tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-336033832024-03-07T05:14:36.319-09:00The Saltonstalls -Patrick, Zoya, Nora, Stuey, Sheba, Tank & JakeLiving on the edge in the North Pacific....with two kids, two dogs, a manic husband and a wife who tries to keep up with the pack.Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.comBlogger2623125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-15578644710529034202016-09-15T18:27:00.001-08:002016-09-15T20:32:21.601-08:00End of the Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of the Pack from the first month of the blog</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christmas Card with Stuey</td></tr>
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This blog is over 10 years old, there have been over 2600 posts, and, sadly enough, it ends today.<br />
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When it began the family or 'pack' only included Zoya, Me, Roxy dog and a one-year-old Nora. Jake dog came and went during the life of the blog, and we added Stuey, Tank, and Sheba.<br />
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Whenever I notice a blog that ends abruptly I always wonder what happened. Did people get bored of blogging, did someone get injured, marital problems? Well our blog is ending because Zoya is leaving me - the pack of animals this blog was all about will no longer be whole. And yes it is a complete surprise for me too - I even had a few more posts about our Labor Day weekend trip to Afognak to put on here. <br />
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I did not have an inkling that this was going to happen. The 'I'm leaving you' was completely out of the blue - like a bad joke. Perhaps if you look back through the summer blog archives you will see some hints of impending disaster. I certainly did not. <br />
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It just goes to show that life is a fickle journey. One moment you are in bright sunshine and all is well, and then the clouds come over the sun and it starts to rain. But nothing lasts forever, and the sun will shine again.<br />
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Anyway, I plan on starting a new blog - <a href="https://asmallerpackonkodiak.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Smaller Pack</a> - and it will document the adventures of the new family pack. Me, Nora, Stuey, Tank, Sheba, and Bruno. This will be the first post there and the last one here (unless Zoya has a post to add).<br />
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I promise no complaining and regrets will be on the new blog. It will be all about 'tending' my new 'garden', and creating happiness with what I am lucky to still have. And I do have a lot to be thankful for.<br />
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Here is the link,<br />
https://asmallerpackonkodiak.blogspot.com/ <br />
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Bye<br />
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Patrick<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 30th Reunion Photo (fogged in Kodiak)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last summer on Afognak</td></tr>
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Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-55372882256949345772016-09-15T17:42:00.000-08:002016-09-15T18:42:05.538-08:00Messing about in boats<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;">Nora drives the whaler</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan and Stuey kayak on a foggy day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuey says goodbye to Afognak for the summer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuey drives the whaler all the way home</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewster actually slept the whole way home</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-47027612633020589382016-09-15T17:41:00.000-08:002016-09-15T17:41:06.962-08:00Life about the teepee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan and Stuey hard at Colorku</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewster and the Stove</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuey and Ryan untangle a rope found on the beach and later. ... </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strung between trees rope is hell of a good entertainer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dishes</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-77033256113269008712016-09-15T17:38:00.001-08:002016-09-15T17:38:52.434-08:00Hikes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Labor day weekend hike pictures. Rainy days made for good hikes in the rain forest.<br />
Patrick<br />
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-85529038888011780942016-09-14T07:46:00.002-08:002016-09-14T07:46:52.984-08:00Some alone time with Nora and Bruno<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A highlight for me of our Labor Day weekend trip to Afognak was hikes in the woods with just Nora and Bruno along for company. Depending on how tired he was Bruno would either run along beside us, or out ahead scouting out the trail. Every once in a while I'd stop and take pictures of the trees while Nora told herself stories. Companionship without a lot of talk. Patrick<br />
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-63432075458243234282016-09-12T08:17:00.001-08:002016-09-12T08:17:08.493-08:00Setting up camp with Ryan<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;">Picking up Ryan from the Whaler at anchor</td></tr>
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For our Labor Day Weekend Afognak trip Ryan and I took the whaler up a day earlier while Zoya, Molly, Brewster, and the kids arrived by plane a day later. We arrived at Lipsett Point in the late afternoon and took our time setting up camp. After setting up camp we went on a water run up the bay. Then it was woodstove and teepee time.<br />
