The Mountains!

I started the day with a Zoom chat with four gals from church. THEN - I had to get out for a walk. I settled on a plan of a 2 mile walk and then  the elliptical.  The mountains speak to me. I can't get enough of them. 

I have started to send marco polos to my sister friends and my cousin, Lorri, as I walk. I get to be out,  alone and yet connected.   Today's walk was momentous. 

I passed by this and noted it was fresh. 

The thing is - I was in the zone....I was walking, praying or talking....and didn't put together that where there are fresh moose turds there may well be MOOSE. I rounded a corner and there were TWO MOOSE right in the road. I briefly considered passing on the other side of the road...you know the prescribed 6 feet of social distancing...as I approached their ears flattened and the hair on their necks stood up. I turned around. I didn't really want to go that way anyway as the tush-smelling pit bull was down there. Ah, I forgot to share THAT story. It seems even a beagle will keep other dogs from coming up to intimidate  a walker....alas, I walk solo this spring. RIP our dear friend.

I turned and re-thought my route...and realized I'd best go home for a pit stop (too much water and tea before the walk), and then I headed out again. The moose were STILL in the road; I tried a new route.

It was gorgeous. I found the best views of our mountains yet. I stood here with the field in front of me and could see Lazy Mountain to the left, the Matanuska Peaks ahead of me, and Pioneer Peak to my right. I took a panoramic shot - but it doesn't do it justice.

I should consider a shower and make up before walks if I'm going to keep taking photos. I simply love the mountains - think you know that though. I think I love them as much as my beloved ocean.

Pioneer Peak 

Mat Peak

What do you know? I guess that IS gray and not blonde. LOL 

Lazy moving to the Mat Peaks...

I got home and discovered I had walked 3.85 miles - handily reaching my 2 mile goal. Break up - Spring is upon us. It was 50* today...and everything is dripping...melty and slushy.  My daffodil garden has fallen on disrepair as the bank melts. It's not nearly as pretty white now....and our snowman lost his head last week, and his mid-section this week. He lasted 2 months.

The good news is I'll soon be able to reach the Christmas sign and store it away. 

I  moved the daffodils to the front porch....I found all the flowers the moose had attempted to eat in a puddle of melted snow. I'll see if I can re-attach them tomorrow.

I  put beans and a ham bone into the instant pot and prepared biscuits ready to throw into the oven after this evening's church Zoom. This time Michael and I were on a panel with some others for youth group. We tried to answer relationship questions. It was fun.

Finally, 7:45 p.m. and we were sitting down for  dinner. Poor Dad. We're lucky he's so flexible.

Remember When Shopping was Effortless?

Monday has disappeared...it ran into all the other days and I can't separate anything of note which happened on that day....

Today, however, was full of monumental outings. I got up bright and early to try to hit the store before everyone else did. I was somewhat successful. I discovered one cannot sip tea while wearing a mask.....Izaak had spotted sugar at Freddies and I hoped....arriving early....that I'd find some too. 

Yeah, no luck. 

This was the only sugar in the aisle....and I am not quite desperate enough to smash down cubes to make sugar for kombucha. I did find the last bag of organic cane sugar and snatched it up. I  have a friend who will bring me some sugar - but I was hoping it would be in my clicklist order.

Stacia bakes quite a bit and which uses sugar. Other than her baking, our biggest sugar usage is for making kombucha....

I find myself remembering when shopping was effortless, and planning how to stock up better to avoid this in the next crisis of the food supply chain.  First, I will buy an extra Costco size case of toilet paper....and I'm thinking big barrels, or tubs, for sugar, flour (or wheat berries) beans and rice....and then the typical canning. I'm trying to figure out where to store this food storage. I'll rotate items. We've done fairly well...except that freezer of salmon seems to have sprouted a layer of ICE CREAM when I went digging last week. ::snort::  Yep, they hid the ice cream under the salmon. We don't have quite as much salmon as I thought, but plenty. ::snort::

I came home, and SAT in the car, in the driveway, for 45 minutes. It felt good. I just sat....sent a polo or two to my sister friends.  The mountains were calling....and off I went.

