tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81637632740086009932024-02-18T18:10:48.976-09:00Isiigem Umyaalinguarai - Isiik's ThoughtsMy life, my family, my studies...as I keep it all together...or have fun trying in Kodiak, AlaskaIsiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.comBlogger397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-74250033219667209692012-03-02T20:21:00.000-09:002012-03-02T20:21:11.236-09:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry I haven't written. We've been busy.</td></tr>
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<br />Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-19812627796751529672012-01-28T09:25:00.001-09:002012-01-28T09:29:54.675-09:00Catching upAt least that is what I hope to be doing this weekend. I have been at my new job for three weeks now and I can tell already it will be very demanding - at least for the first year or so as I learn the ropes - but also exciting and inspiring. To be able to take part in creating a program from the ground up that is so needed by our community is a very important feeling. I'll just try to not let the feeling of responsibility affect my weekends! <br />
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This winter is proving to be one of record cold and snow here in Kodiak. Mohawk the rugged Alaskan husky has been sleeping indoors almost every night, and last year he may have done so twice the whole winter. On an average winter the ground freezes here up to about two feet - we have no permafrost. This year it is frozen up to 6 feet, and the city is recommending those on public water to keep a faucet running all times up through March, as even after air temps rise, the ground will be well frozen. Those of us who have wells do not have the luxury of keeping a faucet running must trust in our homes' winterization. After Jeremy made some improvements in November, we have not had any frozen pipes, but with an older house in these conditions it is always a concern.<br />
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What does this mean for our spring? I hope that it will not be too delayed, as each spring it always seems too late for me anyway. Right now it seems like a very long way off.<br />
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<br />Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-89828659615839120342011-12-29T08:37:00.001-09:002011-12-29T08:37:56.289-09:002011 Winds DownI have been up for a few hours with baby Laura this morning, and my thoughts are turning to the New Year and all that has happened this year. We had a lovely Christmas, with Emmy getting <i>almost</i> everything she wanted, and baby Laura surprising us with the speed she is moving and developing. Jeremy and I were happy not to be traveling over Christmas with two children (though we also missed the family we would have seen if we had braved holiday travel).<br />
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In a few days, we will go up to Anchorage to see my sister La Rita get married to Tru. I am so happy to get to share this day with her even though she and Tru are planning a big wedding after he gets back from his deployment to Kuwait. We did not think we would be able to make it, but I scraped those airline miles together, found a cheap rental car, and made it happen. We are even staying a night in a hotel with a pool, which will overjoy Emmy (and Jeremy)!<br />
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So much in life is changing, which is scary, but also exciting. I will be starting a new job next month designing a program in Alutiiq language and culture at the college, and while I will still be at my current job at the Museum a little bit each week, as well as during the summer, it is a strange feeling to be swept along in this enormous change in my life. I keep describing it as being "swept along" but really I should give myself more credit - none of this would be happening if I did not think it the absolute best move for my family and myself as well as for the survival of the Alutiiq language. It is an incredible opportunity that I hope will meet with great success.<br />
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This time last year I was 4 or 5 months pregnant with baby Laura. She is now a bouncing, BIG, baby girl. Babbling, crawling so fast and trying to pull up on things. Big sister Emmy has impressed us with how much she has learned this past year, particularly with her participation in preschool. She is always using her new vocabulary on us and asking what words mean that she doesn't know. Her favorite subject in school is "arts and crafts." Yesterday she brought home a bag of paper cuttings from when she visited her grandma's school, and insisted it was her important "paperwork."<br />
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By this time next year Emmy will have been in Kindergarten for a semester, and Baby Laura will be Toddler Laura. I am so excited to hear Laura talk for real, since she has such a loveable and loud personality. I will have been teaching Alutiiq Language for a semester, so I hope that will have gone well. And Jeremy and I will be 6 months past our 10 year anniversary, which is happening next June. Which I think will be a good time for a big party.Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-82878192751580612492011-12-17T08:07:00.002-09:002011-12-17T08:18:23.670-09:00Patch TestingThis week I embarked on an interesting test to find out what chemicals, metals, and other surgery related substances I am allergic to. The reason I felt the test was needed goes back to the last time I had stitches. The sutures were supposed to dissolve in a week or two, and heal up in about the same time frame, but it took over 8 weeks for them to dissolve. My allergist believed I was allergic to a material in the sutures, but just in case it was something else related to the procedure or daily life, he tested me for a full 56 substances (a near-record for the allergy clinic). The substances were chosen based on an incredibly thorough series of questions about things or situations that have irritated my skin in the past.<br />
