Winter Whine

The cold, clear days of winter are here. We've been testing out our hiking gear almost daily. My main finding: my feet are warm if the snow doesn't get in to wet my socks. Once they're wet- they wick out my warmth. Note to self: buy waterproof gaiters for February in the mountains. The down jacket under the raincoat, note the fashion model on our first deep snow in Fairbanks, will be our first line of defense against winter. Today was in the single digits though, and I needed either long johns or rainpants. It's not perfected yet.

On NPR, there was an interesting segment on "Science Friday" about the uniqueness of Appalachia (pronounced as "latch", not "lay-ch"). The premise is that where you grow up defines who you are, even if you don't live there anymore. Apparently, the mountains of Appalachia link people more than state or national identity. My feeling is that everyone has a sense of place- sometimes it's where you are born, and sometimes it is somewhere that you recognize your bond when you get there. Interesting and it makes me want to hike that trail even more to see the hollows and hills. One caller says that she describes herself culturally and ethnically as "Appalachian- American". And what's not to love about the banjo and fiddle.

My computer hard drive is dying. It revived temporarily to allow me to write this blog. The debate ensued- buy a new computer or a new hard drive. Our inertia set in and we just ordered a $60 hard drive. Waiting for the latest model never works, because like new cars, they become obsolete and devalued the minute they are taken home. Most people who constantly upgrade their computers don't really need to- they don't even use what they already have on their current one. In fact, except for email, Internet and word processing, most people don't even use a fraction of what they could. I like a Mac though because of the built in speakers and mic. If we upgrade, we'll get a built in camera, too, like I had when I mentored.

Yesterday I went to visit some local shop classes. Randy and Guy showed us their amazing programs. Kids are learning how to use power tools correctly and safely and making some selling quality stuff. The kids were making small jewelry boxes using a scroll saw, drill press, rotary sanders, templates and sanding blocks. Some of the kids learned so well that they could make one in 30 minutes. One to keep, one to sell. I also saw Adirondack chairs, cutting boards, benches, display cases, tool holders and lots more all made by kids.

At the high cost of getting good carpenters to do quality work, it's pretty short sighted to skimp on those programs. Also, there is a lot of pressure on kids to go to college- well, it's not for every 18 year old. My husband had the idea that kids should get a 12 year voucher for free public education. They could use it to finish through high school in 12 contiguous years or they could leave at 16 and use the other 2 years later in their lives for the first 2 in college or a trade school or to finish high school, depending on their abilities, interests, etc. That way, when kids drop out of school because it isn't meeting their 16 year old needs, the door doesn't close behind them.

Politics? Check out http://www.palinaspresident.com/
Be sure to move your mouse and click on some of the items. That's all I'm saying about that.

I'm volunteering at KUAC to answer phones for their fund raiser on Monday. I did it last year and also worked at their booth at the Fair. I'm in favor of public radio. I can pick it up in Ft. Yukon and Hoonah via the Internet if I don't have a radio handy. And, sometimes I agree with what I hear (and sometimes I don't). Either way, I often get good leads for more research.

I was remembering a funny incident from my younger days. When I first moved to Alaska, my (ex) husband and I built a house in the outskirts of Fairbanks. The dry cabin (no running water) was dug into the side of the hill and our dog had a run that was counter-weighted with a garbage can full of rocks. There was a stop at each end of the cable to prevent Newty from going around the trees. That way, when Newton (Pissant Hoeniker) attempted to wrap himself around a tree in an effort to break his leash and go on a dog killing spree, the counterweight would lift him up and put him back in his own area. Once, I could hear a bell ringing when I drove close to home. There was Newty shaking a dead lamb in his mouth. The bell around its neck didn't prevent the lamb from walking in harm's way and I'm sure Newty enjoyed the moveable feast. The owner couldn't say much. Newty could only go up and down the hill on our own property although I did feel bad that it died in vain. When I was pregnant with Erin, I had a recurring dream of slipping on the icy slope and sliding all the way down the hill, hitting my head on the can of rocks and knocking myself out. Funny things, dreams.