A Little More...

K. has written a beautiful homage to my friend here.

When You Least Expect...

The old "That's the way things go" hits you SMACK in the face. Or rips your heart right out of your stupid, unsuspecting, happy-on-vacation little chest.

Yesterday evening, a week to the day that I left Alaska for a much anticipated visit home; Joey passed from this world. The thing that makes it hard for me is that he was all alone. Sometime between the time K. left for work at 5:00 P.M. and midnight he died in his sleep. K.'s cousin found him on the floor in front of the fireplace when he stopped by to check on the dogs on his lunch-break.

Joey has been with us for the entire time that K. and I have been together. I remember K. building a kennel for him before we were an official couple. I met K. and acquired Joey in the same month.

He would have been 10 years old in January.

I know he has a super deluxe doggie condo with the most awesome Frisbee supply and the best in-house harmonica player.

We miss him so much already.

If I had only known...


Rest easy, my Best Puppy.

January 2000-October 23, 2009.

:{

I Made It!

Well, I'm finally here!

I arrived with K.'s Mom in Albuquerque on Saturday after what could be deamed as an interesting flight (but that's a story for another post!)

The sun is shining and the sky is SO blue! The temps were in the high 70's (HAWT!!!) It's spectacular. My kids and grandbaby are so cute!

I will have some of my own photos and possibly videos in the future, so check back in a couple of days.

In the meantime; check out this blog to see why I love New Mexico (beside the fact that my kiddos live here!)

=o]

So nice!

What The Hell Am I Doing?

Have you ever wondered why you don't seem to accomplish anything?

Lately, everything I attempt turns to crap! I can't get a handle on any sort of a routine. I can't even find my arse with both hands; let alone any one else's! I just feel worthless and minuscule, and totally ineffective.

I know there are many folks with much worse matters to attend to than I; but I haven't even been enjoying cooking. That is usually the one thing that relaxes me, and where I can let the creative juices fly! Sorry for that stupid, lame metaphor; but as I pointed out earlier, I kinda suck right now. I don't even seem to even have time to lurk at my favorite blogs, so I can't blame teh innertubes for distracting me from my duties. I feel tired and stressed, and I have an annoying rash on my hips and shoulders that is about to drive me over the edge! I'm even going to have to wedge a doctor appointment in there somehow. Have I mentioned that I hate doctors?

Wel; thanks for letting me bend your ear. It's good to be able to vent once in a while!

Now, if you'll excuse me; I think I left my shoes in the freezer!

Woot! Bacon-Jam!!

I spied this recipe by Lisa over at Homesick Texan and it made me think of Steve!

Go check them out! :)

Because She Is So Much More Articulate Than I

Lisa has a great post about the need for health care reform over at her place, "That's Why."

Go ahead and stop by.

This is a timely issue and needs to be addressed with intelligence, not with a bunch of political malarkey. We'll never get anywhere if an open and earnest debate isn't allowed to occur.

The Lodge At Black Rapids Glacier

!WARNING! Many linky-links ahead!


Here's a quaint little place that we traveled to a couple of week-ends ago.

Actually; it's changed a bit over the years. At one time it looked like this; and later like this. It was always great spot for folks to gather and share some fun.

The original incarnation was around 1914 located on The Valdez to Fairbanks Trail. There were various roadhouses along this route for weary travelers and freighters who journeyed this rough territory at all times of the year.

Our accommodations were not nearly as rustic as the past roadhouses of this location. We stayed one night and enjoyed the hospitality of the hosts and splendor of the area.



The dining room is the perfect place to experience the Northern Lights. We weren't so lucky as to catch them this trip as they were dormant that night. Darn it!

We had a lovely dinner of baked beans and smoked ribs with salad and a peach torte. Afterward, we admired all of the various iron work and art though out the Lodge. A number of local artists and craftsmen (and craftswomen-not sure what the proper PC terminology is these days!) have donated their skill and works of art to make this a truly special and spiritual space.

We slept on great beds and departed the next day after a relaxed breakfast.



Some of the locals come by for coffee and a bit of conversation. If you call ahead, you can join the guests for dinner. The proprietors love to have a roomful of folks at the table and you needn't stay the night to enjoy the lovely view from the awesome deck.


There are plenty of nooks and crannies for reading or meditation;


and lovely views from every window. The fireplaces alone are works of art, and I can totally see myself parking my tuk-us in front of one to nap; err, I mean read the paper some long winter's evening.

We left by 10:00 A.M. on the hunt for the Wild Alaskan Blueberry. I think that we found about a half a gallon; certainly enough for some Blueberry Vinaigrette. We need to find much more, for hotcakes!

Let me just say, wild blueberries are the best thing for vinaigrette! Yum!!!

Anyway, if you're ever in the neighborhood and want to visit a beautiful place just stop into The Lodge At Black Rapids Glacier. Tell 'em Vikki sent you!

(Of course, they'll say, "Vikki who?!!)