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Patch testing is somewhat miserable. Especially if you are being tested for so many things. It requires you to literally have patches taped on to your skin to see if your skin reacts to contact with the substances in the patches. Each patch has a number so they can check back on the list to see what you are reacting to. You have to wear them for two days (my whole upper back was covered with patches locked down with adhesive tape), then have them removed and read on the 3rd day, and have a second reading on the 4th day. And you cannot exercise or get the patches wet during that time. I was so glad to have the patches removed, and then even more overjoyed to have the second reading so I could go home and shower!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My patches, before being covered by tape.</td></tr>
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The joy at the test being over, however, was tempered by the results - that I am chemically sensitive to 6 substances or categories: Nickel, diphenylguanadine, quinoline mix, carba mix, potassium dichromate, and amidoamine. Six doesn't sound so bad, right? Well, these six substances can go by dozens of names, and also are mixed in with other materials. Nickel, for example, is found in stainless steel, jewelry, medical screws, dyes, snaps, scissors, batteries, zippers, and even doorknobs. The potassium dichromate (chrome), is found in dissolvable sutures, detergents, tattoos, bleach, makeup, construction materials, ink, copy paper, vitamin supplements, and even pool table felt among many others. The other substances I am sensitive to are fond in rubber/foams/plastic/leather manufacturing, and in personal care products like shampoo, soap, ointment, and lotion.<br />
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So the problem I had with healing from the sutures a number of months ago? It was described by the Dr. like a perfect storm: An allergy to the stainless steel needle used, the sutures themselves, the antibacterial agents, and adhesives used in pads/bandages. Then I followed up by keeping it clean daily using soap I was likely allergic to. No wonder I had a problem healing!<br />
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I now have a whole packet of information I need to compile into a master chemical/metal names list, so I can check products at the store before buying them. I am sad that some of the products I have used in the past I will have to discard, but I had already self-selected for some products that were less irritating, and so hopefully I will be able to keep some of them. And the sensitivity I have is not so severe that I will have to wear gloves to touch a doorknob or a fork. I would only experience discomfort if in prolonged contact with the things I am sensitive to. Now, armed with this knowledge, I face a much less itchy future. If I need any surgical procedures done, I can share this information with my physician and help ensure a successful healing. This test is an investment that I am glad I made.Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-9783802337599419272011-12-05T19:09:00.001-09:002011-12-05T19:45:09.964-09:00Photo updateHere are a few recent winter photos of the girls...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK3rixgHghDXzIt_wQYDxcFV2iBM5aGY0mIlxurickawwybf91PcNL22xy7vkhM_qLaiHMQ10BkhMu7UHE-GD71idgfb6NJzxE3YVLOjOQrRYuhu1ECyq8eEAmx-fyuuDvZlUqAwRtyo/s1600/DSC02953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK3rixgHghDXzIt_wQYDxcFV2iBM5aGY0mIlxurickawwybf91PcNL22xy7vkhM_qLaiHMQ10BkhMu7UHE-GD71idgfb6NJzxE3YVLOjOQrRYuhu1ECyq8eEAmx-fyuuDvZlUqAwRtyo/s400/DSC02953.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-4555384725435966182011-11-21T19:05:00.001-09:002011-11-21T19:05:56.804-09:00CrawlingBaby Lala has learned to do the army crawl, after an extended period of rolling everywhere. In this video she rolls, crawls, and gets mad while I keep moving the camera farther away.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="301" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y4v9lPf6L_4" width="400"></iframe>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-50896551591943371312011-11-16T19:13:00.001-09:002011-11-16T20:57:54.867-09:00Flu SurvivalJust before Jeremy got home from the grand Canyon I came down with the flu. Or I am assuming it was the flu, since I tested negative for strep and mono, though I also tested negative for the flu (all of these tests only cover some of the varieties). It was the sickest I have ever been in my life, as far as I can remember. I was in such agony with sore throat, body aches, skin sensitivity, headache, fevers, cold chills, sweats, and sinus congestion that I could not take care of Emmy and Laura and asked my mom and step dad if we could stay with them. It turned into about a three day stay. I would lay awake at night and worry that Emmy or Laura would get sick, because with the amount of pain I was in I could not bear to think of one of my children suffering that much. Laura had received the first half of her flu shot last month, but Emmy and I had not received a flu shot yet, and we still don't know if it was even the flu for sure. The night before Jeremy got home I went home with the girls, since we were so excited for his arrival, but I was still so ill that I had to ask my mom to come out to the house and help. It was so discouraging to be so unable to deal with basic responsibilities, and it made me so grateful that I have family here that can help out when things like this happen.<br />
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The day after Jeremy returned I was starting to feel better, but Emmy
began to get sick and feverish. It was so hard to see her sick, but
oddly she did not complain of the exact same symptoms I had. However, her