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It was all total 'guy' time, and a relaxing start to a great weekend. Patrick<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling to the whaler to go get water</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water run</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was not staged - I really was digging with high anticipation for a piece of jerky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And YUCK it had all gone bad - I can't believe I stuck my hand in there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling up with water from the waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-43033791817764293262016-09-12T08:17:00.000-08:002016-09-12T08:17:00.370-08:00Hunting Alone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I filled a proxy deer tag - the first proxy hunt of the year. It was a quick hunt, and I did it all alone.<br />
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Usually when I go hunting it is with a partner or two. Someone to share the load on the journey home. But every once in a while, about once a year, I like to hunt by myself - just me, my thoughts and the mountain. There is no one to confer with or to share the load. Also more time to think. The independence feels good.<br />
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When I woke up and looked outside the first thing I saw was Orion's Belt in the sky above Mill Bay. That portended good things. And at dawn I was far up the mountain with deer all around.<br />
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And four hours after leaving the house I arrived back home with the proxy deer. A quick, successful hunt.<br />
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Patrick <br />
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-72970079679687539652016-09-11T09:07:00.000-08:002016-09-11T09:09:51.121-08:00Hunting and Fishing<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;">Leaving camp at dawn</td></tr>
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Our Labor Day weekend trip to Afognak was more than just a camping trip. It was also about filling the larder, and we came home with both deer meat and canned silver salmon.<br />
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Ryan and I went out a day early in the whaler to set up camp, and the next morning before the rest of the crew arrived we climbed up the mountain and went deer hunting. It was Ryan's first deer hunting trip, and right away on top we found a nice little buck for him to harvest.<br />
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We got back to camp with the meat before the others arrived. So when they did arrive we were able to send the meat back to town. My friend Gregg picked up the meat and put it in my fridge to chill until our return.<br />
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On Sunday it was raining but we still made it to 'silver salmon' beach and tried our hand at fishing. There were plenty of silvers, but events conspired against us and we only harvested one (boat kept on floating back onto the beach, fish popped the hook, and a couple of fishing line birds nests).<br />
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Back at camp, I canned up the silver on the beach. Zoya had already heated up her 'Afognak hottub' and she watched from the tub while I filleted the fish and put him into jars. Patrick<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dawn in the woods</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun came up before we got to the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike back down with meat aboard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">canning silvers right on the beach</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-4455555408257920662016-09-09T08:25:00.001-08:002016-09-09T08:25:49.058-08:00Pictures of Trees & Glyphs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On our recent trip to Afognak I brought along my 'good' camera. My 'good' camera is a fragile SLR, and I've found I tend not to use it because it is inconvenient to get out of the waterproof case etc. Numerous times in the past I've brought it along on trips and then only used the indestructible, waterproof, point-and-shoot camera instead. But it does take gorgeous pictures.<br />
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On our last trip I had noticed that the harlequin ducks perch on the petroglyphs at high tide, but it was too far away to photograph with my point-and-shoot. So I was bringing along the big zoom and pixel power of my good camera, hopefully, to capture this image. I also wanted to take some low light tree pictures under the forest canopy.<br />
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Anyway, it almost worked. In the forest based on what I was seeing on the camera screen I thought I was taking GREAT pictures. But then I got home and noticed that in the low light I often had not held the camera steady enough and that I had depth of field issues. I should have put the camera on a tripod and upped the aperture to get a deeper field of focus. If you look at some of my stitched together forest panoramics you'll see these issues, but they still look compositionally good.<br />
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As regards the petroglyph and ducks photo - the light was never right. The harelquins did perch on the glyphs, only the light did not cooperate. The petroglyphs only 'pop' and become visible in certain light conditions, and it just did not happen.<br />
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Oh well, I guess I'll have to lug along the good camera to Afognak once again. Maybe the third time will be the charm.<br />
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Patrick<br />
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-38361342300780307942016-09-05T18:48:00.002-08:002016-09-13T19:50:55.886-08:00Roasted Garlic & Luci lights<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;">Stuey liked sawing wood with Ryan!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath heaven :)</td></tr>
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This afternoon we returned from 4 days on Afognak with our friends Molly and Ryan. This was our first time to Afognak with them and what a fun mix of energy we shared. Together we boated, hiked, hung out by the woodstove, played Color-ku, ate roasted garlic and turned on the bright Luci Lights to light the cook tent when the sun went down at 9:30. <br />
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Its hard to believe this trip wraps up our season of Afognak adventures~ just seems like yesterday we were heading out just shortly after my mom had passed away. I"m thankful to the magestic trees, the adorable sea otters, soft moss, lapping surf and beautiful sunsets for nourishing my soul this summer.<br />
