class assignments from under-grad and graduate students, blog posts and ministry publicity.....

I have observed this. I see how those he edits, over time, gain a mastery of grammar and writing. I've finally found the perfect grammar writing program for our two at home. It's brutal - but if one's emotions can handle the red ink - it works.

Just write......and let Dad edit it....you'll learn about all sorts of things I didn't even know existed...and I've used a lot of grammar curriculum through thirty-one years of homeschooling.... I'm done looking for the perfect program.

Ode to Jamin or Jamin is 28

Jamin - the son that caused us to question the parenting philosophies of our time; and made us better parents in the process.  Much of the spiritual transformation in my life came about as being the mother of Jamin as a toddler and pre-schooler. LOL

Jamin never learned to walk - he learned to run....and he hasn't stopped. He's raced through school, college (setting track/cross country records there), 2 master's programs, and now he lives in Alaska, where he is a budding realtor.

Jamin has a well-honed sense of adventure. Some in our family refuse to accompany him on his death marches - mountain hikes.

Nolan, Jamin, Jared, Josiah

He's gone places I dream of going....and gone there in style. 

The obnoxious American abroad

Ted Dekker and Jamin at the 2016 ACFW writers conference 

Today - Jamin is 28. My how time flies. He had an appointment at a house here in the valley this afternoon. We were able to catch dinner with him tonight - and tomorrow he closes on a house and then flies to Texas for a visit.  We look forward to watching God lead Jamin to new adventures and always closer to His side. 

For those wondering - Fancy Feathers is still in prison. The others have shown no new injuries and we haven't lost any more hens.....we will keep watching.