I was able to get a 3 mile walk in which greatly improved my outlook on life.  I came home and got my typical 45 min elliptical workout in...and finally took a SHOWER...it's the little goals that matter. 

The map of this walk cracked me up. I titled it - all the detours. 

Krista and Stacia have each taken a dinner off my hands. Krista takes Monday night and made Swedish Meatballs with all the fixings.  Stacia made Chicken Paramesan, zuchinni fries, to which I added a plate of fruit and salad, for dinner tonight.  Stacia FINSHED GEOMETRY for the year!

All this and geometry too! 

Krista is busy making cooking videos for her life skills class. Today she made naan bread and hummus....both VERY yummy. 

I rounded the day out by hosting our final discussion on the Beatitudes for the gals from church. We are moving on to a study on communication - Words Matter.

Michael has been spending lots of time in the woodshop. He finished another fishing pole holder...and has started on a book shelf.

As for the pandemic....there is talk today from our Governor of a flattened curve and starting to open parts of the economy up....to watch and see what happens....I guess it is beginning by allowing elective surgeries again. I think I heard dental proceedings are still out and we are still under stay at home and travel bans.

Resurrection Sunday

We had dreamed of gathering with our church community, a giant family egg hunt out here, the cascarones from San Antonio, a big family dinner....but this year was different.

It was a lazy morning with no set start time. As everyone was up we watched church. We set Dad up with the livestream from our home church in Oregon as I prepared dinner. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it to cast onto the big screen...but he was happy enough with the set up.

I was finally happy with a ham I baked. ::wink::  Yes, even I had 3 oz of ham...It won't hurt once or twice a year.  The Resurrection Garden was a nice centerpiece. I'll save the pieces to do this again next year.

We had a leisurely morning, the grands weren't going to be here (I don't worry about the china, but their parents do)...so I pulled out the china from Mom G and Mom and I used Gram's silver....apple juice and kombucha are much more festive in the crystal. ::snort::  We told the boys they could come out from the Royal Blue Cave and join us around the table. They went back to quarantine afterwards.

The chickens enjoyed their Easter treat - a bit of scratch outside of their muddy, snow-covered chicken yard.

 
Bella turned 4 today!  BreZaak invited us all to her zoom party. It was a great way to get EVERYONE together. JaRissa joined from Juneau, Dakota from OR, and all of us from our various homes in the Valley.

Benny was ready to climb into the screen for a hug and a kiss. 

We watched Onward on Disney +....and then Stacia and I went out for a walk. We went on a route we've not done since last fall. The roads are clear. We even saw ONE TREE with buds on it - which Stacia thought were creepy. It was a good way to end the day.  This is 8:30 p.m. 

I've finally taken down the "winter" wreath - the one with pines and red berries. 

I can't quite get used to a snowy spring...but here it is...this is spring in Alaska. 

Saturday Seems Like All Other Days

I placed a clicklist order on Monday night - Krista and I  picked it up today at 3 p.m.   My frustration with shopping online may drive me to risk Covid and shop in person next week.  It's not their fault...but I could go in, see what is there, and make subs myself, rather than wait 5 days to find there are 8 potatoes (not 20 lbs) and no sugar.  ::snort:: Our garden potatoes have run out. I will be planting MUCH more this year.  I was shocked there was no butternut squash. That doesn't seem like a hugely popular item.  In any event - I get it. They're very swamped and supplies are limited. It seems to me this is a hard time to do click list...because say there are no butternut squashes....I would have subbed something else if I was shopping...but now it requires another trip to the store or going without. Seems quicker to just go...and then go to the next store if they are out of something rather than wait, go, and then have to go out again.  I DID get a ham - so we will have an Easter ham... and I have asparagus from last week when I unexplainedly bought 6 bunches of asparagus....I must have clicked that button a few too many times. ::snort:: I DID enjoy visiting with the young man who delivered the groceries to the car.

