Sorry, there are no pictures this time around. I figured if nothing else, I should add a little text just in case somebody is really reading this blog.
For the Alaskan bush male, life is all about getting ready. Getting ready for hunting, getting ready for fishing, getting ready for wood cutting, getting ready for spring, summer, fall, but especially getting ready for winter. It does not seem to matter how fast or hard I work all summer, fall always seems to creep up with winter biting close at its heals... and so, like every other year I stand looking winter in the face realizing that I did not accomplish all of the things I needed to in order to be "ready."
The boat is still without cab and has hydraulic issues, the shed is almost to where it needs to go, the sewer treatment system is still where it originally started (not on pilings yet where it belongs), Romay's go-cart took a puke and is again seeing the end of the summer by not running, the rear-end of the four-wheeler is up on blocks (red neck style) and awaiting the one brake part I need to put it back together, the rifle sits neglected and needing to be sited in, decoys need to be strung to weights, cranberries are yet to be picked and canned, under the house needs to be cleaned out to be able to connect to piped water, wood shed never got built, vegetables need to be harvested, snow machine needs maintenance (thank you summertime vandals), our classic Bronco II still sits waiting medical attention and the list goes on... all needing to be done before winter. When does winter start? Your guess is as good as mine and the Alaskan man is always fighting a clock that never tells the real time, but sooner than later is always a safe bet.
However, how about some perspective... my family is healthy, happy, dry, and warm and through the harvest of predominantly hardwood firewood will stay that way all winter long. We have some fireweed jelly put up, the potatoes are looking promising, God blessed us with salmon (thank you Todd Brown) even though I thought it impossible (God likes those odds), Myra got a new job, I have my old job (that's saying a lot for a guy originally from MI who has a ton of friends who can't say the same), the house did well through all four seasons and is further along to completion thanks to some finish work I was able to do this summer when it was not raining out, insulation is its way from Fairbanks that will make for a warmer floor this winter, we have a lively yellow lab (need I say more), and God has blessed us with an amazing family of faith where He has planted us. On top of that, I'm not the only guy in Galena fighting the losing battle of winter prep... I have good company. All in all, nothing to complain about. Praise God for the blessings and adventures he has sent our way.
For the Alaskan bush male, life is all about getting ready. Getting ready for hunting, getting ready for fishing, getting ready for wood cutting, getting ready for spring, summer, fall, but especially getting ready for winter. It does not seem to matter how fast or hard I work all summer, fall always seems to creep up with winter biting close at its heals... and so, like every other year I stand looking winter in the face realizing that I did not accomplish all of the things I needed to in order to be "ready."
The boat is still without cab and has hydraulic issues, the shed is almost to where it needs to go, the sewer treatment system is still where it originally started (not on pilings yet where it belongs), Romay's go-cart took a puke and is again seeing the end of the summer by not running, the rear-end of the four-wheeler is up on blocks (red neck style) and awaiting the one brake part I need to put it back together, the rifle sits neglected and needing to be sited in, decoys need to be strung to weights, cranberries are yet to be picked and canned, under the house needs to be cleaned out to be able to connect to piped water, wood shed never got built, vegetables need to be harvested, snow machine needs maintenance (thank you summertime vandals), our classic Bronco II still sits waiting medical attention and the list goes on... all needing to be done before winter. When does winter start? Your guess is as good as mine and the Alaskan man is always fighting a clock that never tells the real time, but sooner than later is always a safe bet.
However, how about some perspective... my family is healthy, happy, dry, and warm and through the harvest of predominantly hardwood firewood will stay that way all winter long. We have some fireweed jelly put up, the potatoes are looking promising, God blessed us with salmon (thank you Todd Brown) even though I thought it impossible (God likes those odds), Myra got a new job, I have my old job (that's saying a lot for a guy originally from MI who has a ton of friends who can't say the same), the house did well through all four seasons and is further along to completion thanks to some finish work I was able to do this summer when it was not raining out, insulation is its way from Fairbanks that will make for a warmer floor this winter, we have a lively yellow lab (need I say more), and God has blessed us with an amazing family of faith where He has planted us. On top of that, I'm not the only guy in Galena fighting the losing battle of winter prep... I have good company. All in all, nothing to complain about. Praise God for the blessings and adventures he has sent our way.
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