Full Moon Poetry

Full Moon by Robert Hayden

No longer throne of a goddess to whom we pray,
no longer the bubble house of childhood's
tumbling Mother Goose man,

The emphatic moon ascends--
the brilliant challenger of rocket experts,
the white hope of communications men.

Some I love who are dead
were watchers of the moon and knew its lore;
planted seeds, trimmed their hair,

Pierced their ears for gold hoop earrings
as it waxed or waned.
It shines tonight upon their graves.

And burned in the garden of Gethsemane,
its light made holy by the dazzling tears
with which it mingled.

And spread its radiance on the exile's path
of Him who was The Glorious One,
its light made holy by His holiness.

Already a mooted goal and tomorrow perhaps
an arms base, a livid sector,
the full moon dominates the dark.

Wednesday Poetry

The Snowfall Is So Silent
by Miguel de Unamuno
Translated by Robert Bly

The snowfall is so silent,
so slow,
bit by bit, with delicacy
it settles down on the earth
and covers over the fields.
The silent snow comes down
white and weightless;
snowfall makes no noise,
falls as forgetting falls,
flake after flake.
It covers the fields gently
while frost attacks them
with its sudden flashes of white;
covers everything with its pure
and silent covering;
not one thing on the ground
anywhere escapes it.
And wherever it falls it stays,
content and gay,
for snow does not slip off
as rain does,
but it stays and sinks in.
The flakes are skyflowers,
pale lilies from the clouds,
that wither on earth.
They come down blossoming
but then so quickly
they are gone;
they bloom only on the peak,
above the mountains,
and make the earth feel heavier
when they die inside.
Snow, delicate snow,
that falls with such lightness
on the head,
on the feelings,
come and cover over the sadness
that lies always in my reason.

Wednesday Poetry

Hardware Sparrows
by R. T. Smith

Out for a deadbolt, light bulbs
and two-by-fours, I find a flock
of sparrows safe from hawks

and weather under the roof
of Lowe's amazing discount
store. They skitter from the racks

of stockpiled posts and hoses
to a spill of winter birdseed
on the concrete floor. How

they know to forage here,
I can't guess, but the automatic
door is close enough,

and we've had a week
of storms. They are, after all,
ubiquitous, though poor,

their only song an irritating
noise, and yet they soar
to offer, amid hardware, rope

and handyman brochures,
some relief, as if a flurry
of notes from Mozart swirled

from seed to ceiling, entreating
us to set aside our evening
chores and take grace where

we find it, saying it is possible,
even in this month of flood,
blackout and frustration,

to float once more on sheer
survival and the shadowy
bliss we exist to explore.

She Has Erupted

Have you ever wanted to see what a volcanic eruption looks like on a seismograph? Well, if you look closely at the above image, courtesy of the Alaska Volcano Observatory's page on Mt. Redoubt, you can see five discreet eruptions.

So far, we have no ash in Anchorage. Flights out of Anchorage and heading north, at this time, are not happening. As I have said before, ash and jet engines do not mix. Another interesting link to look at, again on the AVO website, is their puff predictor. What a wonderful tool! Please, Bobby Jindal, don't take it away!

I would post actual pictures from my house of the volcano, except after a week of gorgeous, crystal clear weather, Mt. Redoubt choose a perfectly cloudy day to erupt. We will just have to make due with webicorders.

Volcano Un-Erupted

Sometime the end of January Mt. Redoubt rumbled to life. It had been in state of repose, relative to active volcanoes. It hadn't erupted in many years. The national media picked up on it's activities. The state was at readiness for any issues arriving from an eruption. My workplace had contingency plans in place for routing aircraft due to an ash event.

We maintained this level of vigilance and readiness for over a month. Activity slowly quieted down. Here in Anchorage, we were feeling a bit of relief, but also kind of jilted. It was like getting all dressed and ready for a night on the town, then your date never shows. Oh well. The Alaska Volcano Observatory down graded Mt. Redoubt back to a level yellow last Thursday. No ugly ash for Anchorage.

Yesterday as the family drove to some friends' house, we had a chance to observe Mt. Redoubt. Hmmm....what is that large plume, going about three miles into the air? Ohhhhh....increased activity! We are now back up to an orange level. No one knows when or if Mt. Redoubt will erupt, however, with a level orange, there is a 24 hour watch on all the data and activity associated with this volcano.

