A Pretty "Flower" = "nautchiaq"

Pretty flowers from Acacia. I can't wait to get them in their containers. I am not ready to risk another frost though so will wait until the next full moon passes.

With a Toot and A Hoot -"great horned owl" = nukaisigaq

Every a.m. when the dogs and I take our "walk about on the farm" we meet other creatures out too. Frequently we run into this great horned owl who seems disinterested in us and bothered by our intrusion. The dogs are fascinated and chase him, he (she) flies off just far enough away to find solace. Today, he landed through the small tree area onto the scraggliest black spruce. It's a pleasure to see these creatures in this beautiful interior summer.

Memorial Day - A Day of Remembrance - "Pray" = "anaiyyu"

Quilt by Lee Ann Turinsky

Memorial Day = a day of remembrance and a day to say prayers for those who have served our country, serve it today and those especially whom have given their ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. A day of remembrance and of prayer.
I watched the beautiful program for Memorial Day held in Washington, DC on television last night. It was their 20th year and very moving. I wished we had a Memorial Day Parade or a 4th of July Parade in Delta with the military band.

Take off your 'long-johns" = ilupiguk" it's May

You know you are a real Alaskan when you wait to see the last of the trees bud out before you take your long-johns off.
I took a walk around the farm and saw poplar's leafing out along with willows and choke cherries. The birch are also doing the same so I guess it's official, May 21st-it's spring. Count down.......crocus flowers blossom and the greenery of the cranberry and blueberry bushes are showing themselves. Water your rhubarb (www.akrhubarb.blogspot.com) and take care of that garden (www.wecangrowit.blogspot.com). Enjoy the birds, robins everywhere along with the owls and ravens. Everyone is in survival mode to feed their young. Late at night you can hear the nocturnal animals howl and hoot. Checked out Acacia Floral , Circle S Greenhouse, and picked up some great flowers...

Alaskan "joy" = "quviasuun" in Inupiaq

Alaska brings joy around every corner. Here's a little peek at some joy from SE Alaska. Friends barter time with each other and places to share. Priceless. Scott and fishing buddies enjoy just another day in Alaska. Notice the contained smiles.

I "confess" -I want sun and heat = "quliaq" in Inupiaq Eskimo

Ms. Reiter's K-Class Tour....Delta Elementary----we had sun and no rain!

Thinking camping? Still 37 oF here - even the dogs are staying inside.
Karr & Kaspari's Yak---pulloff at the yak farm on Sawmill Creek Road is known as Yakety-Yak Avenue cuz you can get good cell reception there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iyrB9U4Hh0
Caribou Hunting in Alaska with Bobo, Will, and Jared "AKA Milkman" 2008 - from fellow fly fisherman & hunter- Will

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGamlOlrUxY
Loading and tagging bison is not for the faint-hearted

University of Alaska Natural Resource Management Class Tour Yesterday
Healy School Tour Today

Ceremony

Wedding Ceremony

Beryl and Tracy Hubbard - Wedding

Photo Collage 1 from Tracy and Beryl's wedding .....May 9th, 2009
Location: Jennifer & Kyle Anderson's Residence
Clearwater River Backdrop
A wonderful day............
Ceremony performed by Tracy's brother, Buckley Hollembaek

"Nutaaq" = something new, something fresh

North Star Bookkeeping Service and Busy Bee Owner, Eileen Herman, has relocated. What a tremendous breath of fresh air to walk in and have a great office supply store downtown Delta. Busy Bee has always been home to great products and now its in the center of town. North Star Bookkeeping offers professional, confidential and timely services for all your bookkeeping needs.

Pablo has a new neighbor, Mt. McKinley Bank and Busy Bee are neighbors at the Columbo Building downtown Delta.

New owners of the Poorboy Restaurant will Keep the Good Food Coming

New Poorboy Restaurant owners Alden Conner and family will keep the good food the local eatery has been known for going. He has also added "the best BBQ & Burgers in Delta" to his menu as his calling card claims. Alden and family (wife, Becky, daughter, Carrie and son, Matt) hail from Hendersonville, NC. Although Alden has lived in interior Alaska before so he is not unprepared for our arctic winters.
They've even got a website up and running: http://www.poorboyrestaurant.com/ You can reach them at the same number (895-1805). Welcome Conner Family to Delta!

Alaska in the News

Grandson Landon last week in Anchorage...green grass is coming up now but doesn't it just say it all? Spring rocks in Alaska!
Well, the ice broke for the Nenana Ice Classic

Two will split Ice Classic pot
The ice on the Tanana River in Alaska has broken, and two lucky winners will split a jackpot of nearly $284,000.

AND

Derby winner owned by Bill Allen's son
The 50-to-1 longshot that won Saturday's Kentucky Derby, Mine That Bird, is one of the horses bought by the son of former Veco boss Bill Allen in a buying spree of thoroughbreds using the money the family got from the sale Veco.

AND

Sarah Palin to Appear on American Chopper - TV News, Sarah Palin ...

May 3, 2009 ... The Alaska Governor meets with Paul Teutul Sr. about a bike he's building to honor the state.
www.people.com/people/article/0,,20275559,00.html

It seems no matter what you are reading, watching or listening to...sometime in the week you will hear about Alaska. Its kind of gory to watch the show where individuals are placed in the wilderness, no survival training, and asked to "make it" in the wild. I don't like watching that show and I think its depressing, verging on a bit of cruelty. Other shows are pretty cool about Alaska though. In the summer is NOT the time to catch up on tv for Alaskans so we usually catch reruns in the fall and winter.

Water sprinklers are going, daylight is reaching 17 hours a day and we look forward to every minute of May, June and July. It's been in the 70's and reaching 80 on my deck. Robins appeared on the ground today "catching some sprinkles" from the sprinkler. The squirrels are scampering to make their homes and feed their young. Ravens have performed their magnificent feats in the air and now will be nesting. The few eagles have come and gone, hawks are migrating again, the geese, ducks, cranes and swans are passing through the skies to all our delight.

People make the news, Alaska makes the news but the real news for Alaskans is its summer, its not down pouring in Delta, the sun is out and we are happy.