...'smore July noos....

Yes, I know, many of you have told me, but I’m glad you all are on your toes (really, I am).  I mistakenly put AK on Andy and Sarah Jane’s address; it should be AL.  Also, as a reminder, their email address is asjtrotter@gmail.com.  Andy started his radiation and chemotherapy today or yesterday (I’m not sure when).  So far, so good.

Tony and his crew started mowing hay on Monday.  Then it rained today. 

We’ve been spending our evenings picking greens and weeding in the garden.  Pretty soon, we are going to be sooooo busy harvesting.

Seth Fouse’s mom is in Alaska for a week.  Kimberli and family have gone to camp out at Rebekah Baronski’s house in Delta while their mom is here. 

Because Hannah Davis has been put on bed rest due to her baby trying to arrive well before she’s intended, Judy is going to Georgia later this week to help Hannah esp with the care of Owen who is about two years old.  Lauren and Dwayne and family arrived at the farm last weekend.  Next week, they have some friends from Australia coming up to visit while the Mitchells are here.  Once the Mitchells and the Australians have gone home, Steve will go to Georgia as well. 

Last weekend, Allyson and Cami Zobel (an instructor from EMS and living in Anchorage) taught an EMT class.  Everyone who took the class did very well.  Now, we should be well taken care of in case of an emergency.  Some who took the class include Bill C, Mark, Jonnie, Maddie, Kelly, Katie, Mike Koehler, Gri B and maybe some others.  The kids that were too young to participate as students enjoyed participating as victims.  Everyone had a good time.

Check ou these links for photos:

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10201041840239934.1073741861.1585591801&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10201059631964716.1073741863.1585591801&type=3

Katie has now gone to the states to visit her family for a few weeks. 

Pat had some piano work to do in Delta and Fbks. Not sure what all is going on. Empty tables at the Tab for meals, indicate that folks are missing, but hopefully accounted for and not MIA!! 

lol

Have a great remainder of the week. 

JULY NOOS

Hi.  It has been a few days.  I’m sorry.  There’s always some sort of outdoor fun in the summer that just beckons me out of doors.  Well, and sometimes we have work nights, and then I become distracted and tired.  J

We had simply gorgeous weather for the fourth of July – it was perfect.  There was a little breeze to offset the sunshine making the heat to be just right – perfect Alaskan weather.  Wendy and a bunch of girls prepared a great picnic feast for us.  Tony and boys helped organize the parade with the horses and horse wagon.  Seth, Seth, and Nathan did most of the grilling.  Oh yes, and the Chavezes brought out the cotton candy machine!!!!  Most of the adults played volley ball in the afternoon while the children played games organized by Carolyn.  It was a very pleasant day.

The last few days have been raining and gray with the temperature not reaching even to 70°.  I feel confident that summer will return someday soon.

Just tonight I posted the planting pictures from early June.  Here’s a link to that album.  (And, since my MAC was down for a month, I’m way behind in all my photo editing so be patient for any other event pictures.)  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151523190006569.1073741835.674561568&type=1&l=12dd3e0c81

more planting

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10200807394738943.1073741847.1585591801&type=3

and this one for the 4th. if you want to take a peek

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10201060340822437.1073741865.1585591801&type=3

We’ve spent several evenings weeding the garden.  Now May has us picking greens.  We’ve had a couple of meat nights to cut up beef since Tommy killed a couple of cows.  We’ve put up salmon twice.  Tommy, May, Benj, and Michael Squires were the last crew to go to the fish wheel.  They hauled home 250 salmon.  Jeni smoked and canned a mess of it today.  J

Seth found and the farm bought some pigs to grow for the summer.  After building a pen for the pigs, Seth and Kevin carried the pigs from the barn to the pen while the pigs squealed like there was no tomorrow.  I tried to run home to grab my camera, but I was too slow.

