Resting and Reflecting

It's Sunday, July 1st.  We are way behind in our gardening this year, because of the passing of Pak, the slow start to summer, and the mosquitoes, which are ferocious this year.  The paper says they are not any worse than usual, but apparently the conditions in our back yard, front yard meet swarming biters perfectly.  There is no other word for it: they swarm.

The lilac bush, really a tree, is gorgeous this year and the blossoms smell incredible.  It is more pink, than lilac.  The Irish is allergic to the smell unfortunately.

Fishing is poor this year.  Most areas are closed including Ship Creek, but we are hoping the silvers will run around the 15th of July.  Some folks I know took a halibut charter out of Homer and ended up with about 19 pounds per person, but that seems like a pretty high cost, and I don't know how the vertigo would be on a boat. 10th& M Seafood and New Sagaya always have beautiful fish for purchase.

The cottonwood buds are over and cleaned up.  They were terribly sticky.  The cotton is starting to form now and I belive I am allergic to this.  I don't mind picking these up for they at least can be burned.  One of our friends was telling us the Hydaburg folk use the cotton to smoke their fish with.

We are fully light now, actually have been losing daylight since Solstice.  First 5 seconds, now nearly 2 minutes per day.  The year has a rhythm to it up here and I am sure when darkness comes we will all look forward to more rest.  But for now, the white light in the night is here along with extra growing time, fishing, berrying soon, and all the other benefits of living in AK in the summer, including driving on ice- and snow-free roads.

Yesterday after slogging through Chapter 1, part A for a certification test I am taking, I made home-made noodles.  I have lost my urge to cook, for some reason.  I hope it is only dormant after working so many hours for so long and the Irish and I are on completely different schedules and can eat together only twice a week.  It is important to choose and care about what goes in to the body, and take time to prepare it carefully.  Although we don't eat preserved foods, our meals haven't been balanced.  Salad only or just berries for breakfast or pork chop and potato and no green.  I have gotten sloppy since we eat alone.

The Japanese have the right idea with their beautiful Bento box preparations.  Who has time for that, I say?  Oh well, will make a pact to eat really well three times a week and go from there.

OK, back to the books!