Living in Alaska - Life in the Last Frontier

The cottonwood trees are shedding. Actually, the trees are Balsam Poplar and not cottonwood, although we refer to them as such because of the fluff that falls every summer.  This cottony fluff is annoying for most, and causes allergy problems for many.  When I take Sedona out for her walk, I try to avoid breathing in the fluff, but I’ve been waking up with a stuffy head most mornings so I don’t think I’ve been very successful.

I took these photos yesterday, so you can see our ’snow’ in June:

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Two days ago, I noticed a huge bud on one of the zucchini plants that Gip gave us. He started the plants from seeds and they’re doing very well.  What a surprise to wake up the next morning and see a gorgeous orange flower where the bud was. It opened up overnight! I would have loved to time-lapse photograph that.

This is our first time growing zucchini, and if we’re successful, we’ll do it again next year. Steve’s tomato plants are doing well too. We have four tomatoes so far, and will hopefully have plenty more by the end of the summer.

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Summer solstice is almost upon us, and this weekend is the Annual Midnight Sun Festival. There is a lot going on in town, and the festival always draws a large crowd. I do hope the weather cooperates.

Local events include:

Dragonfly Day: Creamers Field (June 20) - Love dragonflies? Want to learn more about them? Join us for walks starting from the Farmhouse Visitor Center at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Walks will include collecting techniques indentification tips, and photography tips. Wear your rubber boots.

Midnight Sun Run (June 20, 10pm): 10K run starting at the UAF Patty Center and ending at Pioneer Park. Lots of walkers and costumes too!

Father’s Day/Van Horn Car Show: Sourdough Fuel Van Horn, corner of Van Horn and Lathrop (June 21): Free Admission. Got a nice set of wheels? Want to show them off? Bring them on down to Sourdough Fuel on Van Horn road for the Father’s Day Car Show. All makes & models invited!

Midnight Sun Festival: Downtown Fairbanks (June 21) - The largest one-day event in Fairbanks offers music, food and family fun on the longest day of the year. Vintage and classic car show, children’s rides, petting zoo, gold panning, military display, Alaskan craft vendors, strolling entertainment and much more! Downtown fun under the Midnight Sun!

The 104th Midnight Sun Baseball Game: 2nd & Wilbur (next to the Carlson Center) (June 21): The Alaska Goldpanners baseball team begins their widely acclaimed contest at 10:30pm and continues past midnight without artificial lighting. The “high noon at midnight” classic is an annual ritual on the longest day of the year.

The above information was found at the Explore Fairbanks website, on the Calendar page.

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Thirteen years ago today, I lost my dad to cancer. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long. I don’t think anyone forgets the magnitude of grief associated with the loss of a loved one. The years have made the pain less acute, as good memories do eventually replace the sad ones. But anniversary dates and birthdays bring the sadness to the forefront again. It’s a double whammy that the anniversary of his death falls so close to Father’s Day. I wish he was still here to buy a *mushy* card for, and to call and hear his voice on the phone. I can still hear his voice in my mind; I hope I never forget that sound.

I was his only daughter, and I suppose some would say I was spoiled. Is it considered spoiling, when you are showered with love and attention? I don’t think so. I think it’s great parenting! OK… so maybe I was treated like a princess at times - but isn’t that the way it should be with fathers and daughters?

A few lovely memories I have of my dad:

Once, when I was a little girl (4-5), there was a BBQ at our house. I became sleepy and instead of sending me up to my room for a nap, my dad pulled me onto his lap and let me doze there. I can still remember how his voice sounded, resonating deep in his chest where my head lay. Napping on my daddy’s lap was much better than sleeping in my bed.

In the summertime, we’d go to the Jersey Shore on vacation every year. Daddy and I were always the early risers in the family. Most mornings we were up before sunrise. We’d quietly get dressed and go to the beach. We’d walk beside the ocean, talking about everything and nothing, as the sun came over the horizon and painted the sky orange.  On the way back to the hotel room, we’d stop at the local donut shop for a donut and a cup of coffee (tea for me).  I loved those early morning walks.

When I was 16 and had my driving permit, my father took me out for a lesson. Instead of heading to the big parking lot down the street where Mom took me (which was safe and not so scary!), he told me to drive to Roosevelt Boulevard (HUGE highway, with a lot of fast traffic). Petrified, I sat at the yield sign, refusing to move. Despite the tears streaming down my face, he ordered me to move into traffic.  How else was I going to learn to drive in Philadelphia traffic if I didn’t get out there and do it?  He was right. I did it, and I did it well. And I never feared driving anywhere in Philly after that.

When I was in college, I had a two hour commute to campus, via bus, train and foot. Every Thursday, my father’s schedule allowed for him to drive me into town to his office. On the way, we’d stop and have breakfast at one of his favorite diners, and then I’d visit with him until it was time for me to board the train (only a 15 minute ride).  He worked long hours, so we didn’t often have time to connect in the evenings. Those once a week breakfast dates were very special - for both of us.

There are so many more fond memories I have of my dad, and they ease my sorrow greatly. I am fortunate to have been raised by such a fine and loving man. I found these photos and wanted to share them:

I miss you Daddy…

Until next time…