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Zoya<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewster is "squirreled-out" </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big smile~heading home on glassy waters with Ryan and Stuey. </td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-51748928861118313742016-09-01T07:10:00.000-08:002016-09-01T07:10:35.145-08:00Sunrise at a respectable hour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's finally September and we are rapidly losing daylight. Instead of waking up with the sun in my eyes at 5 AM, the sun is now coming up at a respectable hour - sometime after 7 AM. And it comes up 15 minutes later every week. It's getting to be my favorite time of the year.<br />
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Earlier this week I looked out the kitchen window and caught Zoya drinking her coffee and watching the sun rise out of the Gulf of Alaska. <br />
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At our house we only catch the sun rising out of the ocean in late August/early September, and then again in April. In summer it rises too far to the north and is blocked by Miller Point while in winter it rises too far to the east and is blocked by Spruce Cape. So this is the month to enjoy the sunrises.<br />
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Patrick<br />
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-19932853746728006182016-08-30T07:02:00.001-08:002016-08-30T07:02:43.868-08:00Rough Trails for Bikes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past weekend I was thinking of activities to do outside with the kids. Drive to Pasagshak? Too far. Kayaking on the ocean? too windy. So I asked Nora what she wanted to do. She replied, 'let's go biking on a trail'. And so we took the bikes to the old military roads in Swampy Acres and went mountain biking. <br />
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Initially Nora was worried about the 'swampy' part of the Swampy Acres' moniker - until I assured her the roads are solid. They also wanted to know about hills. I got the feeling they were worried I was going to take them up Pyramid.<br />
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It was the perfect adventure. Mostly flat with a slight up hill, and then a long downhill in an alder tunnel. The kids outpaced me on the downhill and I was very happy they had on helmets. Every once in a while there were little challenging areas of the trail to test their mountain biking skills. And best of all we saw no one.<br />
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I think we've found a new weekend activity! <br />
<br />
Patrick<br />
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-54232399102478166442016-08-28T10:59:00.001-08:002016-08-28T10:59:25.933-08:00Happy 11th Nora!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend Nora turned 11! With 4 of her girlfriends present for the day, we piled into the Nissan for an out-the-road birthday.<br />
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First stop was base pizza parlor for pizza and beverages. Nora initiated a "Cheers" with their Peace Teas. They all smiled and toasted together.<br />
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Then base park for some quick jungle gym time.<br />
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Then onto Leta House~a slice of heaven on Kodiak.<br />
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Leta house is an art studio owned by Natalie Tiereny. She does art projects with kids and adults and for Noras birthday she had the materials prepped for little felt hand-sewn purses.<br />
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The girls picked out their fabrics, thread color and got right into making their bags! They spent close to an hour sewing and Natalie so patiently helped them re-thread their needles as needed.<br />
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After the bags were done, we sang happy birthday to Nora with candles atop a still warm blueberry pie. Yes, indeed-it was a mad scramble to make the pie before leaving for bells flats in the morning!<br />
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The birthday was one of my favorites-most relaxing party ever. Natlie played ballet music on the record player while the girls sewed. The weather was 64 and sunny. It couldn't have been a more fun, relaxing day.<br />
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Happy 11 to my spunky, fun, adventurous daughter.<br />
<br />
Zoya<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say cheers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">modeling the completed bags</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-39847406598916682702016-08-27T07:10:00.001-08:002016-08-27T07:57:03.516-08:00Teepee Time and Pickup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With all the hunting activity of the first 2 days we were all a little worried we'd get no 'teepee time' - naps and books by the hot woodstove. We need not have worried. Where the first 2 days of our trip had been go, go, go; the last day was all relaxation in camp.<br />
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The rain made it's distinctive pitter patter on the tent walls, and when a particularly big gust hit the tent there was that brrrrrtttttt of sil nylon vibrating at high speed. Gregg said the sound brought him flashbacks to a float trip ten years earlier where we got hit by a particularly nasty storm.<br />
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We got the woodstove cranking and cooked up quesadillas on top of it for lunch. We loaded them with baby bell cheese and a sprinkling of Sriracha powder. Mmmmmmm. Later we learned that the woodstove is also good for roasting the garlic cloves that I'd brought from my garden in town.<br />
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For dinner we made pasta with morel mushroom's a friend had collected on the Kenei Peninsula, home grown garlic, and Gregg's cabbage filled in as a salad.<br />
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But mostly it was all about the nap. There is nothing quite like a nap in a teepee by a warm woodstove while the rain and wind shake the walls. Especially when you are all tired out from chasing after and carrying deer.<br />
