Ch 4

n bad road conditions, this was not a hill you looked forward to tackling anyway. This time of year there was some left over sand from road crews, but even then you’d want a run at it. The safety railing on the side had fallen over for the most part, and it looked as if part of it had sloughed downwards with a long crack pretty much going straight up the center of the road. With a muttered “Oh this is going to be awful” I realized I basically had no way out of this obstacle except back across the creek and more miles to pick through on a long detour. I told the guys to give me time to get up, then come up one at a time, just in case. I’d wait up beyond the brow of the hill out of the way on the right if I could.

Leaving the truck in four wheel drive high, I put it gear, and with a prayer backed up as far as I could get to the bridge approach to make a run at it. Reaching out to pull little Jethro close to me, I gave it one heck of a gun, and up we went, engine whistling and dust flying behind me. The truck lurched from side to side but I didn’t lose traction when I was forced to straddle the crack and I popped up over the hill and coasted to a stop. Nearly bawling in relief, I hugged Jethro, got out and checked the big dog. The poor thing was a nervous wreck, shaking and giving his little worried whines. With feet splayed and legs too, he had somehow managed to stay on his feet through all of that. I jogged back to the crest of the hill, waved the okay, and watched as both trucks made it up without stopping. Dave drifted to a stop along side, and asked me where I was headed. I told him, and he said “Good, we can pair up, I go as far as Vine” The other driver, whose name turned out to be Gray, thanked us both and then said he only needed to go another mile or so, he lived near the senior center. After shaking hands all around, we set off.

For a while, I thought I would have fairly smooth sailing going home. I flipped on the radio and heard that the time for the tidal surge/tsunami had passed and that damage reports were trickling in. Several planes were in the air to assess damage and announcements were going to made every 15 minutes on the Emergency Broadcast System. The Governor had already asked for a disaster declaration, and so forth. I was following along behind Dave and my thoughts began to wander as we picked our way around split and tilted lengths of pavement, or took detours onto the bike path, and went around stalled or abandoned cars and trucks-a few of which had obviously gone off the road during the main event and crashed. In one spot we were forced to drive completely around a stretch of power poles with lines down by crossing a community ball field parking lot, that had luckily been pretty much cleared of snow. A number of people were on foot, and of course quite a few dirt bikes and ATVs were out as well, people going to safety I presume. I finally noticed that the dash clock showed it had been over two hours since I had left the shop-I had about five more miles to go as we were just coming up to the grade leading down to Fairview Loop and the convenience store there.

Suddenly, the brake lights lit up in front of me and I slammed to a stop right behind Dave. He got out and motioned me forward too, so I did the same, walking up to see what the problem was. Not another 60 yards ahead of us was a big tangle of wrecked vehicles-basically blocking the entire width of the road. A couple people looked to be stuck on either side, trying to mud bog it with family sedans. With a muttered oath, I knew what we had to do to get around, and told Dave to follow me. Back into our trucks we went and I pulled a quick three point and took the first turn down into the subdivision frontage road along KGB road proper. I was stunned at the amount of damage I could see to the fancy new houses along there-busted windows, siding popped off, garage doors sprung and items knocked over and jumbled up. A few people were sitting outside, waiting for what I wasn’t sure and they watched us drive by vacantly. At the stop sign, I could see beyond to the wreck area to the road easily enough and it looked like we could sneak a path through between the mailboxes and the ditch there if we were careful. I told Dave what I planned and lead off, negotiating the tight fit with only one small clang as a mirror clipped a mailbox. Once through, I pulled on ahead and stopped on the slope to wait. Behind Dave there turned out to be a handful of vehicles, so I watched them blast right on by. Like them, I was in a hurry to get home too.

I asked Dave if he wanted me to lead and he agreed, although he said he should stop and help clear the wrecked cars. I looked at the mess and thought to myself it would take several wreckers a few hours to untangle it all, at best, and passed that along. There were only a few drivers hanging out by their cars and trucks anyway, and he agreed. With that, we headed on out towards home.

The gas station was a shambles, as was the liquor store. Some clerks had stayed and were working at getting people what they needed without much fuss from what I could see. I was amazed, but then realized that there wasn’t much else they could do, otherwise they would be looted by someone, or worse. The mystery of the order was revealed when I saw two guys with shotguns standing at each entrance. That’ll work, was my thought.

We made the next three miles or so without incident, easy as can be with only a few spots where we had to make small detours. The large bulk grocery store was obviously closed, with a couple pickups parked across the glass doors, with what were probably armed guards. There was a small knot of people gathered and I didn't like the looks of the whole thing and kept going. The largish expanse of gravel hill on the north side of the roadway nearest Vine Road had slumped pretty badly, pretty much covering the entire road. By the time we approached, it was obvious that quite a few vehicles had driven over the loose gravel slope, and that each passing set of tires had caused more material to slide downhill. But, there had been worked into the surface, a set of tracks to follow so after checking for oncoming traffic I headed across and made it with only a few short spots feeling uncomfortably soft under the wheels.

With that, we approached the well known intersection. Easing to a stop I was discouraged to see both stop light cross members down, and a tangle of power poles and lines had caught on them, halfway down to the ground. Even the tsunami warning siren tower was canted off vertical and looked damaged. Several trucks were stopped on the far side, and a few were hung up on Vine, as there seemed to be no way around this mess either. The coffee shop looked to be partly off its foundation but I pulled into the parking area anyway and stopped. Pretty soon it began filling up behind me, and I realized I would be stuck there, about a mile from home if I didn’t figure our way out of this. 

Ch 3

Ch 3

Thirteen and a half miles is a cake walk, a 20  minute drive on any day. If I leave home at the right time, I can sail through all but one stoplight on my way to work, but will catch half of them on the way home.   It takes 45 minutes on a day with really bad roads-ice, blowing snow, things like that. On this day, it was a mix of pedal to the metal and inching through debris, downed power lines, detours, and go arounds that taxed my knowledge of roads, trails, creeks, bridges and my memory to the max.  I knew my husband would be worried, but at least he was safe at work on the North Slope. We’d never really discussed in detail about what to do should we have some sort of disaster, but he did know I would get Joey and be at home. Somehow. 

I turned the radio back on and found another AM station on the air:

“KENI 650, we’re live with updates on the quake that just occurred.  The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has issued an update, The center is advising residents to prepare for aftershocks following today's magnitude 8 plus, with some likely to be very strong. One large aftershock of 7.9 has already occurred……….”  I hurriedly turned the dial back to 750 and listened with a sickening feeling to the list of damage already being reported: Parks and Glenn Highways impassable, with the Knik Arm bridges being down or gone. Overpasses collapsed, buildings in Anchorage down and some burning, port possibly taking heavy damage as well. Many fires, roads wiped out, panic spreading quickly, and casualties starting to be reported. All emergency systems functioning on generator power, with National Guard units already being called in for help. Residents were being urged to stay in their homes or where they were if safe, and if not, to head to the schools where the Red Cross was being mobilized to set up shelters. 

I was pretty lucky that the leaning  power poles and sagging or downed lines were on the south side of the arterial, otherwise I would have been forced into picking my way through connected subdivisions to the south. Most of the traffic was also inching along, everyone being fairly polite about it, except at one intersection-there, someone had bailed out and was waving traffic through on foot. Brave man, was all I could think as I braked and then did a California roll right on through. Several places required some skill to negotiate stretches of busted up or tilted pavement but luckily the rotting snow banks alongside the roadway presented no huge obstacle. 

