14:16

fourteen hours, sixteen minutes of daylight here in the mat-su valley today. fall is approaching fast. the fireweed is turning a brillant, rusty red everywhere and where there was brillant green last week, there is orange and burnt umber today. the birch trees surrounding the house are patchy and yellow and it seems to be spreading hour by hour like a rash. the sun rose at 6:50 today and sets at 9:06. its a different world here.

got my first real paycheck in over 3 years today. this makes it sound like i've been slacking off. maybe some who know me would agree. for the record, i've been trying to raise a kid and getting a master's degree. the real deal starts on tuesday. i've been told to wear my running shoes and be prepared to be slammed. yikes.

2 buck tuesday

couldnt resist going back to the fair. it was 2 dollar tuesday. blue skies, 60 amazing degrees and selfishly, j-man in daycare. how rude are we? it was date day, we were bonding. reindeer sausage, roasted corn, turkey drumsticks, cream puffs with wild berry sauce. more large veggies and lots and lots of God. people here in the valley seem to like God.
j found was right at home at the democratic booth. nice look, eh?

friday

so what is this public diary anyway? seemed like an interesting idea stolen from my ultra creative and talented brother. im not qualifed to write a mind-blowing, witty, engrossing public version of my life. my life just isnt any of those things. at this time we are trying to adjust to a life without close social contacts. so far we arent killing one another, so i guess we are winning.

work is interesting. i think it might be a challenge to practice the way i've been trained. the medical model is alive and well. get 'em in and get 'em out. time is money. preventitive medicine here in ak seems to be fairly non-existant. people come in when they are half-dead but are determined to leave after the appointment cause they are going out moose hunting.

our stuff finally arrives tomorrow. no more air mattress sleeping for us. hellooo pillowtop!

its huge, its enormous!

thats right, a 57 pound cabbage, a one pound carrot, herbs grown to reach 5 feet and goats the size of small cows... (okay, i'm lying about the goats) all grown under the midnight sun. here to be judged at the alaska state fair, held right here in palmer. we sampled seafood chowder and fresh roasted corn in the drizzling rain and stomped through puddles checking out the local flavor.

carnival rides were a big hit this year. jade and his best alaskan girl lydie rode on rusty, dangerous looking carnie machines disguised as helecopters, elephants and trains which were surely older than their parents (probably combined).

the valley was shrouded with clouds and brief glimpses of the mountains revealed new snow. what a day. come back sunshine. we need you.

snow city

found the cool and tasty joint called snow city today. jc and i had a great brunch while noting that we are old and decidedly un-hip. we have commited to going out to get some face piercings as soon as possible.

anchorage is a nice town, it just needs a face lift. people are insanely (note the root of this word) friendly. this is big, considering people are pretty friendly in colorado

i got my license today. yahoo! i am now officially employable.

clouds have parted

sitting in a converted barn serving as a wifi/coffee spot. looking at a partially blue sky. the mountains surrounding the valley are loaded with fresh snow and the fields below are green as can be. its a beautiful day. we are soaking it up as its supposed to rain again beginning tonite.

first day of preschool for the little man today. he was excited and shy, a leg-monkey when we left.

heading to the state board offices tomorrow to beg for my apn license. my boss is getting antsy and im not making any money sitting here!

soggy bottom

it's been raining now for over a week. welcome to alaska! the banks of the little susitna are overflowing and neighbors are being evacuated. jeff wonders why he left his kayak behind.

our new home is very green and wet. no more dusty, dry, hot, arid colorado- for now. we are sporting wellies and raingear and drinking coffee like its goin' out of style. and do you know how big cabbages grow here?