Well, all is awfully quiet on the landlord front today, folks. This means they have either decided that we have some pretty good legal points and decided it was best to just shut up, OR they are plotting their next move. Either way, I'm not sure I care.
EXCEPT... (yeah, there's one of those in there)...
The heating saga continues. Can you believe that??? So, the heater works, but every time it starts up, the smoke detectors go off. That was REALLY fun at 2 am, right after I got Beans back to sleep and about 2 hours before I had to get up to drive J to Delta Junction, let me tell ya.
And SURPRISE, SURPRISE! I called my landlord about it, got voicemail, and 12 hours later, have heard nothing in response.
This is where I'm going to give the weather report. It's been raining a cold rain today. It never got above 60 here, and tonight is supposed to be around 40. But who needs heat, right?
*sigh*
****
So let's move on to something worth reporting today, then.
The MOOSE REPORT:
Moose Patrol was good this morning. With the slick roads, I was very glad that all of the moose we saw this morning were polite enough to stay off the roads. No babies spotted today, but several cows, happily munching on trees or standing in the roadside ponds along the way.
Speaking of roadside ponds, Salcha is experiencing some flooding. You can check out today's Daily News Miner (newsminer.com) for pictures. It made for an interesting drive, as many creeks, and the great Tanana River itself has crept out of it's bed into yards and even over the shoulder of the main highway in some parts. There was some talk about attempting to divert the water. Hopefully I can even make it back to Delta Junction tomorrow to get J from work.
There is something amazing about water. The Tanana is full and angry, running swiftly, cutting into the earth and making new divides in the earth. The old rapids have been drowned out, and new, angry ones have taken their place, sweeping new debris along the road.
I had nearly grabbed my camera this morning, and left it behind because the rain wasn't going to give me good pictures of the Dome or any of the other scenic view. With the river reaching new heights, I wish I had grabbed it anyway.
I feel bad for the folks in Salcha. The water at some houses are lapping at foundations, a few even starting to take on water. In spite of this, I was awed at the "hometown" feel when I passed
Salcha's fairgrounds and found many people of the town out filling sandbags. I wanted to stop, lend a helping hand, but with Beans in the car, the rain still falling, and the worst part of the road flooding to go, I pressed on to home.
It took 3 hours to make the usual 1.5 hour drive. I got home EXHAUSTED and craving coffee. (OK, so craving coffee is nothing unusual for me.) This was the first time that the drive through the mountains and next to the river felt "scary" to me, and I began to be very thankful that we are moving to Delta and J won't have to make that drive in snow and ice.
****
So, I know I promised a fabric report, but that's going to have to happen tomorrow, since I didn't make it into The Calico Cow today. It's long boring story of a husband and a wife having a spat, that y'all REALLY don't want me to rehash... but I HATE fighting, especially with my sweetie, and I lost all motivation for fabric shopping. (Grocery shopping too, for that matter, so I also have to go to the commissary tomorrow as well.) I spent my afternoon moping around the house with Beans, and finally decided that it would be better to snuggle up with her and have a nap than it would be to worry about accomplishing much of anything today. And I'm glad I did. We slept for two hours, her happily nursing next to me, snuggling up for warmth. When she woke, she woke bright-eyed and happy, leaned over and gave me a sweet kiss, and said "mama, night night."
Who needs a clean house when you can get sweet, slobbery kisses from such a sweetie?
****
Back to Delta Junction tomorrow. This time, I'm packing the camera, rain or shine.
So, from our trail to yours....
Happy Moose Trails.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Times, They are a' Changin'
OK. First, my title reference. In my absolute and extreme dorkiness, I will admit shamelessly that I am a HUGE Bob Dylan fan. I know, he kind of sounds like a dying cat when he sings BUT... this means I can sing along and everyone thinks I sing horribly because I'm trying to stay in tune with Bob, instead of just sounding awful. Plus, how can you be sad when listening to "Maggie's Farm" or "Subterranean Homesick Blues"?
I'll tell ya, I really AIN'T gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more.
For real, old Bob knows what he's talking about.
Next, the times, for us, are indeed changing.
The latest (moose) poop scoop:
J and I did a little research. I love the Internet, because you can find all kinds of interesting things out that you would normally need a professional for. Like what your legal rights are as tenants. Or what is considered invasion of privacy. Or what grounds you have to legally terminate your lease. And a very nifty fact: that your landlord can not attempt to get you to move unless you are late on your rent (we are not), or doing something illegal (we are not). And that attempting to terminate your lease (AND listing it for rent prior to the term of your lease) ESPECIALLY in response to a maintenance request is a BIG no-no.
We double checked with an attorney, just to be sure. He agreed that we definitely have a good case, if our landlords decided to try to take legal action against us for leaving (which they have promised they will, if they can't get this place rented out again.)
After coming up with a four page list of grievances and politely typing out the Alaska Statutes governing those grievances (hey, why make them do their own research, right?), we gave 30 days notice.
Um, actually, we had a legal right to only give them 10 days. But we are nice people. Besides, we need a little time to pack all our gear and stuff and leave. And find a place.
So... looks like we are headed to Delta Junction after all. In about 2 weeks. I am relieved to be leaving our current situation, but entirely bummed to be leaving our new friends in North Pole. J has promised that he will allow me to come visit frequently, at least until gas hits over $7/gallon (so, like, next week, right?).
****
Meanwhile, as I'm sure you can all imagine, our landlords are TICKED. The wife portion called and insisted that we had no legal grounds for terminating the lease. And every time I pointed out the law and their actions, she told me I was "wrong". At one point, she even bragged that her husband already knows all the laws in Alaska because he's a cop.
OK. If he knows the law, maybe he should abide by them, right?
THAT particular conversation ruffled my sweet, southern feathers. And those of you who really do know me well will understand exactly what it looked like when I did something we southerners call "Breakin' Bad". Oh, I broke bad, all right. I went from Scarlet O'Hara (sweet and proper) to good old fashioned Al'bama trailer park trash faster than Coach Saban lost his fan club when he didn't lead Bama to the SEC Title he promised to deliver. (For those of you not into SEC football, shame on y'all. It was pretty fast. And for those of you who do follow SEC, War Eagle!)
Ah, I digress. (Imagine that.)
So, I broke bad. At one point, I think I even cussed her. And boy did she get MAD MAD MAD when I told her that I was going to file a complaint with the Alaska Housing Dept as well as file a complaint on base.
Hey, before you think I'm a total jerk... a lot of the fellas here are deploying like crazy, leaving behind wives and kids who will be fending for themselves through the winter months. I know what being left behind during deployment is like. The LAST thing a mom and wife need while trying to get through Alaska's winter without their loved one needs is a landlord who insists that you shouldn't need heat or takes their sweet time evicting voles and squirrels from the residence. If that makes me a jerk, then... I guess I'm a jerk.
ANYWAY... she completely flipped out about that. And after she told me in a VERY angry voice that I should go have a nice day, I told her I would, since in 30 days time, I wouldn't be living in her cruddy house anymore. (I told 'ya... I broke BAD, y'all.)
Her husband called my husband (she tattled on me), and I'm being punished. I'm not allowed to talk to her anymore. (Oh, gosh! I don't know if I can bear the punishment!) Apparently, I'm too mean.
The good news out of all this... her husband (the cop who knows all those laws) admitted that he saw our point, and where we felt they violated those laws. And even agreed that one of those points was a violation he could agree that we had grounds for.
They don't agree with our claims that they have not addressed our repair requests. Apparently they feel the issue of the vermin in our residence has been addressed. As well as several others.
And for the record, when he FINALLY got a professional out here to look at the heater, the professional said when the heater was installed by the do-it-your-selfer, um... he didn't install a very important piece.
Don't ask me what it was, I don't know. I'm not a heating repair guy, which is why I would never attempt to install a heater by myself, especially in a residence where my lack of knowledge would jeopardize another family's life.
Oh, and it was indeed causing diesel fumes in the house. And we were indeed rather smart to leave the house the night it filled with smoke.
So, the landlord's response? He is going to think about our notice for a few days, do some research, and get back to us to let us know what he thinks we should do.
Um, I'm not sure what that means.
Please, anyone out there smarter than me, correct me if I'm wrong, but notice is notice. It means "I'm leaving. Happy Moose Trails to all y'all. Good luck in your future endeavors. Don't the door hit ya in the... on the way out." RIGHT???
Riiiiight....
****
So, aside from THAT lovely drama, life has been good. We seem to have secured new housing, and will be able to find out our move-in date tomorrow. We had my friend and her husband come over this evening for dinner and loaded all the wood that we have been chopping and stacking into his trailer and let him haul it home for his own wood stove. For the record, it's about 2 cords of wood he was able to take. I feel very very happy knowing that our friends will be warm and cozy for a month's time because of this, while I am enjoying freshly butchered chickens from their stock through the winter months. I am even happier that all our hard work (chopping wood) went to someone who does care about us, instead of to people who thought they were going to take advantage of our hard work and give the wood to the next tenants for free. (Um, no.)
****
Today was a trip into town (Fairbanks) for Beans' 9 month well-baby check up. That was kind of a waste of time, but for friends and family, she's happy and healthy, and I'll send all the details of her weight and development in separate and private emails. (Sorry folks, I am still a little freaked out about Internet weirdos.)
We also had to fix a nail in one of my tires. I tried to joke and tell J that we should leave it there, since studded tires will be allowed soon, but he didn't really appreciate my joke.
While we were in town, we looked at more guns. I just want to say that I feel like I am drowning in gun knowledge now. I never thought I would be the kind of chick who would ever even know what a 357 was, much less be able to discuss the differences and advantages between a 357 and a Ruger GP 100. Or think of flat tip bullets as "cool". Or sign up for information about the firing range and various classes they offer.
Um, seriously... prior to moving here, if J dragged me into a sports store, I spent my time looking at "pretty" fishing flies and decided which fishing and hiking boots would be fashionable with all the ugly gear he insisted I would need to go fishing with him. Now, I am discussing the advantages of an Alaskan Guide holster in comparison to a shoulder or hip holster.
After looking at guns (and for the record, the ones that were most practical were decidedly not "pretty"), I was in desperate need of something girly. So I went into the cold weather clothing section and found a handful of very-practical-but-still-cute layering clothes for the impending winter. This put me in a much better frame of mind (not to mention making me feel like I was still a woman). Between that and a latte, I was ready to finish our shopping and head home.
****
I mentioned before that we had our friends over to pick up wood and have dinner.
Last night, we dropped by their house around dinner time, when our landlord needed to show the house to a prospective renter. M's husband cooked up the BEST fresh salmon I have ever eaten in my entire life. Seriously... I will never eat store bought again.
And if our friends keep cooking like that, I am going to have to remember to conveniently need a place to go around dinner time more often.
We returned the favor this evening, and even though my homemade taco pizza (with chili and cumin crust) is really really good, it didn't compare to that salmon. But the company was great.