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By evening the storm had died down, and then in the morning we broke down camp in a leisurely fashion. We piled all our gear down by the lake and after a short wait the plane arrived. It was time to go back to town. Patrick<br />
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-4508381444687645732016-08-26T07:55:00.000-08:002016-08-26T07:55:29.517-08:00Lisa's Deer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On day 2 we had expected to wake up to hard rain and high winds (as forecast), and were pleasantly surprised on arising to discover good hunting weather - a high overcast with a brisk breeze. Not that we expected it to stay that way and after a quick breakfast we hurried out of camp before the weather could change her mind. It was time to get Lisa her deer.<br />
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The wind and weather had all the deer in the bushes or migrating to the lee of the mountains. We watched a bachelor group of 5 bucks walk across the face of a mountain heading for the cliffs in the lee where they would be out of the wind. They certainly knew about the coming storm.<br />
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So that's where we headed - into the cliffy and brushy side of the mountain. We found where 2 of the bucks had bedded down on top of a cliff, and had to make sure it was not too sheer below the cliff before Lisa shot. We wanted to make sure we could retrieve the deer.<br />
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Lisa shot the deer perfectly and it started to rain while we cut up the deer. We just beat the storm back to camp. Within a 1/2 hour after our arrival back at camp it was raging outside the teepee. We lit the woodstove and hunkered down. Patrick<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa shot from the knoll above her head to the top of the steep slope break on the left horizon</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-64078933924558434492016-08-26T07:15:00.000-08:002016-08-26T07:15:30.614-08:00Deer in the afternoon<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;">A moment to ponder - thank you Mister Deer</td></tr>
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After taking care of Gregg's deer and eating lunch back in camp, it was time for an afternoon hunt. By this time there were no deer out and about. The sun was high in the sky and the landscape was brightly lit. All the deer were bedded down in the bushes enjoying their afternoon siestas. We also considered foregoing the hunt and just enjoying an afternoon nap beside a lake in the mountains. It would have been heavenly. But the weather was supposed to turn sour and so we decided to hunt while the weather was good.<br />
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And so up the mountain we went.<br />
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We found a bachelor herd up and about butting heads on the lip of a truly frightful cliff. I put on the stalk while Lisa and Gregg watched from afar. Right away I ran into 2 fairly large deer, and they just stared at me from their beds less than 100 yards away. I was tempted to go for the bird in the bush and forego the long stalk. Gregg later told me that he was watching me through the scope and could see both me and the 2 deer, and saw the moment I decided to continue with the long stalk.<br />
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I ended up harvesting a deer in a spectacular location. On top of a cliff with a very grand view over the bay far, far below. Patrick<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7We0ENCODChWIgxtmglupvkiyVq3PLz_tUJXZFZHJqA_Hjb6c89BsDdemoUDfnhGTHOEyBBW_9hJvKpKfSXB6xyW18Ug9lO5IsX2cft05NfnpQI9hggObxBb7STNuEN1O-yfzyg/s1600/P8200096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7We0ENCODChWIgxtmglupvkiyVq3PLz_tUJXZFZHJqA_Hjb6c89BsDdemoUDfnhGTHOEyBBW_9hJvKpKfSXB6xyW18Ug9lO5IsX2cft05NfnpQI9hggObxBb7STNuEN1O-yfzyg/s400/P8200096.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most gorgeous view from a hunting spot ever - for me</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-19016420660149573282016-08-25T20:37:00.002-08:002016-08-25T20:37:56.218-08:00Home<b>Coming Home</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes home is a feeling, a sense. A space. <br />
<br />
The St. Mary's parking lot is bustling with first-day-of-school
excitement. Excited kids and parents gathering bags of supplies and
make their way eagerly into school. <br />
<br />
As I walk into St. Mary's foyer holding a bag exploding of notepaper
and paper towels, I look down and see the sweet little ABC benches in
the entry way. These are ones which students originally painted years
ago. The same benches which the kids and I laid on their sides and
cleaned together during this summers cleaning day. Together the kids
scrubbed the legs with soapy water so excitedly and what a sense of
satisfaction we all felt after. On these ABC benches I have sat on many
times while waiting for Nora and Stuey to come out of class. Sometimes
with excitement, sadness, concern, love. The benches bring me to the
kid level. <br />
<br />
Ms. Schmitt, Ms. Huerta and Mr. Brian are in the lobby saying Hi,
guiding kids on where to go. Tears well up inside me. What is is wrong
with me, I momentarily wonder. My kids are in the 4th and 5th grade.
This is my 6th year with kids at St. Mary's. <br />
<br />
One would think my crying phase would be long over. I follow behind
Nora and Stuey up the stairs to Miss. Schmitt's room where they
excitedly look for their desks and I am filled with awe. <br />
<br />
This beautiful room before me; each table with lovely cursive name tag,
new posters of the world on the wall. I stand and soak it in. Trying to
not look like I'm about to cry. <br />
<br />
There are new math learning activities along the window and a new
reading corner. Fun new classroom changes which I know my kids will
appreciate. This room where my kids have learned for so many years under
the guidance of Miss. Schmitt. She knows their strengths, their needs,
their quirks. She explains to the the kiddos where to put their things
guiding them to their desks and I am filled with overwhelming gratitude.