I made it to the main interchange with the Parks Highway relatively quickly. The two malls were a mess, vehicles had been smacked together, people were dazed and wandering around, lots of yelling and I heard the occasional popping of a firearm.  I had seen plenty of fires in the residential neighborhoods on the way, but nothing had caught at the malls-a small wonder. Oh great, just what we need, idiots with firearms and no patience I thought. Slowing to take a good look at the Glennwood Bypass bridge, my heart sank. Fully half of it was completely off the support pillars and hanging by twisted bits of rebar, above the railroad tracks below. One unfortunate vehicle was hanging partway into the void, but the doors were open on the minivan and I couldn’t see anyone on foot.  With the bypass being built on a compound angle to begin with, and the lower section-or north side gone, that left no way to get up that hill. As I watched, a couple cars turned off the Parks and were brought to a halt at the sight. Okay, then, Plan B it is, I thought to myself, right after one errand. I swung right into a mall parking lot and made my way to the pet store. 

The young employees were frightened, and with the power out, the windows that remained had left the place a cavernous, dimly lit space that was rather spooky. All the other customers present had scrambled out and away, leaving the four youngsters at a loss as to what to do. Two were busy trying to take care of the miscellaneous birds, reptiles, and whatnot they kept for resale, and the other two were in a heated argument over whether to walk away or not. I just walked right in and helped them figure it out, first by selling me dog food with the cash I had on hand. Then, I told them to lock up their tills, and find all the wood boards, pallets, and any wooden sheeting they had and bring it forward to seal the windows and doors with. One young girl took it upon herself to load up as many critters as she could, along with bedding and feed and I was thinking that was a futile waste of energy, but her choice. In 15 minutes we had the place pretty well buttoned up and they thanked me and scattered to their vehicles and were gone. Ruing that I had forgotten to ask for help loading the dog food, I muscled the bags on top of the hay, all eight of them, and used another cargo strap to ratchet them down firmly. 

Leaving, I was dismayed to see that the anchor grocery store had closed up and had stationed people in front of the doors. That explained the nearly empty parking lot, but I didn't think they'd be able to stave off a huge rush, sure to come. Of course, with the light poles cockeyed, busted pavement everywhere, and some sort of water leak along side the building, I didn't think they'd be opening any time soon anyway. 

Stopping at the highway, I had to wait a minute or two for traffic to clear as folks were having to detour around a downed pole that had fallen across three lanes. It was creating a bottleneck there, but luckily I found a small break in traffic and stomped on the accelerator, making a left onto the Parks Highway southbound. With some very careful maneuvering, I was able to get to the top of the hill and make a right onto the road that lead to Glennwood, and began cautiously picking my way along, as a portion of the roadway had slumped or sloughed off on the left. I was not the only person to have figured this out, as I was in line behind a couple other pickups. In a caravan of sorts, we made it to the left over the railroad tracks. Looking down them, I could only think it was going to be a good long time before the railroad was functioning again-they were warped and twisted and a couple had even popped loose and were sticking up at odd angles. 

Proceeding into the subdivision, the roadway surface was heaved and cracked, all sorts of angles but nothing so big a person couldn’t manage to drive over or around them. I was third in line behind a Dodge pickup when we all were forced to stop at the creek side bridge-which looked impassable. We all got out to take a look, and to discuss how to get across the once placid, low creek which was now muddied and running higher than normal. As I watched the waters swirl and tumble it occurred to me that debris wouldn’t be far behind and I mentioned this to the other three drivers. The second truck was a high job with four wheel drive and a winch on the front. The 30 something year old driver was a reedy, high energy type and he was anxious to give it go if the first truck would back out of his way. He promised to wait on the other side and we’d use his winch on our rigs if we got stuck.  I pointed out that I had noticed that the creek bed was very soft before, and perhaps the downstream side would be better as it was slightly wider with lower banks.  The first guy had no idea, he was just used to taking the road as a shortcut when traffic was bad and had never paid attention. The driver of the second rig had been over the creek on an ATV and agreed with me, so we got out of his way so he could position for a run across. Holding my breath, I watched as he dropped the truck into 4 low, popped the clutch and began down over the brushy bank.  With water and ice chunks spraying off on both sides he wallowed across like a tank without stopping, barely getting his running boards wet in the process. He pulled out the other side and stopped on the punky snow,  then turned around to point the truck towards the new crossing.  I looked back at the first rig and saw a tricked out fancy truck with all the bling and a nervous, scared mid 20s driver to manage the crossing.  I piped up that I would go next since I had four wheel drive and plenty of pulling power to spare.  With a nod, I jumped back into the truck, pushing the dog over out of my way. I managed to back up without smacking into anything, then saw that my longer wheelbase was going to be an issue when the wheels dropped into the creek bed itself-I ran a pretty good chance of getting hung up there if I slowed down the slightest. I rolled down the window and shouted to the driver across the creek to get the heck out of the way, found the 4 wheel drive, popped it into low range, and waited for space on the other side. 

With my mental toes and fingers crossed, I revved up the engine and let off the brakes, and the truck surged forward into the creek. My stomach dropped as the front end did and then the back end followed, scrambling to find traction. I eased off the throttle a tad, felt the rear tires bite again, and powered on. I aimed for a spot just to the side of the first driver and it was a good thing I did. The water splashed up onto the bank had made it very slick and I darned near got stuck getting out when I lost traction on the rear end coming out.  A little measured throttle work and I was out, on the other side, and plowing to a stop.  Letting go of the steering wheel took a little doing, I needed to catch my breath anyway.  I hopped out of the truck and the first guy and I had a quick discussion on how to get the other truck over without it getting stuck.  Finally we decided the best thing to do would be to run out the winch first, and have the guy attach it to the tow hooks in front. While this was done, I got my delivery truck out of the way and facing towards the hill beyond, and got out to watch.

Sure enough, the baby truck wallowed down into the creek and promptly lost traction. The driver, losing his cool, was stomping on the accelerator like crazy, getting nowhere. With some yelling, we were able to get him to leave off that, and the winch was engaged. Slowly, it came across and started up the bank, only to bog down on the bank in the now slushy, icy snow.  With that, I ran back to my truck and dug out the 25 foot chain in the tool box below the bed. I made a loop around the lift bed bar, and ran it out to the bumper of the other truck. The driver popped around, and finally introduced himself as Dave. With a quick introduction, I told him I would pull his truck, dragging the stuck one along with us. Given the angles involved, I knew I would have to head to the left, and told him to expect me to slide all over everywhere, but to keep at it on a measured count. We lashed the far end to his welded on bumper hitch and had a plan. With only time for a glance and a “good doggie” to Dooms, I hopped in and waited for the signal. 

A full three minutes and a quarter acre later, we managed to get the truck unstuck and onto firm ground again. It was the worst attempt at towing I had ever been involved with, with my truck going this way and that, rear end sliding around, and tires smoking on half frozen ground to boot.  We all tumbled out of our rigs with some relief and after winding up the winch and getting my chain back into the box, we were ready to tackle the hill.  Looking up, my heart sank again.

