Bella's New Adventure

Ah, just look at the excitement on Bella's face!  Bre took Bella to get her first library card!

Photo by Bre

 Do you remember the magic of the library to a young child? I think it is so important, even in this digital/tech age, to introduce a child to the library. Great books, community hangout, fun stories and who doesn't remember the children's librarian from story hour?

Miriam Old Coyote; children's librarian at the Big Horn County Library - still one of the best we've met. Hardin had an old Carnegie library.  We spent many happy hours in the children's section of the library during our MT years. I met several good friends at story hour. I miss that place.

Photo by Bre

 I go to the library at least weekly - usually more often. Most of the books I read are from the library. A library card is a frugal choice which opens worlds of adventure and information to one. It is also something we can share across the generations.  Using a library, supporting a library, is an easy and fun way to support one's community. If you've not visited lately, give it a try.

Photo by Bre

Yes, this IS a family event - worthy of saving in the family blog. Bella is the first grandchild to get a library card. The tradition continues.

Happy reading, Bella!

In Step On the Matanuska River Bike Trail

Our In Step Walking Group met again today. We were small in number....but the fellowship and fun were sweet. It was hazy. You can barely see the mountain behind us - there are several wildfires raging in Alaska just now.  The air didn't SMELL bad, it didn't hurt our lungs...we were happy to be outside.

Britney, Stacia, Krista, Jen, Jacque, Nani, Josiah, Caleb

Britney, Krista, Josiah, Caleb, Jen, Jacque, Me, Nani

We live in  a pretty area. I really enjoyed walking this path. It winds all the way from our town to a river the next little town over. I've watched families and groups of friends walking, riding, and jogging on it - it made me happy to be on it today.

No one was able to tell me the name of these purple wildflowers. I WAS told they are NOT indigenous to the state and are invasive. We are allowed to pick all we want. I can't help but wonder if they would conquer the Devil's Club in the "back 40."

Fireweed - so pretty 

Matanuska River 

We walked about an hour and then went to a nearby park to let the kids play and enjoy a picnic lunch - under a shady pavilion. It was about 10* cooler today - it really was a relief. In a land with 20 hours of sun a day - it gets old when the temps are high. LOL   Arielle and Lindsey joined us at the park with their kids.

Sydney and Harper found these great rocks. Nani, Krista and I struck out! 

Morning Guests (Intruders the rest of the family says)

Aren't they gorgeous?

Stacia was leaving the RV when she saw the twins. She looked around and Mama was on the other side of the RV. She was stranded in the RV until they moved around to where we were. 

 I was out setting sprinklers when I saw the sight below!

Eating the Lilac off our deck 

Yikes - the closest I've been to moose yet.  I dropped the sprinkler and ran onto the deck...."Moose." 

Krista had walked out the front and saw the mama. She came in to warn of moose.  I grabbed the camera and documented.  The babies got into the orchard! ARGH. It would appear we're going to have to add the electric to the fence....

Poor Lucille, our free range hen. She's taken to staying in the brush at the front of the property. This is the second day she's been sitting on eggs and had moose trample through. We didn't hear her for a long time after they left and wondered if she had gotten hurt. She's back this afternoon. 

Well-mannered - they went right to the kid's table

I was worried they'd eat our new tables. 

Benny was growling at the moose. 

They are cool to watch run. They were startled when I got a phone call. 

Off they go until another day. Hopefully, the fence will be ready to go when they return. 

The excitement slowed us down and made us a tad bit later than we would have liked to our walking group.

Just a Typical Monday - Sort of

Today was my Benny day! I had him from 8:30 - 3:30....always a fun time. 

Krista received exciting mail....her diploma...it says she's a master of divinity and graduated with honors! 

She went to the school district office to chat about various positions she may want to pursue. 

Michael worked on fixing the water lines in the RV. It turns out the water heater is cracked; a bigger job than he will finish before our weekend trip. He did fix the broken line so there is now water in the RV...and heating water is easy enough.

We continue to battle the heat for our yard...the sun may win this one.

Stacia made a couple more hats. Alex helped Michael some and worked on some gaming video or something.

I think the strawberry patch is wild berries. They are tiny - but sweet. It's a challenge to pick them when they are ripe BEFORE the chickens, bunnies, birds,  and mice.

The skies promised blue skies AND a storm this evening. We hoped....but it was all show. We did see lots of lightening and heard thunder.....

Pulpit Fill Sunday

It's 9:15 p.m. and it's finally cooled off enough to be pleasant sitting outside....still not very comfortable inside. Yes, I've been loving the record-breaking heat - BUT Alaska isn't built for high temps. Our homes are built to keep heat IN, we have no air conditioners, and the stores continue to sell out of essentials like fans and ice. 😵 Too much of any good thing CAN wear on a person. If this keeps up another few weeks, I may even WELCOME WINTER! 🐽(snort) I do NOT want winter to arrive until our silly hens have grown some feathers to cover their tushes.

Today was Pulpit Fill Sunday. Michael was invited to preach at Matsu Christian Center - a Church of God in Christ community.  Obviously, the PASTOR wasn't there or Michael wouldn't have been preaching...but the pastor's wife, Tamika,  was a chaplain assistant back in the day. Dr. Tamika Ledbetter and her husband, Bishop Fred Ledbetter, founded this church since our assignment together at Elmendorf. It is a blessing to see where God has led since she and Michael were on staff together. It is a very friendly community and we enjoyed being part of it. We were invited back for their monthly potluck Sunday - I'd like to attend when Fred and Tamika are there. Alas, Michael will be preaching that week at our church community.