After our exciting groceries were loaded, we stopped by BreZaak's and dropped off a birthday surprise and an Easter treat...we went next door to CoRielle's and dropped off an Easter treat for Benny, too. The highlight of these trips is seeing the kids. This picture SAYS IT ALL....LOL

Gideon and Bella inside the screen

 Poor Benny caught us and simply doesn't understand WHY germs are bad and he can't see Coco and Baachan. I think it's easier for him if we catch nap time and surprises magically appear. 

Krista had a zoom game time with friends from Oregon. I cooked breakfast for dinner....during clean up I snapped this photo! Cracks me up. I love it.

Flip phone users unite!

Pandemic Stuff
Honestly, it's sad to me we've passed Italy in number of deaths...and I hear we've passed China, but I don't trust the data which makes no sense from China. In these times, I am humbled anew by the  hope found in Jesus.

People are guessing how much longer we'll be under  "stay at home" and "intrastate" mandates. I don't know. Some think within a week. Some say through May. I only know kids aren't going back to school this year. There is talk about the commercial fishing season being "cancelled."

It Started with a Zoom Coffee Date

A lot can happen during a Zoom coffee date. 

One minute left....oh! You're going to 3 Bears? 

Fun, connection, honest sharing....ultimately love extended and received. 

I have made Zoom time available every week  to continue our Bible study and for coffee dates for the few who desire a bit of extra visiting. During Bible study we share....focused around what the Holy Spirit is teaching each on of us in the Word....there are 13 - 15 of us on the screen...it can be a hard venue for the easily distracted. ::snort:: Ahem - I resemble that comment. During our Zoom coffee chats we let the conversation flow and ramble...and it's good...and we try not to complain about how much we miss getting together in person - with hugs. 

As the timer counted down Sandy shared she was going to 3 Bears to pick up a case of on sale hamburger. I immediately commented, "We should all  show up at the same time - flash mob at 3 Bears and I promise not to hug anyone."  Jessie laughed and said I sound like a video clip she'd found. She shared it on Facebook (click the link for a laugh). I shared I have discovered I'm a "social shopper." Picking up groceries is great, but I LIKE greeting people in the store, random conversations with strangers and most of all running into someone I know. 

After the zoom, I continued to think.  I only buy meat when its on sale. I have no hamburger at all at home. We have been eating steadily through our stock as I've not bought meat since this began. I'm not shopping the sales - just getting what I NEED on click list. I called the store and they don't do pick up orders or bring orders out to the car. A case of hamburger at $2.19 a lb sounded more and more essential....as was getting to 3 Bears at the same time Sandy would be there. I decided to do it. This is the first time I've been IN a store for over 2 weeks. 

Stacia came with me and we headed to 3 Bears. We picked up our meat and hadn't run into Sandy. I texted to see if she'd already come. She was on her way. Check us out with our masks. Does anyone else feel conspicuous wearing a mask? 

Rose! Rose was there. I didn't expect to get to see Rose. 

Jessie AND Sandy made their way to the back of the store. I was so happy I may have leaked a tear...mostly I was loud and laughing...you know how I can be when I'm excited.  Masks do help to hide inevitable snorting. 

It was so good to see friends...we didn't get closer than 6 feet...and we all had masks on. It was worth having to take a shower and change clothes back at home.

Rose texted later and I shared how surprised I was to see her and Jessie too. She said they'd wanted to surprise me...it was a great surprise.

These friends blessed me and it all started on Zoom. 

AND I finally got someone sane to help me unravel Dad's insurance mess. I'm assured he'll have insurance by the 20th of April. 

It was a great day. I can easily handle another week of this. Really staying home is not that hard. Right? 

Pandemic Facts

I've decided it's a bit depressing to share these each night....but I do know at some point in the future we may want to remember. I'll share from time to time. In Alaska we continue to have around 10 - 15 new cases each day. Certainly NOT a big number...but a number I'd hope to see go DOWN...we have had another new death. We have had over 1000 deaths each day in the US this week. I get it - that's a statistically small number, but it wears on me none the less....and yes, even if it were "just the flu" that number would wear on me....BUT we're seeing these numbers while we stay at home, businesses closed.... There HAS been a flattening of the curve....Nationally the numbers of "predicted" deaths has gone from 100-200K to 61K  "if we all stay home until the end of May." Great progress - still an amazing number to me as we are all shut down...all but 9 states I guess.