For me, there is something cathartic about donning my apron and busying myself with tasks of chopping veggies for salad or stirring a pot, while I share my warm kitchen with good company. M and I chatted in the kitchen, both of us with little babies in tow, while the men talked of men things (mostly what gun they think I should own) and the older kids played. Dinner was an informal sharing of laughter and story-telling, and just plain old companionship... something I desperately missed in my "lonely years" in Alabama.
I want to say this, too... it's rare to find a COUPLE that you and your spouse both enjoy spending time with. More often than not, the wife likes the other wife, but the husbands don't care for each other, or the husbands are good pals and the women have nothing in common. I LOVE that we have found friends that both of us can enjoy spending time with.
I was sad when our friends packed up to leave, acutely aware that we were establishing memories that we would be fondly looking back on when we move away to Delta Junction, and our visits are not as frequent as they are now. I spent a few moments in the cool evening air, watching a hard rain come down through the tall spruce and for a moment wished that everything had run a little more smoothly with our landlord. I'm really going to miss our new friends!
****
The agenda for the rest of the week is CRAZY BUSY. A trip to Delta tomorrow for groceries. You know you need to go when in one fell swoop, you run out of flour, salt, and sugar... not to mention the creature comforts of chocolate chips and fresh fruit.
I have to either stay in Delta Junction or make a return trip back, as J is working a mid-week overtime shift. (How silly is that???) The news from the housing office in Delta Junction will dictate my weekend. I'll either be packing stuff up to move next week, or spending a little leisurely time going through a few things in preparation for the following week.
I do have to say that I AM looking forward to my breakfast at the Diner tomorrow and when Sherry (one of the regulars down there) asks me like she does every time I stop in, "Have you given up on the city life yet? When are you coming down here?" I can give her the news.
And since we are going to be down there, I might as well start poking around in the fabric shop down there (The Calico Cow), you know, just to see what kind of stuff they have and how many adorable aprons I'll be able to make. Plus, I'll have to see if I'll need to stock up on my winter projects before snow hits and the roads are bad.
****
So... stay tuned for:
-landlord response
- moving day
- fabric report
and of course, our faithful "Moose Patrol" Count from our drive to Delta!
Until then...
Happy Moose Trails!
Meanwhile...
I'll tell ya, I really AIN'T gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more.
For real, old Bob knows what he's talking about.
Next, the times, for us, are indeed changing.
The latest (moose) poop scoop:
J and I did a little research. I love the Internet, because you can find all kinds of interesting things out that you would normally need a professional for. Like what your legal rights are as tenants. Or what is considered invasion of privacy. Or what grounds you have to legally terminate your lease. And a very nifty fact: that your landlord can not attempt to get you to move unless you are late on your rent (we are not), or doing something illegal (we are not). And that attempting to terminate your lease (AND listing it for rent prior to the term of your lease) ESPECIALLY in response to a maintenance request is a BIG no-no.
We double checked with an attorney, just to be sure. He agreed that we definitely have a good case, if our landlords decided to try to take legal action against us for leaving (which they have promised they will, if they can't get this place rented out again.)
After coming up with a four page list of grievances and politely typing out the Alaska Statutes governing those grievances (hey, why make them do their own research, right?), we gave 30 days notice.
Um, actually, we had a legal right to only give them 10 days. But we are nice people. Besides, we need a little time to pack all our gear and stuff and leave. And find a place.
So... looks like we are headed to Delta Junction after all. In about 2 weeks. I am relieved to be leaving our current situation, but entirely bummed to be leaving our new friends in North Pole. J has promised that he will allow me to come visit frequently, at least until gas hits over $7/gallon (so, like, next week, right?).
****
Meanwhile, as I'm sure you can all imagine, our landlords are TICKED. The wife portion called and insisted that we had no legal grounds for terminating the lease. And every time I pointed out the law and their actions, she told me I was "wrong". At one point, she even bragged that her husband already knows all the laws in Alaska because he's a cop.
OK. If he knows the law, maybe he should abide by them, right?
THAT particular conversation ruffled my sweet, southern feathers. And those of you who really do know me well will understand exactly what it looked like when I did something we southerners call "Breakin' Bad". Oh, I broke bad, all right. I went from Scarlet O'Hara (sweet and proper) to good old fashioned Al'bama trailer park trash faster than Coach Saban lost his fan club when he didn't lead Bama to the SEC Title he promised to deliver. (For those of you not into SEC football, shame on y'all. It was pretty fast. And for those of you who do follow SEC, War Eagle!)
Ah, I digress. (Imagine that.)
So, I broke bad. At one point, I think I even cussed her. And boy did she get MAD MAD MAD when I told her that I was going to file a complaint with the Alaska Housing Dept as well as file a complaint on base.
Hey, before you think I'm a total jerk... a lot of the fellas here are deploying like crazy, leaving behind wives and kids who will be fending for themselves through the winter months. I know what being left behind during deployment is like. The LAST thing a mom and wife need while trying to get through Alaska's winter without their loved one needs is a landlord who insists that you shouldn't need heat or takes their sweet time evicting voles and squirrels from the residence. If that makes me a jerk, then... I guess I'm a jerk.
ANYWAY... she completely flipped out about that. And after she told me in a VERY angry voice that I should go have a nice day, I told her I would, since in 30 days time, I wouldn't be living in her cruddy house anymore. (I told 'ya... I broke BAD, y'all.)
Her husband called my husband (she tattled on me), and I'm being punished. I'm not allowed to talk to her anymore. (Oh, gosh! I don't know if I can bear the punishment!) Apparently, I'm too mean.
The good news out of all this... her husband (the cop who knows all those laws) admitted that he saw our point, and where we felt they violated those laws. And even agreed that one of those points was a violation he could agree that we had grounds for.
They don't agree with our claims that they have not addressed our repair requests. Apparently they feel the issue of the vermin in our residence has been addressed. As well as several others.
And for the record, when he FINALLY got a professional out here to look at the heater, the professional said when the heater was installed by the do-it-your-selfer, um... he didn't install a very important piece.
Don't ask me what it was, I don't know. I'm not a heating repair guy, which is why I would never attempt to install a heater by myself, especially in a residence where my lack of knowledge would jeopardize another family's life.
Oh, and it was indeed causing diesel fumes in the house. And we were indeed rather smart to leave the house the night it filled with smoke.
So, the landlord's response? He is going to think about our notice for a few days, do some research, and get back to us to let us know what he thinks we should do.
Um, I'm not sure what that means.
Please, anyone out there smarter than me, correct me if I'm wrong, but notice is notice. It means "I'm leaving. Happy Moose Trails to all y'all. Good luck in your future endeavors. Don't the door hit ya in the... on the way out." RIGHT???
Riiiiight....
****
So, aside from THAT lovely drama, life has been good. We seem to have secured new housing, and will be able to find out our move-in date tomorrow. We had my friend and her husband come over this evening for dinner and loaded all the wood that we have been chopping and stacking into his trailer and let him haul it home for his own wood stove. For the record, it's about 2 cords of wood he was able to take. I feel very very happy knowing that our friends will be warm and cozy for a month's time because of this, while I am enjoying freshly butchered chickens from their stock through the winter months. I am even happier that all our hard work (chopping wood) went to someone who does care about us, instead of to people who thought they were going to take advantage of our hard work and give the wood to the next tenants for free. (Um, no.)
****
Today was a trip into town (Fairbanks) for Beans' 9 month well-baby check up. That was kind of a waste of time, but for friends and family, she's happy and healthy, and I'll send all the details of her weight and development in separate and private emails. (Sorry folks, I am still a little freaked out about Internet weirdos.)
We also had to fix a nail in one of my tires. I tried to joke and tell J that we should leave it there, since studded tires will be allowed soon, but he didn't really appreciate my joke.
While we were in town, we looked at more guns. I just want to say that I feel like I am drowning in gun knowledge now. I never thought I would be the kind of chick who would ever even know what a 357 was, much less be able to discuss the differences and advantages between a 357 and a Ruger GP 100. Or think of flat tip bullets as "cool". Or sign up for information about the firing range and various classes they offer.
Um, seriously... prior to moving here, if J dragged me into a sports store, I spent my time looking at "pretty" fishing flies and decided which fishing and hiking boots would be fashionable with all the ugly gear he insisted I would need to go fishing with him. Now, I am discussing the advantages of an Alaskan Guide holster in comparison to a shoulder or hip holster.
After looking at guns (and for the record, the ones that were most practical were decidedly not "pretty"), I was in desperate need of something girly. So I went into the cold weather clothing section and found a handful of very-practical-but-still-cute layering clothes for the impending winter. This put me in a much better frame of mind (not to mention making me feel like I was still a woman). Between that and a latte, I was ready to finish our shopping and head home.
****
I mentioned before that we had our friends over to pick up wood and have dinner.
Last night, we dropped by their house around dinner time, when our landlord needed to show the house to a prospective renter. M's husband cooked up the BEST fresh salmon I have ever eaten in my entire life. Seriously... I will never eat store bought again.
And if our friends keep cooking like that, I am going to have to remember to conveniently need a place to go around dinner time more often.
We returned the favor this evening, and even though my homemade taco pizza (with chili and cumin crust) is really really good, it didn't compare to that salmon. But the company was great.
For me, there is something cathartic about donning my apron and busying myself with tasks of chopping veggies for salad or stirring a pot, while I share my warm kitchen with good company. M and I chatted in the kitchen, both of us with little babies in tow, while the men talked of men things (mostly what gun they think I should own) and the older kids played. Dinner was an informal sharing of laughter and story-telling, and just plain old companionship... something I desperately missed in my "lonely years" in Alabama.
I want to say this, too... it's rare to find a COUPLE that you and your spouse both enjoy spending time with. More often than not, the wife likes the other wife, but the husbands don't care for each other, or the husbands are good pals and the women have nothing in common. I LOVE that we have found friends that both of us can enjoy spending time with.
I was sad when our friends packed up to leave, acutely aware that we were establishing memories that we would be fondly looking back on when we move away to Delta Junction, and our visits are not as frequent as they are now. I spent a few moments in the cool evening air, watching a hard rain come down through the tall spruce and for a moment wished that everything had run a little more smoothly with our landlord. I'm really going to miss our new friends!
****
The agenda for the rest of the week is CRAZY BUSY. A trip to Delta tomorrow for groceries. You know you need to go when in one fell swoop, you run out of flour, salt, and sugar... not to mention the creature comforts of chocolate chips and fresh fruit.
I have to either stay in Delta Junction or make a return trip back, as J is working a mid-week overtime shift. (How silly is that???) The news from the housing office in Delta Junction will dictate my weekend. I'll either be packing stuff up to move next week, or spending a little leisurely time going through a few things in preparation for the following week.
I do have to say that I AM looking forward to my breakfast at the Diner tomorrow and when Sherry (one of the regulars down there) asks me like she does every time I stop in, "Have you given up on the city life yet? When are you coming down here?" I can give her the news.
And since we are going to be down there, I might as well start poking around in the fabric shop down there (The Calico Cow), you know, just to see what kind of stuff they have and how many adorable aprons I'll be able to make. Plus, I'll have to see if I'll need to stock up on my winter projects before snow hits and the roads are bad.