fever was frequently very high (around 103F) and she was in clear distress. I think we went to
the doctor 4 times last week. She was supposed to start preschool on
Thursday but we had to delay it because she was so ill. Finally on
Friday we got a call from the doctor who said she did not have the flu
like we had thought, but was suffering form a kidney infection. I could
not believe we had just been trying to keep her fever down when she
should have been on antibiotics days earlier! But we just hadn't known.
So, a few days of antibiotics later, Emmy is getting back to her normal
self, and she was able to start preschool yesterday! Besides being
completely exhausted, I think it is going well. She is very excited
about the upcoming book fair. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmy, recovered and excited for her first day at preschool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-89289784165524005952011-11-03T07:43:00.000-08:002011-11-03T07:44:04.538-08:00Halloween, Winter Arrives<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Right after Emmy, Laura and I returned from a very whirlwind trip to Oregon, we had Halloween festivities here in Kodiak. I tried to make sure that Emmy especially had a great time on Halloween, even though with Jeremy gone I felt more like staying home. I even got in to the spirit of it by wearing a costume to work for the first time ever. Thankfully the Greek Goddess costume I borrowed from my sister was basically like a pretty dress. I don't think it would have been as easy to wear a pumpkin costume while sitting at my desk.<br />
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Right after Halloween we got our first snow of the season and overnight it now feels like winter. I have been burning the wood stove each night, and each morning I let Emmy cross off another day on the calendar. Tomorrow Jeremy gets off of the canyon. A few days later he will be arriving home on the airplane. Emmy is beside herself with excitement. It has been a long trip.Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-12634625259225957982011-10-13T09:12:00.000-08:002011-10-13T09:12:43.485-08:00Jeremy leaves for Grand CanyonI try not to think about him like this, poised above a huge hole in a rapid. But I can't help worrying about the danger he faces on his trip. This is something Jeremy lives for, though. He wouldn't be who he is without the river.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXflK7XhxepFfrcE5wgn2JyGcZikp77xebJ9ZgnwSrh_mGXyakYoPdwl2V270fidq6ReJiR5fNMnk8Xn9nJ9JvznVOTOG3D7Q-Lw51ognoSsIdGolFthRXzVW9reWZ3CzTJi9oVaTJ-SQ/s1600/Jeremyriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXflK7XhxepFfrcE5wgn2JyGcZikp77xebJ9ZgnwSrh_mGXyakYoPdwl2V270fidq6ReJiR5fNMnk8Xn9nJ9JvznVOTOG3D7Q-Lw51ognoSsIdGolFthRXzVW9reWZ3CzTJi9oVaTJ-SQ/s400/Jeremyriver.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last time Jeremy went down the canyon, he had no incidents or injuries, but he caught some unknown virus right before coming home and became very ill, the same week another recent canyon adventurer died from catching the plague (yes, literally the plague) from an animal carcass. Turns out Jeremy didn't have the plague, nor did he have anything else they tested him for, and he eventually got better on his own. That just goes to show you that the things you worry about are often not the things that go wrong. But this time, keeping fingers crossed, we will get our man back with nothing more than a relaxed attitude after his weeks away from "America."Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-11432428985211449402011-09-15T22:25:00.000-08:002011-09-15T22:25:17.528-08:00The Sister Connection<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="294" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xnbjbvAVYEY" width="520"></iframe>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-58750554803440528812011-09-09T19:20:00.000-08:002011-09-09T19:20:41.334-08:00New Video of the GirlsWe got some flip video recorders at work and I brought one home to try out. It's true they are very easy to use. But they have stopped selling them since everyone uses their cell phones for video nowadays. Everyone but me...<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="322" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l6tCyghiOUw" width="520"></iframe>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-39170120126821653772011-09-08T18:58:00.000-08:002011-09-08T18:58:12.547-08:00Fashion 1911 - 2011This is a lot of fun. 100 years of fashion.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="333" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7JxfgId3XTs" width="540"></iframe>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-89353556151301751932011-08-29T20:07:00.001-08:002011-08-29T20:29:23.180-08:00Caqit ukut: Planking, Owling, Leisure Diving, Horsemaning?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems like every couple of weeks there is a new viral internet photo craze going around. Planking was the first big one. There was a guy at Mike and Erin's wedding that kept planking on everything, and it got me thinking about it more. So for those of you who haven't figured all of them out, here is a run down of some of the top photo trends...Did I miss any? <i>(all photos from Google Images)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Planking:</b> Where the subject lays face down, with stiff arms and legs, in strange unexpected places.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNMx7eL_8x2WJS7sAo_jmugXJcY2Bqf2aQ315Dzzn8740WYrGoB8SZPFuFsY4JsHHcm8QY4TmbKagijJSZU-gNSNsZwQDQV9Z6ahaWdy6tJ9hyphenhyphenjdr9DFVtg3KtH4wEhRWtGmr01EN7LU/s1600/plank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNMx7eL_8x2WJS7sAo_jmugXJcY2Bqf2aQ315Dzzn8740WYrGoB8SZPFuFsY4JsHHcm8QY4TmbKagijJSZU-gNSNsZwQDQV9Z6ahaWdy6tJ9hyphenhyphenjdr9DFVtg3KtH4wEhRWtGmr01EN7LU/s400/plank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Leisure Diving:</b> In this technique, you stage a photo of the person flying through the air, usually into a pool, in a very relaxed pose, hence "Leisure" diving. Few people in Alaska do this, because who has a pool?