Birds Of A Feather

"I haven't been able to slam-dunk the basketball (Rachel aside: or play at all for that matter) for the past five years. Or, for the thirty-eight years (ahem: 27 years) before that, either."
~Dave Barry

"Spring Forward Everybody!" That put our championship basketball game finishing at 1:30 am this morning. The gym was packed (it wasn't like that our last game), the pressure was on. I tightened my worn out road running Asics. Took my hard earned position on the bench and cheered as loud as possible (that is the one thing I was certain I could do!) and quietly prayed for supernatural energy for my teammates so there would be no reason for anyone to have to take a break causing me to have to play. By the second half it was 11 to 43. Sadly for Mudville we had no choice but to send me in, a substitution was needed. I stepped out onto the foreign gym floor, into the maze of enemy colored lines that had no meaning to me whatsoever but surely would entrap me at some point when I least expected it, when my ignorant feet crossed over some obscure boundary. It was seriously as though I was blind, I had to listen for my teammates to tell me what to do, where to run. My greatest fear? That I should ever have to attempt an actual basket, so I pass the ball away from myself, to the side, forward, backward, and in times of desperation even to the other team, just so I don't have to try to make a basket. Trying to make a shot to me feels as awkward as trying to tie your shoe with only your left hand. My brain just can't grasp it. I believe I hold the record for most consecutively missed shots under true effort. We ended up getting 2nd and the score was somewhere around 4o something to 90 something. It was a hilariously entertaining game for everyone involved (and took everyone involved to try to coach me through it, thankfully I kept hearing people like Steph yell," Rachel 3 seconds stay off the line"). Ironically word made it back to me late last night when the men's game finished that they gave me an MVP award. Haven't actually seen it, but Jerilyn, as shocked as me, texted the odd information in the wee hours and I laughed myself to sleep. I guess everyone felt as sorry for me as I did. LOL So by group effort, I am a MVP in a basketball tournament...don't you know what that means my friends????

IT IS OFFICIAL!!! "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!"

Woke up this morning to a massive Bald Eagle sitting down the road from teacher housing. HUGE BIRD! The kind that would cause you to usher your children inside to take cover. Wow, it was beautiful. I've seen lots of bald eagles but I'm not sure I've ever seen one that big. Anyway it sparked my memory of a story told to me while teaching at LCO regarding Eagles in the Ojibwe culture. (P.S. this is the, as remembered by Rachel version so I apologize if I'm not telling it exactly right)

According to Ojibwe legend, long ago Gichimanidoo (the Great Spirit) was disgusted with the whole lot of the human race. The way they ran around hurting one another, destroying the earth, totally ungrateful, hateful and mean. He decided it was best for the earth if he wiped them clear off. But the animals knew there was hope for the humans and took it upon themselves to convince the Great Spirit not to kill them off. They nominated the Eagle to fly up to the Great Spirit and beg for mercy for the humans. When the Eagle reached the Gichimanidoo he humbly asked that the humans be spared. Gichimanidoo was doubtful, angry and sad. He again explained that the humans were so thoughtless and selfish, never thanking Him for the blessings He showered on them always hurting one another. The Eagle asked Gichimanidoo to give him a chance to remind the humans of all that He had done and always does for them, and of the gift they have of each other. Having great mercy Gichimanidoo agreed to let the Eagle try. He spread his wings and flew around the earth declaring to the humans what had happened and that he would forever remind them to be thankful and loving. The humans heard and respected what the Eagle had done for them. Eagles are the messengers for the Great Spirit, it became their sole responsibility to remind the human race to be ever grateful and thankful to Gichimanidoo. To this day the Eagle is that sacred reminder, so when you see him flying over head or perched along some byway, he's telling you to be ever grateful for the blessings the Great Spirit has given you and to be kind and loving to each other.

This quote came from the Anchorage Daily News regarding Lance Mackey's arrival into the Unalakeet checkpoint yesterday morning along the Iditarod Trail. I had to share it cause it made me laugh out loud. Can't you just see this? Lance pulling into town is the biggest thing to happen since last year when he did. This is a great description of what we look like around these parts:)

"A throng of fans, media and volunteers -- gloved hands at their sides, watching the horizon in their hoods and parkas like a flock of penguins -- cheered his arrival."

Well as of last night's springing forward, it is now staying light up here until 9:00 pm and gaining 5 minutes more by each day! The weather on the other hand has not been so 'spring-like'...brrrr! The battle of the seasons roars on. So to all my loving family and friends down states... you just go ahead and enjoy your 60 degrees! Bah Humbug, I say!

"He was like an eagle hovering over its nest, overshadowing its young, Then spreading its wings, lifting them into the air, teaching them to fly."

Deuteronomy 32:11