****
So... stay tuned for:
-landlord response
- moving day
- fabric report
and of course, our faithful "Moose Patrol" Count from our drive to Delta!
Until then...
Happy Moose Trails!
Meanwhile...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Just not feeling nice anymore
Which tends to happen when I am cold.
WHY am I cold?
You guessed it. The heater still does not work. Even though the landlord left yesterday with promises that it was running and assured me that it was completely normal to smell diesel fuel while it runs. This morning, the house was a chilly 58 degrees and Beans and I were snuggling under the winter blankets for warmth.
And (surprise, surprise), when my landlord finally called me back, he actually asked me if I WANTED him to come look at it today, or if it could wait. This is after his wife insisted that we shouldn't even need the heat.
For those of you who don't live in Alaska (or in the interior), I just want to say that I could see my breath outside today. Um, ya... I (expletive deleted) want you to come look at it TODAY!
So, after another afternoon of waiting around and choking on diesel fuel fumes while smoke detectors went off in the middle of Beans' nap, I began to lose my patience. (Can any of you imagine why?)
While my landlord was standing here talking to me (instead of fixing the heater), I was googling our rights as tenants, and chatting away with him while I copied and pasted the many many many (well, like, four) violations of Alaskan Statutes they have committed into a letter that will be sent to the via certified mail this week, along with 30 days notice. (And no, I really don't give a flying, um, squirrel, if you have another tenant by then or not!)
You read that right. We've lost all patience. The search for another place to live has begun. I read my letter to my sweet husband who told me I'm so smart and awesome and that I should be an attorney.
I won't name this friend, but I was also strongly advised to just slip away under darkness of night. Which I would do, if waiting for darkness of night didn't mean having to stay here for three more months until it gets dark.
HA! I crack myself up! You gotta admit, that's funny. *grin*
Ah, I digress...
So, my "meanness" doesn't end there today. While I was happily typing my "intent to vacate" letter, my landlord began apologizing that these issues were taking so long to resolve.
For the record, when he left he once again told me I should expect diesel fumes and smoke, and tomorrow he would have a professional come look at the thing. He said, "I'm sorry". And you know how that phrase elicits a knee-jerk reaction to say "That's OK"? Well, I did. Then I looked up from typing my letter and said, "Well, actually it's NOT OK, but somehow we'll manage to get through the day. Like we have gotten through this whole week." Then smiled sweetly and asked him to see himself out, since I was busy typing a very important letter.
You know, I just want to say that I AM a very very very nice person. I REALLY hate when someone else's actions (or lack of) makes it necessary for me to get mean.
ANYHOO...
Catching a glimpse of my computer screen must have inspired some action on his part because shortly after I found our house listed on Craigslist, available Sept 1st.
First, I wonder if this means I should be looking for a new place? (Like I wasn't already???)
Second, the ad made me laugh so hard that I spent the next 20 minutes cleaning coffee off the screen, as I spewed it out of my nose.
Listed in the ad, "Moose and Squirrels frequently visit the yard... truly Alaskan!" or something to that effect.
Um, moose DO visit the yard. The squirrels live in the HOUSE, not the yard, and maybe they should disclose that information.
I also noted that they hiked the rent up by $100. I guess the squirrels cost extra.
Also making me giggle was that the landlord mentioned the wood stove as the alternate heat source and said there was wood already split and stacked available for use.
Um... should I tell then NOW that I already promised the wood to a dear friend of mine? In exchange for chickens. And I desperately want those chickens. And that she (the landlord, not my dear friend) really must be a loony bird if she thinks we cut, split, and stacked that wood for someone else to take for free? Yeah... not so much.
Hmm... maybe I should offer to sell it to her, for a fee. The going rate on a cord of wood is about $250 now.
Nah. I'd rather have chickens, and see that my friend is warm and toasty all winter.
*****
On another note, I encourage every reader to check out the comments others leave for Moose Nuggets. I LOVE the input that all of you leave. I was particularly giggling about how squirrels in the south get pellets to the butt. And if you love my blog, please send the link to others or encourage others to check it out! The comments on my last blog entry really brightened my day and made my heart warm (while the rest of me is still cold and adding layers for warmth.)
OK. Enough shameless soliciting...
****
Have I mentioned yet how happy I am that my sweetheart is coming home tomorrow? I'm a tough cookie, and perfectly capable of handling business, but it sure will be nice to have someone else here to deal with our squirrel-hugging, no-heat-needing landlords.
*sigh*
The Moose Trail feels a little long and lonely today. I think I'm going to make some hot cocoa and snuggle up with Beans while reading library books.
****
For Family and Friends:
Beans is possibly the smartest baby in the universe. I showed her a picture of a duck today (in one of her library books) and she said, "duck duck duck duck", and laughed hysterically while I clapped, danced and cheered. I also showed her a picture of a goat and she tried to mimic my goat sounds, "mah-ah-ah-ah-ah", and laughed when I (finally) caught on that she was trying to make goat sounds with me. She also tried to "hee-haw" like the donkey, which was totally adorable.
When I laughed at her, she got a VERY serious look on her face and told me, "No, no, no, DON'T!" (which is also a favorite phrase during diaper changes or when she is caught trying to eat pine needles or the stray bug that makes it into the house.) Yup, she's pretty brilliant!
***
OK. off for hot cocoa and snuggles. Until the next time,
Happy Moose Trails!
WHY am I cold?
You guessed it. The heater still does not work. Even though the landlord left yesterday with promises that it was running and assured me that it was completely normal to smell diesel fuel while it runs. This morning, the house was a chilly 58 degrees and Beans and I were snuggling under the winter blankets for warmth.
And (surprise, surprise), when my landlord finally called me back, he actually asked me if I WANTED him to come look at it today, or if it could wait. This is after his wife insisted that we shouldn't even need the heat.
For those of you who don't live in Alaska (or in the interior), I just want to say that I could see my breath outside today. Um, ya... I (expletive deleted) want you to come look at it TODAY!
So, after another afternoon of waiting around and choking on diesel fuel fumes while smoke detectors went off in the middle of Beans' nap, I began to lose my patience. (Can any of you imagine why?)
While my landlord was standing here talking to me (instead of fixing the heater), I was googling our rights as tenants, and chatting away with him while I copied and pasted the many many many (well, like, four) violations of Alaskan Statutes they have committed into a letter that will be sent to the via certified mail this week, along with 30 days notice. (And no, I really don't give a flying, um, squirrel, if you have another tenant by then or not!)
You read that right. We've lost all patience. The search for another place to live has begun. I read my letter to my sweet husband who told me I'm so smart and awesome and that I should be an attorney.
I won't name this friend, but I was also strongly advised to just slip away under darkness of night. Which I would do, if waiting for darkness of night didn't mean having to stay here for three more months until it gets dark.
HA! I crack myself up! You gotta admit, that's funny. *grin*
Ah, I digress...
So, my "meanness" doesn't end there today. While I was happily typing my "intent to vacate" letter, my landlord began apologizing that these issues were taking so long to resolve.
For the record, when he left he once again told me I should expect diesel fumes and smoke, and tomorrow he would have a professional come look at the thing. He said, "I'm sorry". And you know how that phrase elicits a knee-jerk reaction to say "That's OK"? Well, I did. Then I looked up from typing my letter and said, "Well, actually it's NOT OK, but somehow we'll manage to get through the day. Like we have gotten through this whole week." Then smiled sweetly and asked him to see himself out, since I was busy typing a very important letter.
You know, I just want to say that I AM a very very very nice person. I REALLY hate when someone else's actions (or lack of) makes it necessary for me to get mean.
ANYHOO...
Catching a glimpse of my computer screen must have inspired some action on his part because shortly after I found our house listed on Craigslist, available Sept 1st.
First, I wonder if this means I should be looking for a new place? (Like I wasn't already???)
Second, the ad made me laugh so hard that I spent the next 20 minutes cleaning coffee off the screen, as I spewed it out of my nose.
Listed in the ad, "Moose and Squirrels frequently visit the yard... truly Alaskan!" or something to that effect.
Um, moose DO visit the yard. The squirrels live in the HOUSE, not the yard, and maybe they should disclose that information.
I also noted that they hiked the rent up by $100. I guess the squirrels cost extra.
Also making me giggle was that the landlord mentioned the wood stove as the alternate heat source and said there was wood already split and stacked available for use.
Um... should I tell then NOW that I already promised the wood to a dear friend of mine? In exchange for chickens. And I desperately want those chickens. And that she (the landlord, not my dear friend) really must be a loony bird if she thinks we cut, split, and stacked that wood for someone else to take for free? Yeah... not so much.
Hmm... maybe I should offer to sell it to her, for a fee. The going rate on a cord of wood is about $250 now.
Nah. I'd rather have chickens, and see that my friend is warm and toasty all winter.
*****
On another note, I encourage every reader to check out the comments others leave for Moose Nuggets. I LOVE the input that all of you leave. I was particularly giggling about how squirrels in the south get pellets to the butt. And if you love my blog, please send the link to others or encourage others to check it out! The comments on my last blog entry really brightened my day and made my heart warm (while the rest of me is still cold and adding layers for warmth.)
OK. Enough shameless soliciting...
****
Have I mentioned yet how happy I am that my sweetheart is coming home tomorrow? I'm a tough cookie, and perfectly capable of handling business, but it sure will be nice to have someone else here to deal with our squirrel-hugging, no-heat-needing landlords.
*sigh*
The Moose Trail feels a little long and lonely today. I think I'm going to make some hot cocoa and snuggle up with Beans while reading library books.
****
For Family and Friends:
Beans is possibly the smartest baby in the universe. I showed her a picture of a duck today (in one of her library books) and she said, "duck duck duck duck", and laughed hysterically while I clapped, danced and cheered. I also showed her a picture of a goat and she tried to mimic my goat sounds, "mah-ah-ah-ah-ah", and laughed when I (finally) caught on that she was trying to make goat sounds with me. She also tried to "hee-haw" like the donkey, which was totally adorable.
When I laughed at her, she got a VERY serious look on her face and told me, "No, no, no, DON'T!" (which is also a favorite phrase during diaper changes or when she is caught trying to eat pine needles or the stray bug that makes it into the house.) Yup, she's pretty brilliant!
***
OK. off for hot cocoa and snuggles. Until the next time,
Happy Moose Trails!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
All this, over squirrels...
What a weekend!
So... where to begin?
The squirrel saga continues. Only this time, it's over so much more than just squirrels.
The new heater was installed this weekend, but not before it puffed white and blue clouds of smoke through the house and gassed me, Beans, M, and her children. Oh, that was fun. Especially when everyone started to feel icky and J's reaction was to send me and Beans to a hotel in Delta Junction for the night and call the landlord and ask questions.
Oh, boy. Let the fun begin.
Long story short, after everyone was in a tizzy, it ended with the landlord (husband part) calling and asking if we wanted to get out of our lease. (Well, DUH! Of course we do!) And with me making a two hour trip to Delta Junction to get absolutely NO sleep, since Beans thought hotel life was incredibly exciting. The good thing that came of it? J, being the best husband on the planet, made sure that a Hagen-Daaz chocolate almond coated coffee ice cream bar (and a few other "necessities") were in the room waiting for me.
