With opportunity the world is very interesting. - Beatrix Potter

Lovely views of the Chugach Mountains (top and bottom photos), a winter sky over Turnagain Arm, and a section of frozen creek, all from Potter Marsh.  Sunshine drew me outside today, and I spent some time wandering the elevated boardwalk searching for wildlife.  There were areas of open water here and there but no waterfowl yet to be seen.  Further south where Arctic terns and trumpeter swans will be in residence come spring, the shallower sections of marsh are still frozen.  I did spot a few black-capped chickadees flitting around and enjoyed watching them forage for several minutes.  

There were plenty of animal tracks in the snow, many of them hoof prints from moose.  Lots of piles of moose scat were visible too, as was the moose carcass that has been decomposing at the eastern side of the marsh just below the boardwalk.  I'm fascinated at how much of it remains compared to the last time I was there, and I'm curious about how it died.  Whatever its cause of death, it clearly has fed many.  A photo seemed gruesome, but I did point it out to a mom walking with her young ones who otherwise might have missed it.  She was happy to show them and point out its long legs and what's left of the rib cage.

I will be well pleased when more birds are in residence at the marsh.  While the scenery itself is worth the stroll, and there are often magpies, ravens or bald eagles to be seen year round, it will be nice to witness the return of the many, many birds that leave Alaska for a less-harsh winter.  Sandhill cranes, Canada geese, dowitchers, yellowlegs, tree swallows, canvasbacks, etc. will soon return.  Come late summer I'll be looking forward to observing salmon coming in from Cook Inlet and common mergansers on Rabbit Creek as I did last year.

As for the quote above, Beatrix Potter has been on my mind after having borrowed a biography and a book of her journal entries from the library a few days ago.  I've been a fan of her artwork and books, but the woman herself interests me tremendously.  I look forward to learning more about her life, her studies of nature and mycology, and especially her work to preserve working farms and conserve open land which was passed on to the National Trust after her death.  

The quote itself popped out at me in reference to my ability to access places of natural beauty so readily here in Alaska.  The opportunity to observe wildlife and wild landscapes makes my world very interesting indeed.

It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it. - John Burroughs

We spent some time in Kincaid Park yesterday enjoying the sunshine, relatively mild temperature and barely there breeze on a miles-long walk through the trees.  Spring seems near despite the amount of white stuff still on the ground.  Many cross-country skiers and a few sledding families took full advantage of both a beautiful day and the lingering snowpack. 

The bright light of the day highlighted some ice crystals on a wooden railing and surface hoar frost on trampled snow underfoot.  The top photo reminds me a bit of rock candy.  The one below could almost be an aerial view of a frosty forest landscape complete with hills and ravines.  (Or maybe that's just how my mind works.) 

Lovely day overall.  While I'm eager for spring to arrive in full, I will continue to enjoy our first Alaskan winter while it lasts.   

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. - Vincent van Gogh

Wintertide

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, 'Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.' 
- Lewis Carroll

 

 

blue-ish funk

So, it's the holidays.  Ho hum.  Not really feeling it, I have to admit.  Before Thanksgiving, I was all about hearing carols in stores and on the radio.  I was thinking about baking, decorating our house, putting up the tree - all the regular stuff lots of people do this time of year - with excitement and enthusiasm.  

Then I traveled to Oregon for surgery and, in part, a short vacation.  While I enjoyed my time in Portland quite a bit aside from, you know, pain and soreness related to anesthesia and an incision, I returned to Anchorage feeling decidedly not in the mood for merry making.  And I've been unable to shake it since which is troubling me a bit.  Decorations are up.  The tree has long been decorated.  Lights are around our big living room windows.  Christmas cards we've received are on display.  The mantle is chock full of candles and various holiday brick-a-brac.  Pine swags adorn the stair railing.  Hand made, intricately cut paper snowflakes are taped to our windows.  It's clearly festive in here.  I mean, the sun is actually shining today which is not really something we've seen a lot of in these last weeks.  So what gives?

