Venetie

A few weekends ago, as I'm sure Midwest lawns greened up and the tulips bloomed, I went on a work site visit to a wonderful village north of Fairbanks (one hour bush airline ride up).

The trip was timed during Spring Carnival, which is always a fun time. Warm and light enough outside for all sorts of activities, but with enough snow and cold to allow for late season sled dog races! My Member was super busy the entire weekend making Navajo Tacos to raise money for the teens. She's responsible for getting the Youth Center opened and operating, which is awesome.

So while I worked and hung out with the program in the Youth Center, I also got to check out Carnival events. Throughout the days a bonfire roared outside the Community Hall and I couldn't help but talk to the guys at the fire about their roasting delicacy...caribou heads.Later, I tasted some caribou bone marrow. Here are just some village life photos I took on a glorious and friendly Saturday. First up are competitors in the Women's "Tea Making Contest." Boil water for your cup of tea but starting your own fire first, the fastest.This Church is the only remaining structure at the old village site, down by the Chandalar River. Over time and due to flooding, the current village moved up the bluffs and is now protected. I thought the building was really interesting. A quartet of teenage girls threw me on a four-wheeler with them to show the frozen river. I think they were amused by my interest in this structure representing another time.

Now, here are a couple of videos about other happenings...the start of a dog race and then part of the "Rope Dance" during a nightly fiddle dance. The dance went for hours and was such fun. What I really loved is that the youth in my program were NOT too cool for the dances and everyone got into group dancing, jigging, and other energetic dancing! I was one of the judges for the "Twist" contest.

The smell of a fire was in the air, and sawdust & wood chips covered most paths. Something I just love about Venetie is the log homes.The amazing thing about these log homes is that everyone built them at some point. Isn't it amazing to say you built the shelter for your family?! I found one house that is on its way...

It was nice to be in Athabascan country. Can't wait to go back some day.

*Amy

Time for a Farewell

I have lovingly used these hand-made seal-skin slippers for several years. I've pushed how long I've worn them around the house despite holes appearing, virtually no liner left and general lack of warmth from stretching out. But it's finally time to retire my favorite slippers. Sigh.

I bought them right from the Shishmaref tannery during a long-ago village trip. I picked them out, they were snug on my feet, and I made an big investment for being a KNOM volunteer. I remember that first night with my new feet. I stayed in the school and had a classroom to myself. I left the community basketball game in the gym and nestled into my room for the night. I locked the door, unrolled my sleeping bag and just padded around wearing my new seal skin, beaver trim slippers. They've earned retirement but I'm still sad. I can't just ask for a new pair as slippers vary in how they're made from patterns. I will need to find the slippers that call to my feet and hope they fit.

Andy's slippers became too big and worn this year for his clubbers too.

He's moved on to some wonderful home-made wool felted slippers I surprised him with at Christmas. Our friend in Nome made them and had to do the biggest size she knows how. His feet have been described as OARS! Not pretty. :) So he's set and cozy and happy.

We'll keep our "heirlom" pieces together as a reminder of how simple things, like warm feet, make us feel so good in this world. In the meanwhile, I'm happy it's warming up. I asked my seal-skins to push through the winter and they did.

*Amy

Change of Scenery

...and the scenery was GOOD. The other weekend we had 3 days off for an Alaskan holiday. Even people who live Up North need to "get away from it all." We haven't fulfilled a life goal of owning a cabin yet, so thankfully in AK there are many Public Use options. I snagged one northwest of Wasilla and we headed for the mighty Matanuska Glacier. The Glacier is AK's largest, one you can pay to access and walk on, and it starts one of the Mat-Su Valley's defining features: the Matanuska River. That old, wise ice sits in an awesome valley and our little log cabin had an exclusive view. As far as public use cabins go--bringing your own firewood and water--this place is RAD (yes, RAD).

I wanted to keep it for myself, but in the spirit of sharing it's on a State Rec site at mile 101 of the Glenn Hwy. Call the Long Rifle Lodge to reserve.

Wasilla was getting dirty, brown and warm at the time we drove off. Weather at our little cabin was warm, sunny and full of powder. We went exploring and spied an Arctic hare and all its little tracks. The only other wildlife we caught was a flying eagle.