Allyson hosted an EMT training course for four days.  Cami Zobel and Aron ? came from Anchorage to teach the class. New Dry Creek ETT's are: Gri Buongiorne, Maddie Cox, Cody Williams, Kelly Milliron, Kevin Jepsen, Mark Coy and some others not from the farm. Thanks go to our awesome instructors and victims: Manda, Lindsey, Choe, Emi and Kerri.

Here's a link to the ETT class photos:

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10201041840239934.1073741861.1585591801&type=3

Last weekend Wenda, Jannis, and Griselda went to Anchorage to visit their children and grandchildren. It was the grandma caboose. 

Here is the link to photos from the Palmer trip to visit the grandies...twins that is...and Beth Bongiorne. Pat was gone so was missed bu came back the day we left to drive back to DC.

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10201067454080264.1073741866.1585591801&type=3

Hannah gave us new contact info for Andy and Sarah Jane:  c/o Patty Beebee, 1290 Iron City Road, Anniston, AK  36201, (256) 403-0249.  Bro Andy had a PET scan on Tuesday which showed that his cancer had not spread but that it is stage 3.  A port has been surgically put into Andy, and he will probably start chemo/radiation on Monday (five days for five weeks).

Ani keeps in touch off and on and so does Pat in between fires...Ani misses everybody but is doing well with her aunty Karen and the rest of the family/friends in that area. Facing new challenges. Keep her in your prayers when you think of it.

Have a great week.

JUNE NOOS...

May has been having us work in the garden nightly for an hour this week despite the heat.  We managed to do it just fine.  When we were done last night, it started greatly thundering and lightening and eventually we had a little bit of rain.  It was sure nice as it’s been so hot and then smokey too.  I think there is still smoke out there but not nearly as much as before.

Yesterday was not nearly as hot as the days before – we only reached 86° rather than over 90°.  The current temperature is 62°.   Rob and Gri went to Fbks for Rob's reading speech therapy...it was very smoky and hot!

PatLou has been fighting fires around Alaska. The whole state is on high fire alert. Good for making $$ but can be dangerous and it is hard dirty work. Keep those firefighters in your prayers please!

Patrick Buongiorne (dad) is cutting fire wood for the community, like a madman. He still has about 30 loads to go which is quite a bit. Not sure how many 

Jon took Michael and Julie to Lisa Lake to fish the other night.  Julie rolled down the hill while doing her kung fu moves and split her forehead open.  Danita came over to put five stitches in her head right near her hairline. 

Gri, Pat and Rob were on the same fishing spot and heard Julie crying…glad all is well that ends well…poor lil gal! 

Gri snagged 2 rainbows that spat the hook in mid air and Pat was able to get his in the boat with Rob's help wielding the net.

 Jessy has been working hard to get her passport information in order since she’s planning a trip to visit the Headwaters farm for a few weeks.  Tom and Jeni heard from Kathryn.  She’s doing well but misses home.  The Buongiornes have heard from Annie as well.  She seems content and happy in her new surroundings. 

Ani Buongiorne misses home, family and friends a bunch. She has been calling her parents and grams Flo off and on. She knows she is in a good place with her aunt Karenza Hanson and friends Dr. Tim Tesi and Carol Summers Tesi. IF YOU THINK OF HER, PRAYERS ARE WELCOME. DROP HER A NOTE SHE WILL LOVE THAT!

ANI BUONGIORNE

c/o TESI & KARENZA HANSON

PO.BOX 450

LINDEN TX 75563

Gri, Wenda and Jannis Blohm will be travelling to Palmer AK next weekend to visit family and friends. Gri will be visiting with Bethany Buongiorne and the twin grand daughter - no longer babies...yikes! They just turned 2...  :)

Virginia Buerge is coming out today to visit for the weekend.  She’ll be staying with sis Margaret. Gri and Rob will probably be picking her up in Delta since they go in on Fridays for Rob riding lessons at Stardust Stables.

