Cheeseburger in Paradise

"Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside." ~Mark TwainAll day today I've been craving a great big, greasy, juicy cheeseburger with all the fixins. Since I couldn't run to McDonald's or anywhere for that matter, I improvised! Tonight after school that's exactly what I made myself...featured above. It was quite miraculous that I had everything and more! Thank you Lord! I actually had some freezer burnt bacon that semi-survived the winter hidden in the back of my freezer so I fried that too. Taa-dah a double bacon cheeseburger deluxe with a side of tater tots! I invited Steph to join me but I ate her burger before she called me back LOL. Sorry Steph.

We went for a hike to the beach tonight with some of the kids. "All living creatures are yours for food; just as I gave you the plants,
now I give you everything else." Genesis 9:3

Hola, From the Northern Tropics

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

~Mark Twain

Wherever you go, go with all your heart. ~Confucius

The last few days in the last frontier have been blustery, blizzardy and wet. All mixed up into one great big puddle of tundra mud. If that's any indication as to what is to come, I'll be getting my money's worth out of my handy dandy Xtra Tufs. I purchased these 'made in the USA able to withstand the worst of Alaskan weather' mud boots while in Anchorage last summer before I came up to Quin. It is so strange to look back on the last year, maybe even stranger yet, the year before. Trying to prepare to make the move to the 'bush' and having absolutely no idea what to expect or how to get ready for it. I had to chuckle as I tromped across the tufts of still frozen moss this afternoon while Ani and went walking. This has become our 'backyard' trotting through the seasons and now into spring, hopefully. Anyway I was thinking about that concert we went to out in Girdwood when we were in Anchorage back in March. Everyone there was wearing Carhartts and Xtra Tufs. Jim, Steph and I wondered if there was some kind of dress code that we missed. Apparently in Anchorage Xtra Tufs are also a fashion statement. Not that they aren't here, they definitely are, I mean just look at these stylin rubber boots! Steph even got me super cute socks you wear with them to dress them up...picture will come later. I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate them into my prom attire;)
Village Hopping! We didn't go to Eek last weekend. We are going to try to go this weekend. They are having a big basketball tournament, ha, maybe Steph and I can jump in on a team. Wish Ani luck, he'll be flying the friendly skies for his very first time. He's still not too sure about the whole 'kennel' idea. I've been feeding him in it. So what he has figured out??? If he keeps his back feet firmly planted on the outside the kennel while reaching into the back where the food is and eating it from this stretched position, he is rescued from actually having to be in the kennel. There is some kind of analogy to life there, for me anyway. But it's too profound to have to think about right now.

We finished our 2nd Beth Moore Bible Study on the Fruits of the Spirit. Our little group up here has really been enjoying and growing from those studies. They require a lot of reading and digging in the bible, learning, sharing and thinking. We are ordering our final one for this year and are already excited about next year's. We would recommend Beth's Studies to any women's groups out there, they are solid and deep! Great stuff.

Finally they call themselves "Michael's Angel's" Quyana Mike for the bracelets and shades. We are putting them to good use:) The girls came over after school so we watched "The Great Outdoors" and dressed up pretending that it was summer time, hence the sunglasses.

As you might recall my kitchen drain was frozen the entire time MIke was visiting so this is how we emptied it after washing dishes.






A few more pics from Mike. These are the kids waiting on my porch to 'visit' after school while he was here. I was conveniently at work until 5 or 6 that particular day;)

Some of the kids posing. Endless tundra and sea behind.

The school parking lot, four wheelers and snow gos!

Shout Out To: Mum and Sammie! Happy Birthdays (28 and 53 respectively!) on the 16th! Love you and miss you so much!
I can see clearly now the dark is gone. It is 10:00 pm and looks like it's maybe 5:00 pm. The Midnight Sun is definitely upon us here in Quinhagak, Alaska. Lots of Light! And that is a blessing. This verse seems to fit and made me smile... someday.

"What a Day that will be! No more cold nights—in fact, no more nights! The Day is coming—the timing is God's—when it will be continuous day. Every evening will be a fresh morning."
Zechariah 14:6-7

The Sun and I, Up Too Late

"We all carry around so much pain in our hearts. Love and pain and beauty. They all seem to go together like one little tidy confusing package. It's a messy business, life. It's hard to figure - full of surprises. Some good. Some bad."
~Ruth Ann, Northern Exposure


(I love this sweatshirt)

My friend Jerilyn stopped by this evening with her girls. They played while we had tea and visited until past 10 pm. Who would have known?? It was bright as day outside. I am getting thrown for a loop again as the land of the midnight sun rises from it's winter sleep and reclaims it's worthy title. As I type this, it is dusky outside and it's 11:00 pm!

