July 15, 2005
Because my days have been so packed with fun and photos, I divided July into 2 pages, so they'd load a little faster. We'll see how this method works out for busy months.
It's another gorgeous day in Alaska and the third Friday of the month, so the Deacon wives got together for lunch. It was really nice to see the ladies and I look forward to next month.
• • •
It has been very frustrating having the dogs so uncontained, so the guys started putting up the new fence tonight.
As with most home projects (and ALL of OURS...) some adaptation was called for. They started hitchin' the fence at the north east corner. Bill hadn't exactly gotten to "internalize" the instruction sheet I had printed out and given him a few days ago, so there was a little bit of discussion... but it was soon cleared up. There was also a little bit of banter about two gates. He hadn't heard me mention wanting two gates... (cough) Obviously he's NOT reading the website, eh? (DUCKING)
The clipping process was tedious and occasionally a challenge.
Since the fence is temporary and we are keeping costs to the absolute bare minimum, we didn't use a stretcher or take the time to align everything absolutely perfectly.
The corner presented considerable frustration, but the guys worked through it beautifully. The dogs will not be able to "nose under" this fence and if they start to dig, I will put pepper along the fenceline.
Ginger learned not to dig that way (at least not to dig where I put pepper!) so I figure Marzi will figure it out too. The "no dogs here" spray doesn't phase them... I think they roll in it.
100 Feet of fence covered the north, west and south portions of the fence, except for the gate that will be in the south section. Now to "piece" in the part from the south east corner of the fenced area to the south west corner of the house and the section of the east side, along the deck.
In a few years... ???
Since I hadn't been clear about wanting two gates, the gate on the west section will wait until later, if we even decide to put one there. I think Bill likes the fence well enough that he would like to expand and include more ground in it, once the budget allows for it.
We certainly aren't winning any lawn and garden prizes but it will fill our needs perfectly. The white picket simply has to wait a few more years!
Late Evening
July 16, 2005
It's Harry Potter day at our house. Everybody is reading and/or listening to the book on CD. Sounds great so far!
Later today I'm hoping the guys will be able to finish up the fence. It will be good to be able to let the dogs out without being right on top of them to (try and) keep them from running off. The weather is SO nice, they really want to be outside. I tried putting them on the cables we used to use for Ginger but they both got tangled up.
Early Afternoon
Emily and I were both tired and fell asleep. She is still pretty sick; has lost her voice and is sneezing a lot and lots of sinus stuff. And a cough. I feel sorry for her being sick when everything is so nice out and there are loads of things going on at Camp. The new barn dedication is tonight and she'll go to that. I suggested she come home afterward and get a good night's sleep. Her energy level is wayyyy down.
• • •
First it was cloudy and windy...
(click the "play" arrow) (note: there is no sound on this file)
Ordinarily I prefer Windows Media Player,
but my Camera takes .MOV files and I haven't learned to convert yet. Sorry!
Then it rained!
• • •
Then it got sunny again -- amazing weather; makes 1 day feel like 3 or 3 days feel like 1 at times. Loads of fun. The guys didn't get around to the fence, what with the rain and all. (SIGH) Maybe tomorrow though. We'll see.
July 17, 2005
Today Sgt. Bill and I drove down to Delta to pick up his M1 Garand 7.62mm trophy rifle that he won at shooting competition in April of 2002 as the highest shooting tyro, or new shooter. (More information at: 2002 Marine Corps Championships.)
Then we had a little fun with the picture taking... remember one does not EVER point a fire-arm at anything one does not intend to shoot. In this case we HAVE no ammunition for this rifle and it would take some special "doing" just to get the thing to fire, so there was no way this particular rifle was loaded at this particular time. However, ALWAYS remember not to fool around with fire-arms.
Bill received specific instructions from Dave Smith, the gentleman who took care of the Alaska end of the shipping for us.
Visit this site for more information about "The M1 Garand Rifle An American Companion in Three Wars".
Although he is familiar with rifles and pistols in the USMC, Bill won't fire his M1Garand until he comes home again for another visit and consults with Dave. Dave was a wonderful "coach" and explained a number of things about the rifle, plus gave a few names and numbers to try for accessories, etc.
The picture below is a semi-professional stunt picture.
Normal Bill reminds you:
Do not attempt to look that stupid without supervision. If it thunders, you could freeze that way. Heck this is Alaska, you could freeze that way anyway!!!