Just when I thought life was good again, Beans decided to do a flying headbutt kick flip into and over the coffee table (that's a crazy kungfu ninja kick she knows, seriously, the girl has mad skills). This ninja warrior move ended with blood spraying from her mouth and her screaming baby-obscenities (and me screaming grown-up ones) at the coffee table. Poor girl decided right them and there that NO, mommy CAN NOT AND WILL NOT look at the owie, and mommy CAN AND WILL nurse me RIGHT NOW. After about 5 minutes of that, both Beans and my boob were covered in blood and it looked like a war zone in the hotel room. She split the inside of her lip pretty good, but eventually decided she was all better,and went back to practicing her ninja moves.
This morning, I followed up with the landlord and the offer to get out of the lease is not without strings. *sigh* I KNEW it was too good to be true. Without getting too in depth with it, the long and short is that they need to get new tenants before we leave, as they can't afford for the place to sit vacant. Hmmm... well, while I don't really feel like that's MY problem, we agreed that they could try to find another tenant. If so, they'll give us 30 days notice. We DID say that we will NOT move after October. If they haven't found another tenant by then, we'll just finish out our lease where we are, to avoid moving through snow, sleet, freezing temps. Yeah, we're PEOPLE, not postal workers. (Although if I don't shoot that squirrel soon, I might consider a winter move after all.)
This decision was not reached without some considerable, um, what's the word I'm looking for? Hmm... argument. Lots of stressful argument. And several, "I'll have to call you back in a little while because if I keep talking, my head is going to explode and I'm going to tell you how stupid I think you are" moments.
****
Hmph. I returned home to find my landlord still working on the heater. The house smells like a gas station, you know, like near the diesel pumps. Oh, and smoke. Like exhaust smoke. And I sort of feel the way I used to when I was smoking dope in high school. Very, very, very high. But he (the landlord) assures me that it's safe to stay here.
I'm (almost) sure he's telling the truth and not trying to kill me. After all, if they kill me, they still won't have another tenant, right?
Oh, and the wife portion of the landlords is not speaking to me. For the record, I am TOTALLY OK with that.
****
So, for people who don't actually personally know me or have reason to be concerned with the fact that I have been fumigated out of my own home, the day's lesson is this: Never ever ever ever ever ever ever sign a lease without seeing a place first. And asking lots of questions about how repairs and maintenance will be handled. And whether or not there are squirrel-huggers in the family or neighborhood.
And for anyone relocating to Fairbanks/North Pole... I know a rental that is available. If you are interested, just send me an email. I'll happily forward your information along to my landlord.
For Family and Friends (who do actually know us personally): Seriously, folks, we ARE ok. We are not homeless, not going to be homeless, not being evicted or anything crazy like that. We are not going to have to live in an abandoned bus or cardboard box in the middle of winter here. We are seriously relieved that we were offered. We will send a forwarding address (to most of you, anyway). No idea who, what, where, when, why, or how... but y'all know us, we always figure it out. If God is for us, only the squirrel huggers can be against us, right? Really... we're going to be fine. We'll probably be heading down to Delta Junction, closer to J's job, even though I have been forbidden to do so by my friend M, and I know she's secretly (or not so secretly) praying that God makes it work out so that we have to stay in North Pole. (And you thought I didn't know! Teehee!)
****
In other news:
Most of my other news is scenic... I've never driven to Delta in the evening time until last night. And even through my annoyed state and diesel fume headache, the drive was really stunning. I passed a handful of moose, including one momma with a baby who looked like it was still trying to get used to his walking legs and not his womb legs. Seriously, this poor little thing looked so gangly, awkward and new, I just wanted to go kiss his cute little moose nose. Obviously I didn't, because the mother would have trampled me to death, but this little guy was just adorable.
In other Moose Watch News, I was greeted at the hotel doors by one, standing not more than 5 feet from the entrance, happily munching on grass. (Um, I avoided the moose and the very dumb, very drunk tourist taking pictures WITH a flash, and used the back entry door for the hotel.)
And then another moose on the drive home today had me cracking up. As I was driving down the road, I noticed a weird shaped "log" in a roadside pond. Getting closer, I discovered it was NOT a log, but a moose, neck deep in the water, taking a bath and watching the cars go by.
ANYHOO....
The mountains were MOST spectacular. I felt like I was driving somewhere I had never been before, as many of the mountains have lost their snow caps and are lush, green, rolling hills now. Until I got into Delta, that is, where the mountains in the distance still look like the drawings of glacier mountains you see on water bottles, icy and snow covered.
The clouds were low and gray last night, casting a "twilight"-esque hue over the mountains. An eagle flew over head near the Tanana River, and as much as I would have liked to stop to watch, I pressed on to the hotel, exhausted.
Speaking of twilight... um, we still don't really have any. I caught a very tiny glimpse of what ALMOST looked like a sunset the other night, but it still stayed too light out to really "set".
AND, I saw something the other day that stopped me in my tracks. For the first time since I've moved to Alaska, I saw the MOON! Granted, it was in the daytime sky, but its presence surprised me, and reminded me that fall and winter will soon be approaching.
For those back in the lower 48, we have a little over 18 hours of daylight still. The sun "sets" around 11 or 11:30 these days, and rises around 4 or 4:30. I'll have to pay attention to the Great Loss of Daylight announcement on the news tomorrow for a more accurate time for you.
I do have to say that I am really looking forward to a "normal" day, where the sun rises at a "normal" time, and sets at a "normal" time, and where we actually have a sunrise and sunset. I know, I know, it will be short-lived, then I'll be in the dark and craving daylight again, but I AM looking forward to the longer nights!
Speaking of nights and dark- I have been told that aurora season is coming! From what I've been told, the Northern Lights get very active in August, though you do have to stay up pretty late to catch them (because the days are still long). But I am SO excited!
****
OK. That's my news from OUR moose trails. Beans is now protesting bed, and I'm going to go kiss her poor little swollen lip.
Until the next adventure...
Happy Moose Trails!
So... where to begin?
The squirrel saga continues. Only this time, it's over so much more than just squirrels.
The new heater was installed this weekend, but not before it puffed white and blue clouds of smoke through the house and gassed me, Beans, M, and her children. Oh, that was fun. Especially when everyone started to feel icky and J's reaction was to send me and Beans to a hotel in Delta Junction for the night and call the landlord and ask questions.
Oh, boy. Let the fun begin.
Long story short, after everyone was in a tizzy, it ended with the landlord (husband part) calling and asking if we wanted to get out of our lease. (Well, DUH! Of course we do!) And with me making a two hour trip to Delta Junction to get absolutely NO sleep, since Beans thought hotel life was incredibly exciting. The good thing that came of it? J, being the best husband on the planet, made sure that a Hagen-Daaz chocolate almond coated coffee ice cream bar (and a few other "necessities") were in the room waiting for me.
Just when I thought life was good again, Beans decided to do a flying headbutt kick flip into and over the coffee table (that's a crazy kungfu ninja kick she knows, seriously, the girl has mad skills). This ninja warrior move ended with blood spraying from her mouth and her screaming baby-obscenities (and me screaming grown-up ones) at the coffee table. Poor girl decided right them and there that NO, mommy CAN NOT AND WILL NOT look at the owie, and mommy CAN AND WILL nurse me RIGHT NOW. After about 5 minutes of that, both Beans and my boob were covered in blood and it looked like a war zone in the hotel room. She split the inside of her lip pretty good, but eventually decided she was all better,and went back to practicing her ninja moves.
This morning, I followed up with the landlord and the offer to get out of the lease is not without strings. *sigh* I KNEW it was too good to be true. Without getting too in depth with it, the long and short is that they need to get new tenants before we leave, as they can't afford for the place to sit vacant. Hmmm... well, while I don't really feel like that's MY problem, we agreed that they could try to find another tenant. If so, they'll give us 30 days notice. We DID say that we will NOT move after October. If they haven't found another tenant by then, we'll just finish out our lease where we are, to avoid moving through snow, sleet, freezing temps. Yeah, we're PEOPLE, not postal workers. (Although if I don't shoot that squirrel soon, I might consider a winter move after all.)
This decision was not reached without some considerable, um, what's the word I'm looking for? Hmm... argument. Lots of stressful argument. And several, "I'll have to call you back in a little while because if I keep talking, my head is going to explode and I'm going to tell you how stupid I think you are" moments.
****
Hmph. I returned home to find my landlord still working on the heater. The house smells like a gas station, you know, like near the diesel pumps. Oh, and smoke. Like exhaust smoke. And I sort of feel the way I used to when I was smoking dope in high school. Very, very, very high. But he (the landlord) assures me that it's safe to stay here.
I'm (almost) sure he's telling the truth and not trying to kill me. After all, if they kill me, they still won't have another tenant, right?
Oh, and the wife portion of the landlords is not speaking to me. For the record, I am TOTALLY OK with that.
****
So, for people who don't actually personally know me or have reason to be concerned with the fact that I have been fumigated out of my own home, the day's lesson is this: Never ever ever ever ever ever ever sign a lease without seeing a place first. And asking lots of questions about how repairs and maintenance will be handled. And whether or not there are squirrel-huggers in the family or neighborhood.
And for anyone relocating to Fairbanks/North Pole... I know a rental that is available. If you are interested, just send me an email. I'll happily forward your information along to my landlord.
For Family and Friends (who do actually know us personally): Seriously, folks, we ARE ok. We are not homeless, not going to be homeless, not being evicted or anything crazy like that. We are not going to have to live in an abandoned bus or cardboard box in the middle of winter here. We are seriously relieved that we were offered. We will send a forwarding address (to most of you, anyway). No idea who, what, where, when, why, or how... but y'all know us, we always figure it out. If God is for us, only the squirrel huggers can be against us, right? Really... we're going to be fine. We'll probably be heading down to Delta Junction, closer to J's job, even though I have been forbidden to do so by my friend M, and I know she's secretly (or not so secretly) praying that God makes it work out so that we have to stay in North Pole. (And you thought I didn't know! Teehee!)
****
In other news:
Most of my other news is scenic... I've never driven to Delta in the evening time until last night. And even through my annoyed state and diesel fume headache, the drive was really stunning. I passed a handful of moose, including one momma with a baby who looked like it was still trying to get used to his walking legs and not his womb legs. Seriously, this poor little thing looked so gangly, awkward and new, I just wanted to go kiss his cute little moose nose. Obviously I didn't, because the mother would have trampled me to death, but this little guy was just adorable.
In other Moose Watch News, I was greeted at the hotel doors by one, standing not more than 5 feet from the entrance, happily munching on grass. (Um, I avoided the moose and the very dumb, very drunk tourist taking pictures WITH a flash, and used the back entry door for the hotel.)
And then another moose on the drive home today had me cracking up. As I was driving down the road, I noticed a weird shaped "log" in a roadside pond. Getting closer, I discovered it was NOT a log, but a moose, neck deep in the water, taking a bath and watching the cars go by.