Why would we need around the clock surveillance on a seemingly remote volcano? When Mt. Redoubt erupted in 1989 a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines 747 with 231 passengers flew through the ash plume. The ash took out all engines on the aircraft. Luckily, after falling for more than two miles the crew was able to restart the engines. Air traffic has only increased into Anchorage in the last twenty years. Ash and jet engines do not mix. So, we are back to wondering if we are going to get an eruption. If we do, I sure hope I don't have to go anywhere.


On another note, I am working with this yarn. What a lovely yarn, it is 80% suri alpaca and 20% silk. Yummy! The only problem is I cannot find anymore of it.



If you have any tips where I can find one more hank of Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Baby Suri Silk, dye lot #83406, let me know!

Cook Inlet -Turnagain Arm - Portage Valley Timelapse from Dennis Zaki on Vimeo.

Wow! This is such a cool movie from Dennis Zaki. He's a photographer and film maker over at the Alaska Report. Enjoy the water and movement.

Dinner with Lupe

I am trying to get back on the blogging train. I am deeply sorry and I humbly repent for letting anyone down. Gee, it's just been an extra busy winter. I have been getting Zoey to workouts with a high school team and homeschooling Vivi now, too. Why don't the high school workouts happen at MY house? Hmmmm....



A few weeks ago we had supper with Guadalupe, the godmother of my children. Her wonderful husband, Kelly, was there, too. She gave the girls their Christmas gifts. Vivi's is this fantastic pink hat. She will not be parted from it, now.



Lupe also unleashed her fabulous purple wig for all to enjoy. Needless to say, we had a grand time. And thanks to Lupe for the pictures. I had forgotten my camera.

Long Nights Moon

Welcome to the Celtic month of the Long Nights Moon! Gather your friends and family around the your hearth or kitchen stove, socialize, share stories and await the return of the sun.

Today I watched this Long Nights Moon rise over False O'Malley Peak, and found myself darn near run over on the raven super highway. Most of Anchorage's ravens were flying off to their roost in the Chugach Mountains. My camera and I were inadequate to catch their daily migration. Most were only ten feet over my head.




The moon was rising almost due north and on the other side of the house at the same time the sun was setting due south. I love this time of year, the stillness and quiet, at least when I can grab it!

Today is also the day in 1531 that the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico. Isn't she beautiful? I will light a candle to her tonight and gather my family around.

Sing the Praises of Charlie's Bakery

For many years after moving back to Anchorage I mourned for real Chinese food. I wanted to walk into a warm, steamy restaurant and see women pushing carts of char sui bao and ching fun. Alas, all Chinese food in Anchorage that I could find was bastardized and americanized, with gooey sweet and sour. It was all overdone and over the top.



Then, about four years ago a co-worker whose mother is from Taiwan opened a door to happiness for me. Ahhhhh...... Behold the lovely shu mai above and the subtle chicken dish that tastes like there is honey and five spices in the preparation.



And below are nicely sweet, savory and sour crystal dumplings! I treated the girls to lunch at Charlie's on Monday. There are no women pushing carts around like at the fantastic Fook Restaurant in San Francisco, but Charlie's is a slice of heaven in Anchorage.



On Tuesday Vivi had gymnastics. It's not connected to Charlie's in any way, except we all enjoy it.



Just a note, I was not laid-off, I took a voluntary leave of absence for three months so that a more junior agent would *not* get laid off. I am loving every moment of it and find that I have had even LESS time to myself. Sheesh!

How Time Flies...

One would think that with not working my wage slave job, I would have oodles of time to post. Actually, it has been quite the opposite.



I have been getting Zoey to all kinds of work-outs and range openings. I have been getting her to her play rehearsals. Yes, she is in a play right smack in the middle of the holiday season. She is a character in the Christmas-Yet-To-Come part of "A Christmas Carol." She is LOVING it. Check out the play...



I have been re-connecting with my friends, like Lupe.



I have also been enjoying the view from my house.



And not having to drive in the snow!

What Did You Do Today?

Centre of equal daughters, equal sons,
All, all alike endear'd, grown, ungrown, young or old,
Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich,
Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love,
A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother,
Chair'd in the adamant of Time.

Walt Whitman



I am amazed at all the early voting, all the long lines, all the folks that spending their free time waiting to cast their ballots. Amen!




