Beach Time

April 15

Homer, AK

Not too much going on here, just tending to the daily chores at the homestead. I have been exploring a couple of employment opportunities though. I've also been searching for a car. I could have driven up but the 4200 mile trip might have been a bit much. I've caught a ride to town a few times with Patrick, and I have the farm Suburban available when not in use, but with gas prices at $4.34 a gallon here I need something more economical. I did go to the beach on Sunday. It wasn't quite the same as the sunny FL beaches I remember. I was hoping to check out the latest swimwear fashions for the summer but I didn't see any, that is unless you count the newest in The North Face fleece jackets, or Carhart knit caps. I did have the beach pretty much to myself, except for a few folks walking their dogs. I also stopped at another beach while I was in town on Wednesday, hence the sunny picture.

North To Alaska

April 3

Homer. AK

Arrived in Alaska at 1:15 local time on Thursday. I must admit I got some satisfaction flying across Canadian airspace. My wwoof host Paula picked me up at the Anchorage airport and we began the scenic 3 or 4 hour drive down the Sterling Highway to Homer. We spotted several moose and bald eagles along the way. Getting to the homestead at this time of year proves to be much of a challenge. A paved road winds it's way uphill out of Homer about 10 miles before turning to gravel. A little ways and the gravel turns to a dirt road, or should I say snow road. At this point the pick-up truck is parked at a neighbors house and the final mile is driven in on a snow machine (or as they're known in other parts of the country a snowmobile.) This will last until the snow melts, which will probably be within a few weeks, and then the snow road will turn to a mud road and the only means of transport will be foot power. I share a small cabin with fellow wwoofer Patrick, a MN native. Paula and Jon and their two children live in the main house which is off the grid, using solar and wind power and back-up generator for electricity. Our cabin has no such amenities, but quite a view. On the farm there are 3 milk goats, 2 horses, some chickens, and a pair of geese. Our first major task will be to bear-proof the fences. Hibernation is coming to an end and the bruins are sure to be hungry.

Workfest

March 19 Jackson County, KY It was a productive week at Workfest. It was good to see the familiar faces of employees and former volunteers of the Christian Appalachian Project, where I volunteered at 2006-2008, as well as meeting some new ones. Our project was to build a roof over a house trailer. My co-crew leaders were Jay, who has been coming to Workfest for many years, and Janean, a long-term volunteer in McCreary County. We had a group of seven college students as well as another volunteer and in four days had dug and set the 4x4 posts, built and erected 34 trusses, sheeted and tar papered one side of the roof, as well as some other misc. projects. It was a bit chilly and rainy the first part of the week, but on Thursday the sun came out, and yesterday the temp. reached 80 degrees; eat your heart out Minnesotans. On Friday night Janean and I, as well as some other volunteers went to the nearby town of Berea to take in some live Celtic music at a cafe there, and to attend the third Friday contra dance. Today I drove down to McCreary Co. and checked out the new volunteer house being built there, and got a little r&r before the next group of students arrive on Sunday.

77 Inches and Counting

February 27

Prior Lake, MN

It would figure the year year I chose to move to Minnesota has been the the second snowiest to date. And pretty cold too. I reckon if I can handle this weather I should do well in Alaska which, good Lord willing and the creek don't rise from all the melting snow, is where I'll be going next month. But first I shall return to the hills and hollers of southeastern Kentucky for a couple of weeks of Workfest; when college students and others from around the country descend upon Appalachia during spring break to repair homes for low-income families in the area.

Brrrr

January 21

Prior Lake, MN

Greetings everyone! It's -29 outside as I write this. I celebrated my birthday last night in low-key fashion, watching tv and indulging in a pumpkin pie I baked. This month I've moved from the confines of the city to a peaceful little farmhouse in the country. I've made a New Year's resolution to do some "Minnesota things", so earlier in the week I visited the Mall of America. I'm not much of a mall person but it wasn't too bad. A couple of weeks ago I toured the Schell Brewery in New Ulm, MN. At the end we got to sample a half dozen varieties of their products. My favorite was the Dark Lager. I also played basketball for the first time in about three years in a pickup game at a Catholic grade school. The old man still has the touch. I sunk a couple of cool 3s and assisted in a beautiful ally oop in which Fr. Adams completed by banking the shot off the glass. I did realize though that I could be in better shape. Luckily we had an odd number of players so there was one man sitting out, which I took advantage of on several occasions to catch my breath. I also think I pulled a hamstring. The game it was decided ended in a tie, (which was a fitting conclusion to a friendly game in a religious atmosphere.) If you're reading this Alex, I accept your challenge to a game of hoops; as long as it's half court... and we just play to 20... and you spot me 10 points. The cold winter has kept me indoors most of the time, but I would like to get out and try some ice fishing, or maybe some cross-country skiing. Keep warm everyone.

Merry Christmas

December 25

Burnsville. MN

I drove out to visit my nephew Bryan in Mitchell, SD, home of the famous "Corn Palace", for Christmas. We reminisced of times past, and he jogged my memory of events I'd forgotten. After watching a few movies together I returned to the snowiness known as Minnesota. To anyone who didn't have a white Christmas we have plenty of whiteness to share! Christ's Peace and Blessings to all.

FIRE !!!

Nov. 16

Burnsville, MN

I'm writing this post from yet a new address, not by choice but by necessity. Yesterday a fire leveled my barn loft home. All was lost except for my laptop, camera, and cell phone which I had along with me, as well as my sleeping bag and tent which normally reside in my car. The blaze started around 3:30 pm, shortly after I left for a 4 o'clock appointment. My barn mate John was also away. The owners Terri and Dan were home at the time, but were unable to contain the fire which seems to have started in the hay stored under the south side roof. The fire dept. was delayed in getting water to the site, which didn't help matters, and by the time I arrived back around 5:30 the inferno was lighting up the nighttime sky. The Red Cross put me up for the night in a Holiday Inn, and loaded a credit card for me with $22o for immediate needs, but today after purchasing a new power cord and charger for my laptop and phone, ceased to work. I also stopped at the bank, bought some clothes at a thrift store, picked up some supplies at Wal-Mart, and searched for a new residence, of which I found one, in the nearby city ironically named Burnsville. It's a nice house in town with a sweet older lady owner, and two male tenants, one my age and one in college. They were very nice and helpful. I had wanted to get out to the fire site today and see if by some miracle anything survived the intense flames (the animals were all safe by the way), but didn't have time. Tomorrow. I do still have some personal items and clothes stored back home at the farm and this might provide a good reason to go home for Thanksgiving.

I am reminded that we come into this world with nothing and we will leave this world with nothing save the deeds we have done...do good deeds my children.