Steph came over for a hair cut. She now has the cutest bangs. And I got to play hair stylist (which I plan to be when I grow up:) Okay this was the second time that she had to stop over because the first round last night was a little lopsided. No worries we got it figured out and it looks so fun.

There were boogers smeared on my bathroom wall, after some of the other kids left earlier this evening. When he told me he couldn't find the tissue I didn't realize he had already taken care of the problem and was merely explaining what I would later discover. I guess showing him the toilet paper was just letting him know for the next time.

The Alaska State Trooper helicopter flew in and landed today. Our State Trooper drops in from time to time generally unannounced and not for chit chat. Though the helicopter flying over and landing is an exciting event, (even I now jump up and run to the nearest window in hopes of catching a glance as it hovers by). Around these parts it also comes with the grave, uneasy question of, what brings Trooper Mike into village today? I never did find out to what we owed today's visit but figure some things are better left unknown anyway.

Being the opportunists we are, Steph and I enjoyed the evening sun and went for a snowy walk down to the beach with our pack o pups. We've got more snow than we've had all winter. We trudged along, half wishing for snowshoes. The dogs had a blast tearing around and the extra dose of vitamin D was greedily absorbed by all.

Anyway, we are almost done with testing. Thank the Lord, then we can get back to school status quo!

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD."
Psalm 25:4-7

Short Timers Syndrome

"Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was."
~Will Rogers

Days Like These
This is the shawl that my Gram started for a friend of mine here in Quin back in November. Then Gram had her stroke in December was unable to finish it. She ordered me, with all of my 3 weeks of knitting experience, to complete and deliver it. Well, it took me 3 months but here it is, I finally got it done. Not nearly as good as Gram would have. It was a joint effort. I brought it to Emma on Easter with love from Gram. Gram just got out of rehab a few weeks ago, all had been going pretty good. Then I received the news that she had another small stroke this weekend. So far it seems to have affected her speech mostly. I am intentionally stuffing it. I have to right now to survive. My Gram and I are close, she is the main reason I would have decided not to return to Quin next year. I'm headed home already in 6 weeks for summer break, but it feels like it can't come soon enough, I can't wait to see her and my family. I know time has felt like it's been flying up here, but in this situation it now feels like it has come to a screeching halt. It's as if I'm crawling, like I'm moving in slow motion maybe even backward. Even at school things are headed toward wrap up mode. This week the kids and teachers alike are working our brains off, thinking our way through state testing. Now that is truly a Marathon!! In the special edu. realm I felt like I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, coming down to my last few files, of course right on cue 'Murphy's law-like' there suddenly are several new things popping up that were not on the agenda. So life-ish eh? The roller coaster we all ride. Don't get me wrong I'm eager to come back next year I feel it is what I am supposed to be to doing but right now at this exact time I am wishing I was home with my family. I miss Gram. Then the Physical Therapist and I were visiting this week and I told her my feelings after she had asked, of course. Don't want you worried that I'm sniveling on to whatever poor itinerant happens to cross my path. She smiled and said I was probably just suffering from 'Short Timers Syndrome'. Sounded interesting so I looked it up...guess it happens with people in the military quite often. I've self diagnosed with this instead of surrendering to the label of 'homesickness'. I need to start running again, try not to think about everyone and everything so much, time is still flying I hope. Speaking of flying, we might be hopping a 6 seater to Eek (a small village about 30 miles from here) this weekend for my friend Traci's birthday so that will be an adventure to get my brain back and find some perspective. Se la vi. Hope you all out there are enjoying Spring. It is snowing here.

Short Timers Syndrome

In 1967, Dowling provided the ‘classic’ description of how STS evolves: “There is the period of anxious apprehension, a potentially severe syndrome of emotional distress beginning mildly two to three months before rotation, but usually occurring obviously in the last three weeks of the tour and most marked the last three days prior to rotation. Irritability seems to alternate with euphoria. Pacing is a common sign. Quiet hard working individuals who for eleven and three quarters months have put up with deprivations, long working hours, and continually increased demands will suddenly behave in a rather inappropriate manner.”

Shout Out To: Dad! Happy Birthday on April 8th!! Love you! And To Traci Buckle over in Eek Happy 40th Birthday WWWWWWoooooo-Whhhhhhooooo! Celebrate, Good Times!

me plunder. Why don’t we just head back to Egypt? And right now!”

