Exploring the world

I got Abby and I a globe. She often asks - where is China, where is grandmum, where is someplace warm? I have always liked geography. I could spend a long time looking at maps.

Funny though how small the world is. I get the globe so we can explore other places, since we are quite trapped on this island, to find the image on the globe manual is of ALASKA! Sigh.

First Beach

Abby and I have made our first beach visit for the year, despite that it still looks like this....

Feeling not so good. Not sure why people have to be so hurtful and destructive for really no reason.

I will use the experience to try to be a better me. Sometimes growing pains are just that - painful!

I am grateful for the few people in my life who are unselfishly caring, happy for the happy times, and put my faith where it belongs.

Brewery

Dani, co-worker, currently with Brian's son. She makes funny expressions and cute sounds.
Later this year, the brewery on Shelikof will be no longer. Lots of good times here.

Brian Johnson, shipwright, currently leading restorations on the Thelma C.
Heart him! Nice man.

Seel looking like a seal.

Photoshopping images can be quite cheesy, but in this case complements the wibbly wobbly feeling one has when consumes the beer at the KI brewery! Plus, the images were a bit out of focus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KoQf7_ISVE&feature=related

Sing it baby. Damn those eyes!

Abby has her first favorite non-cartoon TV show! Any guesses? Main actor - Adam West. In the series, which is based on a comic, he wears a costume of a mammal indigenous to Kodiak actually - the bat. You got it - Batman!

Thelma C

The Kodiak Maritime Museum is restoring the Thelma C, a boat built after the tidal wave when new boats were needed in an expedient manner. Shipwright Brian Johnson, who previously owned the boat and partially restored it in the mid-90s, is leading the volunteer-based restoration crew. When completed, the boat will be anchored in the harbor.

Brian said the back is good. Whereas the front is a rotten mess.

Alf busy filming!

Did I mention it's 20 degrees still? Abby is not so happy about it, and I can't say I am either.

Took Abz to Bay Bounce, she loves it! Kodiak needed an indoor play place. These people are going to make a lot of money! http://www.kodiakbaybounce.com/bouncers.html

We also made it to the beach on Tuesday! First for the year. While the light has returned, the c... c.. c... cold remains.

I ALMOST woke Abby up at 3am to go look at the Northern Lights, but it seemed overcast. Apparently, I should have because there was a good show. Hopefully the clear skies will remain tonight and I will get to see the Lights for the first time.

Christy

The longliners had just come in for the closure and were still icy on Sunday. The Glacier rescued the crew of the sinking Cyclone on Friday. Are those the survival suits of the rescued? Think so.

Seiners awaiting salmon season.

The Harbormaster building is blue.

The Christy is the only large Ophiem boat constructed in Kodiak - so I have been told. You can definitely tell it is an Opheim boat! All the curves and little details of the woodwork are amazing.

The captain uses it cod jigging.

Hmm.

Wood mast is rare.

Not usually one for passing on cheesy wisdom, BUT....

What are the seven wonders of the world? Make your list.....

Tragedy can be seen as wanting something badly and not getting it, but the greatest tragedy just might be desiring something so much, getting it, and finding it empty.

Seven wonders:
touch
taste
see
hear
hope
feel
love

Sick lil' girl

Poor Abz has been sick! Despite her illnes, she hasn't lost her sense of humor. She was staring at me saying "gaga..ga..ga...ga..ga". I asked her rhetorically is she was being silly, and she said "No, I'm being a girl."

Sometimes dreams do come true. We get to live our desires.

Went to Tony's for the beard and mustache contest and got hammered with the best one there.
And that would be a Stanley awl in my hands. So, when hammering don't forget to wear goggles. It says that right on the awl. Good advice.

I had a much more productive day off than expected. I starting cleaning up the garage in preparation for pottery. I have some additional things I want to clean up, which I have been procrastinating. They are heavy things, but, I am still pressing on.

I also finished the fish skin leather from Coral! It was a little stinky after soaking in the brains for a week in the fridge, but my scientific hypothesis was that any bacteria breeding would only break down the cellular structure making the skin more soft. I am happy with the results, and will now need to think about what to do with it!

Abby, ask me about post not posted here.

weekend report

Apparently this post was too cryptic! It seems straight forward to me, oh yep, cause I wrote it.
This is for Abby, but it needs some additional info it seems for anyone, so here it is:

I have debated doing a weekend report, but for your sake my darling, here it is:

It's ok to be confused about that hot dude you've been lusting after, or the dude who is lusting after you, etc. If your unsure, just wait. Time will tell. Don't jump into anything.

If you've already jumped into that hot dudes arms (or pants), just try to let whatever feelings go. (This is good advice. We are girls. We have feelings. And don't do that again miss girlie! Cads they are, those boys!) I can't tell you to take the high road, it doesn't always pay, but sometimes, well, I can't necessarily say decisions are regretted, but we do have to live with our decisions (What, you've never done anything you would may have done differently?). The consequences of what seems like harmless (or perhaps just unthinking) fun can be unexpectedly brutal.

Bad things happen to good people all the time - like car accidents, Spanish flu, etc. etc. (Life is short!) Live everyday to the fullest. Unfortunately, living to the fullest, LIVING your desires and passion, doesn't always correspond with responsible action.

Don't drink and drive. Really, don't.

People can be rude and annoying, but let it go. Be kind. (Oh come on, there's lots of stupid hoes out there)

Oh, and you dreamed about humans, the ocean, and biscuits last night. You were SOooo excited we were having biscuits for breakfast. You really do like biscuits.

I had an intense zombie dream last night. Woke up at 1am all scared! Afraid to open the door to let Lou out! Opened it, and - just rainy Kodiak. Shwew.

Abby was Miss Chatty before bed. Forgot to ask her about her dreams this morning. She has some funny ones.

St. Paul harbor again

Anchorage or bust

Abby went with me on a work trip to Anchorage. We left a day early due to a snow storm, and juggled things around so we stayed with a friend for a night. This is a furniture store, not their house!

One of the days was a day off, and here Abby is at Bouncing Bears - a large space with inflatable bouncing things. Abby loved it. So much so she made herself a little sick!

One of the stops for work was to the Afognak Native Corporation building to inspect the exhibit there. Fancy building.

LOTS of snow when we were there, which was a vast improvement to the -20 temps. the week before! This is not a B&W photo.

Abby was a real trouper, going to 15 different antique and furniture stores to find a bookcase for the Ouzinkie Church.

Oh so high ladder and slide at Bouncing Bear.

I lost my purse at JCPenny (was that a sign I was NOT supposed to spend that fifteen dollars?) There was a twenty minute panic of - oh shit, how am I going to get on the plan? I have no money! AHhhhhhhh! Lucky me, purse was found. Lesson 1, carry copy of id and credit card on person.

This is a B&W photo - can you tell the difference? The pumped up contrast doesn't count.

When we FINALLY got home at 11:30pm, Abby was crying and cold. We had to get the car, but it had been plowed in, and the small, but impassable berm was totally frozen. Lesson 2, don't panic and calm loved one. Lesson 3, carry extra cash for cab ride home. Lesson 4, have shovel in car.

Princess Abby

Told ya she is a princess!