During the last few days we have had one of the deepest cold spells in recent memory. Temperatures have been in the -20s to -30sF for almost a week and the forecast calls for it to continue for at least another week. This weather is nothing remarkable, historically. When I first moved to Fairbanks, in […]
This year, our youngest offspring invited two college friends to come home with him for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a pleasant change from the last few years, when the table held only me, Melissa and our two children. Thanksgiving, being a festive occasion based on gratitude, is definitely better celebrated with a larger group. Another
This afternoon, I had the good fortune to witness one of the most vivid sun dogs I have ever seen. Sun dogs are an optical phenomenon that occurs fairly often in Fairbanks, though I don’t recall ever before seeing them so early in the winter season. Unfortunately, I had only my phone camera available and
First Sun Dog of the season Read More »
The period of unhurried color change in the leaves has come to an end. In the last few days, the leaves have swiftly transformed from the greens of summer to the yellows, oranges, and reds of fall. As the local climate has changed, so have the colors. We now have much more red in the
In Alaska, we are blessed to have many beautiful mountains to look at. When I see a nice view I often take a picture, hoping that it will turn out nicely. You only live once. Unfortunately, all of today’s pictures were taken with my cell phone. My Canon camera would probably have done a better
The Looming Effect Read More »
Today was a particularly pleasant fall day and Melissa and I resolved to enjoy it by spending some time outdoors. So, we visited our distant lot to check on conditions and enjoy ourselves. We are fortunate to have low-bush cranberries growing wild on our lot. They are ripe at this time of year and, although
Today’s main image is a picture of the empty concrete slab of my back porch. It lies wonderfully unencumbered for the first time since last fall, giving me temporary relief from the irritation of the local entropy. When I bought the house, it had an apartment in the basement with a 1970s-era avocado colored refrigerator
Nothing to See Here! Read More »
My family and I recently returned from a lengthy visit to the east coast. Our goals were to catch up with our relatives and to give Melissa and me the opportunity to show some of our favorite sites to our offspring. Our travel was, by all accounts, the most convenient of all our family trips
Back From Vacation Read More »
This afternoon, while on an errand to purchase groceries at Fred Meyer’s, I was fortunate to spot this double rainbow decorating the sky. In Fairbanks, rainbows are more commonly seen than in other places where I have lived. I surmise that the lower angle of the Sun in the arctic sky may increase the probability
In Fairbanks, bird vetch (vicia cracca) is truly tenacious, invasive plant that defies all but the most dedicated efforts to its removal. In our lot across the street it has established a sprawling colony on the north side of the field. We don’t use that area for anything the vetch would harm and it generally