<br />
<br />
The tears start flowing. <br />
<br />
Nora and Stuey are at home, I am at home. This is home. <br />
This is the building, the energy, the people, the love which has
surrounded my kids from day 1. This is the routine, ritual, structure
which has supported them in growing as learners and even more
importantly as people. . <br />
<br />
Here, on this Sixth year of going through this ritual, I am more attune than ever to the dedication this staff makes. <br />
Because of them, we are here. <br />
<br />
We are at home.<br />
<br />
Zoya Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-52089786111019650982016-08-25T12:53:00.001-08:002016-08-28T07:07:19.232-08:00First Day of School <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvL651sUkZvY6R28TbU2a2idWUDUggFoKTvBrXRr_pu0s4Xi11Ba6YWOMdD2oDU3sciDSg_P1lZFaMIzdcsJUjJ-jXmHVKT_rPo_ob_1oRV7y-QOMpHp2EcMUrResRzwa4yCoUg/s1600/IMG_3333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvL651sUkZvY6R28TbU2a2idWUDUggFoKTvBrXRr_pu0s4Xi11Ba6YWOMdD2oDU3sciDSg_P1lZFaMIzdcsJUjJ-jXmHVKT_rPo_ob_1oRV7y-QOMpHp2EcMUrResRzwa4yCoUg/s400/IMG_3333.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuey doing the fake "gag" at me having my arm around him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasuyQDda0LPOwEvIxlGQliVhNweku_7BxDXVUA0Sd7ylA8zzpFna-TT0yCCmkFWvLIyAYVJM2Z623V9LD1HJo6MXkRPZAHFBtJrypVOXV4C_u7iafhAUQXk3ApZh6KZlqZv-dgg/s1600/IMG_3343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasuyQDda0LPOwEvIxlGQliVhNweku_7BxDXVUA0Sd7ylA8zzpFna-TT0yCCmkFWvLIyAYVJM2Z623V9LD1HJo6MXkRPZAHFBtJrypVOXV4C_u7iafhAUQXk3ApZh6KZlqZv-dgg/s400/IMG_3343.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say "first day!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQkoXkcNTlYP5HlCaM2WTAyHde3hyBCxwyTosOe5E7mb8l6-_FzVJKhAl8ap0432w3bHHH48BsndjcNY3p04_162dHUmSpDLrqzY6yMrZE9agujymQN7LsqURKSlR2SO1tS_96A/s1600/IMG_2597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQkoXkcNTlYP5HlCaM2WTAyHde3hyBCxwyTosOe5E7mb8l6-_FzVJKhAl8ap0432w3bHHH48BsndjcNY3p04_162dHUmSpDLrqzY6yMrZE9agujymQN7LsqURKSlR2SO1tS_96A/s400/IMG_2597.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Kristine texted this photo at lunch time~I like the place cards for first day lunch!</td></tr>
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This morning started off with excitment-and with some anxiety as Stuey scrambled to find the right uniform pieces for a his first day at school. There has been a shift in the uniform rules from last year so we dug through his pile to see if we had the right pieces. Nonetheless, it transpired in some mild panic, as I tried to scrub out light dirt stains on a potential white shirt for him to wear. In the end it all worked out and Stuey was ok with the uniform he had on and I made note of what I need to order. <br />
<br />
A few minutes later the kids were outside and counting down the minutes until we left for school. Nora informed Patrick and I that photo time was from 7:30-7:40 and no later. In years past we have done it too close to departure time and it brings stress to Nora.<br />
<br />
As I walked the kids into St. Mary's holding a bag of school supplies, I looked down and saw the sweet little benches in the entry way and the teachers were in the lobby welcoming families. Tears welled up inside and by the time we got to Miss Schmitts classroom (where both Nora and Stuey are), the tears flowed.<br />
<br />
Ms. Schmitts' classroom is home. Its so familiar, warm, inviting. This is Nora's 4th year with her and Stuey's 3rd year. I had a sense of bringing my kids home to her for another year of learning.<br />
<br />
Filled with a sense of love, excitement, gratitude, I gave Miss. Schmitt a hug and went downstairs to join two friends for tea and banana bread. <br />
<br />
They are at home, I am at home.<br />
A new fall rhythm and schedule begins.<br />
<br />
ZoyaZoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-6404696492091758162016-08-24T19:30:00.004-08:002016-08-24T20:23:57.330-08:00Fall Time"I don't want to be bald" Stuey says as we sit in Hairmasters and his haircut begins.<br />
<br />
The hairstylist and I laugh together as she re-assures him he won't be bald. Its the beginning of the school year haircut-one of the many final details to take care of before the first day tomorrow.<br />
It feels good to laugh, as many of these beginning of the school year details feel especially exhausting this year. Get school supplies from Walmart. Back to school open house. Nora haircut. Stuey haircut.<br />
Order school uniforms.<br />
<br />
In the grand scheme of things, I suppose this list isn't that much, but it just felt extra tiring to get it all done this year. <br />
<br />
Last weekend Patrick returned from a glorious hunt and had what looks like lovely pictures.<br />
<br />
"Hon, I'll admit-I just need a couple of hours by myself in the wilderness before I can get excited to look at those pictures." For whatever reason, this year I'm envious of time sleeping by the moon light and waking up to amazing sunrises. I can't help but long for the chance to have a few chunks of free hours to do that. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow the kiddos will walk through the threshold of the doors to school and I look forward to time.<br />
<br />
Tonight Nora called up her fellow girl scout, F., who is transferring to St. Mary's tomorrow. I smiled as I listened to the excitment in Nora's voice on the phone.<br />
<br />
"Do you want to play on the playground with me tomorrow?" Nora asked F.<br />