"They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to God. They told Moses, "Weren't the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die? What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt? Back in Egypt didn't we tell you this would happen? Didn't we tell you, 'Leave us alone here in Egypt—we're better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness.'"
Exodus 14:10-13

"Why don't we just head back to Egypt? And right now!" Numbers 14:4 are about to beco

Peek Into Quinhagak

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there." ~Clarence W. Hall



Steph and I were up early to go to the sunrise service. This afternoon Marsha and Dennis had a bunch of us over for Easter Dinner. Talked with family back home, then Principal Eric took Steph and me for a mush. It was a very wonderful Easter Sunday.

The Easter Dinner Crew at the Seaton's

The Hooton's and Hosetter's show up in their own Easter Parade.








Steph and Masha set up the table.








Addy sports her Wisconsin Pride
with Mom Sherry helping
her stand to show it
off.











Einer and Evi color on the floor.

A little snowbiking anyone:)

Notice Animosh!
We put him in on the team. It all came back to him, like riding a bike;)

Me and Steph
Happy Easter Everyone.

"He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in His name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high." Luke 24: 46-47

The Art Of Subsistence Living

Vegetarian: old Eskimo word for lousy hunter.
~Rural Alaskan Proverb

Friends headed out hunting.

It seemed everywhere we turned this weekend people were out harvesting and preparing the abundance of tundra food, whether that food was swimming, flying, hopping or trotting. So Mike and I participated wherever we were welcomed. Which of course was virtually everywhere. John Teddy and Pauline were out fishing for smelt on the mouth of the Kanetok. As we headed out on the river Mike noticed a set of moose antlers wedged sideways in a building. I had to get a picture because this was the mother of moose racks at least that I've ever seen. HOLY BULL, lol! Once on the ice we could hear and SEE the it cracking as the tide came in, WOW! Not wanting to fall through the frozen fault line we wandered back to land. Stopped in at Fannie's to find Tom skinning a 40 lb beaver he trapped specifically for the Easter Feast tomorrow. While Emma sat plucking some ducks harvested last fall. John Teddy called and ordered us to stop by for the cooked version of smelt they had just caught. I had to snap a pic of the ptarmigan drying by the neighbors house as we approached John's door (the other pic is of fish drying by my neighbors house). Upon entering we inhaled the tasty wafting scent of sizzling smelt as Chef JT stood over his electric fryer turning them. Just to the right of his gourmet set up, were 3 potential Easter bunnies his son Charlie had snared, waiting to be skinned. I have such respect at the hard work and subsistence way of life of my friends in Quinhagak lead. Back home we (family and friends) deer hunt, bird hunt, and fish but it is far more likely that one is doing such more as a sport versus a means of survival. Not that we don't eat every bit of it, but that we also have the luxury to run off to dine at the nearest restaurant or buy some 99% lean ground beef at Walmart any old time we decide our taste buds crave something different. It ain't so up here. If you don't shoot, trap, or catch it, your freezer and stomach may well go empty. Unless of course you sent yourself hamburgers from Anchorage before you flew up back in September, he he he. I've almost finished the last one, and they are now kind of freezer burnt. On a fun note, due to the high demand of eggs in lieu of the Easter celebration, we have had eggs in the store lately, and yes I have stocked up:)

Today Mike left to fly back to Wisconsin. Again, it has been so great to have a friend from back home visiting. The kids absolutely love him and when you see them together it's no wonder why. They baked several dozen batches of cookies, drank enough sugary juice to fund a cane field, and ran around outside burning the sugar energy. Wish I could come up with the crazy fun ideas he does and right off the cuff. We were all sad to see him go and will be writing letters, probably as soon as tomorrow:)

Thank God for Jesus.
And Happy Easter Everyone.
Many Blessings to you All!


"He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD." Genesis 10:9

April Fools?

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke
Boats awaiting ice break on the Kanektok.

Lately, springtime in Quinhagak is looking a lot like...wintertime in Quinhagak. And everyone back home is compelled to inform me that it has been in the mid to high 70s in Wisconsin the last few days.

My response???

"Oh yeah, well we just got 3 new inches of snow over the last 12 hours. So there."

The original 'cold storage'

"...How can we honor our God with our lives, The God who gives rain in both spring and autumn and maintains the rhythm of the seasons, Who sets aside time each year for harvest and keeps everything running smoothly for us?" Jeremiah 5:24