&&&&&&&&

Wow, we’ve sure have been having some lovely weather!!!  Each day seems hotter than the day before and the lows have hardly been below 50° in the past two weeks.  Yesterday the smoke rolled in.  Apparently there are fires down Tok direction and all over due to lightening.  I saw a big smoke cloud yesterday as it mushroomed; shortly thereafter, it fluffed out and started spreading itself as a blanket to us unwanting souls. 

  

Rus and Millie have run off again; this time to Wasilla for a long weekend.  Craig and Hannah and children went on a RV vacation/tour of Alaska.  They will be gone a week. 

Guess what?  Seth and Amaris are back!!!!  They came home Tuesday; I know nothing of their plans, but I do know that their year ends on Sept 1.  Amaris is living with Wenda, and of course, Seth is here at home. 

So, last weekend was busy for Sarah Jepsen....<  I ran into Fairbanks to spend sometime with my sister in law, Phanta.  While there, I was able take some pictures for Delta Industrial in Fairbanks, I was present for the birth of my niece Alyvia (said Olivia) Jade, and took pictures at Marina and John Hendrickson’s wedding.  Marina’s wedding was at 66 mile.  Once there, we four wheeled or rode in monster trucks up the mtn to where the wedding was held.  The reception was at 66 mile where they celebrated with mud bogging rather than the traditional dancing (there as a little dancing, but way more mud bogging!).  Jake, Phanta, and I went to the birthing center at 2 pm, and the baby was born by 5:21 pm.  I was able to have a little photo shoot with my new niece who, by the way, weighed 8 lbs 9 oz at birth!  Zayden came home with me and is enjoying farm life to the fullest (even being bitten by mosquitoes)>>.

Sometime last week, Craig Milliron, Sarah Horender and her two girls arrived to be here with Jennifer for a while.  This week, Robin Horender arrived.  Just in time too since Jarred and Jennifer left here for Fairbanks at 4 pm yesterday and had their baby at 9:05 pm.  Makinzy Joy weighed 7 lbs, 3 oz. 

Tommy went to Copper Center last weekend with May, Katie, Johnny, and Benjamin.  They were able to bring home approximately 230 salmon.  We are so grateful for the salmon.  May via her mom Griselda posted some pictures at these links:  

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10200926611199280.1073741854.1585591801&type=1and https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200933051360280

Rye Hillyer was here for a couple of days recently.  He is now at Whitestone visiting.

Andy and Sarah Jane were supposed to be back by now but they’re not due to some health issues.  Andy went to the doctor and found a tumor in his rectum.  A PET scan will be done on July 3 to tell them what’s going on.  I heard that surgery was recommended as well as chemo and radiation – I don’t know the order of any of those things.  Andy and Sarah Jane are with Andy’s mom in Alabama at this time.  Here is an address and email address if anyone would like to write them.  Contact by email is: asjtrotter@gmail.com; Contact by snail mail is: 1290 Iron City Rd, Anniston, AL 36201

Christine Jepsen Moore (Rich's sister), did not receive the report she wanted to hear, but she is still full of faith.  The doctor told her that the cancer has returned; therefore, she will have to go through another round of treatment.  She still believes God for a complete  healing. 

Julie LaFountain Miller’s father, Bill LaFountain, from Headwaters Ranch passed away on June 19^th.  A service was held at Headwaters on June 23^rd.  Julie can be written at: trudyloo@sbcglobal.net

On June 21^st, George Young passed away.  He and Freddi have been living in Sitka for several years now.  Sis Freddie can be written to at:  georgeandfredi@yahoo.com

Anyway, have a safe and great weekend.

STILL NICE IN ALASKA....HOPE IT LASTS...

Esther & Ella  2 years old!!

Ahhhh….. summer has finally arrived!!!!  Today we had sunshine, rain, a rainbow, and now sunshine again.  Tony fertilized all the grassy areas while it was raining.  Nearly everything is green.  We’ve been happily cleaning debris from last fall’s terrible windstorm.  Things are starting to shape up and look pretty.  It does seem like the raspberry patch and the strawberry patch are having a rough time. 