Our sleepy little mountain precinct was a buzz with kindergarteners in gym class, but quiet for voters. We went at lunch time, not a huge rush then. The young poll workers assured me that there had been a rush before work and as parents dropped their children off for school. I thanked them. Both girls remarked that these were not the usual cadre of retirees. Things are a changin'. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.



Zoey was excited to go voting with me, Vivi helped color in the circles. I always take my girls voting with me, but this was the first time they were excited. They can sense the charge in the air.

Lines and Contrast

Heard in the Hood

Vivi and I were browning meat for stew today. She opened the sliding glass door to let some smoke out (we have no hood over the stove) and came running back. She was exhilarated and scared at the same time. She heard something, but wasn't sure what it was. So, I stepped out onto the deck to hear a wolf calling.

I have heard wolves here before, but never in daylight. It is amazing. I've been scoping for him, but have yet to get a visual. When Tom comes home from Hatcher's Pass, he and I may walk down there and see if we can see a moose kill or something.

Any Ideas?

Vivi wants to be Teddy Roosevelt for Halloween. This has been her dream since about April. Any ideas how I can pull this off?

Two Days

Two days ago my world looked like this, lovely fall in Eagle River Valley.



There were several chickadees on my deck vying for sunflower seeds.



And moose in the yard, browsing.



We now have snow, actually sticking. We have been plowed twice. On Sunday evening I could not get out of my neighborhood since every ding-dong in the Anchorage bowl with bald tires and no studs decided to come look at the pretty snow. About 9:30p the temperature dropped enough to make driving down a safe adventure. We would not have left, except Zoey had been at a youth group activity. We were three hours late to pick her up. Thank heavens for good friends. As we were driving down we saw about a dozen abandoned vehicles. It was like an M. Night Shyamalan movie, or the rapture or something. The winter driving debut of the new Honda CRV is extremely positive. Not to be overlooked Tom, who had the foresight to get my snow tires on on Saturday. YIPPY!



So, with all this winter weather, what is a gal to do? Why, make suet dough for the birds. I also made a fantastic beef stew for us people, but I didn't get any pictures of it.

Guesses?

While I worked in a grey warehouse on Saturday, my dear husband and children got to see this guy (or gal) across the street on the phone wires. Any guesses who this is?



He also got to see a Northern Shrike pick up and fly away with a vole from around the swingset. I am so very jealous.

Autumn

Autumn is definitely here. The snow is coming down the mountains, the leaves are turning and falling. As a family we have been chasing belugas, following the tides on Turnagain Arm. Things may finally be slowing to a dull roar, or at least finding some equilibrium. We are finding our routines for school work and work-work. Ahhh....

Of course, these tenuous habits can be easily subverted. Say, when both the children get strep. There has been just a wee bit more sleeping and popsicle eating than usual.



Vivi reached a milestone on Tuesday evening. She lost her first tooth. She was shocked and amazed. Even today she will walk up to me, smile and ask if I see anything different. Oh how I love her heart!



She and I and Tom went for a drive on Sunday. We spotted Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagles, Common Snipe, Beluga Whales and Red Salmon. Vivi even showed off her great upper body strength and control. Sheesh!

Six, Six, We are Six

September 5th was Vivi's big day. The birthday girl requested breakfast in bed and so Zoey and I accomodated her. She had granola with milk, strawberries, and orange juice.



Zoey and I baked a cake and in the evening we all headed over to Pepere's house. We like him involved in all the family celebrations.



Vivi enjoyed opening her loot, playing with her new Littlest Pet Shop sets. She really likes her super light weight, super small, and super pink binoculars! She is stoked about those.



Vivi's godmother, Sarah, stopped by for a quick birthday hug, kiss and a little cake. She recited the poem from below for Vivi. She is so thoughtful and sweet. I think we will keep Sarah!

When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly Me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

By A. A. Milne



Grammie had me get a new gymnastics suit for Vivi. I found a perfect pink, sparkly one. She wears it quite a lot! She loves her new gymnastics identity.







Arriving in our mailbox on her birthday, as if planned, is a lovely set of gifts from Susan. I was so touched.



Susan made bracelets for Vivi, Zoey, and me. She also gifted me my very first pair of hoop earrings! I love, love, love them. Thank you.







Aren't they lovely? Vivi's bracelet even has the most fantastic butterfly fimo beads. What a great find in bead land. She is sleeping in it.