END OF JULY NOOS.......

Sis Marylin Hagley enjoys her sunny porch with her lovely flowers around her...

Hello,

We’ve had a tough weekend with the hay.  Just as the guys were preparing to pick up bales on Saturday night, it sprinkled.  We were able to put up 96 bales on Sunday, but yesterday after putting up a few loads, it sprinkled again.  All three of those days, we were having approximately 82° weather.  This morning, it is grey and 56° at present.  I know the Lord knows, but it would sure be nice if we could finish up this haying without too much ado.  Since a lot of the young girls have learned how to rake using the horses this year, I need to get out there to take new pictures. 

Even though it heavily sprinkled last night at six pm (it soon stopped), we went out to pick our first picking of peas last night.  We didn’t get a lot, but unless we have a frost, we have a couple more good pickings ahead of us.

Judy wrote this am to say that Hannah has been taken off the medicine that was keeping her from not sleeping and could be harmful to the baby.  She is only on bed rest and water drinking.  Due to the placenta previa, we need to pray that her contractions do not start up again. 

VanderHarts came home Haines on Sunday night.  The boys were grinning from ear to ear.  The enjoyed their fishing completely.  Sis Marlys Johnson had some family visiting at the same time as the VanderHarts who have boys the same ages; I think they had a good time together.

Griselda is in Tok for 4  of days attending a Mac Tech meeting..."How Apple Technology can enhance your Classroom Experiencel"...  She is learning all sorts of things having to do with Mac/Apple electronics.  

Jim and Bonnie have gone to the states visiting for a couple of weeks.  Because of that, Pam Gorman and Drew are here to care for Pam and Bonnie’s mom.  It has been really nice to have them around.  (Yes, Bonnie, we want you back; you’re irreplaceable!)

I heard from the Trotters yesterday.  Things are going as well as can be expected; Bro Andy is encouraged.  He is receiving radiation each weekday and his weekly chemo port was put in yesterday (taken out on Fridays).

David Dee, (Sarh Jepsen's cousin who used to live here) got food poisoning on Sunday.  He was very sick and then spiked a fever.  Last night, he was taken to the hospital and put in ICU due to infection and an enlarged heart.  David just messaged me to say he was fine.  Okay, I’ll take that. 

Sarah Jepsen's cousin, Dick, will arrive tomorrow night.  He came to visit me a couple of years ago.  Then this weekend, we along with Chris’s family will travel to Haines for a week. We all enjoy him, he is a very spry individual even though he is not a spring chicken.

Rob is enjoying his riding with Stardust Stables, although we've had a few interruptions with sickness (instructor broke her foot), weather and such. On the academic side: he has been going to Fairbanks Talkabout a speech clinic, to make him more proficient in his reading, we shall see as time progresses how effective this has been. Like many teenaged boys he does not like to read but can read more than he likes to make you think.

Have a great Tuesday!  

LOSING OUR LIGHT IN ALASKA AN OTHER SUCH "ONLY IN ALASKA" THINGS...

We’ve had cool days for most of the week, but today looks promising.  We haven’t put up any hay yet so maybe today is the day for that to change.  We’ve had a tiny bit of rain, but mostly just cool days and even cooler nights (approximately 45° for nights).

I heard briefly from the Trotters.  Andy has completed two weeks of treatments, is doing well, and thanks everyone for their prayers.  I heard that Shane Williamson is doing okay with his treatments; it does slow him down some.  Nancy will be going to Arkansas in August to deliver Rachel’s baby.  Sometime after that Nancy and Rachael will take Shane to Jacksonville, FL for proton radiation.  If anyone knows of someone to stay with in Jacksonville, they would be grateful.  We do need to keep praying for my sister in law, Christine, who is undergoing another round of treatments.  Also, Hannah Davis is still in hard place with having to take a medicine that keeps her awake and could be injurious to the baby but that keeps her from going into labor. 

Steve Squires, Mitchells, and Australian friends have all departed.  We enjoyed their visit.  Russ and Karen, the Australian friends, were in the community in Australia with Bro Bobby and Sis Cathy many, many years ago.  The connection between Lauren and these friends is that in the early ‘80’s, Lauren, Jessica, and DeAnne went over to Australia to visit where Sis Cathy and Bro Bobby were. 

This week, Nathan and Verna Miller and their four girls brought their grandparents, Eli and Marty out for lunch and a short visit.  It sure was good to see them!

Yesterday we had a surprise visit from some Amish folks.  Years ago, Melvin and Sarah Graber came to visit.  I think the connection between Tony and the Grabers was from Tony buying horse drawn equipment from the Amish.  Anyway, the Graber parents have long since passed away, but, yesterday, one of their sons and his wife along with two other couples plus their van driver came to visit Tony and the farm.  It was a great visit for us and for them.  They had places to go and an itinerary to keep but we convinced them to stay for lunch (beans and rice with fresh salsa).  They said it was the best meal they’d had their whole trip.  We sent them off with fresh bread, butter, and corned moose which they were thrilled about.

Jennifer’s family has all gone home – Robin, Sarah, her two girls, Craig.  Seems a lot quieter now.  Must’ve been Craig making all that extra noise!  JK, Craig.  J

VanderHarts are in Haines for five days getting in some visiting with Marlys Johnson and some fishing. 

We’ve heard a little from Kathryn.  She’s missing home.  Presently she’s out on a fishing boat with John and his dad, Bob, hauling in thousands of pounds of fish per day!  The stellar day was 6000 lbs in one day! 

Geyer girls went fishing this weekend with Meg.  I think they’re in the Kenai peninsula area, maybe in Soldotna with Brooke Miller Carson.  Tommy and Carolyn are home alone with no children.  J

Last night a momma moose and her twins were munching on trees right next to my house.  I could’ve reached out my screened window and petted them.  It was too dark for a photo. 

Wenda is in Anchorage/Eagle River area babysitting Paul Lawrence’s dogs while Paul and Rebekah are on vacation. 

May has done a beautiful job with the garden, as has Rus and Wendy with the greenhouses.  Daily we eat fresh vegetables and greens.  We haven’t started eating cauliflower and broccoli yet, but I’m sure we will soon.

Blueberries are calling to be picked; wild raspberries are ripe, but our domestic ones need another week.  Pat Buongiorne went for his daily constitutional walk but this time took the cranberry trail, and said that there are lots to be picked when ripe.

Gri and Rob went ALONE to the Deltana Fair. Saw the parade, shot a musket, saw some mountain men making lead bullets, took a wagon ride, at some chicken and burger, and some soft ice cream, took lots of photos and then came home. The fair has become rather political in that there are no longer horse shoot outs or lumber jack events, a shame since Rob loves the horse show...I guess the folks who do that don't want to come unless they are paid, which defeats the whole purpose of the thing. Ah, yes!  there were no rides...either. BUT Rob and Gri had a good time nevertheless and Rob got lots of candy...

The Buongiornes have gone to Lisa lake twice this month. Rob got a very nice Rainbow trout, probably 18inches. and we had it for breakfast, as did Pat who caught 2. Gri has not caught any so far...it might be a conspiracy...

Ani reports being very busy at her various job ventures. Boxes of goodies are being sent back and forth between Texas and Alaska...seems like all is well under the circumstances. We miss her alot!

...'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.