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXLYPH4r3HmOEJRkOR0A0mQrvu-fT6Ld_N77lzwrx8n6cykzHpkAfnBuWHEENJ5nwgv4MyFez5a5mYWJrlRDu0lyPa0pOqfEmxnVsyVP5vOey3WEOB67Q4BnLHSx4WJqw7W04nuo9hc4/s1600/plank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0zvqX5FAMmr0i-wWC9r2yNPYtidNS1s7ZKV7JGkT-jqT5Rlxk_nDw0_5SgUYSfv6pSmQWwIu6xmkRBcDtzphPPRRhpEqCL8UBB88zbN4LVyE2ppgPsErwIOEOAPqXiKmsajFtWfN28k/s1600/more-leisure-dives1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0zvqX5FAMmr0i-wWC9r2yNPYtidNS1s7ZKV7JGkT-jqT5Rlxk_nDw0_5SgUYSfv6pSmQWwIu6xmkRBcDtzphPPRRhpEqCL8UBB88zbN4LVyE2ppgPsErwIOEOAPqXiKmsajFtWfN28k/s400/more-leisure-dives1.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Horsemaning:</b> Inspired by the "Headless Horseman," two people are used to make an illusion of one person beheaded, often with the "body" holding the "head." Supposedly the photo below was taken in 1920, and has repopularized the technique after being discovered in a garage sale and posted online. I kind of want to try this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaFcCUrZRdqopO_DuI8jIZacCdQEJwbdPQFSHJWL6umV1ZlXPIPKoXgsb3QbajvuL82l2DdFZt4_64y14T2s4JLRCZJTtD_xRxqM4cM8HEcvvvMzdiviL7Leyg_QnrwGP2IfLFBMWXNA/s1600/horsemaning1_540x405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaFcCUrZRdqopO_DuI8jIZacCdQEJwbdPQFSHJWL6umV1ZlXPIPKoXgsb3QbajvuL82l2DdFZt4_64y14T2s4JLRCZJTtD_xRxqM4cM8HEcvvvMzdiviL7Leyg_QnrwGP2IfLFBMWXNA/s400/horsemaning1_540x405.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Owling:</b> Supposedly the next greatest thing after Planking became popular, I am least inspired by this one, despite my Alutiiq name meaning "owl." Like Planking, but in a owl-like position, the subject perches in various unlikely locations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF-_upFEJ2UmGtCX17DwCVnqnoY2uoeODWmm885fdV1HCzx_6G7MqMAVYbd1rADQx8dPEmZeTNPzgdf4ZCyyTSz3MEfeC4X1U3MzEZt0VULP-rfZp3FpXb-ZLtEwSmrTPskSKCbls6CQ/s1600/t1larg_owling_meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF-_upFEJ2UmGtCX17DwCVnqnoY2uoeODWmm885fdV1HCzx_6G7MqMAVYbd1rADQx8dPEmZeTNPzgdf4ZCyyTSz3MEfeC4X1U3MzEZt0VULP-rfZp3FpXb-ZLtEwSmrTPskSKCbls6CQ/s400/t1larg_owling_meme.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>Update: </i>We had to try horsemaning at home. Here is our most successful attempt. Emmy thought it was hilarious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs86sIlWC5w3BvwyC_zqpMOquPQpG2qKJ9Qty06H70Ffzl8tiZzJcQ7nhaHyYrvny0hDr-Fk4giEwj0swQ1OK3AKcXVqjm91vmdvMBPyvSsYb_QzVHWcVx4-eEjRaEFjjearOgqmro13U/s1600/headless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs86sIlWC5w3BvwyC_zqpMOquPQpG2qKJ9Qty06H70Ffzl8tiZzJcQ7nhaHyYrvny0hDr-Fk4giEwj0swQ1OK3AKcXVqjm91vmdvMBPyvSsYb_QzVHWcVx4-eEjRaEFjjearOgqmro13U/s400/headless.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br />
Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-16551637687980127362011-08-14T09:00:00.001-08:002011-08-14T09:01:44.790-08:00Japanese Knotweed - Invasive SpeciesSo...the saga of the backyard septic installation continues. We were happy to see our grass growing in the new backyard fill, even though there was also a prevalence of weeds. There was one plant that I had never seen before, which I hoped was some sort of nice bush I could use in my landscaping. It sprouts with a reddish tinge, grows quickly, and has broad oval pointed leaves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkdyKX-Hvd5BKVDINiFCNlvPLOxiXqpED7J97bwMtXmxNg3FwkclYqPt8Hw8PwqkG1lpfseSya73RT0NmA0DOb-V8k414g-fU7x0BnZuz8rHozUmGT0-iNJIvfGdRM5Yz3AdjL23_3Rc/s1600/Photo0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkdyKX-Hvd5BKVDINiFCNlvPLOxiXqpED7J97bwMtXmxNg3FwkclYqPt8Hw8PwqkG1lpfseSya73RT0NmA0DOb-V8k414g-fU7x0BnZuz8rHozUmGT0-iNJIvfGdRM5Yz3AdjL23_3Rc/s400/Photo0417.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> Unfortunately, as a visiting friend warned us, this plant is Japanese knotweed, which is highly invasive. Apparently there was a landslide where various contractors were getting fill dirt from, but was from a location highly infested with knotweed - a highly aggressive invasive species. So, my options are now to use poisonous chemicals, cover with heavy black plastic for a number of YEARS, or cover with 5 FEET of new clean soil. Pulling up from the roots can actually spread it worse, since root systems can be 45 feet long, and only a small root fragment can restart a colony. Another option is to cut it down up to 6 times a season for 5 years or more, which is sometimes used for large stands of it, but it can regrow to full size within a month or two.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQusVQ0boVvY8Na7Iy5IE5TykYAK8OvioHRI9SjSq00r2rcf1Er3UMIFqJbJIjuyU5FMYJhGSf5zY2aK1QZYUDGJgipZjIFLlSjngs7VqkQA0uQeCYk46s9Qe5ZoMMwl3JX-PImsmM_bE/s1600/Photo0416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQusVQ0boVvY8Na7Iy5IE5TykYAK8OvioHRI9SjSq00r2rcf1Er3UMIFqJbJIjuyU5FMYJhGSf5zY2aK1QZYUDGJgipZjIFLlSjngs7VqkQA0uQeCYk46s9Qe5ZoMMwl3JX-PImsmM_bE/s400/Photo0416.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> I asked the Kodiak Water and Soil Conservation District to come and look at it, and they suggested they could target spray it with something, and only kill a little grass since the knotweed are not yet well established. It might or might not fully address the problem. What a pain!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9svLCGWBinv-36n5dmK92V3zcbZ11HRlo7qFOH8DIGoKZbdRHnvMmWi8hZYaAi5wOeFAhvNyQ1_p-vEIwAOubuB-XPdPNYlyzN3TRO9dHHkKDYnlZrIhafoov3lE_4OAgxN2l2USsyzA/s1600/Photo0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9svLCGWBinv-36n5dmK92V3zcbZ11HRlo7qFOH8DIGoKZbdRHnvMmWi8hZYaAi5wOeFAhvNyQ1_p-vEIwAOubuB-XPdPNYlyzN3TRO9dHHkKDYnlZrIhafoov3lE_4OAgxN2l2USsyzA/s400/Photo0415.