We've been out to the country estate 3 times in the last week, burning brush piles and hauling back a ginormous load of recycled (read scrounged) lumber. The sun coming through the trees made it necessary to wear sunglasses in spite of the single digit temps. We did some soul searching about burning piles instead of reusing as heat in the upcoming cabin, but the piles of wood were willow and alder, brushy and green and not very easy to even burn. Waiting until snowfall was a good idea though (mine) because we didn't worry so much about setting the woods on fire and we had good cookout and warming fires.
A flat spot where the brush pile used to be. Note bunny boots.
We put together a 10 x 12 tent platform from 2x4s that were already out there. Our plans are to put up a tent as soon as Spring allows so we can put the floor on the foundation.
Enjoying pocket stew while supervising the fire.
On Monday and Tuesday, we drove to Tok. We stayed at Fast Eddy's, where Paul enjoyed a ribeye steak dinner to my lasagna. I gave an inservice presentation to Alaska Gateway secondary math teachers on "Math on the Move". It was fun and I hope invited to come back (all signs point to yes). The roads became slippery those days with the first snow of the year and 30 degrees temps. Fortunately, it is getting colder so the roads are better.
Uncommon traffic jam in Fairbanks following the first slippery snow.
Thursday was Fox Day. When we were loading the truck with the 4-wheeler, we saw a red fox cut across the yard across the street. It had a doggy rope chew toy in its mouth- we assume it was taking it home to the kits. Later that day, a black fox stayed on the country road ahead of us for about 5 minutes, keeping up an easy jog. It reminded me of my one and only road sighting of a wolf on Prince of Wales Island when the wolf ran along in front of the truck for at least a mile at 25 mph. What strength!
I volunteered twice at Barnette Magnet School, Mrs. Meath's 1st grade class this week. The kids were fun and the thank you card is really a keeper. Let's just say I'm glad I've retired so I can pick and choose my times and topics.
It's Halloween night, but we went to the first "real" Nanook CCHA games. We beat Ferris State which was fun. Although we didn't stay home to hand out candy, 14 Halloween pencils and about 20 M&M packets were gone from the supply we left. The little German speaking kids behind us kept me entertained during the dull moments by asking, "Why, Mama?" to every little thing and even saying, "Mit elbows?" after an elbowing penalty. Cute, cute.
We've been watching old "Have Gun, Will Travel" shows on DVD. That Paladin is quite the man! I have to say that I missed all the subtleties of the show when I was young. Richard Boone plays this sophisticated, well educated gunman (oxymoron?) who uses his brain to solve most of the conflicts he's hired to fix. The notes on the DVD tell the background of the guests (Angie Dickenson, Denver Pyle, Richard Long, Charles Bronson to name a few) as well as the historical premise of each of the shows. We're hooked and now we have to see them all. The Lone Ranger, on the other hand, was a sorry disappointment. Clayton Moore looks scary and weird in his mask and even though he's described as an "fantastic individual" in the intro, he seems like a fop and a phony...he should have stuck to radio.
Susan, Cheryl and I met to plan our May hike. We plan to fly to Pennsylvania and begin hiking north from near Boiling Springs. We looked at gear and we're figuring out travel arrangements. I'm getting excited all over again- last year at this time, Paul (GarageMan) and I were only 3 1/2 months away from the start of the Appalachian Trail.
Tonight is Fall Back- daylight savings time. We're retired...who cares?
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