I smiled and knew that her friend on the other end of the phone was probably so relieved to hear this offer. The first day playground dilemmas. <br />
<br />
So glad Fall is finally here. <br />
<br />
Zoya <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-6024017052169347802016-08-23T21:34:00.000-08:002016-08-23T21:34:01.408-08:00Gregg's Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every day on our hunt we got up in the dark. Lit the stove, and ate breakfast by the light of the 'Luci' lantern. On the first day we left camp to go hunting before the sun cleared the horizon.<br />
<br />
And there were deer everywhere we looked - Does and fawns grazing on the green hillsides, bucks sparring, and herds on the move to where they wanted to bed down for the day. We made a plan to intercept one such herd and headed on up the mountain. While we climbed the sun came up and bathed everything in bright color.<br />
<br />
Once the sun came up all the deer started to bed down for the day, and suddenly there were not deer everywhere you looked. It's a good thing we did get up early, or we would have missed the show. Still we did find the group of bucks we had seen earlier crossing over the shoulder of a mountain, and we made our stalk. <br />
<br />
We picked out the biggest buck in the group and Gregg shot him perfectly behind the shoulder. An equally big buck hung around after the shot, and we were tempted to harvest him too. But our plan had been to keep it simple and pack loads to a minimum by harvesting one deer at a time. And we stuck to the plan.<br />
<br />
After cutting up the deer we headed back to camp. That's when I truly appreciated our plan. Three people carrying one deer is a pleasant experience, and we made it back to camp by 11AM full of energy to go on another hunt. Patrick<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memento Mori - Gregg contemplates death</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing the meat back to camp</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-86779961244064307812016-08-23T12:42:00.001-08:002016-08-23T12:42:07.795-08:00Sunsets and Moonrises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past weekend Lisa, Gregg and I went for an alpine camping and deer hunting trip. On Friday evening we took a floatplane ride to an elevated lake and set up camp. Since we did not have to carry our camp on our backs up the mountain we could afford to bring along a fairly luxurious camp. <br />
<br />
It was a glorious evening and after we set up camp we had dinner and glassed the hillsides for deer. The sunset was spectacular! And at one point we even saw a huge buck silhouetted on the cliffs against the sunset. It got all our blood pumping.<br />
<br />
And then after the sun set a full moon rose in an equally spectacular fashion. The moon was so bright that I could take pictures outside with no artificial light. Even inside the teepee there was no need for flashlights. At one point in the night I went outside and the moon was a ball perched on the very top of the mountain - it reminded me of the symbol on a dollar bill.<br />
<br />
The bright moonlight is not so good for hunting. When there is a full moon the deer tend to stay up all night feeding and then go to bed early in the morning. So we set our alarms early!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonlit shadows on the inside of the teepee</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-49994831644933784482016-08-19T18:43:00.002-08:002016-08-19T18:58:12.192-08:00Summer doings...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36dzJH4mZ8lCREO1CsvzxKuxvLwG9_auXihcCMcoMw1ABc5-wF2DfyAXBoTQTEADpXLxMRAIz3UvYl5rz9MO8AVXxFAq_wM7rVM3HCB0e37c8i9unhycVta5SPQ4nTBM0VUuQmA/s1600/IMG_6865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36dzJH4mZ8lCREO1CsvzxKuxvLwG9_auXihcCMcoMw1ABc5-wF2DfyAXBoTQTEADpXLxMRAIz3UvYl5rz9MO8AVXxFAq_wM7rVM3HCB0e37c8i9unhycVta5SPQ4nTBM0VUuQmA/s400/IMG_6865.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise time with Stuey in recliner chair. A morning ritual...he wakes up and comes running to the chair to sit with me and slowly wake up. He shares with me any dreams he had the night before. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house "To-Do" list I wrote for the kids at the beginning of summer. The kids had to do these things before electronics time in the evening~I'd say it worked about 75% of the time. :)<br />
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Its almost a wrap~summer 2016! <br />
Only a few more days before Nora and Stuey walk through the doors of St. Mary's and we fall into a new rhythm of our days and evenings. I can't wait!<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, its been a beautiful, warm summer. Lots of good memories, but admittedly heart wrenching times as well. I still need more alone time; a function of grief for me. My twin sister has had a lot of alone time this summer and I haven't been shy about telling her how jealous I am.<br />
<br />
This summer...<br />
<br />
-you'd find Stuey asking "are there spiders on me?" as he squeals with spider fear. This can occur inside, outside, in the car...<br />
<br />
-you'd find Nora saying "I want to go back to school. I miss school" She misses the routine and familiarity of school.<br />
<br />
-you'd find lots of changes in our house as I have done so much cleaning and re-arranging of artwork<br />