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-49119338323968161692011-08-14T08:34:00.000-08:002011-08-14T08:34:12.626-08:00A Beautiful WeddingYesterday we attended the wedding of Erin and Mike. It took place at Abercrombie, and it was incredible. Everyone in the wedding party wore whatever they wanted, but somehow it all looked planned. The bride was radiant, the father proud, the couple glowing. Jeremy was a best man and Brent was the Officiant. Emmy was a flower girl. The weather was fantastic, with just a few thin clouds, and everyone was having a great time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Uq0pW7WzMfjVH2yL6Ixsg3HmocyD0EzUfJmxZSJsmVlWgBMkN-2p4vocaHP-ix3JzCamelI7k4xM7eg5lDjR0TUguBftx9PcbfKw-lVgZ8C7DhREM5KXcLsOaJv4n_CR2ytqtQoPNwc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Uq0pW7WzMfjVH2yL6Ixsg3HmocyD0EzUfJmxZSJsmVlWgBMkN-2p4vocaHP-ix3JzCamelI7k4xM7eg5lDjR0TUguBftx9PcbfKw-lVgZ8C7DhREM5KXcLsOaJv4n_CR2ytqtQoPNwc/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-KvMUcXdIO9lS8Dl7PHNgPQZDSLG94pEVeeT9IcmzOf7sAW-M_c-MpPIv7X6eWvB7jYNKBOj8daTKMVUbJR_iTJwozOhnRLJ9z-1BlVb70IWBOzm2isvXJGJJUBXRHRW1zWnyyiDGpQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-KvMUcXdIO9lS8Dl7PHNgPQZDSLG94pEVeeT9IcmzOf7sAW-M_c-MpPIv7X6eWvB7jYNKBOj8daTKMVUbJR_iTJwozOhnRLJ9z-1BlVb70IWBOzm2isvXJGJJUBXRHRW1zWnyyiDGpQ/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHqE__MmpNgNcI2ojG9u83Ib-_bTtUIix8rVuUz520zWTESg1DetC4LGM3AH7oRbeQsVtd3V6wYgZ7USmYPPlf_rSUiOZjfVbbYRhGuXIQ1k1ICb69CoN1T8x4LbjboTXRlSS2fTF0Gs/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHqE__MmpNgNcI2ojG9u83Ib-_bTtUIix8rVuUz520zWTESg1DetC4LGM3AH7oRbeQsVtd3V6wYgZ7USmYPPlf_rSUiOZjfVbbYRhGuXIQ1k1ICb69CoN1T8x4LbjboTXRlSS2fTF0Gs/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw8AS57CiG1gu4pKWMo4k4ltTz0Az1CUhP8mXHDGiVw23DfaBQxG-LD4U8E4vDRlujpMn2LSrE5ILx9sAXjpvQ5wAJkd05wHYAmnX20KSqb0iMV2R-DA6p0rs5C-YcQyQy7Fnz27uok0/s1600/DSC02723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw8AS57CiG1gu4pKWMo4k4ltTz0Az1CUhP8mXHDGiVw23DfaBQxG-LD4U8E4vDRlujpMn2LSrE5ILx9sAXjpvQ5wAJkd05wHYAmnX20KSqb0iMV2R-DA6p0rs5C-YcQyQy7Fnz27uok0/s400/DSC02723.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmQZ_enYxAZK_Joz_RNBuYTnSXGrw1TgTW-_R1zyQa3ct70n2IRENAXVqc-15iNFMT9x09lCtsUpdcdIveOyKT0NEjCgXyBnTs6ogMhiN0pmg-DZ0qREKasUZ_YEbAvkfdF0FtW0UNTk/s1600/DSC02724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmQZ_enYxAZK_Joz_RNBuYTnSXGrw1TgTW-_R1zyQa3ct70n2IRENAXVqc-15iNFMT9x09lCtsUpdcdIveOyKT0NEjCgXyBnTs6ogMhiN0pmg-DZ0qREKasUZ_YEbAvkfdF0FtW0UNTk/s400/DSC02724.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmOlr3J_nStMQXPzbzHs84hSQwmyxbl5pvxiP2yyTZLr_RZMQ1SQdOJBKmaoytPpL1bYufWnIw6Ik89opCtUB5HFcDNmHOicfyHJM9_CEY0nI32ix48xTtIzq_smeyWJCbLiD5GMpN3A/s1600/DSC02727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmOlr3J_nStMQXPzbzHs84hSQwmyxbl5pvxiP2yyTZLr_RZMQ1SQdOJBKmaoytPpL1bYufWnIw6Ik89opCtUB5HFcDNmHOicfyHJM9_CEY0nI32ix48xTtIzq_smeyWJCbLiD5GMpN3A/s400/DSC02727.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-31186927967243988282011-08-06T21:03:00.001-08:002011-08-06T21:08:32.061-08:00Chiniak<i>Pingaqtaaka Cingiyaq.</i> I like Chiniak. I must admit it, I like it even better than Pasagshak. It has a nice rugged coastline and round little bays surrounded by trees, with beautiful ocean views all the way along the road. Today, since my parents-in-law are in town, we brought them out to Isthmus Bay, the same place we were last weekend. Although it sprinkled rain most of the afternoon, we had a blast. It would be quite nice to have a place out there some day...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA-RAfd3rardYrJIYWuJ_tDMc_diuIZMFFU4umbsOEiEjTc2ULfdm0G13mJ7T5q8hMrTSzqws6wUqEpUXLi-hd3M1IwGMLvuepBmrxNjBwGIeaWXc8kvxNHCauIAp_T3IJghyphenhyphen9w8QeBU/s1600/DSC02686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA-RAfd3rardYrJIYWuJ_tDMc_diuIZMFFU4umbsOEiEjTc2ULfdm0G13mJ7T5q8hMrTSzqws6wUqEpUXLi-hd3M1IwGMLvuepBmrxNjBwGIeaWXc8kvxNHCauIAp_T3IJghyphenhyphen9w8QeBU/s400/DSC02686.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We set up Emmy's "kids tent" to have some protection for Laura from the rain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iG9lm6ui7pJwLRzPtnLJjWqvKrIoANiGJi7zE9pS82Ki1ywhVBZnlfE98uSjrCwtQ_pqHtrO6I5NhCMDTFI1aCBc0TxpmqLtuPhpyEc57M1JJAVH5n-PicUs9YDrmbxDnGkRiyldSQY/s1600/DSC02683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iG9lm6ui7pJwLRzPtnLJjWqvKrIoANiGJi7zE9pS82Ki1ywhVBZnlfE98uSjrCwtQ_pqHtrO6I5NhCMDTFI1aCBc0TxpmqLtuPhpyEc57M1JJAVH5n-PicUs9YDrmbxDnGkRiyldSQY/s400/DSC02683.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being an avid sports fisherman, Matt caught and released most of the day, but he and Jeremy kept three of the brightest pinks for the freezer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNZb0rhW7pFMUOCe3hKuzyIUoEU_ZZgYNnRwOTYnvIsbiCxIUmVgHwZM_H-_PcVEB2lINbfUXuwhE-TSDn3EAFp-PMjXhMJjxL75TL0tc73vPfWDj1IYfoo-vCntvRsVzIVqDuwzM3AI/s1600/DSC02687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNZb0rhW7pFMUOCe3hKuzyIUoEU_ZZgYNnRwOTYnvIsbiCxIUmVgHwZM_H-_PcVEB2lINbfUXuwhE-TSDn3EAFp-PMjXhMJjxL75TL0tc73vPfWDj1IYfoo-vCntvRsVzIVqDuwzM3AI/s400/DSC02687.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There may have been just as much fun to be had in the tent as there was on the beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcejde97j62riOcJKE5SC4SPK0OIx1bMjyjqKzLYL2V0F4sksFsAggTL1UJePEUzx2wopPAcb1ZzWvRBHfEMUXDKdouAC6K8iZsAlbEbDKrah_opUMep5aUHD6JaxVRvwRjRGgw-qVFg/s1600/DSC02689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcejde97j62riOcJKE5SC4SPK0OIx1bMjyjqKzLYL2V0F4sksFsAggTL1UJePEUzx2wopPAcb1ZzWvRBHfEMUXDKdouAC6K8iZsAlbEbDKrah_opUMep5aUHD6JaxVRvwRjRGgw-qVFg/s400/DSC02689.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmy eating her cookie and enjoying the scenery. The seiner in the background made sets all day long.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qaKXLCpLGZMZkxy3rvR3AGor_jv0VRyu6Bscq0Ij_jNB7Ky8LXX_ALiOhGDtj0Afa9_lEasUrqXzcO-gbq_dF3HPv0CZ0qrj8UkDIeWI27FTSjaC4uRHGG0H3D7kWAOcvW2ijTNdQO8/s1600/DSC02690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qaKXLCpLGZMZkxy3rvR3AGor_jv0VRyu6Bscq0Ij_jNB7Ky8LXX_ALiOhGDtj0Afa9_lEasUrqXzcO-gbq_dF3HPv0CZ0qrj8UkDIeWI27FTSjaC4uRHGG0H3D7kWAOcvW2ijTNdQO8/s400/DSC02690.