Last week, we had a clear cold night where the temperature dipped down to 29°.  Some of the fresh transplants (squash) and some people’s flowers were “touched”.  Most of our days have been between 65° and 75°.  With the few rainy moments we’ve had, we’ve not even two inches of rain so far this month.

We planted the transplants last Monday night. 

MAY DID A GREAT JOB TELLING US WHAT TO DO! SHE HAD IT ALL PLANNED OUT...THE MASTER GARDENER...SO PROUD OF MY GIRL!  NOT A MEAN FEAT TO PLANT OUR VEGGIE GARDEN OF 2.5 ACRES....

MAY IN "HER" GARDEN...

A couple that always parks their air boat on our runway, was at their cabin at George Lake last week when the husband was killed by a black bear.  Here are links to the most recent articles. Bear killed by trooper linked to fatal mauling near Delta Junction andhttp://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/alaska-troopers-bear-killed-at-lake-fatally-mauled-fairbanks-man/article_d6dbcd66-d2f8-11e2-91e0-001a4bcf6878.html

Bill and Kathy went to Anchorage last week to have some tests done to ensure that Bro Bill’s heart is doing okay – it is!!!!  The doctor said he has the heart of a 26 year old! 

Ann took Al to Anchorage last weekend for a PET scan after his recent skin cancers (two different kinds).  At this point, everything looks very good.  Ann’s brother’s children – two girls and one boy (all in their 20’s) have come to visit Ann and Al. 

Last Friday afternoon, the guys were burning across the road.  A wind whipped up, and the fire got away from the guys.  Everyone was frantically called and many people from the farm and up creek showed up to help.  Disaster was averted.  Forestry showed up too, but they were only advising.  If they had actually helped us, we could’ve either been fined or had to pay a bill.  There are still hot spots that the guys are keeping an eye on and hosing down.

Hope Margraf has gone home.  Andy and Sarah Jane are gone to visit family in the states.  Kathryn and John are now safely in Hoonah.  The first few days, it rained a lot.  Kathryn was not excited about that.  She’s had a wee bit of sunshine since. 

Carolyn took Kerri Geyer to Fairbanks to have her tonsils and adenoids taken out.  She is now home and is almost as good as new.  Jessy had to be taken to town yesterday because of a really bad throat.  She’ll be home soon, too, I hope. 

Joey has been home for a week.  Tony was happy to see him since the guys needed help with disking and planting ATR.  Joey leaves within a day or two for work. 

Luca Casey was released from the Anchorage hospital, and the Casey family are all home inFairbanks. 

I heard from Rachael Williamson that Shane is doing well with his chemo although he’s having more bad days than before since the chemo is building up. 

Olivia is home for a few days.  Lizzie came home for an overnight visit last night.  Ella’s parents came out for Saturday night.  J  I heard Stacey Casey is here while Pete is working at Ft. Greely for a bit. Stacey is an attendant on the Alaska Railway, sounds like fun and plenty of lovely panoramas.

Talked to PatLou a few times and he is doing well and keeping busy with fire season. He is now on the Hotshot crew for Pioneer Peak, a pro crew that goes in first, after smoke jumpers. Am sure you all hear about the death of a smoke jumper in CA...glad Pat does not do that...

http://pioneerpeakihc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pioneer-Peak-Interagency-Hotshot-Crew/576042719093746?ref=ts&fref=ts

Here's Pat, second from left with a Mohawk...with Pioneer Peak Crew...

ROB ENJOYS BLOOPING IN TH CREEK

 ROB AND PAT HAVE BEEN MAKING SHORT NOTICE OF THE FIREWOOD PILE....THANKS GUYS!!

 Next week end I will be driving with Wenda Lawrence and Jannis Blohm towards Palmer (there families live close by too) to visit Bethany and the girls. The twins have since turned 2!!...they are so cute and growing so fast...it will be a treat to spend some time with them while Pat's away on fires..