Ch. 2

Chapter 2

************

For a few minutes, I could not think what to do first. Dooms was keening in distress, Jethro had somehow worked himself inside the insulated work shirt I had on over a sweatshirt, and I was rattled. We had ended up with my back towards the fenced yard of the shop, facing the south. The sun was still shining and there was a light breeze, but I couldn't hear anything. With some effort, I managed to stand up on unsteady feet, and after a few deep breaths the mental pistons began firing again.  About that time, a cacophony of sound overwhelmed my ears-sirens and horns coming from every direction, including the natural disaster one, piercing through my mental fog. Prioritizing the immediate things, I got busy.

First, check the natural gas. Which side of the building was it on? I remembered it was on the outside of the yard, and skirting around the delivery truck, I looked down the shop wall, ignoring the jumbled mess behind the chain link. The metal siding was severely buckled and had come loose completely in some spots, leaving long lengths sticking outwards. Off the pavement to the left the ground looked strange, like it had been raked in some spots, but normal in others. I noticed some deep spots had opened, like dots across the adjoining lot, but didn’t pay it much attention. The pavement itself had a few cracks but looked okay, so I quickly tied Dooms off to the delivery truck and made my way down the shop wall, ducking under and around twisted metal. I knew there had been a wrench hung on the base when it was installed but hadn’t thought to check it in years….but there it was-off it’s hook but on the ground. I couldn’t hear anything, but managed to get the wrench on and turned the valve off, just the same.

Second, check the power. Back around the building to the front door-there was no way to get in through the shop door at all….but the office door had been left wide open, stuck that way due the frame being warped. The front window was cracked, but not broken completely out. The inside of the office was a mess. Even with shelf, desk and counter contents strewn around, I could see the concrete floor had heaved and buckled upwards. Carefully, I picked my way through the rubble and found the office hand held under some papers. No dial tone of course, no power I realized.

Third, can I get a phone to work? I had two cell phones, my office one and my own, neither of which I used much. The work one was found still hooked to the charger, and with relief I saw that it had power. Yanking the charger free of the receptacle, I made my way back outside to try for a signal. All circuits busy, the automatic recording said.

I stood there for a minute, wondering which vehicle to take. The SUV that holds the dogs comfortably, or the flat bed delivery truck with 4 wheel drive? It should have been a no brainer, but I am not one to take things without asking and I couldn’t exactly ask my boss. As I am looking at the truck, I had a V-8 “doh!” moment, and I hopped in, fired it up, and found an AM station after some trial and error.

“………reporting from Fairbanks, back to you, John”

“BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP This is the emergency broadcast system. This is not a test. Repeat. This is not a test. The Cook Inlet area has experienced an earthquake. Preliminary magnitude of 8.9 according to the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. The earthquake was centered just four miles west of Houston, Alaska and occurred at 12:42 Alaska time. At this time, a tsunami is not expected, however tidal surges could be quite high. All residents in low lying areas are urged to evacuate to higher ground immediately. Repeat: All residents in low lying areas or tidal zones are urged to evacuate to higher ground immediately. The Alaska National Guard, the Alaska State troopers and other local emergency personnel are responding. Be advised that travel may be difficult and all residents are urged to stay where they are, out of damaged structures.

Please stay tuned to this station for further instructions. This concludes this announcement on the emergency broadcast system BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP”

“OK, this is John at KFQD, reporting live the events that occurred just minutes ago, at 12:42 this afternoon. According to the emergency broadcast, everyone who......”

“Ah, Scott in here, just want to pass along I have a report of major damage from east Anchorage, there is still no word about Eagle River, the Parks highway is impassable, I think they are closing the airport………”

“Scott, I just got word from the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer. They are predicting a moderate tsunami, to perhaps between six and 8 feet, upper Cook Inlet, set to arrive in approximately 9 minutes from now………”

I snapped off the radio and realized I had to pack up. Like now. Right now. What did I need to take home with me? Propane! First, I loaded the dogs, and drove around the back of the shop to the pallet where the spare bottles were kept for the forklift. Jumping out, I tipped each one to find the full ones, and drug them as quick as I could to the bed of the truck, four 20 pound bottles, lucky me. 

With strength I didn’t know I had any longer, I got them onto the truck, then climbed up and secured them to the head ache rack using a cargo strap. Blowing hard, I paused a moment and thought: What else?

Back around to the office, and onto the bed went the spare paper towels, TP, coffee.  With some presence of mind, I managed to remember the cash bag, the digital camera, and I snagged my two favorite photos from the debris pile-miraculously not damaged. The plant starting rack in the office had jumped halfway across the room and several flats had fallen off the top shelf. With a pang, I turned and left them, tossed the supplies into the pipe rack and it dawned on me….I should grab some pipe or something, right? Back around the shop to the rack, which was sitting askew, partially dropped into a sink hole. Okay, not the heavy wall stuff, the pvc then…..with a bit of struggle I managed to free 200 foot of pipe from the pile and get that on the rack and secured. 

I am just driving through the gates and it dawns on me: I need to bring hay home. In my hurry to pack up, I had forgotten about the horses. Backing up, I spun the one ton dually around to face the 40 foot container that held the extra hay. It too, was sitting at an angle, but not as bad as the pipe rack. Luckily, the padlock was not latched, but I couldn’t get the right door open fully, even using a pry bar. The left swung open easily enough and I hastily started dragging those bales to the front. I managed to get a half dozen loaded before common sense returned and I realized that equipment was made to make life easier. The forklift was where it had been left, and fired right up as usual. With careful jockeying, I was able to get the forklift with a pallet on it, near to the door of the container. Working as fast as a 50 something woman could, I stacked hay on the pallet and then loaded that onto the flat bed. I gave it a push with the forks to move the weight forward over the axles, hopped off the lift, turned off the fuel for it, and was back in the truck as fast as I could. I sat there for a few seconds and thought-I might need a tank too. So, back I went to load a small fuel tank, which I stood up behind the hay. It still left about four foot of flat bed, and some along the sides.

What else? What else? Chains. Into the bed of the truck. Extra cargo straps, ditto. Anything else? Phones. Chargers. Work gloves. First Aid kit. Ah, water! I grabbed the partial case from the shop refrigerator and dumped that in the front seat on the floor board. I made one futile attempt to close the gate before I left, but it was too out of plumb to manage so I left the forklift parked, fuel turned off, just inside across the entry. Someone would have to fire up the forklift to get into the yard itself-at least with a vehicle. With some choice words I managed to swing the office door partially shut, and that was that, I was ready. 

Driving with two dogs scared out their wits was impossible. Between whines, panting and scrambling around, I was taking a beating inside the cab within 100 feet of the shop. Furious, I slammed to a stop, yelled at the Sheltie to stay put, and dragged the big dog out. Looking into his panicked eyes, I knew I had to take a couple minutes to settle him down. I pulled him closer and began the slow stroking I knew calmed and reassured him and after a minute or so, I felt the tension begin to fade away and the breathing slow. After a moment of indecision, I finally decided I had to tie him to the bed of the truck-between the hay and the propane bottles. I’d never done that before and there was a pretty good chance he’d panic and hang himself jumping off, but I had to do it. With a little coaxing he was able to make the nearly four foot jump up beside me, and I tied off his lead to the pipe rack. With a few encouraging words, I positioned myself to jump down when an aftershock smacked us a good one.

