You know its been a bad winter when....

YOUR KIDS WONDER WHAT THE BRIGHT THING IN THE SKY IS...
It finally stopped raining.
It has been raining for months...and the past few days, our roads dried out. As we drove to the pool, Nora said, "Mom-look. Such pretty new roads! So pretty." I replied, "Actually, Nora, they're not new. They've just dried." Later in the evening as we drove home in the dark Nora asked if there was snow on the road--the road was so bright and dry that it resembled snow!
As the sun was out yesterday, Stuey said, "Whats that?" I said thats the sun Stuey. He said, "oooohhhhhh".
Pretty amazing how wet and dark it has been. Everyones moods are lifted here in Kodiak.

PATRICK HAS ONLY HAD 18 DAYS OF CROSS COUNTRY SKIING TO TRAIN FOR HIS 40K Ski RACE-BUMMER!!! :(
Next weekend is the annual Tour of Anchorage ski race that Patrick does. His training this year has consisted primarily of downhill skiing, as there has been so little snow at sea level to train with. And to make matters worse, his competition in Anchorage has had excellent snow this winter. :( He is still doing the race, which I admire him for! Tonight Patrick and I were talking about how lack of cross country skiing will affect his race--we decided that the lack of upper body cross country ski work will be a set back. The power will be there in his legs, but a big part of strength with cross country skiing is the arms. (BTW-hes hoping for a LOT of snow with CRUDDY conditions for the race, as then he'll cook. Sorry Anchorage folks!)

CROCUS' ARE BLOOMING
Just crazy. I hope the blueberries and salmonberry crops aren't affected by this warm winter. The bottom flower is a primrose.

Zoya