The sky is beautiful right now, but I don’t feel like tromping outside for a photo.  You’ll have to be happy with a rainbow picture instead. 

Summer HAS arrived

We’ve had some beautiful, hot weather; today, at 1:45 pm, it was 80°.  The leaves are beginning to pop on the birch trees, the lilac bushes are putting out buds, and the grass is slowwwwllly turning green.  The creek is high, but not too high yet. 

School is finally out!  We had a fun end of the year picnic in Wendy and Jeni’s yards.  We usually go to the creek or to the Johnson River, but at the time, they were both frozen over. 

I meant to take pictures of the greenhouse before Wendy took all the flowers out; I forgot.  Anyway, the greenhouses are beautiful and full of warmth and flowers and vegetables.  Rus and Wendy handed out flower baskets yesterday afternoon.  May thinks we can plant the seeds soon, on time, shockingly, and the transplants early next week. 

Lizzie moved to Delta last Friday to live with Chris and Bekah.  She has a couple of part time jobs and is looking for something more full time.  She plans to go to college in the fall and has been accepted already and has received a couple of scholarships. 

Annie Buongiorne has “flown the coop” to visit her aunts
 Karenza Hanson and the Tesi’s in Texas.  She has made it there safely.

Robin has used his new pop up pool for the first time, he was pretty happy about this! For les than $20 at Walmarts these pools are a great way to stay cool without denting your wallet, plus easy to clean and maintain. If you take care of it they can last for a number of summers. The creek is really high and dangerous so we are constantly reminding all the kids not to go near it until it subsides a bit.

Pat Lou is working at the elite hotshot PIONEER PEAK HOTSHOT CREW.He is also their backup Medic. He has gone on a few fires already and many more to come. I am planning in visiiting the girls and Beth in a few week, Wenda Lawrence will drive and then go on to visit her relatives further down the road in Eagle.

PIONEER PEAK INITIAL ATTACH HOTSHOT CREW

PAT IS SECOND ON THE LEFT WITH A MOHAWK

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pioneer-Peak-Interagency-Hotshot-Crew/576042719093746?ref=ts&fref=ts

Last Sunday Joseph Latour was here to preach.  I missed the service due to a blitz attack of the flu bug so I can’t tell you what he said. 

Tonight we skipped service to work in the raspberry patch, cleaning up the old canes and pruning.  We’ll need to work in the raspberry patch again before it is ready for the summer.

I guess we’re cancelling church this coming Sunday to have our cleanup day.  We had to put it off so long because we couldn’t even see the ground in order to clean it.  Happily, now, we can see the ground.

I think Allyson and Jon with a person from Tok are conducting an ETT class startingtomorrow through Sunday. 

Al looks like he’s doing pretty well.  He’s been going out and doing his normal errands like he used to. 

Luca Casey was moved to the Anchorage hospital due to some serious internal problems.  I haven’t heard any reports, but I think that in this case, “no news is good news” – he must be improving.

PAT AND TOM MAN THE BIG EQUIIP DURING FARM CLEANUP DAY AFTER WIND STORM

RIDING THE WAGON WITH ROB, MICHAEL, CHRIS AND HOPE

WINDSTORM MADE A BIG MESS OF TRESS.

MAY DID A GREAT JOB ORGANIZING THE PLANTING FOR US...

MAY THE MASTER GARDENER

JOHN, KATH AND JULIE SEEDING TATERS...

ROB ENJOYS HIS POOL...IT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY COOL...PUN INTENDED :)

IS IT SPRING BREAKUP ALREADY???

It’s been a few weeks since I wrote, and I want to blame it on the weather.  We’ve had mostly snow, grey skies, and 23° weather or colder.  I’ve just gotten so sad and frozen that I can’t make myself function.  We were predicted to receive lots of snow and cold weather for several more days, but, fortunately, today we have sunshine.  I’m warm, thus I can move. 