We look forward to visiting Dave again next time Sgt. Bill is home on leave, as we are interested in learning more about, and in firing this rifle.
Keeping in mind the safety measures mentioned above, it is a no-brainer to understand that alcohol and fire-arms also do not mix. So you will note in the picture to the left that the lid is still on the beer bottle!
Okay, maybe you can't tell by the picture, but I promise, the bottle hasn't been opened. Just don't do it.
Alaskan Amber: Good with Steak or Salmon, not with Guns.
July 18, 2005
It's beginning to look a lot like August... Rain, rain and more rain. As if we haven't had any (cough) rain this summer already.
Today I'll be busy scanning in and presenting pictures from the Dance Arts Academy recital on their website. Be sure to check it out at http://www.danceartsacademy.net
Work was slowed up a bit when some weather rolled in...
I took this with Sgt. Bill's new camera, it's pretty nifty!
In the background of the movie file you might faintly hear my cellphone ringing... when I went inside, it was Emily calling from Camp. She said the clouds looked scary where she was, too. If Windows Media Player doesn't work for you, you can
Meanwhile, Sgt. Bill and Jeremiah had gone out to shoot at the range.
This is Jeremiah's gun. Bill took this picture to show how dirty it was. Tsk.
'Miah's gun is a Ruger MK2. It is a 22LR Pistol. His family gave him this pistol.
His pistol is silver, Bill's is black.
Jeremiah is getting ready to shoot.
He has been shooting with his family just about all his life. He is very safety conscious, just like Bill. It was at Jeremiah's house that Bill first started shooting, if you don't count the bb-gun at Uncle Dick's house in 1995.
Bill bought a target stand. I guess it works a lot better than cardboard boxes? These are the targets before shooting.
The target on the left is Jeremiah's the one on the right is Bill's.
Bill is shooting with a pistol in each hand.
This was just for fun, because his own pistol jammed. It was a "stove pipe" that is one of the pieces of brass from the bullet casing doesn't fully eject and it jams the gun.
The targets after shooting.
The one on the left is Jeremiah's. Bill says to be sure to know that the on on the right is his. (tee hee)
Then they each posed with the M1Garand.
Notice those clouds behind Jeremiah? Bill phoned home to let me know they were leaving the range and would be home for supper soon.
July 19, 2005
Today is absolutely GORGEOUS.
The two Bills are going flying, and Sgt. Bill will take lots of pictures. I will post them when he gets back.
• • •
They telephoned that they'd be flying by the house and I saw them. I just wasn't able to get the camera aimed the right direction at the right time to take their picture.
• • •
I just got home from taking Sgt. Bill to the airport for his flight back to Japan, so am feeling lonely and listening to the house echo. The dogs miss him too... it's cute. I think they know it'll be awhile before they get to bark at him again!
I will fill a bit of time by posting some of the flying pictures then clean up a little bit around here before I go to bed. (Daddy Bill is out flying at work.)
Before take-off always make sure your pilot knows what he's doing.
Sgt. Bill was assured his pilot is top notch by recording a running video commentary mis-naming and/or mis-informing about almost every aspect of aircraft and flight,
just so that Daddy Bill could show how smart he is by correcting each comment. If I had the bandwidth, I'd post the videos, they are hilarious.
It is not diesel fuel. It is not JP5. It is 100LowLead. Just so you are not confused the way you were thinking the GPS means we're Going Pretty Straight...
Before EVERY flight the pilot must check fuel in EVERY tank to ensure its purity. It must not have any water, dirt, little pieces of twinkies or other foriegn stuff in it or the plane might decide to spit it out during flight... which is disasterous.
Now, son, this is fuel.
The pilot checks using a special container.
The fuel (if it is pure) is poured back into one of the tanks. Drinking is not recommended. It will kill you. Besides, it also (probably) tastes REALLY bad...
These two guys are straight-line serious about procedures and safety; they ALSO share a wonderful (if mildly bizarre) sense of humor!
I will post a few more of the flying pictures tomorrow. For now I think I'll read a little more of "The Great Hunt" and then go to sleep.
Good night, Sgt. Bill, (who is probably in Anchorage now...) Good night, Annie, (who is in Texas...) Good night, Emily, (who is at Camp LiWa...) and Good night Daddy Bill, (who is out there flying somewhere.) Sweet dreams!