ANYHOO....
The mountains were MOST spectacular. I felt like I was driving somewhere I had never been before, as many of the mountains have lost their snow caps and are lush, green, rolling hills now. Until I got into Delta, that is, where the mountains in the distance still look like the drawings of glacier mountains you see on water bottles, icy and snow covered.
The clouds were low and gray last night, casting a "twilight"-esque hue over the mountains. An eagle flew over head near the Tanana River, and as much as I would have liked to stop to watch, I pressed on to the hotel, exhausted.
Speaking of twilight... um, we still don't really have any. I caught a very tiny glimpse of what ALMOST looked like a sunset the other night, but it still stayed too light out to really "set".
AND, I saw something the other day that stopped me in my tracks. For the first time since I've moved to Alaska, I saw the MOON! Granted, it was in the daytime sky, but its presence surprised me, and reminded me that fall and winter will soon be approaching.
For those back in the lower 48, we have a little over 18 hours of daylight still. The sun "sets" around 11 or 11:30 these days, and rises around 4 or 4:30. I'll have to pay attention to the Great Loss of Daylight announcement on the news tomorrow for a more accurate time for you.
I do have to say that I am really looking forward to a "normal" day, where the sun rises at a "normal" time, and sets at a "normal" time, and where we actually have a sunrise and sunset. I know, I know, it will be short-lived, then I'll be in the dark and craving daylight again, but I AM looking forward to the longer nights!
Speaking of nights and dark- I have been told that aurora season is coming! From what I've been told, the Northern Lights get very active in August, though you do have to stay up pretty late to catch them (because the days are still long). But I am SO excited!
****
OK. That's my news from OUR moose trails. Beans is now protesting bed, and I'm going to go kiss her poor little swollen lip.
Until the next adventure...
Happy Moose Trails!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Berries
I just want to say that the berries are beginning to ripen. After hanging out at M's house and seeing that several of her wild raspberry bushes had some ripe berries, I did a better inspection of my own berry patch and discovered a handful of ripe ones, with several more looking like they will ripen this week.
SO much tastier than the things you can buy at the store, by the way!
Earlier this week, I also bought a plant identification guide as well as a pocket guide to edible plants in Alaska. I wandered through the property and discovered we actually have several useful things growing in the mess that we call our "yard". High bush Cranberries, for one. Also lots of rose hips, and some other berry that I am going to take to the co-op to have someone identify for me. From what I understand, there is only ONE poisonous/non edible berry in Alaska, and I'm pretty sure this thing is not a bane berry.
****
Speaking of "earlier this week", I have been BUSY BUSY BUSY, which is why we are short on blog entries.
J came home on Monday and after speaking to several other "locals", we heard the same advice, "Never ever ever ever go walking in the places you went walking without being armed again." We heard several stories of a few "local" grizzlies that wander through North Pole late at night and plenty of black and brown bear stories to cause slight concern. And most of these stories were from fairly reputable sources. Only one was from someone I would consider to be missing a few screws.
So, we spent Monday in town, doing a little gun shopping. We didn't buy anything yet, but we are looking into a good rifle or shotgun for J, and a sidearm for me. (Something tells me I am in more danger with a rifle slung over my shoulder and Beans in the backpack than I am with bears wandering around!). I'm ALMOST decided on a 357, J is convinced he needs a 12 gauge, to blow any bear to pieces.
****
Tuesday was a day for playing catch-up, and Wednesday, after stopping by M's to play for a bit, was a trip back into town- to take J to the Farmer's Market. We found LOTS of goodies there (mostly overpriced, but we were caught up in the tourist trap of all our things being "worth the cost"), and spent plenty of money. We came home and made salads chock-full of organic veggies with weird names like "kohlrabi" and "swiss chard"... most of them were pretty good, and we followed it up with a delicious piece of strawberry-rhubarb cake made by a little Russian lady from Delta Junction. Oh, YUM.
Playing with M and the kids was fun, too. We melted down a bunch of old crayons and made those neat multi-colored ones, and M and I got to catch up on our chatting while the kids all behaved pretty well. We picked fresh strawberries from her yard, a couple of the ripe raspberries, and meandered through the yard, identifying useful and pretty plants. My little Alaskan friends had asked me to bring a jar of shark's teeth I had collected from my years of living near beaches, and I had a really good time showing them off and teaching them about them.
****
Thursday J and I both had some form of Summer Cabin Fever. Neither of us were in the mood to work on home projects so we loaded up the van, put Beans in the car seat, and headed south on Parks Hwy. (For those back home, Parks Hwy goes from Anchorage to Fairbanks.)
It's a beautiful drive through the mountains, and in some places, we were actually looking down through the clouds! The scenery is amazing, and we stopped to snap some pictures along the way.
About an hour down the road, you come up on the small town of Nenana. Originally a Native Village, missionaries built a foster home/boarding school and set up shop there. The church and grounds are still there, but mainly just for tourists now. (The school is no longer active.) There is a small railroad depot (with a museum) and a small cultural center, where we found lots of interesting facts about the Native tribes in the area and what the area was used for over the years. (Fishing, dog sledding, and hunting mostly, until the railroad came through.)
We had a good time poking around and then stopped in for lunch at Brandi's Diner, which was definitely worth the time and money. We had fried cod (and "chips", of course!), and good company. The town is friendly, and since there are only around 500 people living in the town, they are curious about passer-throughs like us.
Beans (of course) impressed everyone, and while she was busy flirting with waitresses and other patrons, we got to chat with an older couple that have been road-tripping for the last 2 months in a conversion van.
The drive home was just as beautiful as the drive there. We got home later than we planned, but it was well worth it.
J and I finished off our week together with watching the movie "Into the Wild", which I think all my friends in the lower 48 should see.
****
This weekend I am hoping to just play catch-up on all the things I neglected to do this week.
We'll see what happens.
Next week, a trip to Delta Junction is in store, and who knows where our other adventures will take us.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Shhhh...... the squirrel score- Squirrels:2, Humans 1.
I just want to say that we thought our neighbors would be supportive of our efforts to rid the house of squirrels. Apparently, they are avid squirrel lovers themselves, and protested when we pulled out the pellet gun. (A nifty little thing, too! Looks like a pistol and you can buy pointed pellets so they work like miniature bullets.)
The only thing worse in my book than a bunny-hugger is a squirrel-hugger.
Seriously. Our whole neighborhood is squirrel crazy!
One squirrel met his maker this week, while the rest of our neighbors were at work. I am patiently waiting for a clear shot at the rest of them, but I will say this. The squirrels DO seem to be a little more cautious about coming into our yard these days.
OK. Landlords are installing a new furnace today. Maybe the new one will be a bit more efficient.
Meanwhile, Beans needs a nap and I need a shower. Until next time,
Happy Moose Trails!
SO much tastier than the things you can buy at the store, by the way!
Earlier this week, I also bought a plant identification guide as well as a pocket guide to edible plants in Alaska. I wandered through the property and discovered we actually have several useful things growing in the mess that we call our "yard". High bush Cranberries, for one. Also lots of rose hips, and some other berry that I am going to take to the co-op to have someone identify for me. From what I understand, there is only ONE poisonous/non edible berry in Alaska, and I'm pretty sure this thing is not a bane berry.
****
Speaking of "earlier this week", I have been BUSY BUSY BUSY, which is why we are short on blog entries.
J came home on Monday and after speaking to several other "locals", we heard the same advice, "Never ever ever ever go walking in the places you went walking without being armed again." We heard several stories of a few "local" grizzlies that wander through North Pole late at night and plenty of black and brown bear stories to cause slight concern. And most of these stories were from fairly reputable sources. Only one was from someone I would consider to be missing a few screws.
So, we spent Monday in town, doing a little gun shopping. We didn't buy anything yet, but we are looking into a good rifle or shotgun for J, and a sidearm for me. (Something tells me I am in more danger with a rifle slung over my shoulder and Beans in the backpack than I am with bears wandering around!). I'm ALMOST decided on a 357, J is convinced he needs a 12 gauge, to blow any bear to pieces.
****
Tuesday was a day for playing catch-up, and Wednesday, after stopping by M's to play for a bit, was a trip back into town- to take J to the Farmer's Market. We found LOTS of goodies there (mostly overpriced, but we were caught up in the tourist trap of all our things being "worth the cost"), and spent plenty of money. We came home and made salads chock-full of organic veggies with weird names like "kohlrabi" and "swiss chard"... most of them were pretty good, and we followed it up with a delicious piece of strawberry-rhubarb cake made by a little Russian lady from Delta Junction. Oh, YUM.
Playing with M and the kids was fun, too. We melted down a bunch of old crayons and made those neat multi-colored ones, and M and I got to catch up on our chatting while the kids all behaved pretty well. We picked fresh strawberries from her yard, a couple of the ripe raspberries, and meandered through the yard, identifying useful and pretty plants. My little Alaskan friends had asked me to bring a jar of shark's teeth I had collected from my years of living near beaches, and I had a really good time showing them off and teaching them about them.
****
Thursday J and I both had some form of Summer Cabin Fever. Neither of us were in the mood to work on home projects so we loaded up the van, put Beans in the car seat, and headed south on Parks Hwy. (For those back home, Parks Hwy goes from Anchorage to Fairbanks.)
It's a beautiful drive through the mountains, and in some places, we were actually looking down through the clouds! The scenery is amazing, and we stopped to snap some pictures along the way.
About an hour down the road, you come up on the small town of Nenana. Originally a Native Village, missionaries built a foster home/boarding school and set up shop there. The church and grounds are still there, but mainly just for tourists now. (The school is no longer active.) There is a small railroad depot (with a museum) and a small cultural center, where we found lots of interesting facts about the Native tribes in the area and what the area was used for over the years. (Fishing, dog sledding, and hunting mostly, until the railroad came through.)
We had a good time poking around and then stopped in for lunch at Brandi's Diner, which was definitely worth the time and money. We had fried cod (and "chips", of course!), and good company. The town is friendly, and since there are only around 500 people living in the town, they are curious about passer-throughs like us.
Beans (of course) impressed everyone, and while she was busy flirting with waitresses and other patrons, we got to chat with an older couple that have been road-tripping for the last 2 months in a conversion van.
The drive home was just as beautiful as the drive there. We got home later than we planned, but it was well worth it.
J and I finished off our week together with watching the movie "Into the Wild", which I think all my friends in the lower 48 should see.
****
This weekend I am hoping to just play catch-up on all the things I neglected to do this week.
We'll see what happens.
Next week, a trip to Delta Junction is in store, and who knows where our other adventures will take us.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Shhhh...... the squirrel score- Squirrels:2, Humans 1.
I just want to say that we thought our neighbors would be supportive of our efforts to rid the house of squirrels. Apparently, they are avid squirrel lovers themselves, and protested when we pulled out the pellet gun. (A nifty little thing, too! Looks like a pistol and you can buy pointed pellets so they work like miniature bullets.)
The only thing worse in my book than a bunny-hugger is a squirrel-hugger.
Seriously. Our whole neighborhood is squirrel crazy!