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura seems to enjoy being out doors and getting fresh air. She was very cheerful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJd8ECcKWk-EmHYyZQPQO1lEnUTklkxF7gcIZ8hZ5AHScuIYlNjS3ZgUjnO2MF2Th-fE_DtBBBwMam2176cPyUEikDblmLEVXiGIdsNKGm3CWKMvfrFZQMHaE-5_ir3Y7GmzkmHWH5bZE/s1600/DSC02694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJd8ECcKWk-EmHYyZQPQO1lEnUTklkxF7gcIZ8hZ5AHScuIYlNjS3ZgUjnO2MF2Th-fE_DtBBBwMam2176cPyUEikDblmLEVXiGIdsNKGm3CWKMvfrFZQMHaE-5_ir3Y7GmzkmHWH5bZE/s400/DSC02694.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back from the beach towards the winding stream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-20632559981831340772011-08-05T20:23:00.001-08:002011-08-05T20:24:20.920-08:00Summertime SunshineIt really has been a lovely summer for weather. Our home water supply has taken a hit due to the scarcity of rain, but I really can't complain. These photos are from our trip to Chiniak last Sunday.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQNt0EsoSGk6FPI361ITuxveL-_TXl-qDjCYo29zpu61Rhdk5DBLyxatrlW6aafGNMx9S1JJ9Iw5QaJdKNYRa5Qt4aswa_XgDbBtPt5zyzsvry1UqcoNNXQFe5kMDZGSmQRicZR3enGw/s1600/DSC02639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQNt0EsoSGk6FPI361ITuxveL-_TXl-qDjCYo29zpu61Rhdk5DBLyxatrlW6aafGNMx9S1JJ9Iw5QaJdKNYRa5Qt4aswa_XgDbBtPt5zyzsvry1UqcoNNXQFe5kMDZGSmQRicZR3enGw/s400/DSC02639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsZi8egEM3hVFP6pjJIElq3P9mTBVGnGvuv7l0e-KFsdbixjoeXyRllfyYlN136yd_Otvpw7SbfUqsy7YyHDr00_x4wnh4IBVAXZLPVwFzi6JRjICOUJvDpqc8xdCBJzxzO85bRK_MsA/s1600/DSC02645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsZi8egEM3hVFP6pjJIElq3P9mTBVGnGvuv7l0e-KFsdbixjoeXyRllfyYlN136yd_Otvpw7SbfUqsy7YyHDr00_x4wnh4IBVAXZLPVwFzi6JRjICOUJvDpqc8xdCBJzxzO85bRK_MsA/s400/DSC02645.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMTjQJGaXNur7eCmnhyQ1ssU3McwuRKG9EvSJwZs7FJWIdXOj94mLkrI8KhVw1K0Rc2Ei4j4Kh7-5Ndb3o9z9pRQy7IPGgMgmg6d7gPhx4tX3ob8K9iXnx02Pe793al7NxNLuyibb-ig/s1600/DSC02663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMTjQJGaXNur7eCmnhyQ1ssU3McwuRKG9EvSJwZs7FJWIdXOj94mLkrI8KhVw1K0Rc2Ei4j4Kh7-5Ndb3o9z9pRQy7IPGgMgmg6d7gPhx4tX3ob8K9iXnx02Pe793al7NxNLuyibb-ig/s400/DSC02663.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpYpmTyo2kKG9kypMcAMvsDQY9zelqFnppEGEHOiO5tM4YIJSSLDUuqv66VoURwRVcDYTKtiSBOJJ_QCD7tL2gkPVC1CunMNubXpU1E19k-CG73ZjcX4bzcXN9XqMux8b1svYmyzOba0/s1600/DSC02657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpYpmTyo2kKG9kypMcAMvsDQY9zelqFnppEGEHOiO5tM4YIJSSLDUuqv66VoURwRVcDYTKtiSBOJJ_QCD7tL2gkPVC1CunMNubXpU1E19k-CG73ZjcX4bzcXN9XqMux8b1svYmyzOba0/s320/DSC02657.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-85785632921751573292011-07-31T08:39:00.000-08:002011-07-31T08:39:49.738-08:00Family PhotographyLast night we went for a hike off of Woodland Drive on Spruce Cape. We brought the camera and Jeremy, Emmy and I all took our turn at photos. It was a beautiful evening and we had a lot of fun. Here are some selections...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTuaUuiGFC-za99v-7jWn_p2CTnNqAtY1p4lWNRrnOKrL6NJ0AKHFAVxNijUhBMlLFvAEc19TtVdVXX3OEyOJXpkFu47aSg2SjBia9cVdNWnI8lTCvnC6VAfho9WQMpxb48ImBcQGb84/s1600/DSC02625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTuaUuiGFC-za99v-7jWn_p2CTnNqAtY1p4lWNRrnOKrL6NJ0AKHFAVxNijUhBMlLFvAEc19TtVdVXX3OEyOJXpkFu47aSg2SjBia9cVdNWnI8lTCvnC6VAfho9WQMpxb48ImBcQGb84/s400/DSC02625.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Emmy. It took a few tries to get the tops of everyone's head in the photo and no fingertips in the way, but she did great.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Nj5z71TW3xzoWLvb1bQue-oo8s73vR6-D1Fiv3EhhmELzbCVFHcK2s0d92zP6fa3BW4Hn9mecwStsxjXrXr2lByhbnHmj95PxRojtt4bUrUCcnSx6hjqV3pTNk0j-Zpa1gcHKS4GGHM/s1600/DSC02627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Nj5z71TW3xzoWLvb1bQue-oo8s73vR6-D1Fiv3EhhmELzbCVFHcK2s0d92zP6fa3BW4Hn9mecwStsxjXrXr2lByhbnHmj95PxRojtt4bUrUCcnSx6hjqV3pTNk0j-Zpa1gcHKS4GGHM/s400/DSC02627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this one, we tried to get the whole family in the shop without stopping or slowing our walk. Pretty funny.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Efsl6ORHPXW_0rwHlmiM9dIVD_ojGpOaFsWiOuD5sNDmDd2rKQINBe86BSm6ae-bzXPibHDREgy2vpdd7Oo4-zLi29OLbalK_M9byPKKfhfw3SO24GmBRz0kqCMAEYkVDCu-PCU1gIc/s1600/DSC02628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Efsl6ORHPXW_0rwHlmiM9dIVD_ojGpOaFsWiOuD5sNDmDd2rKQINBe86BSm6ae-bzXPibHDREgy2vpdd7Oo4-zLi29OLbalK_M9byPKKfhfw3SO24GmBRz0kqCMAEYkVDCu-PCU1gIc/s400/DSC02628.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura tries a glamour shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4L6YEAHiocujFZwla5phYChMnvEibpSRMGusZJA8h18bIP2yUq_OrxnelPwIWXDNSZh_i6w2SUnf8Rm57HyYNgpORMmHCJZjvb91FgKzfBUutbAUaZTZ-uw0DNtYBgQJ7YnCxPMEHbE/s1600/DSC02635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4L6YEAHiocujFZwla5phYChMnvEibpSRMGusZJA8h18bIP2yUq_OrxnelPwIWXDNSZh_i6w2SUnf8Rm57HyYNgpORMmHCJZjvb91FgKzfBUutbAUaZTZ-uw0DNtYBgQJ7YnCxPMEHbE/s400/DSC02635.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmy and I try the "Senior Photo" look.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cNPylBsCDgWW_3p_mXE3t8jAVwKH6YgPRLlTubuym_oSa4zRZLFVnDJf9TAWaYOmrJc1H6rQT0SkO7dszXu2-kIrLCxYP_820xOUQZE6RhF9Utc-MFxM0Do0dOBCBWeSGMAkg-lYUOI/s1600/DSC02636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cNPylBsCDgWW_3p_mXE3t8jAVwKH6YgPRLlTubuym_oSa4zRZLFVnDJf9TAWaYOmrJc1H6rQT0SkO7dszXu2-kIrLCxYP_820xOUQZE6RhF9Utc-MFxM0Do0dOBCBWeSGMAkg-lYUOI/s400/DSC02636.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy gazes thoughtfully into the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-54929099477677526332011-07-17T14:35:00.001-08:002011-07-17T14:35:33.511-08:00Peak of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxYqxQkGGPQvvmBqHfySGheL-BPNHeW81y2ygJUlp5HBrw780PPSobH3z4GWimveEkx2ajhgd7wmDA5GdkehebiiHJfXqidY8R_QlBGkVvekukgt0l6ZPj52pWB6jp-9AkQ1kivtqfdM/s1600/DSC02604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxYqxQkGGPQvvmBqHfySGheL-BPNHeW81y2ygJUlp5HBrw780PPSobH3z4GWimveEkx2ajhgd7wmDA5GdkehebiiHJfXqidY8R_QlBGkVvekukgt0l6ZPj52pWB6jp-9AkQ1kivtqfdM/s400/DSC02604.