A great thing pandemic related which happened today was the state of Alaska's day of prayer and fasting....I really appreciated the broadcast.

Good Friday

No Good Friday services or gatherings.....and yet, a new awareness of how much daily Hope flows from this one day in history.

A lot can change in 3 days.

My life is certainly changed because of an event which happened outside of Jerusalem on that far off Good Friday.

I am thankful.

God will not rest from His redemptive work until every aspect of His creation has been made new again...He saves our souls from eternal damnation...But he also came to unleash his powerful restoring grace as far as the furthest effect of sin...His redemptive mission is as complete as sin's destruction is comprehensive...Your Redeemer knows. Your Redeemer understands. Your Redeemer cares. His grace has been unleashed and it's work will not be done until every last sin-broken thing has been fully and completely made new again. Be encouraged, your Redeemer is at work! Paul David Tripp in "New Morning Mercies." 

I am thankful for the Redeemer who paid the price to cover all the sin-broken areas in my life.

What DAY is This?

 Stacia and I finished our Beatitude study this morning. I enjoy our time spent together and I enjoy her insights. She doesn't often share in groups.

We picked up drinks and went to the river....as we drove into our driveway she remarked, "Didn't we order scones?" Um...yeah. We did. I got our drinks and drove off. ::snort:: I am NOT doing great with these drive through windows. That's the second mishap in two days. ::snort::

We drove back and they laughed and passed the food out.

 Alaskan Spring 

You can tell it's spring because the snow is FROZEN SOLID. It melts during the day and becomes a glaze of ice over-night. Soon, it will all be mud. Ugh...but THEN comes warmer weather! We're up to 14 hours of sunlight a day. 

 Young moose are another sign of spring....they spend the winter up on the mountain. 

I spent 40 minutes on the phone submitted a new application for insurance for dad. I had heard that Healthnet Ruby had FINALLY faxed the paper I needed. My plan was to pick up the fax and then fax it in to the underwriter at the new company. 

Would you believe when I picked it up - it was the SAME WRONG paper they sent in November? 

I spent another 30 minutes on the phone with Healthnet Ruby again. They say they can SEE that they cancelled him because he moved out of the area. I tell them I need them to send me a paper that SAYS THAT - and they say they CAN'T. 

I spent another 30 minutes on the phone with the agent who took the new application. 

I do have the numbers now for the Social Security and for the underwriter at the new company. I am calling them tomorrow and telling them how I've been trying since November and that I think they would have a much easier time calling themselves or checking the social security/Medicare computer. 

I was very soft-spoken, kind and gracious today. I did tell them that Dad has been waiting on them since November and has been without insurance since September. He NEEDS to be seen for a variety of things and I hold them responsible for this craziness. I told them I will be contacting my congressional office as it should not be this hard for senior citizens to simply change companies. I told them I will give a full report...dates, names, reference numbers in both companies...because the new company COULD have called and gotten the info company to company. 

Meanwhile, Krista and Stacia decided to go check out the Mat Peak Trail. It was icy. LOL 

 Look at the snow piled up in the chicken yard. The poor things. Michael opened the door and let them out. Phoenix perched on the gate so he could track the hens in and out of the yard.

Pandemic Stats: 

Today Alaska received our 13th mandate - no public or private school for the remainder of the school year. No graduations. We are going to plan something for Alex as soon as we can gather in a crowd.  The state government, health officials and local communities are talking about cancelling the commercial fishing season. Yikes.  They have cancelled bear hunts. Maybe just in Kodiak but folks were saying everywhere....I don't plan to hunt bears in any event.

We had 9 more confirmed cases...235 total in our state.

There is hopeful news that things are slowing down.