Immediately, I was dropped down onto my butt, with my legs hanging off the back-I snatched onto the rack and held on as the world rocked and jumped and bounced around me. I’ll never forget the sight of my SUV bouncing around like a basketball being dribbled, or the grinding, popping, cracking and roaring sound that came with it. I watched the fence posts get jacked up and down and the chain link rippled wildly as the metal building danced and screamed. With adrenalin pumping hard, I was about into a full blown panic myself when it finally eased and stopped. Eventually I began to hear the whines of fear from the big dog as the pounding in my own ears faded away and turned to see how he had fared during that aftershock.

One of the propane bottles had slipped loose from the strap and was tipped over, but aside from that, everything looked okay. I got back to my feet, tightened down the strap with another loop through the lifting handle, patted the dog, and hopped back down to the ground. With shaking hands and rather wobbly on my feet, I made it to the drivers’ door, crawled in, and shut it firmly. The Sheltie was on the floorboards, scared to death and the sight of his terror stricken little body got me to focus a bit. I snatched him up to my chest and we just all sat there for a few minutes or seconds-while I fought back tears and huge waves of emotion that followed one after the other.

Eventually I was able to pull myself together, with the urge to get home in the fore front of my mind. I fired up the truck again and eased the Duramax into second and off we went. Thirteen and a half miles to go.

Castle Mountain

Today, I share something completely different than I usually offer up to readers. I'd like you to read and I'll ask for feedback this time. I apologize for the title, but this has been chosen by default alone, it wasn't chosen on purpose, lol

*Foreword*

The Matanuska Valley proper sits basically between the Matanuska and Susitna Rivers, bounded on the south by the Palmer Hay Flats and the Knik Arm portion of Cook Inlet, and elsewhere by mountains-notably the Chugach Range where Pioneer Peak anchors the view, and by the Talkeetna Mountains which extend from the east to fall away into the Susitna Valley. Further to the west is Sleeping Lady Mountain (Mt. Susitna), whose alpenglow tinted profile is so photographed and beloved.  It’s an expansive area, and runs from the coal mines in the Sutton area westward past Palmer’s farm lands, and on westward just north of the commercial core of Wasilla and beyond the former Point MacKenzie Agricultural project to end at the banks of the Little Susitna River there-or the Susitna River itself if you are quibbling with boundaries.  In between are creeks, numerous swamps, and hundreds of lakes and ponds. A growing network of subdivisions, roads, arterials, and the two highways thread it all together-with a great deal of nothing in between.  Nothing being the places you can’t drive through or to-yet. 

Anyone who has been here even a short time, has heard about the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964. Largest earthquake ever recorded in North America, it caused widespread damage in Anchorage proper and other communities as well. There is even Earthquake Park in Anchorage, and an award winning documentary about the quake is aired on the anniversary date each year. Everyone knows about the big fault system under Alaska’s largest city, and most know about the Denali Fault up north-but hardly any person knows about the biggest threat to Southcentral Alaska-The Castle Mountain Fault. 

The Castle Mountain Fault starts near Castle Mountain, which is eastward of Sutton…and the main geological feature on the fault itself. From there, it runs in a generally southwest direction, eventually petering out just north of the village of Tyonek which is situated on the northern shore of Cook Inlet, a little south and west of Anchorage. 

What makes the fault unique is both its type, and location; a strike-slip at the surface for a good many miles, and the population in the area.  The fault has an average of 6 to 700 years between events, most of those between magnitude 6 and 7 as far as geologists have been able to determine. The last event was about 650 years ago,  but core samples taken were impossible to analyze properly due to their composition.  It’s not as long as the Denali Fault, at less than 200 km, but its proximity to the Cook Inlet complex was cause for concern-by geologists and emergency planners alike. 

Most of the Valley’s population is well south of the northern side of the fault, which runs right through a wide spot on the George Parks Highway incorporated as Houston. If a person were looking at a map, and found the Little Susitna River, the fault itself runs just south of the bridge over the Lil Su (as locals call it) and continues on to the Susitna River-staying north of the popular Big Lake area and the new Port MacKenzie on the shore of Cook Inlet. 

No one knew exactly how the Valley would fare when the Castle Mountain Fault finally let go. No one knew what the mix of glacial till, sand, silts, gravels and clays underneath the area would do, but now I know. 

***Chapter 1***

Ah, April in Southcentral Alaska. Nothing like it anywhere on the globe. The days are getting longer and the sun is helping the remaining snow and ice melt. Mud and gravel are beginning to streak the dirt roadways, dust is curling from tires on pavement, and nearly every vehicle is the same color-break up.  A few spring birds have arrived, seeking last years’ seeds and the sap is rising in the birch. The skies are a bright, washed out blue due to the angle of the sun, and while it may reach 45 degrees during the day, it’s still below freezing at night.  The pussy willows have already budded and sharp eyes can see the red tinge on the birch branches-a sure sign of buds to come.   

At  home on Born Lazy Way, I was anxiously awaiting the end of the month. I had already delivered some vegetable starts to the big greenhouse, but it was still too cold to chance putting plants into my own-even with the heater going, due to a cold spring.  I was pretty much up to my eyeballs in starts as it was, with three more plantings to manage somehow in the pantry-already crowded with the big table and two grow light racks.  Each morning the lights were turned on, flats checked for dryness, and turned if needed.  It was worth the extra effort to pre-germinate those seeds, as every cell was full-much better than the previous year.  Over 60 flats already out of the house, 50 plus in the pantry and another 32 at work, I was keeping pretty busy managing the germination, planting, flats, growing mix, water, and air flow.  Just keeping track of what was planted when was beginning to become an issue, the further along I got into the season. Resolving to make up some sort of chart on the computer was the resolution of the day, April 12th. 

But first, the rest of the household had to be attended. Snapping the lead on the Dane, I opened the side door of the garage to head to the barn. Peeking out, I could see a shimmer of slick on the discolored snow, made a quick u turn and changed from slippers into winter boots with better tread.  With the sheltie at my heels and the big dog ranging ahead as normal, we hooked a right to go around the bank and head towards the anxiously waiting horses and chickens. This time, I kept the big dog in firm check as the previous morning his tug on the lead had caused me to loose my footing and take a spill. At my age, those spills leave aches and bruises and I was not about to have a repeat. When we paused for the morning ritual “only this spot will do to pee on”, I checked the skies to the north and east. Partly cloudy, temperature felt around 20 or so, and I was just thinking I should have grabbed a pair of gloves when the Dane paused to smell something. Weird dog, that Dooms. Notices everything, even watches the fans in the house some times, but I pay attention when he does. For a few seconds, I couldn’t tell what had caught his attention, but then I noticed the scrunched up piles of snow and ice across the driveway and I knew a moose had been across it recently. With a “Good doggie” we headed on up, the sheltie bounding ahead as usual. 

After portioning out hay to the two horses, checking stock tanks to make sure they were not frozen over (no, thank heavens), and topping the chickens’ water and feed pans in their little new winter coop, I checked the temperature. Yep, 21 degrees out, at 5:45 am.  With a mental note to bring home more hay from the shop if it wasn’t going to rain or snow, we returned to the warmth of the house. 