Yes, I DID put on a dress and pearls 

Michael and I love our crazy and full household. We wouldn't have life any other way - but it's rare for us to snatch time alone. We took the opportunity of being out alone, to throw a mini-lunch-date into the mix. We were in Wasilla and didn't really know where to eat. We went to Chepo's, I loved the spinach enchiladas. They didn't have air conditioning and it was crazy noisy with lots of industrial fans placed around...but the food was yummy.

I wanted to attend church with Michael, but was committed to nursery at our church this week. Kudos to Krista who jumped in with Stacia to minister to the kids at our church.

Having our grands in nursery is a bonus these days. 

I came home and took a nap. I woke to adult Gherkin voices which aren't always here. Josiah and Jamin were playing Dominion with Nolan, Alex, Stacia and Krista. Michael was working to repair the plumbing in the RV.  Stacia was knitting another hat. Dad was catching up on news.

It's been a wonderful day.

Garden Pest

The hotter the days get, the earlier I try to get into the garden and get the day's chores accomplished. This morning I got all the little corn seedlings transplanted. I also planted 6 zucchini and 6 summer squash plants. Krista joined me and we weeded the potato patch. She was up by the house, I had my tush in the air and was picking up chickweed to feed the chickens, when I heard a crash! I turned my head and saw this moose. She was tangling with our Japanese laundry poles.

The 2nd time she came back 

I yelled, "Turn the fence on."

I ran for the house and my camera.

She headed for the garden. She touched the top wire with her head and jerked back, and RAN to the front and into the road.

Then she came back (which is when I got the photo of her at the trampoline). She was mad.

She looked at us, shook her head and ran off again.

I heard squawking and clucking and  knew she and Lucille had tangled. I went looking and calling for Lucille. Lucille came to my calling (she really is a pet now).  I went to meet her and her eggs were broken.  She ran back to the chicken yard to tell her tale.

This is the third time moose have tangled with the fence and the second time they've been shocked. It seems to be doing a good job at keeping them out.  The first time a mama touched it and jerked her head back. Her baby touched it, and as Dad reports, she jumped 3 feet in the air and took off.   The 3rd moose just walked along the garden fence line and left.  This afternoon mama and baby came trotting across the side yard....I guess we're the shortest route to the mountain. LOL

Here are some shots from the garden....the fence I'm talking about is just two wires strung on t posts around the garden. NOW....Lucille and Blondie (free range bunny) have started getting into the garden the past couple of days. An electric fence won't stop them.  We are going to have to get another fence up - but wanted to be sure we would leave the garden where it is before building anything more permanent and time intensive than this.

Broccoli & Cauliflower in foreground
1st bed -  beets, kale (3 kinds), spinach and radishes
2nd bed - carrots, couple kinds of lettuce, couple kinds of cabbage

Zuchini

Potatoes - now that I know I have the room -
I should plant more next year. 

I had hoped this bit of fall decor would keep the birds from eating the second planting of corn...and possibly fool the moose into thinking there is a big, mean, man with a gun in the garden.

Corn 

Jumanji - I no longer sit in here to warm up! ::snort:: 

We have green tomatoes, tiny peppers, cucumbers and melons in here. I've already had a meal of beans from the greenhouse. I need to just cover that mucky garden corner with a BIG greenhouse.😏

That's it for now. Lots of green....this week I need to plant the rest of the seedlings that are in my kitchen....and I need to research how to prune tomatoes. They are big, bushy and green...but I'd like tomatoes at the end of this process.  I'll also continue to work to keep the moose, birds, rabbit and chicken from eating the garden. LOL

Hiking Gold Mint Trail

The only thing one would expect Gherkins to do in record breaking weather is to hike the Gold Mint Trail in Hatcher's Pass.  I've been wanting to walk this trail...it's CoRiell's happy place.  Jamin suggested a hike. Nolan had the day off. Krista wants to get out and enjoy Alaska. Arielle and Benny joined us. Alex, Stacia and I are always up for an adventure. Dad and Michael stayed home. It was wise. 

Benny, Alex, Arielle

Krista, Nolan, & Jamin 

Stacia

 I'm conflicted about Fireweed! I LOVE them - I don't love the signal of summer progressing into winter (with a typical 2 week fall). It is reassuring to see these are not near blooming to the top yet. 

I may have to go back to check their progress in a couple of weeks. 

Benny rode most of the trail on Uncle Jamin's back 

Beautiful

 The BUGS were ferocious! I don't remember them being so aggressive before. I have begun to wonder if the All Natural bug spray I had was an attractant...or maybe the dandelion salve slathered on my arms and legs drew them....

Little Su - Glacial River

 Alex and I quit before the others. He'd had it with the bugs....and I wasn't going to let him go back on the trail alone - I AM bear aware after all. Even so my fit bit said I had over 70 minutes in the heart target zone and I'd walked 3 1/2 miles. 

Arielle, Benny, Jamin, Nolan, Stacia, Alex, Krista in front

This is moving naturally at it's best...as well as spending time with family and strengthening the "tribe." All good stuff.  We're building a lifestyle...looking to create an environment which consistently nudges us to healthy choices.  As a side note, Dad remarked this week I was going to turn green if I didn't eat a bit less salad. ::snort:: In the meantime, he is eating at least one salad a day. It's all good.

We stopped on the way back to town for a photo or two at the Little Su...whew...I have no idea how hot it was - but it felt hot traipsing around the trails.

Krista and Stacia

Stacia, Me and Krista - photo by Krista