Harbor Lights

The harbor is a daily experience. I usually walk to the spit and back on my break. I can see it from my window, and randomly seem to be there often.

There are characters like Bobby and Tom to chat with. 

 

And the mood of it changes, not just daily, but the time of day, weather, season....On one summer day it can be packed to the brim, then an opening (time when seiners can go and harvest) is declared, and it's empty. A closure, and everyone is back in town whooping it up.

From sunny....

 

to watching the sunset...

which this time of year is an event! (being so dark, and sunny days rare),

to the sun just set and holy cow it looks totally different...

and cool-looking canneries (hey it's a WWII-era vessel converted to a cannery, of course I like it!).

So when the notion arose to re-envision the boat parade (I think it usually was on New Year's where the boats would go down the channel all lit up, depending on the weather, which often cancelled the event), I jumped on it!  I am an active Board member for the Kodiak Maritime Museum, and I spearheaded organizing the event. I managed to secure prizes for the winners, made the flyer, went boat-to-boat trying to get people to decorate, etc.

However, it was Tom(cat) who came through! After decorating the GB, he riled up all the other owners to decorate.

He by far had the biggest party on-board!  I totally missed the throngs of people coming in for toddies, but was there for the after party.

It was raining so hard I could not keep my lens dry. Made some interesting effects I guess.

On Thursday, just days before the event, it was looking grim!  Only a few boats were decorated, but as fishermen go, they all decorated at the last minute. Ultimately, there were about 30 or so boats that decorated and about 350 people who attended. I am proud of myself for taking the initiative to get the ball rolling and doing a bit of the leg work! It is now officially an annual event!!!

Nutcracker

 Abby was a reindeer in the Nutcracker. This was her second performance. I really should have a lot to say about it, because when it is performance time, it is all-consuming!  We are there every night for about 10 days, which followed two practices a week for three weeks (sick, not sick, rain, shine). It's good for her, and she is really getting into it. Her physical coordination has somewhat improved, although that could just be because of getting older. She has amazing fine motor skills, but the overall body, not so much. She gets boo-boos a lot.

So beautiful!

By the end of the performance her costume was ripped and her antlers broken!  She worked hard, and so did her hair products!  It took a quarter cup of goo to get her hair in a bun!  Her hair is ultra springy.

Abercrombie

 My photographic goal was to capture the lush green moss, from a more far away view. Apparently I am not satisfied with my images as I realized I have selected none except the one Abby is in below.

Same hike, different day, some same views.

 My lil' reindeer in the woods. 

(Oh maybe I didn't do the dance post yet. Abby was a reindeer in the Nutcracker.)

 Mossman monster. 

 Experimenting with settings on new camera my dad got me for Christmas.

Reindeer.

Basil and Lou

 We adopted a cat. Lucky and Venus passed on years ago, and I had no desire for a pet.  We dog sit Lou and that's a great way to have a pet! Have him for a week, and give 'em back!

 Lou has unfortunately moved away. We miss him bunches!  We had him at least a week every month for about a year and a half. He was an excitable Brittany Spaniel, but he loved me sooo much!  He would bury his head under me if I laid on the couch, and try to practically crawl inside me! How close could he snuggle?!

He ran so fast and jumped so high. He is true to his breed, lovin' the birds.  He would run away, often, go down to the harbor and roll in fish something. Oh he stank!  One time he ran in 30 minutes from downtown to Safeway. When I would take him walks he ran 1/4 mile loops around me, lookin' at me like I am a sloth, and he a hummingbird.

Basil is awesome - a cat with NO bad habits!!!?? No scratching, shedding (despite havinglong hair. My aunts say she is probably Maine Coon), random peeing, or excessive meowing. 

She is our constant companion. 

6

 Abby turned six months ago!  Angry Bird cake. 

Don't ask me what Angry Bird's is! An iPad game I guess.

 Her and her BFF Marcus love Angry Birds, and here they are smelling the scented markers they are using to color the Angry Birds jumbo coloring pad.

She had her party at the swimming pool. Swim and cake!