Inside, I checked the wood stove and was pleased to see the gauge reading in the active zone. I closed the damper a bit, turned on the fan, and poured myself a refill of coffee. I checked the clock and saw I had about a half hour to myself, and debated whether to watch the morning news, or check email. Email it was, but as usual it contained mostly junk. I quickly checked the NWS website for the forecast, which promised clearing skies, and raising temperatures over the coming week. Good, I thought-I have hay to get unloaded and I need to do that before the driveway softens up much more. 

I rousted my son Joey awake, and got us both ready for the day. Then it was the usual scramble to get all of us into my little SUV….both dogs, 11 year old son, his back pack, and all of our winter gear.  In a couple of minutes, I was dropping Joey off at our neighbors so he could catch the school bus, and I was headed on into work.  Only 13 miles, but taking much longer than last year with the addition of 4 extra stop lights. 

Work was work, for April. The morning passed relatively quickly with a couple deliveries completed, and the phone was fairly busy. Towards the end of the morning I called my boss and let him know it looked like it was shaping up to be a fairly good early season for the company-always welcome news. Directing my driver to refill the delivery truck for the afternoon rounds, I finally had a chance to check my work computer. The Anchorage Daily News was reporting a “swarm” of earthquakes all around Cook Inlet-none large, but I thought it rather strange I hadn’t felt anything-other people had. I quickly checked the list of quakes on the AEIC website, and was stunned to see dozens and dozens of tremors, nearly all under magnitude 2.5, but under just about everywhere. A few were over 3, and there were so many listed on the Alaska Earthquake Information Center map,  I could barely make sense of what I was seeing.

With that page still up on my machine, I got distracted by another customer walking in the door. Lunging for Dooms’ leash, I managed to snag hold of it before he came around the corner of the counter and scared the guy witless. After answering his questions, he must have seen what was up on my screen because he asked what was happening. I told him I didn’t know, but that it was kind of scary, the sheer number of quakes over the past 24 hours-over 250. He just looked me hard in the eyes, made an abrupt turn and was out the door in nothing flat.  About that time the phone rang again, and it was Dan, my driver. He’d been hung up at home with a small snafu, did I care if he ran a little late getting back? No problem, I told him, the two deliveries scheduled were both “anytime” in the afternoon, and relatively close by. 

With that, I hung up the phone and sat down at my desk. Dooms insisted on burrowing his head into my side as I tried to learn more about the quakes, with Jethro (the Sheltie) trying to get into my lap as well.  Not finding much, I shot off an email to a couple friends about it, with a warning. As I was searching the news for information, I called my sis at her work, and told her-she’d heard nothing about it. I made her promise to head for higher ground at the very first hint of a good rolling quake, because she worked at nearly sea level in Eklutna. Both dogs curled up on their beds along the office wall, as I called my good friend Karen to let her know too. 

About that time, Dooms popped to his feet, on alert. I didn’t hear anything but the normal traffic whizzing by on the highway about 50 yards away, so I stood up to see out the window. Jethro began spinning circles the way he does when he’s excited, but Dooms….Dooms was rock still, and as I glanced at him, I saw the hackles start to rise down his back.  Dropping the phone onto the desk, I reached out to stroke his neck-the dog was literally vibrating now with tension. As I was wondering what the heck, he leapt over to the office window and stood up with his front paws on the sill. And the growls started. Deep, quiet growls, the growls that mean business from a big dog.  I am looking out the window and I can’t see anything-just the highway, the stop light at the corner, the bike path with no one on it, no one is pulling up to the shop, nothing seemed amiss. The delivery truck is parked in front of the shop doors and my car next to it, but that’s it.

And then I heard something. Just something, a little something, a far away something in the distance. A rumbling,  resonating sound. A heavy truck coming down the highway heading east to Palmer? National Guard unit training flight? I wasn’t sure.  I snatched onto Dooms’ collar and pulled him down away from the window, instantly afraid. My hindbrain began jabbering, telling me to run run run RUN, but from what?  I glanced again out the window and caught a glimpse of power lines across the highway….they were snaking up and down and that moment is when the Castle Mountain Fault and I met.

With an increasingly loud noise like a train or landslide, the ground began to quiver under my feet-at least, that‘s what it felt like where I was. The shop building itself was banging and the metal was squeaking and groaning and I could hear things falling.  I just had time for a mental “My God I hope it’s not the Big One!” when the real rolling began. Heaving waves that caused me to grab onto the counter to stay erect, the clock to come off the wall and everything on the shelves to spill off. I had a split second thought of “rock and roll, baby!” when I realized I was an idiot to be inside a steel building during an earthquake. Slamming into the counter several times, I managed to get to the door, which literally popped open as I reached for it. Glancing out, it looked fairly safe and I yelled for Jethro and out the door we dashed, onto the paved parking area. 

The building was now nearly shrieking, it was so loud with metal being stressed and ripped and I watched the 15 foot shop door crumple into warped sections and pop off the tracks, just missing the front of the delivery truck. I managed to stay on my feet with legs spread, one hand on the chain link fencing until it was yanked out of my reach. I scanned towards the road and watched a pickup veer wildly across the lanes, off onto the grassy area of the bike path and then back, the driver clearly nearly unable to control the vehicle, barely missing the oncoming minivan who traveled on a 100 yards then screeched to a stop. The street lights were whipping back and forth, and power poles dancing every which way, with wires being snapped like threads as I watched in stunned disbelief. And then, I was on the ground myself, with two panicked dogs attempting to be my lap at the same time, both growly and barking and frantic with fear and I was too, as I clung to them tightly.  

After that, I don’t know how long it went on. I could only close my eyes and my thoughts, if they could be called that, were for my son.  I was too frightened to think of anything noble, or smart, or propehtic, honest. When the sound went away, and the ground stopped moving, I was hyperventilating and in a full blown panic myself. Eventually my wits returned, but I have no recollection of time spent on the ground there. But when I became aware of myself and what had happened, I thought one thing:

This is it. 

Alaska feed & food prices set to soar

I'm pretty sure that most readers here, don't really live under rocks. And, they most certainly do not swallow the mainstream media news bites for everything. Nope, I am positive you all are very good at ferreting out your own news sources for reliable news and information. 

So it should come as no shock to you that the drought, coupled with market factors, is going to have a deep and lasting effect on local food prices. In addition to a very poor harvest in some areas, the effects may cause problems with the coming growing seasons too, based on what I am reading lately. Read at AgWeb and other farming websites to gain an idea of the scope of the problems. There is also an excellent map showing drought conditions here: 

http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-national-drought-conditions-map.php

So here is a tidbit that might have escaped your attention:  The EPA issued new emissions standards a while back.....this time, they apply to maritime traffic. To lessen these emissions, they are requiring that the cargo ships use a low sulpher fuel mix, in place of the more typical (and much cheaper) bunker fuel that is typically used. TOTE has reached an agreement that allows them to continue to use the normal fuel, based on their promise to overhaul the ships...they are planning on converting to LNG over the next four years. What do you suppose it costs for such a conversion? We, the end consumers, will end up paying for that compliance to the new EPA rules, it's a given.

