The dark and rain out there

To most viewers, there would be nothing striking or unusual about this scene. But to me, it is striking to look at this window and see pitch-dark beyond. Such a short time ago, I could look at this window at any time of day or night and there would be light beyond. Plus, it was the sunniest, warmest, hottest, summer we have ever had up here. Now I hear a hard, cold, rain coming down.

Kalib, the cribbage board, the chicken and Abby's

Kalib and Lynx spent the night. Kalib and I are now at Abby's for breakfast. We had not yet seen Margie or Lynxton when we left. This will be my last day at home for awhile. Maybe two weeks. Maybe a month. I'm excited to go and reluctant to leave.

Uiñiq is at press

Uiñiq is at press. Remember how I stated that you can have a job 99% done and then that last one percent can take forever? Well, in this case, it was the last .001% - since before I left for Nuiqsut last time! See, no matter what, it just ain't done until it's done and there's just all kinds of tiny, niggling, little things to be done even after it looks done and anyone who has never done something like this even has a clue, but it's true! But it's done now. It's at press. I kind of hated to let it go, but to get it printed I had to.

Once these things are printed, months can pass by before I can open one up and take a real look at it. I think there are some issues I have never really looked at. In fact, I have never really looked at most of the Uiñiqs I have made. That's true for most of the many other publications I have made as well.

Thank you Jimmy. I couldn't have done it without you and your help. Throughout it all, you have always been here with me at my computer, encouraging me to press on even when I feel like it's hopeless and I can go no further. What a great cat you are!

I had to turn down Jobe's generous offer of chips

We have just arrived home after finishing off our most expensive meal of the year. Grand total: $19,289.42. It'll take me 92 years to pay this off. When we got home we found not just a toddler, but his two older brothers and his parents. Ever since Caleb started working for Frito Lay, there has been an overabundance of outdated yet still good chips around the house. Jobe had a bag. "Want some, grandpa?" he asked. I had to turn him down. My tummy feels kind of queasy.

In case anyone is wondering, those dark marks on his arm are Alaska Railroad tattoos from our Saturday train/fair excursion.

I was brave, but Margie was afraid of the Ferris wheel.

Those two shot up like they were headed to the moon. "No!" I screamed. I won't go on this ride! Too dangerous! Why don't we just go try the Ferris wheel?" A look of fear overcame Margie. "Ferris wheel? No way! Ferris wheels scare me to death." Well, we are both full so I guess we will just go home. I think we might find a toddler there, waiting for us.