One squirrel met his maker this week, while the rest of our neighbors were at work. I am patiently waiting for a clear shot at the rest of them, but I will say this. The squirrels DO seem to be a little more cautious about coming into our yard these days.
OK. Landlords are installing a new furnace today. Maybe the new one will be a bit more efficient.
Meanwhile, Beans needs a nap and I need a shower. Until next time,
Happy Moose Trails!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Squirrel Catch, Take 2
OH FOR THE LOVE OF PETE.
Bushy was captured. Her Stupid Little Squirrel Babies or boyfriend or whoever she has shacking up in the roof with her are still here.
Last night, they were rather disappointed that their fearless leader went missing, so they spent the entire night tormenting me with running up and down the walls and running the length of the house. And if that wasn't bad enough, right before I dozed off, I heard the most dreaded noise: scratching INSIDE the house, not the walls. I flipped the lights on, rushed to the scene of the crime (which involved standing on my dresser, since the scratching was coming from on top of a closet in my bedroom) and while I didn't discover the the little critter, I DID discover the little critter's NEST. IN THE HOUSE.
Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I love wildlife. Outside. Where it belongs.
So... another call to the landlord. You know, usually I am nice and don't say mean things on my blog (you never know who will stumble upon your writings), but enough is enough.
They came back and set the stupid squirrel trap back up and sealed off the visible squirrel entries to the house. And when I asked about the INDOOR varmint, um... the wife portion even kind of chucked as she told me I could get some mouse traps, as it was probably a vole.
First, I don't care what kind of critter it is. I want it out of my bedroom. Strike that. I want it out of my house. The varmint is lucky I don't ask it to leave Alaska.
Second, I don't own this house. Varmint trapping is not my job.
Third, I am done being nice. They asked me not to kill Bushy. They didn't say anything about the rest of the critters that come through the yard (and, um, the HOUSE.)
Fourth, it is probably not a wise idea to chuckle at a southern girl when she asks you to remove mice, vole, or squirrel from the home. It's good way to ensure buck shot holes in your walls, since 30-ought buck shot is MY idea of a better mouse trap.
In all seriousness, folks, I just CAN'T coexist with vermin IN the house. I can't. I have this "insane" need to know that I am the only one munching on my raisin bran crunch, or snacking on my homemade sourdough bread in the middle of the night. I know, I know, call me crazy, but life without vermin is just one of my basic needs.
***
I'd like to add that I actually paused in the middle of my vermin story to go investigate a strange noise outside. Bushy has found her way back down here. I know it's her, because she has a distinctive tail injury that causes her tail to look like a feather plume. And she's back because when the landlord covered up the entry holes, um, he sealed at least one of Bushy's roommates inside.
Oh little bunny huggers, don't worry. Over the last few months I witnessed Bushy and her roommates stockpile enough food in the roof that I am SURE they will live long enough to eat their way into the house.
Meanwhile, Bushy is frantically calling to her babies who are frantically calling back. And when they both get riled up and frantic, they begin some crazy squirrel jumping ritual that sounds like someone pelting my house with rocks. Bushy is frantically trying to break into the house, the babies are frantically trying to break out. It's a vicious cycle that is driving me crazy, and will cause me to start launching grenades into the roof if those Stupid Squirrels wake up my precious baby who is FINALLY asleep.
****
My husband had to listen to the unedited version of this story, complete with LOTS of words that would likely get me banned from blog spot. He has promised me (I made him swear on our marriage vows and his left, um... arm) that he will take me to Walmart and JoAnn Fabrics on Monday.
"HUH?" You may ask? Let me explain. Walmart for the vermin rifle, JoAnn Fabric for whatever gauge needle and thread I need to turn Bushy and her mates into lovely coin purses for all my friends back home who want "Alaskan Made" gifts for Christmas.
***
The rest of my day was nearly lovely. Beans and I headed to the Farmer's Market in Fairbanks to check out the scene there. I brought home some rhubarb (J loves the stuff), some goat milk soap that is scented with Alaskan Spruce (ahhh... perpetually Christmas!), and after talking to a local about the benefits of fresh ground wheat versus the stuff you buy in bags at the store, I bought a bag of wheat that was milled right in front of my very eyes, as well as some whole wheat berries (the kernels that get ground up for flour) to "grind" myself in my food processor.
I would have bought even more fresh vegetables, but as we were planning on staying in town for some time, I decided I would drag J back there later this week.
I did take time to check out all the other vendors. A lot of homemade crafts and artwork. I've decided I could totally sell my stuff at the Farmer's Market, and it may be a good place to head with all the things I create over the winter.
One last stop at the Delta Meats booth for a Buffalo Hot Dog and a lemonade, and Beans and I went back to the van to nurse and wait for Susan.
We followed Susan to the other side of town and then walked down to the river. After stopping for a pretzel (compliments of Susan- thank you!), we sat on the bridge and chatted, then meandered down to the river side to get a better look at the Rubber Duckies. With a few minutes to spare before the race began, we sat on a log and watched Beans eat dirt and river rocks. Susan snapped a few pictures of my little Muddy Miss. Poor Beans had about reached her limit of playtime by the time the first little ducks headed down the river. This topped her tantrums for about 2.5 seconds (OK, maybe a little longer) and she waved and cheered to the duckies for a few moments before she made herself perfectly clear that she wanted to go home. I snapped a few pictures of the ducks before we packed up and headed out.
What I had to say about the ducks: Absolutely stinkin' CUTE. You see one little yellow speck turn the bend, then another, followed by hundreds of little yellow ducks, bobbing in the current. There was an apparent front-runner, beelining for the finish, the pack, and then a few stragglers, poor unlucky little ducks that looked as if they were taking on water and beginning to sink. VERY cute to watch the children throwing rocks or trying to splash the stragglers back into the current (against the "rules" to touch the ducks!). I wish we could have stayed longer. I wish Beans had been a little more cooperative, but we weren't that lucky.
At least she dozed on the way home, and I drove around in circles a few times before getting home to the Squirrel Debacle, letting her rest.
MOOSE ALERT: On my way back into North Pole, right on the edge of town (for locals, right on the corner of Airway and Badger), a moose in the ditch, munching on trees, her baby laying peacefully in the grass next to her, taking a nap. So sweet!
****
I had a great time in town today, and had great company. I have invited Susan out for another walk this coming week, and hope we have some good weather and can talk her into showing me another nice place to "sight see" and walk.
I am looking forward to a "day of rest" tomorrow, though! I'm hoping Beans will feel like power napping her way through teething (looks like a few on the top are trying to come in all at once). I think we are going to play hooky from church and spend the day at home. We'll get the house cleaned up, the laundry caught up, and play blocks and read stories, and all the stuff she really likes to do. (For the record, Beans LOVES doing laundry! She tries to put everyone's clothes on, and looks especially precious playing "peek" with dada's boxer briefs on her head.)
I'll read library books during naps (or maybe even take a nap myself!), maybe crochet a bit or sew. Whatever I do, it's going to be fun and relaxing, and not involve leaving the house, unless we have to go to the dump, and then I'll allow for some treasure hunting.
****
This coming week, watch for a squirrel update. No idea what kind of rifle we are going to get. No idea how to shoot it. But I'm gonna learn, and I'm gonna learn fast. Then I'm going to dress up like Annie Oakley and shoot me some squirrel.
The rest of the weekly forecast:
- Looking forward to reconnecting with my friend, M, and her little ones. Between her in-laws being in town and me running all over the place this week, I've really missed her company!
- Dragging J to Creamer's Field in Fairbanks. It's a local wildlife watching spot (mostly birds) with a good walking trail. We'll be suiting up, rain or shine, packing Beans into the backpack, and taking a little trek.
- As mentioned before, hopefully another trek with Susan. We've got lots more wildlife to see, wildflowers to identify, and pictures to take. And walking with her makes me so much LESS afraid of the wildlife.
Until my next entry, Happy Moose Trails. Meanwhile, I am going outside to build a better slingshot and get some target practice.
Bushy was captured. Her Stupid Little Squirrel Babies or boyfriend or whoever she has shacking up in the roof with her are still here.
Last night, they were rather disappointed that their fearless leader went missing, so they spent the entire night tormenting me with running up and down the walls and running the length of the house. And if that wasn't bad enough, right before I dozed off, I heard the most dreaded noise: scratching INSIDE the house, not the walls. I flipped the lights on, rushed to the scene of the crime (which involved standing on my dresser, since the scratching was coming from on top of a closet in my bedroom) and while I didn't discover the the little critter, I DID discover the little critter's NEST. IN THE HOUSE.
Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I love wildlife. Outside. Where it belongs.
So... another call to the landlord. You know, usually I am nice and don't say mean things on my blog (you never know who will stumble upon your writings), but enough is enough.
They came back and set the stupid squirrel trap back up and sealed off the visible squirrel entries to the house. And when I asked about the INDOOR varmint, um... the wife portion even kind of chucked as she told me I could get some mouse traps, as it was probably a vole.
First, I don't care what kind of critter it is. I want it out of my bedroom. Strike that. I want it out of my house. The varmint is lucky I don't ask it to leave Alaska.
Second, I don't own this house. Varmint trapping is not my job.
Third, I am done being nice. They asked me not to kill Bushy. They didn't say anything about the rest of the critters that come through the yard (and, um, the HOUSE.)
Fourth, it is probably not a wise idea to chuckle at a southern girl when she asks you to remove mice, vole, or squirrel from the home. It's good way to ensure buck shot holes in your walls, since 30-ought buck shot is MY idea of a better mouse trap.
In all seriousness, folks, I just CAN'T coexist with vermin IN the house. I can't. I have this "insane" need to know that I am the only one munching on my raisin bran crunch, or snacking on my homemade sourdough bread in the middle of the night. I know, I know, call me crazy, but life without vermin is just one of my basic needs.
***
I'd like to add that I actually paused in the middle of my vermin story to go investigate a strange noise outside. Bushy has found her way back down here. I know it's her, because she has a distinctive tail injury that causes her tail to look like a feather plume. And she's back because when the landlord covered up the entry holes, um, he sealed at least one of Bushy's roommates inside.
Oh little bunny huggers, don't worry. Over the last few months I witnessed Bushy and her roommates stockpile enough food in the roof that I am SURE they will live long enough to eat their way into the house.
Meanwhile, Bushy is frantically calling to her babies who are frantically calling back. And when they both get riled up and frantic, they begin some crazy squirrel jumping ritual that sounds like someone pelting my house with rocks. Bushy is frantically trying to break into the house, the babies are frantically trying to break out. It's a vicious cycle that is driving me crazy, and will cause me to start launching grenades into the roof if those Stupid Squirrels wake up my precious baby who is FINALLY asleep.
****
My husband had to listen to the unedited version of this story, complete with LOTS of words that would likely get me banned from blog spot. He has promised me (I made him swear on our marriage vows and his left, um... arm) that he will take me to Walmart and JoAnn Fabrics on Monday.