Now, if you don't know the intracacies of shipping to Alaska, that's fine-but it helps to know a few things, so that when you hear about freight rates, surcharges, and so on, you'll have an idea what it means on the grocery and feed store shelves. First, the major shipping companies establish a rate for containers, usually twice a year. I believe that this rate may be governed by regulation, but I am not positive. In addition, there is usually an added fuel surcharge. This is applied in addition to the rate, and has been running about 32 percent for the past couple of years. That is, base ship rate, plus 32 percent. (A few years back it was over 35, btw) So if the container costs you $5000 to ship, you will pay an additional $1600, or, $6600 for that container. Most containers have a limit as to weight, but in general, if you can "make weight" you will end up with the cheapest per pound price. Bulky, lightweight items end up costing more, on a per pound basis, due to volume. (Also known as cube if you are shipping LTL, or "less than load")  Now, there is an additional charge being added: Another 32 percent. What their rationale is for adding this, I have no idea but I presume it ties into the increased fuel and expected conversion costs. 

So what does all this really mean?   Scarce or nonexistent harvest, coupled with very high freight basically means we're screwed. Royally and completely. Alaska gets over 90% of products through the port, via shipping containers. If you ask the folks working at the local WalMart, they are telling their customers to expect a price increase of as much as 40 percent on the very next shipment. This is due in small part to scarcity from the drought, but mostly due to freight charges. Just yesterday, a family member was told to expect as much as 140 percent increase in feed by spring. And no, that it not a typo. When the full effects of the drought are seen....it's going to be pretty ugly. Many head of cattle were culled, meaning a temporary drop in price as the market was glutted-this is still ongoing, by the way. Same thing for hogs, and chickens. Now would be a very good time to stuff the freezer if you can. Next year, there will be a reduced number of livestock available, because much of what was slaughtered were producing females-due to either not having pasture, or no hay available, or feed costs prohibitive if shipped into a drought area. 

Everything that contains corn (and it is hundreds of products), soybeans, wheat, etc, are going to skyrocket in price....If you are a careful shopper, you will have already noticed this. The packaging prices have been getting smaller so that people are not too freaked out by steadily increasing pricing. (This was due primarily to inflation of US dollars earlier this year) Now, watch the steep jump in shelf prices with every passing week, due to the drought. 

You should ask yourself: How can I manage the livestock I have when a bag of feed is $45 or $50? The answer is this: You will learn how to make your own rations, using locally produced grains which are still a bargain at around $8 to $12 for a 50 pound bag. You will experiment and fail, and experiment some more, ask questions of others already making their own, and eventually, you will find that balance between your pocketbook, and production.

The alternative is just too grim.

 

Success!

This has been many years coming, but finally my wonderful husband has his first moose. I can only laugh at the expression he wears, a mix of jubilation and shell shock, lol 

Yes, it is only a spike, but they do make for wonderful eating. The yield may not be great but the experience he had, and the amazing amount of knowledge he gained, will last much longer than the tender steaks and burger we are sure to enjoy this winter. 

I'd share the long story of how this born Alaskan ended up taking 50 years to bag his first moose, but that is a private story that best remain so. I just know that I have high regard for the man who gave him the opportunity, and who is freely teaching him the many things a person needs to know when hunting up here. 

Thank you, Owen, for providing the opportunity and for teaching him the ropes. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have no idea how much this means to us both. And I must extend my appreciation to Trudy as well, for her warm and generous hospitality.  Thank you both for everything. I owe you ;)

More on pollitics

Okay, so I watched some of the speeches of the RNC. 

My first impression is that Marco Rubio is going to go far. He lit up the audience and delivered an impassioned speech eloquently. And so did Paul Ryan, of course. Mitt Romney himself? Not so much. Rather tepid, and he could use a better speech writer, plus some polish on delivery. Hint: He needs a drama coach, lol

Then last night I watched some of the DNC.  Talk about uninspiring and a snoozefest. The crowds barely warmed up to the key note speaker, and didn't do much better for the First Lady. However, I was struck by a few things: They are all about glitz and glamour as we know from the 2008 campaign. But the imagery is telling: Obama was portrayed as the New Messiah. Ahem. And then this morning I learned of two significant changes to the Democratic Party Platform.  The major one is a re-writing of their stance on Israel. It even made the morning news shows in some places-stark change. And the other is removing all reference to God.

At first I thought...well, that's to be expected. And then I remembered the words of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, and so on.....and I wondered how they could so easily abandon one of the basic tenets of this country. The answer is plain and it took no great amount of pondering or fact checking or searching on line for answers:  The Democratic Party has handed itself to the president, on a silver platter. Because he remains intent on "fundamentally changing America". Just like he promised he would, he intends to continue to deliver that to generations to come. And the Democratic Party will do anything, cede anything, to remain in power. To have a hand in shaping the coming age to suit Barack Obama's visions of his father. Cough cough. 

At this point, I don't see the US escaping a collapse. So the question should be: Should we just let the current occupant take all the blame and let him get re-elected? Or should we throw two good men into the fray who will lose anyway, and be blamed for failing? Because there is no way to overcome the deficit. There is no way to recover, none, except jobs and massive, effective and deep spending cuts. 

Think about this: 

My 13 year old son, is now in debt to the tune of $272,000, roughly. And so is every person in a working household in the country. 

I don't think there is any fixing that, do you?

Edit:  For a serious creep out factor, please take a few minutes to watch this video:

http://michellemalkin.com/2012/09/05/dont-it-feel-good-government/

2012 Presidential Race......2

So, the Alaska Republican Party has shown itself to be a down and dirty, partisan group-which, of course, it always was. Of that, they have a leading example on the national level, if reports from the RNC in Tampa are to be believed. More mistreatment of Ron Paul supporters, and TEA party members, and really, the GOP should also be ashamed. What a way to sow discontent and fracture an already tense scene. I have read a lot of incendiary commentary about this, attributing it to Mitt Romney, which of course is not the case. If there is malfeasance in the party, then it rests with the party movers and shakers, not the presumptive nominee.  Too bad they are so lofty in their righteousness that they cannot understand the peril they place the party itself in: There are many many people just like me, who are disgusted. If there was a viable alternate party, I'd be in it, at this point. I'm sick of principles being bartered away for "bipartisanship" on bills, motions, and other Congressional acts. If they had the nerve to adhere to a set of simple platform points we could all agree on, instead of a umpteen page "position paper", they'd garner a lot of new energy....and support.  At this point, all I can hope for is that no implosion takes place, and Mitt Romney delivers a speech that hits it out of the ballpark-like Paul Ryan did.

Now, let's take a look at the Obama campaign. And really, did he ever quit campaigning? (Rhetorical snicker from yours truly, I hope you enjoy ;))  Since he cannot run on his dismal record, he is allowing his campaign to take division, racism, hate speech, outright lies, and negative spin where none exists, to a new low. I am saddened to see this occurring, because for as much as I dislike the man, these actions demean the Presidency-and the process. So shame on the Democratic national party too. No need to trot out the lengthy list of smear and attack ads, I'm sure you have all seen them ad nauseum.

But if there is one single culprit that can be positively identified, for the misinformation, the hyping of talking points, and the outright reek of pander, it is the "media".

