October halfmoon watching and waiting

OCT.10,2009

WHERE does the time go???  Another summer has past, my garden is "put to bed" for the winter. WE has snow 2 weeks ago and today the temp. is predicted to rise to 55-65°. NO DENYING GLOBAL WARMING HERE! The 12th is my birthday and I always go dog sledding on my birthday but this year I'm going canoeing. I trust snow and cold will get here, so I'll just enjoy this warm weather and get some last minute fall chores done. Leaves are mostly done and the winter.

The dogs are well. o.j. is sleeping on the wicker couch on the deck, looking in the window at me, hoping I will let him inside.

A visitor at the door. more later

mary

summer solstice in Fairbanks, Alaska

Good Morning on the longest day of the year; Summer Solstice. We have over 22 hoursof daytlight today and the community is celebrating. I am one of the very small minority who quietly  know it will be getting a little darker, just 7 minutes a day, and winter is slowly rolling around,, or I should say our earth is rolling toward winter.

Yes it is lovely today too. The air is fresh after a good rain last night.I'm sitting out on the deck with my morning coffee, wearing long pants and a sweatshirt, and I am a tiny bit chilled. Temperature about 60° but predicted to go up to 70-75° - perfect. The lilacs have been blooming for a week now and the wild iris  smile along the roads. The birds have fledged their first round of babies and the garden opens further each day. Spinach harvested last night. Friends are departing for Dillingham for the Red Salmon fishery. I wish them good luck, as I buy my winter's supply of the best wild salmon Alaska has to offer, from these fishers. 

Tours have been pretty slow this season. I think people are worried about the economy. The people who have come out have been very nice and I've enjoyed meeting them. The sled dogs are looking up at me as if to say<"Come on Mom, let's play!" So  off I go. I trust your weekend will sunny and perfect. Bye Bye, Mary

summer?

The leaves are out and I am learning how to post to my blog. please bear with me.

Oh and news from Pyrola Publishing, my books will be available through Pay Pal.

springinfairbanksalaska

Good Morning from Fairbanks, Alaska. My friends have convinced me to start a blog, so here goes. TODAY IS APRIL 10. The first snowbuntings have been sighted around Fairbanks this past week. The snow is melting like crazy, but before noon, the sled dog trails are still frozen and fast. As the temp goes up, the snow gets mushy and the dogs get over heated. Lots of rolling around in the snow to cool off. Pussy willows are puffing out and the ravens are dancing in the blue sky above. I love winter, so this all comes with a little bittersweetness. The full moon is orange at night and the night sky never really gets dark dark. We won't see another real full moon until next September. We have at least 14 hours of daylight and it's strange to say good night to Charlie Rose at 11:30pm and the light still beams in.Summer is sneaking in.

I hope you are enjoying the spring weather wherever you may be. If you are a friend who visited during the past summers, I send my warm greetings to you. If you might be visiting this summer, don't think twice. You will love your Alaskan Adventure. If you're visiting Fairbanks, check out my tour at www.maryshields.com

Hope to meet you.

Happy Trails,

Mary Shields