New pets

We decided to put up bird feeders even though we haven't replaced the deck. They are about 25 feet off the ground and we weren't sure anything would come up that far. They did, dozens and dozens of them costing over 10.00 a day for bird seed, all the same species - Pine Siskin. Their chatter is delightful and they are a pleasure to watch.

We have actually had some spring weather with about 5 days in a row of sunshine, (may be a record) but the rains have returned so we feel at home again. Flying up to Juneau again today in the small plane so will take the camera and see if the lighting works right. It is cloudy with spots of sun and winds are expected to be light so it should be a pleasant hour flight both ways.

Here is a link to an article about the contest Seth and his group won. click here

April Snow

Snow in April, I guess the evidence is there. I flew to Juneau to pick up a new rehab patient and they had 3-6 inches of snow. This snow storm caused them a bit of trouble as there was an avalanche that took out a stretch of their power lines from the hydro project thus requiring them to run diesel generators for electricity. Apparently their electric bills are going from .11 to .55 per KW. That is 5 times the amount they currently pay and this will continue till the lines are restored which may take several months. Coming home the snows started that afternoon in Wrangell as well but was gone off the roads shortly. Now we have clear skies and cool temperatures. The birds are singing this morning and several boats are leaving the harbor to get the early King Salmon. I guess I should get my boat ready and join them (maybe when it gets over 40 degrees).

April Showers

Greetings and salutations from the land of the April (and nearly year round) showers. The snows have been staying over the 500 ft elevation so maybe it is spring. Lots of Robins migrating through, the Skunk Cabbage is in full bloom but that pesky sapsucker must have found a better sounding board to attract a mate as the house has been quiet.

Flew to Juneau again on Sunrise Aviation in their 5 seat Beechcraft and forgot to take my camera. It was just as well since we were flying through snow and clouds most of the way and when there was a view the light level was so low that it wouldn't have taken very well moving at over 100 mph. The flight was uneventful which makes a good flight. Great pilots to fly with and a sterling record for safety. Finished the electrical on the little house and will call for the final inspection. Next for that project is to finish the ceilings, floors and walls then install the bathroom, kitchen and replace most the windows. I guess I have a ways to go. I thought I would have my yacht ready to go but my mechanic had the audacity to go and break his leg in such a way he may be laid up all summer. The repairs will have to wait or I will have to find another mechanic able to do the job. He was the best in town and the busiest.

Lynda is continuing with her craft starting another basket and another painting. I look forward to each new work of art and am blessed with having so much of it around the house to enjoy.

Amanda is planning a trip with a friend to Disneyland to celebrate the end of the busy tax season. She has had to put in long hours to complete the work before the deadline and was successful.

Cynthia finished another quarter at college making good grades again as usual and continues her success for the last quarter of the year. She got a job as a tutor for one of her classmates at his request so she gets paid to study for her classes. Not a bad position to have.

Seth graduates in a month. He was part of a small group at UAF that won a national mathematical modeling competition comparable to winning a national football championship. The last time UAF won was when one of his professors was in the competition. He plans on staying in Fairbanks working on a programming project this summer as he continues to hold out for a job programming for a game company.

Here's till next time I get inspired to communicate.