I don’t even know where to start with news so I’ll start from most recent to older news.  We continue in the fashion of SPRING BABIES!!!...We welcome my niece Kelsey Mehaffey Allyson and her husband Joseph Allyson's baby son - Joseph Jay- who  was born on Sunday am at 10:40, 7 lbs 15 ozs, 23 inches long.  He was a little stressed from his delivery so the nurses gave him four bolises of fluid and wouldn’t let him leave the nursery.  Kelsey had to go visit him.  Kelsey did well but was a little tired since she hadn’t slept much since Thursday night.  Anyone wanting to congratulate Kelsey and Joe, can write to:  tangymehaffey@gmail.com

Bro Bobby and Sis Cathy Owens were with us over the weekend.  I was there for the word on Friday night, but I missed Sunday am due to Kelsey deciding to have her baby.  Friday night’s words were so good.  Sis Cathy preached a fiery exhortation about holding up God’s banner while standing in our designated place.  Bro Bobby preached on the year of Jubilee.  There was much teaching on the feasts and thousand year increments which made perfect sense to me while he was talking, but I fear that I cannot relay his message accurately by saying much more.  Oh, and he talked a lot about the seventh day of creation being the day of rest.  Miss Bonnie led worship. Sis. Kathy looks awesome after open heart surgery about 8 months ago.!

Two weeks ago, we received word that Del Buerge from Partridge Creek, Canada was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  His family gathered just in time – he passed away Sunday, May 5^th.  If you’d like to write the Buerge family, you can write to:  del.buerge@gmail.com  I haven’t heard any details on the memorial service yet. So many seems to be stricken down these days - also our good friend and master teacher Audrey Seman and Charity Titus, passed recently - I think we all heard about that.

Bro Bob Hilliker’s birthday is today.  If you’d like to greet him, write:  Eastfork73@starband.net

Thomas, Brad, and Craig came home for the weekend.  I guess their job in Anchorage is mostly done except for a few clean up things.  Brad and Thomas left today to finish those things. 

Wenda and Jannis tripped off to Anchorage for the weekend to see family and friends.  Allyson and Jo also went to do some studying and to do some preparations for Marina’s wedding.  (Marina will marry “Panda” [I don’t know his real name] on June 21 in Fairbanks.)

Al Lorenzen has more appointments this week.  Between those and Micah’s various appointments, Ann will mostly be missing this week.

Mark Coy was helping the guys in Anchorage but left to go on a trip to see his family in Canada.  He will be gone for approximately two weeks.  Jennifer Buerge Austin was able to catch a ride with Mark to Whitehorse – quite providential timing, in my opinion. 

Tim Chavez from Whitestone is here for two weeks to learn how to use work horses from Tony and his helpers.  Tim has been a great asset to our community.  I wonder if he should stay longer in trade for them having Seth at Whitestone? 

The Brandes family will be here on the 9^th to visit, and, of course, to attend Olivia’s graduation.  Our graduation is the 18^th at one pm.  Jessy, Cody, and Olivia will graduate. 

Kylin Casey delivered their second son, Luca Drew, seven weeks early due to pre-eclampsyia.  It seems that both mom and baby are fine.  The baby, at 4 ½ lbs has to stay in the hospital for a month.  Lee, the Casey’s son in law, is doing much better.  So much better that he has been cleared to drive again! 

In my absence of writing, Patrick spent 10 days in the Cordova area tuning pianos. the trip was uneventful except that the snow was 12 feet high and covering some rooftops. It is amazing how much it snows there! Some of the snow hills in the parking lots were like 40 feet high he said. Coming back through the Isabel Pass and the Ernestine Pass on the Alaska Range was awful...slippery, slushy and stressful. Thank the Lord he arrived safetly in Dry Creek!

 He is now home, and is working on delivering firewood to all our homes for the upcoming (or continued) winter. 

Count down for Ani's departure to TX and her aunt Karenza and Tim & Mary Tesi - has started....May 28th.

You all have a great week