Spring will come.  I know it will.
 I have been around long enough to know that the winter will be over soon.   As I look out my bedroom window, the the humpback whales, here for their return, don't even notice that the fishing boats are ready.    The commercial "downsouth" fleet is here for the herring.  The herring, a small silver flash of protein is  here for the abundant plankton.   Plankton is the favorite morcel of the humpback whale and of ther herring alike.  But it should be known that "herring,"  is the choice of many of many who wish to enjoy the wonderful bursts of sea-ness.
 

"Trust your gut" 

Learn what your intuition is and listen to what is has to say!

Measure equal parts of

Food
Water
Shelter
Love
Art

Mix well and simmer over a slow burner. 

Enjoy at once! 


Keeps well for a lifetime, but needs to be replenished often. 

Serves all!

I just posted a news release of a horrible event that happened not only to my friend, but to my community, and to a family I did not know.   Six days ago, a Piper Malibu fell from the sky into my friend Tess' house.  She was out having a chocolate milkshake.  Miraculously she and her cats survived.

 "Police say the group left from New Jersey Friday night, making a few stops through the U.S. and Canada on its way to Sitka. Killed were 45-year old Robert Hendrickson, his daughters 14-year old Julianne and 9-year old Emily. Hendrickson's fiancée, 34-year old Linda Kundair was also on board." ~ABC

I have the great privilage to be a massage theapist , and owe it all to Tess... she was the first person to give me a massage and if it was not for her, I don't know what I'd be doing for a living so happily!

She was called by a family friend for a last minuite date for a chocolate milkshake and she agreed. 

That saved her life. 

The reason I am writing this is because I can not get it out of my mind.  My father and grandfather were both in small plane crash together during a hunting trip in Alaska and survived.  My grandfather said he did not expect to see his son again when he left from the crash site on the side of a mountain to flag a boat for help. My father made it down to the beach, was spotted by boat passing by and they were rescued. 

About the chocolate...

Last year, Sitka had flooding rain during the fall that created a landslide that swept a builiding into the middle of our most used road in this little town.  I was on my way to work...

It was late and it was dark and I was feeling "low energy" . 

Chocolate, it is okay to be late for chocolate.

You can quote me.

I was warming up the car and thought that if I was going to be able to do two massages this late in the night I needed an extra boost and ran back inside for a little nib of the organic espresso dark chocolate from the back of the fridge. 

I savored it.

Knowing I was late was another bit of adrenaline and was in a hurry.  Almost to town, I was cautious of the big down pour and massive water puddles along the road side. 

All of a sudden I heard what I thought was a sonic boom!  Like a cannon!  The street lights went dark.  I slowed down with traffic and not three cars ahead of me was a mass in the middle of the road, a house, washed into the road from a land slide.  Debree, trees and powerlines everywhere. 

Thank you CHOCOLATE!

This is a true story and chocolate is here to save your life!

Yes! 

Authorities probe Sitka plane crash that killed 4

 

The Associated Press

Published: August 7, 2007
Last Modified: August 8, 2007 at 02:59 AM

The Associated Press

Published: August 7, 2007

Time to reflect. 

I saw two bald eagles mating today, in a tree, making a racket!  I was on a walk with a friend who has been an eagle handler and bird rehabilatiationist for many years, yet had never seen an eagle copulation.  Neither had I.  I thought it was late in the season for eagle courtship because I had recently seen another eagle  bringing nesting materials to a nest located a stones throw away from my home.   My friend said it was probably a couple reuniting their pair bond.   It was romantic none the less. 

The Summer Solstice has come and gone.  Xan, Aiden and I spent the night on our little boat and woke to a wonderful fishing excursion with fish just leaping on board!  Not really, actually I insisted on releasing a halibut that I thought would be better if it was 50lbs bigger and was surprised that the only salmon strike was a salmon that was smaller than the herring on the lure!  

Making the Bed!

I love to pull and tug at the down comforter, so it will sit just right, in place. 

I have a picture in my mind of a bed, perfectly made, crisp at all the edges.

I love a bed, lavishly smothered with gold and tassels. 

That is what I love~

What a deep sadness has filled our home.  My best friend and grandma died peacefully and gracefully yesterday.  She was surrounded by her family and a caring hospital staff.   I held her as she passed and she did not seem afraid.  She lived to a grand old age of 91! 

I really don't have it in me to go into details about her life right now.  I am just still letting it sink in.  She and I were very very close.  This picture was taken on my camera phone but it still is one of the sweetest pictures I have of her. 

The hard thing about being on this beautiful island is that it attracts the most interesting people but really, it is like a launching pad for the free spirits that come here.

We had a farewell potluck (every one brings a dish to share) and Xan brought a nice king that was just 2 hours off the fishing line.  Our friend Ian had a lot of fun being head chef at the BBQ and cooked the most delicious salmon on the outside grill.  The potluck was held at a sweet little park next to the ocean.  
 
Ian and his wife Erin (one of my best girlfriends) are leaving for Boston for continued education.  Erin and I  have been close friends for 5 years now, growing and raising our babies together, going through the ups and downs of life and just frolicking in the Forests. 

It is going to be sad without the girls craft nights (stitch and bitch sessions) that are frequent at Erin's place.  I am going to miss being able to call and have an instant coffee date.  :-(

Xan had his first fishing trip of the spring.  His brother and friend both reeled in two kings and a halibut.  Our friend Oscar caught his first salmon on the spring shake down trip, and was thrilled to discover that not only was it a large fish, but  a rare white king salmon!

It is so nice to have fresh king salmon after a winter eating only frozen last season salmon from the freezer.   Xan also smoked up a large batch of king for family and friends and has perfected the recipe!

It really feels like spring with all the cruise ships in the harbor.  Or sleepy little town has just got a double espresso!