Why have we come to the point where the media, answering to no one but their stockholders and editors, steers the course of the country? Why have we let this happen? Why do we allow the debate to be shaped by sycophants behind a microphone? This is a very valid point and has been addressed much more eloquently by the likes of Judge Andrew Napolitano, Mark Levin, and so on. 

If you are clueless as to what I am talking about, please check into the many YouTube videos posted about:  Soledad O'Brien, Chris Matthews, Bill Kristol, virtually anyone at CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, and ABC.  I could list many others, but really, you should do your own homework on this one. They are all nothing but yapping lapdogs, desperate to appease the Anointed One in the Oval Office. Really, did you all think we are too stupid to notice?  Do you think we are all sheep who will swallow your pablum without a thought as to it's supposed veracity? And just when did talking heads become "reporters" or "journalists" anyway? When I was in school, you were taught to report based on facts, not opinions. Not spin, not hype. Not self serving aggrandizement, not to curry favor, not to please the subject. When was the last time you read or heard an actual factual story in the main stream media?  I'll wait while you think about it...and do get back to me on it, because you'll need to do some digging............

...and yep, more to come ;)

The 2012 Presidential Race

Might as well jump back into the commentary fray by addressing one of, if not *the* biggest topic of the year.....right?  Progressives and liberals, feel free to click on out, you won't like the contents. For the voluntarianist, the Constitutionalist, the libertarian, and the Republican-read at your own risk ;)

First let me preface this by saying that my political views are a process of evolution. That said, I have voted (in my younger years) strictly the party ticket.....Republican all the way, baby, with not much thought given as to why I was voting the way I did. 

Around 30 years ago, roughly, I began paying attention to local politics, and became aware of how decisions made in Washington effected the company I worked for in a big way. That's not to say I had some sort of epiphany, or a moment of enlightenment, or anything of that nature. It was more an accretion of new ideas that were discussed and they, well, basically stuck. I have not missed a primary nor a regular election since I was old enough to vote, and I'm proud of that. I feel strongly that it is your duty as a citizen, to express your opinion via the ballot box, every single time. 

Being in a small area, and working where I do, I have met a number of local politicians over the years. Some good, some bad, some incompetent, and some just outright nuts. But even a newb like me could see, that what happened down south, made its way onto the Anchorage and state books, with the Valley not far behind in every case. Eventually I figured out that in order to know what was coming, I had to look to Washington. During the Bush campaign, I began following the "media" and national politics more closely. And after 9-11, and the succeeding events, I found myself firmly hooked on the swamp on the Potomac, period.

I watched in outraged dismay as the current Imperialist in Chief was swept into office, without vetting. And I listened with deep unrest as our freedoms were stripped away, one act at a time. I mean, who could even imagine we'd have Czars and a ruler who decreed by executive fiat, at night on a weekend?  I surely didn't. This is most assuredly not the American way I learned about in school....which, by the way, is not even taught any longer.

I'm a fairly logical person, and often describe myself as a "practical realist". I read, and listened, and learned about how the state GOP treated the changing of the guard, and how they treated Ron Paul supporters locally. For shame, Alaska Republican Party, for shame. Instead of welcoming these activists into your fold, you have served to alienate them. For this, you might even hand over the Presidency to our Imposter in Chief. How foolish can you get, and what, exactly, did you fear? Well, whatever the motivating factor, Randy Reudrich should be ashamed of his actions, and so should everyone who supports him. Where will the next generation of Republicans come from, if not the passionate activist?  

.......more to come ;)

Odds and ends galore

One the "little of this, a little of that" side of living, here's a partial recap-in no particular order:

The vegetable starting thing went pretty well, over all. I produced 247 flats. Yes, even I am astounded I managed to do that on my own. The original plan was to attend a local market on a weekend, and to that end I started quite a lot of tomatoes and peppers. As it turned out, no market was held and I was left with a bajillion (okay, not really a bajillion, but it sure seemed like it!) extra peppers and tomatoes to find homes for. I eventually placed them all, with the last being stuffed into my nieces' car on the sly ;)  

Weather was not especially cooperative and I got into my greenhouse pretty late, according to my schedule. Everything I start has to be timed correctly to be of a certain size by a certain date....and it was very cold for several weeks longer than normal this spring. But, despite the setbacks, I was able to provide what was needed.  Like normal, I had a few busts, and a few "oh my gosh, would you look at that!" items, and on the whole, I am satisfied with the results. We also invested in a new ballast and bulb for the main light, and having the newer bulb made a huge difference in growth. I also invested into a different type of organic fertilizer, and was pleased with the results there too. 

This spring, the chicken yard was blessed with six new chicks-replacement layers for the older hens. The rooster went to "freezer camp", and now it's pretty quiet up there. Also early this summer, I lost both my turkey hens. One, I am positive, went to go set on a clutch, and the other...all we found were feathers at her nest out in the woods. The two boys remain, and they still stay within a couple feet of each other. I did find three replacement poults, and luckily one of those is a hen too. So, I am in a quandary-I know I should butcher the two boys, but my heart just isn't in it. Just a few weeks ago, I ordered in a quantity of meat birds and they're up at the barn, proving every day why they are known as "super poopers"  Egads, they are awful. I am thinking that in about week or so, I will be able to remove their feed 12 hours a day and maybe that will cut down on the volume a little bit. We've rigged up a pen for them, which we will be expanding this week, to make sure they get to walking as much as possible. 

The two dogs enjoyed spending the summer home with my son, and I have enjoyed having peace and quiet here at work, lol  We have a family member staying with us right now, so the dogs are being entertained and spoiled, and soon enough it will be back to bringing them to work every day. The two house cats are thrilled it's summer, and we've even seen Belle out on the grass!  You have to know that this cat does not do "outside", she bolts across the ground like her feet are on fire if you carry her out, lol  She's a great hunter when she wants to be, but grass, and dirt, and stuff is just not her thing. Which is to sleep in the laundry basket between meals, near as I can tell. 

The old man is doing pretty well.  We've been turning him loose to graze when we're able to keep an eye on him, and he is slowly working his way through the abundant grasses around the property. Last week he figured out he could just walk in the barn and was caught red handed (er, muzzle down) in a grain can. Needless to say, the barn entrance is now paneled off so he can't wander in and make a mess, checking all the cans for goodies. He was just like a little child caught with a hand in the cookie jar too, horse owners know exactly the expression I mean, lol  Sometime the end of the coming month I'll be getting my winter supply of alfie hay in, and I need to stock up on straw too, before the snow flies.

Speaking of stocking up, I have been doing what I can to get poultry feed in, before the major price hikes arrive here in Alaska. I've been reading online, what's been happening with the price of that, and have taken the warnings about the drought to heart. It's not a very convenient time of year to be doing this, but every extra bag I put away will help get us through the price increases, I hope. Yet another reason to butcher the two adult turkeys, right?

