Chlorine in Galena? Softball Tourney...

So today we wrapped up our time in the 70+ degree weather as the kids played for the gold in the Softball Tournament. The gold won the gold, it's almost 10 and I think Romay is still wearing her medal, I'll check for the line mark around the back of her neck tomorrow morning. Jason helped umpire, I took pictures and chatted with the other moms, and we all worked on our tans, or lack of a tan. We're impressed with the coaches, Kenton and Ryan, they put in a long day, but still had smiles by the time it was all done. Afterwards, as if enough energy wasn't already expedited, the kids got to put on their bathing suits and hang around the pool. I'm pinching myself, ouch, yes, it's all really real, what a great community for families.

Softball Tourney

Jay visiting with Sidney Huntington, looking forward to more chats with him!


Romay


Ethan


More pictures to come, tomorrow...

Day 13 in Galena

Remember kerosene lamps, part of my childhood involved watching Papa light the glass lamps anytime the power went out in Unalakleet during the long winter months. Then...I can distinctly hear his voice begin, "my daddy...." and a story or two would roll off his memory and it was always strange to hear him say such boyish sounding words as his face was lined with wrinkles and head was short of a full head of hair. So when Jay came home with a lamp from Unalakleet last year, the particular smells of oil evaporating as it burns and memories flooded my mind. I appreciate simple pleasures of childhood.


Power didn't go out, plenty of light, just couldn't help ourselves in firing up the lamp and visiting with each other.


Change of topic and scenery here, notice Jason smiling and Chris concentrating, working. Part of today's enjoyment was driving Jason around to move our freezer and snowmachine to our apartment. Any Chevy or Ford made in the 70's-90's grabs my attention, again, familiarity of those formulative years in growing up, the older trucks, yeah, just another simple pleasure. Chris has been incredibly helpful from day one, he's also the principal and has been over to sip french pressed coffee with Jay and I quite a bit, a good way, quite possibly the perfect way, to get to know people!

Welcome...New Home...

The transition to Galena has been a blessing made possible by the people here. We've had dinners at friends homes, attend a GREAT church, and the kids are fitting right in!

*Sigh* I miss our dishwasher in Koyuk, the table has seen 2 or 3 monopoly games already. I'm dubbed the evil landlord as I won the very first game, ha! It's hard to erase a reputation, especially when Romay gives me "dirty" looks anytime I get a property, (hee hee).


Yes, that is a tapestry as a wall decoration. Made in America, surprised? I was, I'm so used to "Made in China" by now, it's a brand name.


Sarah, Romay and Ethan...too bad you couldn't smell the bug spray on 'em!


Pitter Patter, the sound of my heart as I watched the kids play with the privileged leashed dogs in the field outside our apartment. Darn cute things!


On the way home from softball practice, a young black bear scooted down a path near town. No worries, Harriette!! People in town, including Fish and Wildlife, are monitoring the situation and will take care of it should it become a hazard.


Koyuk Mug, Kevin! We posted this just for you! :) Although we don't need it, it's nice to enhance the conversation with a glass of Chardonnay, or Alaskan Amber.

99741...New Site

Road trip, Anchroage to Fairbanks. Can you see how upset Jason is? The dog just gave him a rope burn, chasing a rabbit running across the tundra.


Front yard, nice birch and poplar, nice place for Kemper to explore, darn mosquitoes.


A view, a sorry looking view of the kitchen, living room area.

Civilization, A Story or Two

Relaxing. Everyone thinks it's too easy for your food to come ready on a plate in exchange for a few dollars, better lay down and rest.



Kemper, exhausted, probably because he thinks every tree, person, and car needs to be greeted properly by his standards. This was in Anchorage and he realized he was "behind," missed too many opportunities and looks depressed. Bringing a yellow lab from the open fields in Koyuk to the bustling city of Anchorage gives you sore shoulders and a slight twist in the nerves, there outta be a pill at the drugstore that can relieve stress from a personality like Kemper's when he goes into overdrive and stays there for a couple of hours.

Last Duck Hunt, KKA

Hoppe's is a familiar smell to all the kids, myself, the dog. The decoy bag never looses its luster in the eyes of a bird hunter, now hunters. Ethan shot one down, in the air, 20 guage. Dad shot the other 2, while Kemper volunteers to get wet. The hunting ground on the tundra is as familiar as an old childhood playground, like a friend, it shall be missed!