Perhaps I'm being obtusely unaware of any deeper reason.  However, while recovering from surgery where my vitamin D and calcium levels are being closely monitored, I'm inclined to think this sort of blah attitude is directly related to this plus short hours of daylight (daylight being relative since we've been getting snow almost every day and the sky's color makes me feel like I'm living inside a golf ball).  

If you asked people of means here in Anchorage, I bet many of them are looking right past the holidays to their upcoming winter vacation somewhere far, far south of here like Mexico or the Caribbean or Hawaii because that is what lots of Alaskans do to shake the winter blues.  Every single year.  At least that is what I'm told.  They leave for a few weeks so the long winter nights don't seem to drag on for as many months.  They seek beaches and weather warm enough for bathing suits and sandals.  Sounds lovely.

So, what to do?  I'll take walks and encourage Tim to bake if only for the sweet aroma of his cookies.  I'll watch Christmas movies (even if that means going down the Hallmark channel rabbit hole).  I'll take my time wrapping presents to put them under the tree.  We'll plan a non-traditional holiday dinner to mix it up a bit.  I'll call my family back in New York on the day they all will gather to celebrate together.  I'll snoodle with our kitten as often as she'll let me.  I'll read the latest Brené Brown book that is now downloaded to my e-reader.  Last, I'll do my best to be mindful and practice gratitude for all of the positives in my life, of which there are so many.  

I think with that last sentence I'm already feeling a bit better, more in the spirit of the season.  

Happy holidays to whomever reads this blog.  May the remainder of 2018 and the year ahead be exceptional.

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October. - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Last week I found myself wondering if Anchorage has a fall craft show tradition like many places in the lower 48.  Autumn weather makes me want to bake, walk through fallen leaves, attend craft shows, and get creative in my craft room so I looked online for any hint of seasonal shows.  I wasn't disappointed.

I never tire of Czech glass.  These beauties came from Wicked Good Beadz.

Last weekend alone, I had my pick of the annual Make It Alaskan Festival, a Bead Arts Market hosted by the Alaska Bead Society at the Anchorage Museum (the museum was well worth the trip by itself!), AND the Alaska Bead and Gem Show.  No kidding.  Tim and I visited all three events and met many fun, interesting, creative and friendly people.  There were so many beautiful things to look at and be inspired by at each venue that I regretted not bringing a notebook to jot down ideas.  

These lovely clay pieces are from Lila Koberstein of Aurora Bead + Craft.

We met a lovely woman who makes focals for her gorgeous jewelry with delicate and colorful tatting, a husband and wife team who carve wood, antlers, and old vinyl records into everything from clocks to back scratchers, a man who takes years to create individual pieces of art by layering pigments from rocks and minerals he collects all over the world, a woman who creates one-of-a-kind pieces with up-cycled beads, creative soldering and unique ephemera plus many, many others.  

Tim fell for this bear ornament so he also came home with us from Aurora Bead + Craft.

At the museum we saw stunning bead work, and we were able to wander the collections and exhibits as well.  We eagerly learned a lot about Native Alaskan culture and history, listened to live performances, and appreciated the many works reflecting Alaska's bygone days and modern artists.  I've a feeling we'll visit this museum often.

Some lovely lampwork focals and beads by Susan Kaplan of Kaplan Creations.  The bead pair reminded Tim and me of looking at the Royal Society Mountains from McMurdo Station in Antarctica. 

By Saturday afternoon, after several trips through the Bead and Gem Show, my mind was racing with designs and plans.  I am very happy with the beads I purchased, and I really enjoyed chatting with so many innovative people.  Now...to sit down and get making!

Strands of Czech glass from Odie's Odds and Ends.  The vendor at this booth has a holiday home rental where she also keeps a cabin full of beads (glass, stone, pearls, etc.) for those who want to shop while on vacation.  Brilliant for her, dangerous for people like me!

There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm. - Willa Cather

Here are a few photos from a ramble around Potter Marsh a few days ago.  Salmon are still running up the creek to spawn, the grasses, undergrowth and trees are all changing color, and although the prolific waterfowl of spring and summer has dwindled, a treat was to be had as three common mergansers preened and swam along Rabbit Creek.