And in the same theme, this spring I ordered in mangel wurzel seeds. Yeah, I know, you're thinking-um, wut?  The mangel wurzel (or Mangel beet) is a common crop in some European countries, and is still grown in some areas of the US as well. They are not a sugar beet, nor a "red beet you eat" but are known as a "fodder beet". The variety I chose is suitable for humans, and most small livestock-not just the roots, but the top greens are edible too. Naturally, the reasons I looked into alternate fodder was, of course, our food security here. With that in mind, I shared seeds, with the hopes that others would try growing them also. For myself, I started them maybe two weeks too late, and got them planted sometime the first week of June-again, too late but who knew? I didn't. As it is, they are doing best in the best soils of course. I pulled one up  on the weekend and measured it. Fully ten inches long, the bulbous root (pictured with this entry today) weighs in at just over three pounds. Mangels are reputed to grow as large as 20 pounds, in optimum growing conditions. And they are also supposed to store well in the "pile" method, not needing specific humidity or temperature like seed potatoes. 

I'm back.............!

I've been thinking about taking up blogging again, the first time after reading the "watch words list" published on line. You know, the one that lists all the words that trigger automatic data collection by various US agencies?  I read the list and realized I had typed out just about every single word on that list, over the past five years on line. Ayep, I am a marked blogger already. But you knew that, right?

I thought about it a lot, as the current administration accomplished one destructive act after another. Pretty lengthy list over the past year, isn't it?

I thought about it as I watched our state officials fumble through resource development, and crashing fisheries, and as the feds tied up even more lands forever.

I thought about it as discussions ensued on Facebook, where discourse is disjointed, easily misconstrued, and fleeting indeed.

I thought about it as I worked my way through a very challenging growing season, and other events that touched myself, and my family. 

So.......back into the fray I go, one entry at a time. I hope that this time around, people will feel free to comment here. I do not censor any comment, do not block anyone from posting their opinions, and I do welcome all discussions-even opposing views.  

The reports of my blog demise are in error......

A couple months back, roughly, I composed and sent registered mail, a letter to the Alaska Mini Goat Cache. In it, I asked them to resolve the outstanding judgment, or I would be forced to proceed with the legal mechanism to seize the judgment from the organization.

As usual, President Rayna Fritcher did not respond at all. In fact, no one from the club, nor anyone who admitted to being a member, would respond. I decided to wait past my stated deadline, due to the very real possibility that they'd probably need two meetings to get anything done-even if the issue should have remained on their "Old Business" list on all agendas. I can only suppose that my statement about asking for attorney's fees, process fees, postage, and so forth, probably was the deciding factor. After all, it's one thing to win a judgment, and something else entirely to collect. 

Luckily, the Alaska Court system provides a means to collect if necessary. It is a rather complicated process and could have easily stretched things out another six months. It's not cheap to collect here in Alaska, when process server fees can top $100.00, and they stood a very good chance of having these additional costs tacked onto the judgment as well. 

So, while it took them over 180 days to satisfy the judgment, it did arrive:

"It's dead, Jim"

So saith the intrepid Captain James Tiberius Kirk of the starship Enterprise......

And so too, is this blog. 

I enjoyed having a platform to share my views, like hopping onto the soapbox about political or social issues. I've also enjoyed sharing successes and failures, and I've taken advantage of the opportunity to expose serious shortcomings on various topics. If you've read here occasionally, you also know I have a knack for sarcasm, and can employ story telling in amusing ways. 

Ahem.

Enough about that. The reason this blog is dead, is the host (Google's Blogger) is now going to be archiving every blog post, and happily sharing it with TPTB. Since I am probably on several dozen lists, and have probably been singled out by numerous agencies by exercising my right to free speech.....I'm done handing them more ammunition in their war against dissent.

So, for the benefit of whichever agency is collating all this data (DHS, FBI, etc):

I DO NOT CONSENT.  You are doing so in direct violation of the US Constitution. 

Period. 

But I will not make your job easier by feeding it to you on a silver platter, courtesy of Blogger. 

Those that know me, can find me on Facebook. Su Valley Farm is on there as well :)

The growing season commences

Despite the miserably cold winter we're having with many days below zero and an embarrassment of snow, planting has commenced. Alaska gardeners have to be the most optimistic people in the world. Who else eagerly orders their seeds before the Christmas tree has been put away? Who else readies the indoor lights and planting media when there's barely six hours of daylight? 

This explains the shamble in the garage and pantry, as everything gets shuffled around to make room for the planting racks, and to accommodate good air flow. In just a few weeks, I will have every rack filled and the overhead lighting system running 15 hours a day, with a completely jam packed table underneath it. Which is why, as I look at the varieties of seeds on hand, I find myself dreaming about having a couple more racks, and another track light-lunacy and want can make a person goofy this time of year ;)

Oh heck, if I am dreaming big, I'll just include the big greenhouse, up and waiting for me to light the heat and fill it with starts......that can't come soon enough for me, but without it, I will be (as every year) beyond cramped for space!  With increasing sales come increasing needs-a challenge to be faced and overcome. I have faith we'll manage :)

The New Year

has arrived, at long last!

Goodbye, 2011...and don't let the door smack you on the way out :)

In 2011, I discovered on several fronts, just how wrong my definition of friends, acquaintances, and opponents was.....people I thought were "friends" were users and abusers, people I thought were just "folks I know" turned out to be of both magnitudes better (and worse) character and I learned that opponents (or enemies, if you prefer) will sink to any depth to wound and maim. Boy, that's a mouthful, isn't it? Setting aside a few hours for true reflection every year is not a bad thing.  I'll probably be a little more cautious in the future. A little less trusting. And heaven knows I will try to be a better communicator because that will serve me best, no matter what comes :)

So instead of dwelling on the negative, I resolve to look into the year to come with anticipation.  And really, there is a lot to look forward to if I allow myself. In no particular order then......

First, I am still working. Yeah for me! I may end up laid off for a couple months shortly, but after the initial shock wore off, I am confident I can handle it emotionally and financially. 

Secondly, health is much better. Last year I finally got the diagnosis of excema and chronic bronchial allergies. Thankfully, modern medicine provides relief and I am still learning how to cope with these two conditions. That said, I am oh so happy not to have a constantly runny nose and cough :)  

Third, my son and husband remain the light and the rock of my life. Without their help and love, my life would be a joyless wasteland of struggle and heartbreak. 

Fourth, my tiny business looks to be expanding. Not sure how much it will grow, but grow it will.

Fifth, the barn and how I view it has changed. I don't own Reba any longer (big long fight on my Facebook page about that, but in the end, I sent them a bill of sale) and I've moved into having some turkeys.  The two broad breasted white birds are finally in the freezer-at 17 and 38 pounds dressed, mind you-and the four baby Sweetgrass birds are not really "babies" any longer. I like them, and with luck we'll have some turkey chicks this coming spring to sell. Since I made the firm decision not to board any more horses for any reason, I can work on making the critter foot print up there smaller-and give back some space to my husband too.

Sixth, the Alaska Goat Association. Something positive from the ashes of the Mini Goat Cache!  I am move "involved" than I care to be in some aspects, but I am delighted just the same.  The future is bright and the first clinic of the year is this coming weekend.  It's amazing to me, that all these people came together and made it happen because they knew it would be a good thing. And it is.

Like all of us, I have some big plans, and small ones, for this coming year. I'll be growing plenty of vegetables as usual, work too hard potting up and putting in the gardens, and work at adding to the hard scape here with more edible plants.  As always, my growing son and loving husband will pitch in, just because that's what they do.  (Ok, so my son is drug along for muscle, lol)  

I am sure there will be strife, and disappointment, and fears realized and all that-but I don't expect the world to end on December 21st ;)