It's 8:30 here, and the sun's shining as if it were 3 in the afternoon. Every extra minute the sun lingers in the evening energizes my soul. My 9:30 bedtime slides back later and later every night and I have yet to notice it in the mornings, which is nice. And even though the most recent weather has been riddled with raindrops, we're enjoying the mud more than the ice from the previous months. Maybe we'll even catch a glimpse of another double rainbow before we venture out to the lower-48 for the summer.
It's perfect bird-season for the hunters up here, and anyone with a boat and a gun is anxiously awaiting the big "break-up" of the river. Some of the men challenged the Nushagak and (prematurely) took their boats out the other day, crossing over to the other bank to do some goose hunting. While I'm known for being a nervous-Nelly in most circumstances, I was happy to know I wasn't the only one worried for their safety, or sanity for that matter. Luckily, everyone made it home safely.
There's talk that the break-up will be any day now, which to some, is an over-due holiday. The river is this area's greatest asset, providing travel, food, money and hobbies to anyone blessed by its presence. To most around here, winter has already outstayed it's welcome. It'll be intriguing to observe the last stages of hibernation unfold as the village livens up again. The weather's warming up, the river's showing speed, and the rest of God's creatures are beginning to settle into their loop within the circle of life again.
One of my administrators brought a bear home a couple of weeks ago, and she (the bear) was a vivid reminder of the part each organism plays in the food chain. She was a a pretty big specimen, with paws spanning the width and length of a grown man's hand. From nose to toes, she was probably pushing 6 feet tall and sported a rich brown coat. I was reminded of where I fit in the food chain as I stared at the skull, which size-wise, competed with the circumference and volume of a junior basketball. Had I not been in the middle of finishing dinner for Brandon, I would have had half a mind to take a picture, but I'm sure it wouldn't have done her justice. In addition to the visual display, the hide wreaked of fish, definitely one of the least appetizing scents to smell right before dinner, but we managed. While it's a little scary to think I'm surrounded by such wild-life, there's part of me that cannot wait for the opportunity to see more of it in action in the upcoming years.
We're encroaching on the last two weeks of school, and I can honestly say I've never felt more prepared for summer. Obviously, this is home for us now, which makes a visit back to what used to be "home" seem like an extended vacation. I've already begun a grocery list a mile long, going as far as bidding on and purchasing multiple coupons on Ebay for the bulk-buying we'll be doing while we shop amidst civilization. To add to my excitement, I have finished writing what might be my last IEP ever. I have been placed into a regular ed. position next year, giving me the 6th grade classroom I've been working towards since college graduation. I'm thankful I was open minded and willing to take the opportunities I've been given and utilize the experience I've gained as stepping stones. Hopefully, this will be the last of many big changes and I will be able to cozy into this position for the next few years until our next big adventure.
The dogs have been doing well, but we could do without Daisy mentoring Huxley in what not to do when movement occurs within a 40 foot radius of the perimeter of our apartment. The barking has been ridiculous as the activity increases with the warm weather and sunshine we've been experiencing. Daisy's reputation has grown around here, and in most circumstances, served us well, scaring off one particular guest who's been known to let himself into some of the other teachers' houses without an invitation, or host, for that matter. While we know she's harmless, most of the kids around here keep their distance. A week ago, while trekking through our yard, one student was startled so badly by Daisy's barking, that she was literally scared out of her shoes, and ran away in her socks, leaving her shoes stuck in the mud in our yard. The little boys of the village, trying to help her, thought they'd outsmart Daisy by throwing rocks and sticks at her to distract her. At the time, Brandon was infuriated by what seemed to be malicious actions towards his pup. But after a little discussion about what we'd imagine to be an 8 year old's perspective, the situation was quite comical; bringing back scenes of Sandlot and the problem-solving the children did to avoid the "vicious" dog in hopes to retrieve the beloved baseball. In hind-sight, we're glad Daisy could be the source and inspiration of a child's upcoming journal entry or personal narrative.
Overall, life is as it should be. The count-down has begun, making tomorrow 17 days away from our 11PM departure flight from Anchorage to Chicago. We plan to celebrate my sister's birthday that Saturday at a Brewer game in Milwaukee, and shortly after, welcome Brylee Jo into the world, spend the entire summer cuddling nieces and nephews, catching up with family and friends, and relaxing in temperatures above the brisk 40s we've been experiencing lately. Believe me, we'll take 40s over -20s any day, but it'll be nice to get sunburned instead of windburned for a change. I personally plan to live solely on purchases from Madison's, Ankeny's and Des Moines' farmers markets, as I know the summer will disappear, leaving me little produce to look forward to once we're back to Alaska's latitudenal disadvantages of garden growing.
I can see the beautiful pink of the sunset reflecting off of the apartment building next door, telling me it's nearly half-past 10 and time to head to bed. It was easy to get carried away writing tonight, knowing the laundry was caught up, all paperwork and grading was finished by 5, and Brandon was preoccupied with homework and Tiger Woods Golf.
See you in less than 3 weeks!
Love,
Brie
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