"HUH?" You may ask? Let me explain. Walmart for the vermin rifle, JoAnn Fabric for whatever gauge needle and thread I need to turn Bushy and her mates into lovely coin purses for all my friends back home who want "Alaskan Made" gifts for Christmas.
***
The rest of my day was nearly lovely. Beans and I headed to the Farmer's Market in Fairbanks to check out the scene there. I brought home some rhubarb (J loves the stuff), some goat milk soap that is scented with Alaskan Spruce (ahhh... perpetually Christmas!), and after talking to a local about the benefits of fresh ground wheat versus the stuff you buy in bags at the store, I bought a bag of wheat that was milled right in front of my very eyes, as well as some whole wheat berries (the kernels that get ground up for flour) to "grind" myself in my food processor.
I would have bought even more fresh vegetables, but as we were planning on staying in town for some time, I decided I would drag J back there later this week.
I did take time to check out all the other vendors. A lot of homemade crafts and artwork. I've decided I could totally sell my stuff at the Farmer's Market, and it may be a good place to head with all the things I create over the winter.
One last stop at the Delta Meats booth for a Buffalo Hot Dog and a lemonade, and Beans and I went back to the van to nurse and wait for Susan.
We followed Susan to the other side of town and then walked down to the river. After stopping for a pretzel (compliments of Susan- thank you!), we sat on the bridge and chatted, then meandered down to the river side to get a better look at the Rubber Duckies. With a few minutes to spare before the race began, we sat on a log and watched Beans eat dirt and river rocks. Susan snapped a few pictures of my little Muddy Miss. Poor Beans had about reached her limit of playtime by the time the first little ducks headed down the river. This topped her tantrums for about 2.5 seconds (OK, maybe a little longer) and she waved and cheered to the duckies for a few moments before she made herself perfectly clear that she wanted to go home. I snapped a few pictures of the ducks before we packed up and headed out.
What I had to say about the ducks: Absolutely stinkin' CUTE. You see one little yellow speck turn the bend, then another, followed by hundreds of little yellow ducks, bobbing in the current. There was an apparent front-runner, beelining for the finish, the pack, and then a few stragglers, poor unlucky little ducks that looked as if they were taking on water and beginning to sink. VERY cute to watch the children throwing rocks or trying to splash the stragglers back into the current (against the "rules" to touch the ducks!). I wish we could have stayed longer. I wish Beans had been a little more cooperative, but we weren't that lucky.
At least she dozed on the way home, and I drove around in circles a few times before getting home to the Squirrel Debacle, letting her rest.
MOOSE ALERT: On my way back into North Pole, right on the edge of town (for locals, right on the corner of Airway and Badger), a moose in the ditch, munching on trees, her baby laying peacefully in the grass next to her, taking a nap. So sweet!
****
I had a great time in town today, and had great company. I have invited Susan out for another walk this coming week, and hope we have some good weather and can talk her into showing me another nice place to "sight see" and walk.
I am looking forward to a "day of rest" tomorrow, though! I'm hoping Beans will feel like power napping her way through teething (looks like a few on the top are trying to come in all at once). I think we are going to play hooky from church and spend the day at home. We'll get the house cleaned up, the laundry caught up, and play blocks and read stories, and all the stuff she really likes to do. (For the record, Beans LOVES doing laundry! She tries to put everyone's clothes on, and looks especially precious playing "peek" with dada's boxer briefs on her head.)
I'll read library books during naps (or maybe even take a nap myself!), maybe crochet a bit or sew. Whatever I do, it's going to be fun and relaxing, and not involve leaving the house, unless we have to go to the dump, and then I'll allow for some treasure hunting.
****
This coming week, watch for a squirrel update. No idea what kind of rifle we are going to get. No idea how to shoot it. But I'm gonna learn, and I'm gonna learn fast. Then I'm going to dress up like Annie Oakley and shoot me some squirrel.
The rest of the weekly forecast:
- Looking forward to reconnecting with my friend, M, and her little ones. Between her in-laws being in town and me running all over the place this week, I've really missed her company!
- Dragging J to Creamer's Field in Fairbanks. It's a local wildlife watching spot (mostly birds) with a good walking trail. We'll be suiting up, rain or shine, packing Beans into the backpack, and taking a little trek.
- As mentioned before, hopefully another trek with Susan. We've got lots more wildlife to see, wildflowers to identify, and pictures to take. And walking with her makes me so much LESS afraid of the wildlife.
Until my next entry, Happy Moose Trails. Meanwhile, I am going outside to build a better slingshot and get some target practice.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Squirrel Has Left The Building!
AAAHHHHH!
That's me, breathing a sigh of relief. That. Stupid. Squirrel. has AT LAST been captured. And she didn't have to get turned into a nice fuzzy change purse either.
So, my landlord finally got a REAL squirrel trap from the animal shelter. And much to my chagrin, That. Stupid. Squirrel. even initially managed to SOMEHOW evade capture in the trap. Seriously, nothing is more frustrating than to come home and see That Stupid Squirrel happily running in and out of the set and baited trap, carrying peanuts from the trap to the roof. The trap was malfunctioning.
My first thought was: WHY didn't I buy a gun at Walmart when J was oohing and ahhing over the Bear Blaster 9000 and convincing me that it wasn't "just" a rifle but an important accessory to our Alaskan ensemble.
I couldn't stand it anymore.
It was time for something drastic.
I silently unlocked the back door and waited. It wasn't long before Bushy made another trip to the trap to confidently gather more peanuts to store in my roof.
With a rebel yell, I threw open the door and ran outside, screaming my Squirrel Hunting War Cry, scaring the ever-living-you-know-what out of Beans, who had been minding her own business inside playing with blocks. Ordinarily I would feel very bad about terrifying my own child, but in this particular case, her screaming in terror helped. Bushy was petrified, her prized peanut falling to the ground in slow motion as jaw went slack like a cartoon character. I ran out the door and my stomping on the deck made the trap door slam shut. I screamed and began a Squirrel Capture Dance. I am sure my neighbors probably think I've gone off my rocker or assume I am trying to do cheap imitations of tribal dances, but I couldn't help but celebrate.
As I jumped up and down, hootin' and hollerin', Beans finally realized that Mommy was making happy noises and stopped screaming and started laughing at me. I scooped her up and we went out on the deck for a closer look at our victory. One very angry, freaking out, scared out of her mind squirrel, who was desperately seeking an escape plan.
The landlord came over immediately to claim and relocate the squirrel. Thank goodness, though I still think relocating the squirrel is a very dumb idea. And if she happens to relocate right back to her roof, I will be returning to walmart for the Bear Blaster 9000.
If I had known we were going to capture Bushy today, I would have bought a celebratory beverage while I was at Safeway today.
Instead, I am celebrating with an entire box of (very overpriced) Mike and Ikes.
*****
In other news: today was a FABULOUS day! I met Susan Stevenson out at Dalman's Family Restaurant for breakfast.
First, I have to explain Dalman's.
What I love about it: As Alaska restaurants go, the food is actually pretty good, and even worth paying for. In the mornings, it's full of men who look like they just walked off the set of "Deadliest Catch" or "Tougher In Alaska", or families that look like they just came out of the Bush for a day in town. These dudes are tough, unshaven, Grizzly Adams type men. They look tough, they talk tough. And that's just thier kids.
Yeah, it's awesome.
And then, today, I discovered that the really tough, grizzly-looking guy that bought me and my husband breakfast last week (compliments of Beans flirting like a pop star) is actually a YOGA INSTRUCTOR.
Yeah buddy. It's tougher in Alaska. teehee.
****
Ah, I digress. So, Beans and I met Susan for breakfast where I basically talked her ear off for most of it. Beans did her best to smear greasy homefries on Susan's pants, and Susan was graceful enough to accept this.
We had a really good time. Ever meet someone you feel like you've known for years? It was kind of like that, a good fit as far as friends go.
We must not have been horrible company ourselves, because after breakfast, we all loaded up into my van and went to Chena Lakes Recreational Area.
This is where I should mention a good "survival" tip to anyone else new, visiting, or wondering about Alaska. Today, I decided to do something "Alaskan-ish", and that was: Never Let the Weather Dictate Your Day.
Today was rainy and drizzly, and kind of chilly. Back in the lower 48, I would have considered it a good day for indoor activities, or maybe even not getting out of bed. If you do that here in Alaska, you will pretty much never get out of bed again for the rest of your life. Seriously, on my way to the dump today, still rainy and cold, a family was having a picnic at the park. You have to just get out there.
So we gathered up the "rain gear". Our "rain gear" consists of my "fancy" tourist styled jacket for "crummy but not too cold weather" (bought at Fred Meyers), and Beans' Land's End full body rain suit that we found at the dump with the tags still on it. (I LOVE treasure hunting!) Oh, our "rain gear" also consists of the frame backpack for carrying Beans, and two barrettes for my hair, which I don't even remember if I bothered to brush before going out this morning.
So, Chena Lakes is a BEAUTIFUL place. It's actually part of the flood plains. There was a huge flood here in the 60s that covered everything in town except the college. Everyone lost everything. After that, the dam was built. The recreational area goes all over the place. There are hiking trails, lakes, places to rent canoes in the summer and icehouses in the winter, a swimming lake, a few fishing spots... it's an outdoor paradise.
After taking us on the grand tour and getting the lay of the land, Susan directed me to a parking area where we left the car, suited up, and headed out on our walk.
PAUSE. I want to add a side note that another thing I love about Alaska is that you can find outhouses/porta-potties just about everywhere. And amazingly enough, most of them are pretty clean and well cared for. I know, you guys were all wondering about the potties in Alaska. So I thought I would share.
PLAY.
So, like I said, we suited up and headed out. I have no idea how far we walked. We actually stuck to a paved trail and observed a lot of wildflowers. Susan (who knows a TON of gee whiz information about these flowers!) pointed them out to me, naming them off like a botanist. I'd be lucky to even remember the name of one of them. But she also showed me a nice wildflower identification guide, which I purchased this afternoon at Safeway as well.
ANYHOO... along the trail was some wild rasberry, with a few berries just about ripe. I nibbled one and they tasted delicious. I really hope they were raspberries, and not poison berries. Good news is: I'm not dead yet, so I guess they were ok.
Along the way, we also saw some kind of owl in a tree. And some other birds that we think were maybe domestic chickens. We were hoping for a moose spotting, but no such luck today.
We chatted about life, our backgrounds, and other "getting to know you" kind of stuff. And I had a really good time. Like I said, it kind of gave me the "running into an old friend" kind of feeling. Beans was slightly less cooperative with the walk back. Maybe due to her top teeth trying to break through, but also maybe because by the time we turned around, she was hungry, wet and cold, and facing into the rain for the walk back. Susan and I chatted above her screaming, which she continued to do on the way back to Dalman's as well.
You can check out what Susan had to say at her blog: susanstevenson.com/blog
as well as some great pictures of me and Beans.
****
I had a really good time. I DO want to mention that when I shared my story with a couple locals today, I was highly advised to never go there again without a rifle or a pistol, preferably a .44.
Hmm.