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-you'd find me starting up the fire pit to grill outside. How I've loved watching those flames and then cook foil packet marinated mushrooms on the coals. Soul food all the way.<br />
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-you'd find Stuey reading tons of Archie comic books. Like over and over again. His reading is taking off! <br />
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-you'd find Patrick not batting an eye as I re-arranage furniture, artwork, get my haircut...bless his heart for being with me on this journey of grief.<br />
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<br />
<br />
ZoyaZoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-13348616155623438702016-08-18T06:33:00.001-08:002016-08-18T06:41:53.989-08:00Awakenings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATIYkb5lVz6ZaFqUMC1qpynBZaF9m2CUHzTJL5ZvvcCxWGWKc34Vctf3q7UpOVSHhwhzl0qSwpk1eigjo9wvI3rvIihaRC_q4pRnIoXRNOYTbQN7GbSADCenMSw3G-8a0DnCDqw/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATIYkb5lVz6ZaFqUMC1qpynBZaF9m2CUHzTJL5ZvvcCxWGWKc34Vctf3q7UpOVSHhwhzl0qSwpk1eigjo9wvI3rvIihaRC_q4pRnIoXRNOYTbQN7GbSADCenMSw3G-8a0DnCDqw/s400/IMG_2399.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The morning sunrise view from my recliner chair. </td></tr>
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The past 3 weeks I have been getting up at 5:45 to write.<br />
Journal and letter writing, writing down my dreams from the night before. I'll admit to being sometimes groggy eyed and not totally with it, but for the most part, I relish in this quiet time in the house. The family rises sometime around 6:30 or 6:45 so it gives me a full hour in the recliner chair by the picture window with my pen, journal, computer and thoughts. Oh, and coffee-most importantly. <br />
<br />
I'm on week 3 of a 6 week class called The Ground of Waiting and this morning writing time is part of this journey. The class is taught by a Canadian woman who helps the ladies in the online group with life transitions~death of a loved one, new job, moving, and other losses. The focus of the class is on the middle, or liminal stage of a transition. This is the waiting and being stage of loss which can be uncomfortable for some, and not necessarily a time or place which society understands or supports. Its the time of not doing. But rather listening and reflecting.<br />
<br />
The topic the first week was on standing at the threshold. The teacher, Kristen Roderick, shared the following Joseph Campbell quote with us:<br />
"Joseph Campbell refers to the liminal stage of the journey as initiation, setting in motion a course of events that will change our lives. Campbell says that initiation occurs when someone under takes <i>The perilous journey into the darkness by descending, either intentionally or unintentionally, into the crooked lanes of his own spiritual labyrinth....this is a process of dissolving, transcending or transmuting the infantile images of our personal past. </i><br />
<br />
So, in summary, this stage is rough. And a crazy ride. A crazy, s**** ride at times.<br />
<i> </i><br />
Which is definitely how this loss of my mom has felt at times. It indeed feels like a labyrinth. Being with my mom in her illness to her passing brought me to the center of the labyrinth. And now, in the dark, I am slowly making my way back out.<br />
<br />
I can write about all of this now, finally, because I'm making a little forward progress and starting to move forward inch by inch.<br />
<br />
For several weeks I was at a loss to who I am.<br />
<br />
In a matter of a week I cut my hair short (I like it! No regrets there!),<br />
got new furniture for the living room (very badly needed-old furniture was busting at seams) rearranged all the artwork in the house (Nora helped and we had a lovely time. She had some wonderful insight on where to put things),<br />
got rid of 3 bags of clothes (ones which didn't feel good on my skin. Maybe a little too small or just not totally in love with it?).<br />
<br />
Things which brought me great identity in the past did nothing for me now.<br />
<br />
That discomfort has passed and in those days I created a space, a living area which I now really love. A space in which to write, light a candle, look at art. Look out the window at the rising sun over Mill Bay.<br />
<br />
Last night when I was dusting the my altar area where I have photos, candle and a poem, I saw the picture of my mom. <i>I can't believe shes gone. She can't be gone. </i>My breath shortens. How can this be real, I wonder? Then I see her smile. I take a deep breath to help ease the sudden ache of disbelief in my heart.<br />
<br />
<i>Love you mom, love you I whisper. </i>She is right with me, I know.<br />
<br />
Zoya <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new couch and recliner we are all enjoying so much! </td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-77896832023343323882016-08-17T17:07:00.000-08:002016-08-17T17:09:47.204-08:00Spike and the fork<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ03jSIN4ZRxp5HGqiG9BfGhgai7rIYUkrpzPfde-Q9UZ8pe5ovKo3LzEJik4iZX6tgk0IbRWaWbKthwTTa1WZ7aUyJnN72ZqVysY2oP2OKA8cfU1k1oYHBXVS1qt1DzzNGMyeeQ/s1600/P8140003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ03jSIN4ZRxp5HGqiG9BfGhgai7rIYUkrpzPfde-Q9UZ8pe5ovKo3LzEJik4iZX6tgk0IbRWaWbKthwTTa1WZ7aUyJnN72ZqVysY2oP2OKA8cfU1k1oYHBXVS1qt1DzzNGMyeeQ/s400/P8140003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Spike'</td></tr>