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It feels like just a few weeks ago I posted, saying how pathetic my garden is this year. Well, maybe my rhubarb yield was not as much as I had hoped, but I think things have actually turned out pretty good so far. There probably is not much time before we start noticing things going downhill again towards fall. However, the salmonberries for the most part are unripe and/or seedy due to the lack of rain. The backyard grass seed project is looking sparse, but I still have hope it will thicken by the end of the season. I'll post photos when it is further along.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhvrntmZQ-YKxVCyoHFOoG9wCqirIKQsNeouet4ecRw8zr8dOa9r0vRl5XhcXvSUNKEyTQ8JLM7gtS953RE61iHB50rdOm2tsZAu59e9LZF_IlY7CCkAO1wl50WquH9A0Tzbk0Y0iElc/s1600/Photo634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhvrntmZQ-YKxVCyoHFOoG9wCqirIKQsNeouet4ecRw8zr8dOa9r0vRl5XhcXvSUNKEyTQ8JLM7gtS953RE61iHB50rdOm2tsZAu59e9LZF_IlY7CCkAO1wl50WquH9A0Tzbk0Y0iElc/s400/Photo634.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Jeremy got a used swing set last weekend from his boss, and he added the slide we got from Bill, and a few new swing seats. We found another use for the small deck that used to be in the backyard, and this afternoon Jeremy plans to stain both to make them look new.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsm89Shyphenhyphenv0vn0qrhXOhsJeN27TeUYvR1oumWADub-YffSlI4NjzyEhuh4fgV8nrRL5d64tELUlZNVz3n_qwjleeUkwXpskDQi4Sz1eXSUoh42MpPabDMGlZko_E4L_4mHDLbQRwYcGaY/s1600/Photo631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsm89Shyphenhyphenv0vn0qrhXOhsJeN27TeUYvR1oumWADub-YffSlI4NjzyEhuh4fgV8nrRL5d64tELUlZNVz3n_qwjleeUkwXpskDQi4Sz1eXSUoh42MpPabDMGlZko_E4L_4mHDLbQRwYcGaY/s400/Photo631.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Yesterday it was also very sunny so we went out to Abercrombie and let Emmy run around a bit up near the big bunker. She was saying "I feel like I am in a fairytale land!"Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-14029007842341139292011-06-30T21:45:00.000-08:002011-06-30T21:45:52.901-08:00Future BandEmmy's cousin from Juneau is now old enough to really interact with her. Here they are rocking out with each holding half of a video game guitar.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9eXN21Xj_fQ" width="400"></iframe>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-28667914208844835952011-06-25T08:22:00.001-08:002011-06-25T08:25:00.937-08:00Seeding todayWell, the septic took a bit longer than expected to get completed. The contractor's backhoe broke down, and a few other mishaps took the project into the middle of this week. But I am happy to say it is all closed back up now and we have the nicest, newest septic system on the block! He he.<br />
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Since we have quite a large expanse of bare dirt now, today we are planning to rake and seed the back and side yards with grass. I hope this will result in a nice grassy expanse where the girls can play. I'll post a photo late in the summer to show how things turned out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdCxkCg21PI_iHYCY1Itiak9uWgEmzibCcxuZPWKESsDYleyFzkU5l4AP8j2y32mN1osyDtbpGgY_LwSKciHDC6j-kms2hlgVKMfUeg5gfw7C_LVNg2KaXMQg_XNrVYWKrouwiSDg8Q4/s1600/septic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdCxkCg21PI_iHYCY1Itiak9uWgEmzibCcxuZPWKESsDYleyFzkU5l4AP8j2y32mN1osyDtbpGgY_LwSKciHDC6j-kms2hlgVKMfUeg5gfw7C_LVNg2KaXMQg_XNrVYWKrouwiSDg8Q4/s400/septic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back yard, our beautiful Three Sisters view, and the telephone pole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In other news, my potatoes have sprouted, along with the sugar snap peas and nasturtiums. We got my birch tree planted in the front yard, decided to spare the sickly maple tree from the burn pile for one more season, and things are starting to look pretty nice out in the front garden.Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-34761356678461616692011-06-18T12:11:00.002-08:002011-06-18T12:11:56.221-08:00Septic InstallationAfter nearly a year of trying, waiting, and stressing, we are finally getting our septic tank and leach field replaced. We don't feel...excited exactly, but I anticipate feeling very relieved within the next few days to know everything is back in working order. We will also have a nice flat backyard which will be nice for the girls to play on once the grass grows in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7NnwmczU1X949DruRZvQ1UdenLzGQO-ZRFnGmVPmcqJ4vf-5rVM0VclXKYS5p-Az3_SkyuolmJvxrfiI18MWsDgtEd1pqtZ9sBymuhkb2nyWLFxdulkRZMVZOCJ3P0qMnKlRz3aT_6g/s1600/Photo477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7NnwmczU1X949DruRZvQ1UdenLzGQO-ZRFnGmVPmcqJ4vf-5rVM0VclXKYS5p-Az3_SkyuolmJvxrfiI18MWsDgtEd1pqtZ9sBymuhkb2nyWLFxdulkRZMVZOCJ3P0qMnKlRz3aT_6g/s400/Photo477.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our contractor is doing a very meticulous job, measuring and leveling at every step.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HQ9AJPW2D7vwQz8KQSTww4-2DYVAuO7UNHxJE8rAq6NxE5TA_s5hy-AeXcSDcWjhrX85M1k44ay5-oVTW8E62uo4wYvaW0US_wJG6U_8JyAarKz9Jo9Hc9ez1qPL4PGl3UY7QFzMnLw/s1600/Photo473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HQ9AJPW2D7vwQz8KQSTww4-2DYVAuO7UNHxJE8rAq6NxE5TA_s5hy-AeXcSDcWjhrX85M1k44ay5-oVTW8E62uo4wYvaW0US_wJG6U_8JyAarKz9Jo9Hc9ez1qPL4PGl3UY7QFzMnLw/s400/Photo473.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmy, playing princess of Gravel Mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG4sYUBTKEBEEhBJmHOr_nfWwR-RGNSnpet7bt1xB_6H9J3zx2dgw5qwA68zl99sXRRGYd4sw1jkuo2rGxM7hphF4cKglr5GVUSVtktyDubomfZ1SXo3R5B0ZaNRDagzfnuZ4oRYJJkI/s1600/Photo474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG4sYUBTKEBEEhBJmHOr_nfWwR-RGNSnpet7bt1xB_6H9J3zx2dgw5qwA68zl99sXRRGYd4sw1jkuo2rGxM7hphF4cKglr5GVUSVtktyDubomfZ1SXo3R5B0ZaNRDagzfnuZ4oRYJJkI/s400/Photo474.