Panic relieved, East Pole finale found

 NOTE: I often see insightful profound quotations by famous authors online. It made me wonder about my own writing and I just don't see any, not even a phrase of a few well-chosen words that lingers, That changed last summer I was thinking back through my writing and recalled one from this piece. I know I put it on facebook but couldn't find it on the blog so maybe I neglected to post it. Anyway there is a line in this that resolves my spiritual beliefs perfectly, something. I had never been able to articulate before and it came out by surprise. (Oh yeah, the panic? I couldn't find this anywhere blog, facebook. Nope. Finally located the original that I had first written in Word.)

Sometime in July 2024

An epoch ends not with a roar or a whimper but with kind of a "meh."

The sale of the cabin at the East Pole went through today. I no longer have my Earth center. I have mixed feelings: on one side I have been worried about it for a couple of years and that worry and the frustration that went with it are gone. Relief. On the other hand it has been my rock and home on and off for most of the past 35 years or so and that produces an almost unimaginable sadness. So many adventures, so many hardships overcome, so many nights over the typewriter next to a glass of wine. So many mornings waking to see what the mountain was doing. So many hours at the chopping block. Living a life I dreamed of as a child in a house built with my own two hands. Over all, the sense of self sufficiency and the comforting spirituality of living so close with the natural world. I have been missing it all for the past two years and that took the edge off what could have been a very emotional day today. So now plodding off in a different direction living a different life. If anyone cares to see what I am talking about go here https://alaskaatitude.blogspot.com/. Down the column on the left side there's a search prompt. Type in "East Pole" and read as much as you'd like. As for me I am getting out the bottle of single malt and perusing some of those memories too while I watch the sun set. Amen. Oh, if anyone should encounter Pooh, the bear of little brain, tell him I found the pole and it was wonderful and I wish he could have been there to see it.

I went to post this in the right place on the blog and surprise, surprise there it was, and with all the comments from the facebook post. In case anyone is curious here's the link East Pole Journal.

Dear Mr. President, with no due respect STFU

Let's set something straight. The Incident Command System developed years ago to fight California fires has become the model for emergency responses worldwide. I first encountered it in Alaska's Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez oil spill and participated in several practice drills for 12 years afterward. ICS provides an orderly method for meeting the demands of large fires and oil spills and perhaps other disasters as well. The president's insult directed at management of the California fires is a disgrace and does nothing to further the effort. For crying out loud CalFire invented the management system that incidentally even FEMA uses. I'd like to see him sit at any desk in the command center for even an hour and analyze how he handles to an emergency. The only one I know about he went home and watched it on television. He should shut up, let the professionals do their jobs and ask only what support he can provide. Oh, yeah, maybe thoughts and prayers as well.

 

Incident Command System

 

When simple housekeeping chores go horribly wrong

        So, this day started out with a grand plan to take care of a bunch of organizing and repair chores, but first I had to go to the store for some supplies. That accomplished, I pulled into my parking spot and was in the process of attaching the electric cord to my engine's heater when I slipped on some ice and crashed to the ground. I have been in Alaska for 50 years and this was the first time I ever slipped on ice and fell. I was more embarrassed than hurt, I thought. Now this part is cool. I had just about righted myself when a woman who lives here showed up. Her apartment is on the ground floor and looks out into the parking lot. She said her dog had gone to the window and was barking excitedly. When she looked out she saw me on the ground and came out to help. By that time I had things pretty much in hand so I thanked her and suggested she give her dog a treat. At the time I didn't think I'd been hurt, no pain anywhere so I headed upstairs too my place. On the way I thought I felt something like a liquid running down my arm but went on unconcerned. Well by the time I got to my place and took my jacket off I noticed what looked like blood on my wrist. I removed my long-sleeved pullover to take a look. I had to use a mirror because the source of the blood was on the underside of my forearm. I took a step back when I saw the wound. Who would have thought a wound like that passed through two heavy winter garments could look so awful. I thought immediately I was going to need stitches. Now, have you ever tried to put gauze on your underarm and get it taped down. I tried but then went down an asked my friend for some help taping me up for a trip to the emergency room. Two hours of waiting, examinations and X-rays, more waiting and finally sporting a huge gauze wrap and I drove home. No broken bones, no stitches. Now instead of clearing up some long neglected chores now I have a bigger mess. It never lets up.

Accidental journaling in the 21st Century

I occasionally come across posts about aging and now and again one will mention the value of memories. Yesterday I realized I have a tangible way to relive memories. I have this blog with 1,120 posts and they are always available. I never even thought of that as a reason for starting the blog, but now I am so glad I did. And I can share those memories with anyone who wants to without tedious interruptions in our lives. I only wish I could have started sooner. Winner, winner for the consummate sinner. 

Want to stop by for a drink or two and a chat?

Growing older by the minute

 

A DAY IN THE LIFE (or night) I had the strangest thing happen last night.

As near as I can figure out I woke up from a deep nap around 5 pm yesterday and mistakenly thought I woke up at 5 am today

I had planned a lot of housework and feeling rested i went right into it. I worked for some time, then after 11 I sat down to do some work on the computer. It was then I noticed the clock on the computer said 11:30 pm. I spent about 15 minutes thinking the computer was wrong and that I had to change it to a.m. To complicate things I had closed the sun-blocking curtains when I took the nap and so didn't notice any daylight.

When I couldn't change it was when I began to realize I was the one making the mistake. There had been some hints like memories on facebook was a repeat and the stock markets were closed, but I assumed that was still for President Carter. And I wasn't sure about what day Trump was being sentenced.

Mind you I was confused and thinking all kinds of crazy things like I had slept through a whole day, or worse I had lived through a day unconsciously. I finally contacted a friend on line who was awake and asked her to give me the time and date. She confirmed the computer was right, That's when I realized waking up from my nap I must have assumed the 5 reading on the clock had been early morning not late afternoon. I mean it was so real I had even started my medication routine. Now I have a whole night and morning to live through again but at least the bulk of the housework is done.

IF I DIDN'T TELL YOU HAPPY NEW YEAR

London

     As I moved through the last couple of days I hesitated wishing people I encountered a Happy New Year. Deep inside I see the hipocrisy because as I look forward I don't see a happy year at all. With threats to the very foundations of our democracy and some very personal, I just don't see a happy 2025 ahead.  Personally, first is Social Security which Republicans have been trying to get rid of since the days of Franklin Roosevelt when it was installed. I depend largely on Social Security which I paid into since 1958. Second, the place where I live is partially subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a target in itself. Just considering those two I feel like there is a big old target on my back and I am not alone. But even if they survive there are other threats. It appears everything is going to get more expensive. This was made clear by a comment from the head of Walmart who despite his expected income of $1.66 billion BILLION this year, he says prices in their stores will have to rise. And we wonder where inflation comes from. The threats of potential attacks on our social structure, our very health, go on and on while a Congressional majority stands ready to fulfill what they think is a mandate and a packed Supreme Court sits ready to approve it all. So, forgive me if I hesitate to say Happy New Year and while I attend to my discomfort with it. I don't intend to give in and let it happen, but I have to wonder what an 82-year-old Alaskan could do about it on my own. At present I am in process searching for ways I can help stem this tide, I have some thoughts and meanwhile I think Sen. Bernie Sanders has taken a good step.

 

Sanders aet to hold Trump to promise