I was skeptical about this, especially considering that Susan was not even slightly concerned about bears, so I asked my landlord when he came to retrieve That Stupid Squirrel. He agreed that it was not very smart to meander through Chena Lakes without a weapon, and gave me a pseudo-scolding for traversing a few trails at Chena Hot Springs without a rifle as well.
Hmmm.
Well, all's well that ends well. I didn't get eaten by a bear. I didn't even SEE a bear. I survived my first couple walks in the "woods" in Alaska. So I feel kind of tough.
Even if I am still a cheechako.
Oh. I also learned that Alaskans do not have snow mobiles. They have snow MACHINES. And EVERYONE will know I am still cheechako if I say snow mobile.
****
Tomarrow's agenda: we apparently did not offend Susan too much. Beans and I will travel to Fairbanks tomarrow to check out the Farmer's Market, then meet up with Susan to go watch the Rubber Ducky Races and check out some of the vendors and festivities in town for Golden Days.
A note on that: Next year, I am TOTALLY going the first day of the festival. People in town dress up as pioneers and they do a big reenactment thing of some guy taking his gold to the bank, and then a contest with the costumes. I am TOTALLY going to dress up as a pioneer woman, and dress Beans up as well.
****
Another note on being "tougher in Alaska". I passed another rite of passage here last night. In stoking my fire in the wood stove (yes, it IS still chilly enough at night to use the wood stove!), um, I grabbed the wrong part of the stove door handle. I am now the "proud owner" of a 2nd and 3rd degree burn to my hand. That's right, folks... I burned it pretty good. A small area, but charred and without sensation. I called my husband panicking, with tears welling up in my eyes, wondering what to do. He promptly reminded me that I'M the paramedic in our family.
The best thing about being a paramedic? Being able to look at my own injury and say, "Yep, that's a 3rd degree burn on your hand, alright."
The good thing about a 3rd degree burn? Well, it doesn't hurt, except for the area around the burn that is only a 2nd degree burn.
I certainly hope the remaining rites of passage to being "Alaskan" are not nearly as painful (or scarring) lessons.
****
Alright. Time to find a way to get the Teething Wonder back to sleep. Looks like she has three cutting in at the same time. Poor girl!
***
Stay tuned for our adventures at the Farmer's Market, attending the ducky races, and the excitement of festivals!
Happy Moose Trails, y'all...
That's me, breathing a sigh of relief. That. Stupid. Squirrel. has AT LAST been captured. And she didn't have to get turned into a nice fuzzy change purse either.
So, my landlord finally got a REAL squirrel trap from the animal shelter. And much to my chagrin, That. Stupid. Squirrel. even initially managed to SOMEHOW evade capture in the trap. Seriously, nothing is more frustrating than to come home and see That Stupid Squirrel happily running in and out of the set and baited trap, carrying peanuts from the trap to the roof. The trap was malfunctioning.
My first thought was: WHY didn't I buy a gun at Walmart when J was oohing and ahhing over the Bear Blaster 9000 and convincing me that it wasn't "just" a rifle but an important accessory to our Alaskan ensemble.
I couldn't stand it anymore.
It was time for something drastic.
I silently unlocked the back door and waited. It wasn't long before Bushy made another trip to the trap to confidently gather more peanuts to store in my roof.
With a rebel yell, I threw open the door and ran outside, screaming my Squirrel Hunting War Cry, scaring the ever-living-you-know-what out of Beans, who had been minding her own business inside playing with blocks. Ordinarily I would feel very bad about terrifying my own child, but in this particular case, her screaming in terror helped. Bushy was petrified, her prized peanut falling to the ground in slow motion as jaw went slack like a cartoon character. I ran out the door and my stomping on the deck made the trap door slam shut. I screamed and began a Squirrel Capture Dance. I am sure my neighbors probably think I've gone off my rocker or assume I am trying to do cheap imitations of tribal dances, but I couldn't help but celebrate.
As I jumped up and down, hootin' and hollerin', Beans finally realized that Mommy was making happy noises and stopped screaming and started laughing at me. I scooped her up and we went out on the deck for a closer look at our victory. One very angry, freaking out, scared out of her mind squirrel, who was desperately seeking an escape plan.
The landlord came over immediately to claim and relocate the squirrel. Thank goodness, though I still think relocating the squirrel is a very dumb idea. And if she happens to relocate right back to her roof, I will be returning to walmart for the Bear Blaster 9000.
If I had known we were going to capture Bushy today, I would have bought a celebratory beverage while I was at Safeway today.
Instead, I am celebrating with an entire box of (very overpriced) Mike and Ikes.
*****
In other news: today was a FABULOUS day! I met Susan Stevenson out at Dalman's Family Restaurant for breakfast.
First, I have to explain Dalman's.
What I love about it: As Alaska restaurants go, the food is actually pretty good, and even worth paying for. In the mornings, it's full of men who look like they just walked off the set of "Deadliest Catch" or "Tougher In Alaska", or families that look like they just came out of the Bush for a day in town. These dudes are tough, unshaven, Grizzly Adams type men. They look tough, they talk tough. And that's just thier kids.
Yeah, it's awesome.
And then, today, I discovered that the really tough, grizzly-looking guy that bought me and my husband breakfast last week (compliments of Beans flirting like a pop star) is actually a YOGA INSTRUCTOR.
Yeah buddy. It's tougher in Alaska. teehee.
****
Ah, I digress. So, Beans and I met Susan for breakfast where I basically talked her ear off for most of it. Beans did her best to smear greasy homefries on Susan's pants, and Susan was graceful enough to accept this.
We had a really good time. Ever meet someone you feel like you've known for years? It was kind of like that, a good fit as far as friends go.
We must not have been horrible company ourselves, because after breakfast, we all loaded up into my van and went to Chena Lakes Recreational Area.
This is where I should mention a good "survival" tip to anyone else new, visiting, or wondering about Alaska. Today, I decided to do something "Alaskan-ish", and that was: Never Let the Weather Dictate Your Day.
Today was rainy and drizzly, and kind of chilly. Back in the lower 48, I would have considered it a good day for indoor activities, or maybe even not getting out of bed. If you do that here in Alaska, you will pretty much never get out of bed again for the rest of your life. Seriously, on my way to the dump today, still rainy and cold, a family was having a picnic at the park. You have to just get out there.
So we gathered up the "rain gear". Our "rain gear" consists of my "fancy" tourist styled jacket for "crummy but not too cold weather" (bought at Fred Meyers), and Beans' Land's End full body rain suit that we found at the dump with the tags still on it. (I LOVE treasure hunting!) Oh, our "rain gear" also consists of the frame backpack for carrying Beans, and two barrettes for my hair, which I don't even remember if I bothered to brush before going out this morning.
So, Chena Lakes is a BEAUTIFUL place. It's actually part of the flood plains. There was a huge flood here in the 60s that covered everything in town except the college. Everyone lost everything. After that, the dam was built. The recreational area goes all over the place. There are hiking trails, lakes, places to rent canoes in the summer and icehouses in the winter, a swimming lake, a few fishing spots... it's an outdoor paradise.
After taking us on the grand tour and getting the lay of the land, Susan directed me to a parking area where we left the car, suited up, and headed out on our walk.
PAUSE. I want to add a side note that another thing I love about Alaska is that you can find outhouses/porta-potties just about everywhere. And amazingly enough, most of them are pretty clean and well cared for. I know, you guys were all wondering about the potties in Alaska. So I thought I would share.
PLAY.
So, like I said, we suited up and headed out. I have no idea how far we walked. We actually stuck to a paved trail and observed a lot of wildflowers. Susan (who knows a TON of gee whiz information about these flowers!) pointed them out to me, naming them off like a botanist. I'd be lucky to even remember the name of one of them. But she also showed me a nice wildflower identification guide, which I purchased this afternoon at Safeway as well.
ANYHOO... along the trail was some wild rasberry, with a few berries just about ripe. I nibbled one and they tasted delicious. I really hope they were raspberries, and not poison berries. Good news is: I'm not dead yet, so I guess they were ok.
Along the way, we also saw some kind of owl in a tree. And some other birds that we think were maybe domestic chickens. We were hoping for a moose spotting, but no such luck today.
We chatted about life, our backgrounds, and other "getting to know you" kind of stuff. And I had a really good time. Like I said, it kind of gave me the "running into an old friend" kind of feeling. Beans was slightly less cooperative with the walk back. Maybe due to her top teeth trying to break through, but also maybe because by the time we turned around, she was hungry, wet and cold, and facing into the rain for the walk back. Susan and I chatted above her screaming, which she continued to do on the way back to Dalman's as well.
You can check out what Susan had to say at her blog: susanstevenson.com/blog
as well as some great pictures of me and Beans.
****
I had a really good time. I DO want to mention that when I shared my story with a couple locals today, I was highly advised to never go there again without a rifle or a pistol, preferably a .44.
Hmm.
I was skeptical about this, especially considering that Susan was not even slightly concerned about bears, so I asked my landlord when he came to retrieve That Stupid Squirrel. He agreed that it was not very smart to meander through Chena Lakes without a weapon, and gave me a pseudo-scolding for traversing a few trails at Chena Hot Springs without a rifle as well.
Hmmm.
Well, all's well that ends well. I didn't get eaten by a bear. I didn't even SEE a bear. I survived my first couple walks in the "woods" in Alaska. So I feel kind of tough.
Even if I am still a cheechako.
Oh. I also learned that Alaskans do not have snow mobiles. They have snow MACHINES. And EVERYONE will know I am still cheechako if I say snow mobile.
****
Tomarrow's agenda: we apparently did not offend Susan too much. Beans and I will travel to Fairbanks tomarrow to check out the Farmer's Market, then meet up with Susan to go watch the Rubber Ducky Races and check out some of the vendors and festivities in town for Golden Days.
A note on that: Next year, I am TOTALLY going the first day of the festival. People in town dress up as pioneers and they do a big reenactment thing of some guy taking his gold to the bank, and then a contest with the costumes. I am TOTALLY going to dress up as a pioneer woman, and dress Beans up as well.
****
Another note on being "tougher in Alaska". I passed another rite of passage here last night. In stoking my fire in the wood stove (yes, it IS still chilly enough at night to use the wood stove!), um, I grabbed the wrong part of the stove door handle. I am now the "proud owner" of a 2nd and 3rd degree burn to my hand. That's right, folks... I burned it pretty good. A small area, but charred and without sensation. I called my husband panicking, with tears welling up in my eyes, wondering what to do. He promptly reminded me that I'M the paramedic in our family.
The best thing about being a paramedic? Being able to look at my own injury and say, "Yep, that's a 3rd degree burn on your hand, alright."
The good thing about a 3rd degree burn? Well, it doesn't hurt, except for the area around the burn that is only a 2nd degree burn.
I certainly hope the remaining rites of passage to being "Alaskan" are not nearly as painful (or scarring) lessons.
****
Alright. Time to find a way to get the Teething Wonder back to sleep. Looks like she has three cutting in at the same time. Poor girl!
***
Stay tuned for our adventures at the Farmer's Market, attending the ducky races, and the excitement of festivals!
Happy Moose Trails, y'all...
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