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unrelated to the post, but just had to include this cute pic of Laura, who is smiling more and more every day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-68920899700009665752011-06-14T09:12:00.005-08:002011-06-14T10:00:50.425-08:00LauraBaby Laura laughing. She turns two months this weekend.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcjtBN2Dj55yQ_St7QV33eG1MB-DI489p1hA-ocz77HWhn6M42TxMUQM2k5-GlwtXbxA18h70h_g1tjgRdINKZ7vU9BM7luEhxWtP4ekiV3iiFIcGOdBoLDjOLkBK4Er4pF-kLNKbbEo/s1600/Photo422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcjtBN2Dj55yQ_St7QV33eG1MB-DI489p1hA-ocz77HWhn6M42TxMUQM2k5-GlwtXbxA18h70h_g1tjgRdINKZ7vU9BM7luEhxWtP4ekiV3iiFIcGOdBoLDjOLkBK4Er4pF-kLNKbbEo/s400/Photo422.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-1265950661953839652011-06-13T12:58:00.001-08:002011-06-13T16:23:59.366-08:00Garden 2011Well, the garden won't be much this year. Due to the length of time it is taking us to get the septic field replacement project completed, the backyard will be lucky to just get reseeded with grass before the end of the summer. I did buy two trees, a small ash tree and a paper birch which I hope to establish in the back yard, but we'll see how long we have to wait before that happens. I used to have three raised beds back there, so I am planning to ask Jeremy to build me some new ones next year for my potatoes and other food plants.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN81N8P1AHCsyZIrMfCI8E0_nUfwb2qYArliGS47qhbT13nkcIlC1AN8Xzpqye2m6rm3_-GIEOEfXxasD3AV3lJ-ok4iREqP28_eoO397hVAc7SwcKtwa4nxZrOLXDDYb_JgWmtvdvvI/s1600/Photo0378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN81N8P1AHCsyZIrMfCI8E0_nUfwb2qYArliGS47qhbT13nkcIlC1AN8Xzpqye2m6rm3_-GIEOEfXxasD3AV3lJ-ok4iREqP28_eoO397hVAc7SwcKtwa4nxZrOLXDDYb_JgWmtvdvvI/s400/Photo0378.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The front yard is now the primary garden, and is hardly worthy of a report, but since it is sort of a tradition to give garden updates, I will go ahead anyway. The large rhododendron which suffered for years in my shady yard (before rallying last year after I finally began putting miracle grow on it) is still alive. I will post photos of it soon, though it still looks like it would have liked to remain in its original location out on the Coast Guard base. It was outside of a building out there for 15 years or more in a nice sunny location before it was removed (yanked out of the ground with a chain tied to a truck) and rescued by my step dad. Keeping it alive has been quite a job, but it still blooms bravely each summer. My small rhododendron was pretty badly smashed by the snow being pushed off the road by plows last winter, but still has some leaves on it. I think I need to protect it with a fence or some large rocks before next winter.<br />
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My rhubarb, which was moved last year to the front yard is now getting more established and I may be able to harvest some this year. I LOVE rhubarb pie! I have about 4 plants, 2 of which are of good size. My only other edibles this year are some chives which are doing great, some sugar snap peas in a planter, and two halibut tubs where I planted some potatoes. I got the potatoes planted late, and in store bought potting soil, which I plan to add some kelp to. I am wondering how they will do. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGtfYRR1MzqQL_WS58AEflx3hOFsGzBgDDpaFqk2Pi8Is2xvxY_j9hoiuURja1rqOj8ZLcE_-szDVD330FdJX58xiW9UIgwwgsHRN_nXsB0B8gK9xylaqAhkOEWR2Ox-3vUDRdCt5PpU/s1600/Photo0379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGtfYRR1MzqQL_WS58AEflx3hOFsGzBgDDpaFqk2Pi8Is2xvxY_j9hoiuURja1rqOj8ZLcE_-szDVD330FdJX58xiW9UIgwwgsHRN_nXsB0B8gK9xylaqAhkOEWR2Ox-3vUDRdCt5PpU/s400/Photo0379.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I am a big fan of perennials, and the flowering plants that survived include a couple types of primrose, a columbine, two colors of astilbe, and some lily of the valley. I had two different types of mint last year but neither overwintered, which surprised me. Rounding out the front garden, here is a hedge of rugosa rose, foxgloves, and some nasturtiums which have not yet sprouted, along with some filler annuals from the nursery, and a few more items waiting to be planted. Whew!<br />
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Now that I listed out everything, I guess my garden isn't too pathetic. It is no "master" garden, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of it and It can only get better as time goes on!Isiikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07482443993177378850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8163763274008600993.post-18311098299643799882011-06-01T14:06:00.005-08:002011-06-01T14:16:00.053-08:00Stop the Belo Monte Dam!The Brazilian government has just approved a massive dam project that will displace 40,000 Indigenous and other residents of Brazil, and flood over 120,000 acres of rainforest and local communities.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chief Raoni of the Xingu cries when he learns that Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff approved the beginning of construction of the hydroelectric plant of Belo Monte.<br />
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<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody">Even if it is too late, the Brazilian government needs to know the rest of the world is watching.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Sign a petition to be delivered to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff <a href="http://amazonwatch.org/take-action/stop-the-belo-monte-monster-dam">here</a>.</span></h6></td></tr>
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