For the rest of our getaway we just enjoyed the fire Andy maintained, music off my iPhone, hours worth of playing Mexican Train dominoes, and some fancy cheeses and sausages, wine and champagne. Yum!

Then the moon visited us and we enjoyed its glow from inside where we were warm and full.

It's good to get away every once in awhile. And I discovered that glacier gazing while brushing your teeth outside is pretty awesome too.

*Amy

O'Flaherty

Hard to believe I spent my last St. Patrick's Day as an official Flaherty. There's just something about having an Irish name on SPD that brings respect?, fear? or admiration by non-Irish on the holiday that makes us all Green. I don't begrudge the unique name I'll take this summer, but I think Brides who change their names have an adjustment period. My change will be my Irish "identity."

Lucky Andy found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! He takes on a lifetime of pub tunes, "Slaintes", green clothing and other fanfare on March 17. So I was excited that he worked last Wednesday-daytime, rather than his usual evening schedule. I had someone to celebrate with in Wasilla on this very important St. Paddy's Day!

We went out to eat, enjoyed live country music (don't ask), and green beer of course. I also celebrated before we left the house.

Cheers to you and yours, whether Irish or not! Erin Go Bragh!

*Amy

Below the Surface

I love ice skating outside. Indoor rinks are alright and serve a purpose, but I enjoy swirling around in fresh air.

We went to Wasilla Lake the other week where a patch of snow is plowed for Olympian wannabes. But when we started skating I was wishing for the advantage of an indoor rink's Zamboni. The ice was pocked, bumpy, partially cleared and just not good for cruising speed or twirls.

Then I really looked down and remembered why I love skating on a frozen body of water.

It's so interesting! The layers, the fissures, the cracks horizontal and vertical...more than meets the eye below the surface. Rather a Sunday driver, I am a Sunday skater...stopping suddenly and just starting DOWN.

It's like playing in a fun house with funky mirrors all sorts of directions. And this seemingly look of CHAOS actually combines to support me. Mother Nature is cool, literally. It also reminds me of a hand fortune teller. What do those wrinkles or cracks mean? Was there a trauma that shoots off into different directions? What's the life line?

Well, maybe too many questions for something simple like a lake frozen in winter. To be honest, our ankles were wimps so we didn't skate for long. Plus the gliding conditions were just not there. The funny thing is, though the start of spring differs up here than elsewhere in the country, I doubt we'll be outdoor skating this season again. If we want to practice beating Apollo Ohno or Russian figure skaters, we'll have to take it...indoors.

*Amy

Jack is Trump

Last Friday I hosted a Euchre card game night. It had been far too long since I last played and I really wanted to throw some cards. The game seems best known by people from the Midwest; not easily recognized by people in AK. It's a game of trump, similar to hearts. I threw out an invitation to other Midwesterners and was surprised by the response and enthusiasm. Game on! In fact, two games at once with partners moving around like a bracket, based on wins and losses. It was so fulfilling to get lost in conversation, card throwing, tricks and music.

As Euchre card players know, the "bower" is the highest card and you get excited when your partner orders you to "pick it up." The "bower" are the Jacks. Well, we had our own Jack trump that night...and he's about 10 months old. Friends I've mentioned before, Heather and Dylan, drove up from Nikiski and stayed with us for the Euchre action (and other reasons). When I last saw Heather in Dillingham she was ready to give birth to Jack. I was so excited to see them and meet the little guy. It was awesome having such cute energy in the home:

I sound pretty excited to hang out with Jack and his momma (my first-year roomie in college)! It's been baby season for sure with many good friends and co-workers expecting and having bundles of joy this past year. Fun to see the developments myself!

It's hard to say which Jack is more fun to play with...one that claps, or one that takes the trick. :)

*Amy

Comeback

As expected, winter returned! Good thing too because the Iditarod has begun! It's been a mix of light snow, strong winds and clear skies in the Valley. I had a great time last year seeing the Iditarod Restart in Willow but I didn't feel like dealing with the traffic yesterday. Instead, we took about a 3 1/2 mile walk in 20-something degrees and SUNSHINE! It was great to visit my summer jogging trail. While the snow covers it now, my mind is already picturing it with green leaves, spider webs, warm sun and dirt.

I DO enjoy bundling up, though.

*Amy