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For the past few weeks practically every day at the dig we'd see the same deer - a small little spike. He's practically tame and with no originality we nicknamed him 'spike'.<br />
<br />
Once deer hunting season began I horrified the rest of the archaeology crew by suggesting I was going to harvest Spike. I was joking, but the fact of the matter is that once you've named a critter it is extremely difficult to harvest said critter. And this is especially true if he is tame and just stands there. That's not hunting!<br />
<br />
But I must admit I thought about Spike while my friend Gregg and I were on a recent deer hunt. It was more of a hike than a hunt and we passed on the first couple of bucks that we saw. Then we saw some semi big bucks that eluded us, and after a long hike it was beginning to look like we were going to go home without a deer.<br />
<br />
That's about when Gregg started to point out spikes for me to shoot. One was just standing there at about 50 yards. I told Gregg that I was not going to hike 8 miles to harvest a spike when I could so much more easily do it much closer to the road with the pet 'spike'. Harvesting a spike was out of the question.<br />
<br />
That's about when 'forkie' showed up on the scene. Nothing wrong with a 2 point buck! And so we found something worth the 8 mile hike. Patrick<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view 5 miles and about 2500' vertical into our hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJN3aIqnR78ZNb5upDhL55x3VmqTMnkrdVJU_Q3L9geT9XmcmlvoBUcCuMt6tDYfUc37yN7TyT3IF4B9r202H3PtASzrJCBElNEpmK026jLeAJa7ey8dSU5B9ZXViKIBOMJTxfwA/s1600/P8150008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJN3aIqnR78ZNb5upDhL55x3VmqTMnkrdVJU_Q3L9geT9XmcmlvoBUcCuMt6tDYfUc37yN7TyT3IF4B9r202H3PtASzrJCBElNEpmK026jLeAJa7ey8dSU5B9ZXViKIBOMJTxfwA/s400/P8150008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Forkie'</td></tr>
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33603383.post-18604731144040281772016-08-16T20:26:00.003-08:002016-08-16T21:05:36.667-08:00Third Helpings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqhBdlZ7_Bv0RTUy9eKFHEqszXHxyPYpdqtmqM4nwUsKx3fmGNCgDHjrozy1W25hDSG6NPIWRooCFl6t_jP-ppPwqT56hwjcxgB_J0vz5gUCauLQXIFFKQ7jXewGmizw_eEwqHw/s1600/IMG_2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqhBdlZ7_Bv0RTUy9eKFHEqszXHxyPYpdqtmqM4nwUsKx3fmGNCgDHjrozy1W25hDSG6NPIWRooCFl6t_jP-ppPwqT56hwjcxgB_J0vz5gUCauLQXIFFKQ7jXewGmizw_eEwqHw/s400/IMG_2291.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest room ready for summer visitors. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznLKGTRDyWAZTr2UsNahZdNRjyN3zGSdlvtkYsgdiJ7csZF9MiY04uaa5B9F7KFLlLZJLDlEGNxDnSNwfKQgmDTL7R5G0g7HLfY-io5VIfcg2qKUyyh920K8tP45PiNPcc0go_g/s1600/IMG_2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznLKGTRDyWAZTr2UsNahZdNRjyN3zGSdlvtkYsgdiJ7csZF9MiY04uaa5B9F7KFLlLZJLDlEGNxDnSNwfKQgmDTL7R5G0g7HLfY-io5VIfcg2qKUyyh920K8tP45PiNPcc0go_g/s400/IMG_2408.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piggyback with Justin!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ3YT_-ZZ5ilUQJvOVyeA1ETEkONmqelidRlHrcpyHzC_fE8m6QDJg5C1O6070tskEAWg_2VVtc2W7dRBo-4chrmUJ2p_WcsfhU3wVHQiIM6ZZ-ZzIa8-6H4RCOaUMLuyXv7sow/s1600/IMG_2415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ3YT_-ZZ5ilUQJvOVyeA1ETEkONmqelidRlHrcpyHzC_fE8m6QDJg5C1O6070tskEAWg_2VVtc2W7dRBo-4chrmUJ2p_WcsfhU3wVHQiIM6ZZ-ZzIa8-6H4RCOaUMLuyXv7sow/s320/IMG_2415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British Soccer Camp coaches Sam (left) and Sean (right).</td></tr>
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A month ago I was putting the final touches on cleaning out our back large guest room. For much of the winter, it was covered in laundry, papers, blankets and books. With our friend Justin coming for a 3 week archaeology stay, it was time to clear it out. This room holds a soft spot in my heart, as it was our bedroom before our house was added onto. I'm pretty sure Nora was conceived on that bed and I've always slept well in there with the high lofty wood ceiling.<br />
The wood lulls me to sleep.<br />
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After I put the finishing touches with the blankets and towels on the bed, I snapped a picture. It felt so good to have it all ready to be lived in and loved again this summer by friends. <br />
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Irish and British accents graced our house for a week with the recent stay of two british soccer camp coaches. This was our second year hosting coaches and they were as lovely as always! Very considerate, appreciative and up for trying new things. They had never had red beans and rice before, or king salmon, or deer roast... so many firsts and I was impressed with their wilingness to try the many new flavors. Even though the guys spoke english, it was at times hard to understand when they spoke to eachother because of the strong accents mixed with quick speed of talk. Its so fun to be around foreign languages again. <br />
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Patrick cooked Sam and Sean Yorkshire pudding with deer roast one night and fish/chips with yellow curry another night. Both were a bit hit with them. They had hearty second and third helpings of food.<br />
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Zoya<br />
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<br />Zoya, Patrick, Nora and Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058223440486466376noreply@blogger.com2