Well, it was one week ago we started back to school, and when we’ve been out walking over the last week or so, I’ve been noticing telltale yellow and red leaves on a few of the plants. Honestly, it makes me a little wistful; weatherwise, summer was pretty much non-existent this year. According to the latest stats I’ve seen this summer has had the fewest number of days to reach 65 degrees since 1970. What’s more, I can probably count the number of sunny days we’ve had on my fingers. Ho Hum. I guess we’ll be really ready for sunny Southern California when we visit in October.
But don’t get me wrong. In spite of the weather, this summer had plenty of good times. We started the summer out by cleaning a ton (literally) of old junk off our property. You name it: cast iron pipe, chicken wire, assorted pipe fittings, old wheel, and SHEDS! UGH I don’t know what it is with Alaskans and their sheds, but they LOVE them. Anyway, we got rid of all the debris and even photo-documented the removal of the last shed. Mind you this was no small feat. The new owners had to winch these sheds (which were constructed on old truck beds – sans wheels) uphill on an unpaved, and virtually ungraveled road. We were mighty pleased to see that last shed disappear into the sunset.
We also had a monumentally great fishing expedition with Al Zink and several families from the church. In one evening our boatload of 6 fishermen caught 202 salmon. It was exhilarating! And let me say, cleaning 202 fish was even more, invigorating – especially after I inadvertently took a dive into the inlet to retrieve a fish that slipped through my grasp. Yes, the icy water went down my waders, and yes, I did get that fish! (One of our group took much better pictures than I did, so if you want to see more go to http://picasaweb.google.com/craigmiller03/DipNetKasilof )
We also had a great ERI, with Frederica Matthews Green and Fr. Michael Dahulich, dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary. I especially enjoyed Fr. Michael’s teaching on the Gospel of John. What with all the weddings (Hannah decorated for one of them, and several people said they didn’t know the church basement could look so good. Here are a few summer pics – better log ‘em while I still can.
Going . . Goiing . . . Gone!
Our Fishing Gang
And the wedding decorations
Looks like a good summer!