JUNE/JULY 2015

This is the famous cupola at the House of Seasons in Jefferson TX. The glass panes are imported european and placed in such a manner that the sun rays catch each ones and give the impression of the 4 seasons...quite lovely! Not many guests are allowed to go up the flights of steps since the creaking and motions of the old house is detrimental to this piece of artwork (dating to Civil War era)...we were fortunate that our host allowed us to have a private viewing....


June/July,

Family and Friends,

June news a bit belated. Ani came to stay at Dry Creek for a WHOLE MONTH! That was a real treat. June was also our second hosting of DRY CREEK YOUTH CAMP 2015! 70+ kids, young adults swelled our numbers considerably. A great time was had by all. Ani ended up helping out in the kitchen with Hannah Mason and her crew of trusty culinary experts.

At the same time my  brother Gavin Leeson flew from Calgary where we has working for an industrial health and safety company based there. Gav was able to take part in our crazy life here in Dry Creek plus the youth camp. I had not seen him for about 20 years, since his oldest Nicole is now that age and she was just a newborn when I visited Argentina in '94...wow...time flies!

Then in July, Ani, Rob and myself flew to DFW and took the Texas Eagle Amtrak to Marshall...very hot week, but such an enjoyable time with Tim & Mary Tesi.

Another highlight is that Sandra Burgess my sis who lives in MO came to visit for a few days. We visited Ani's Panola College campus...thanks for coming San, meant a lot!

One of the highlights was that Ani and myself were treated to a FREE night at the very honorable old mansion from Jefferson's Golden Days
called "The House Of Four Season". A venerable place which has hosted quite a few american personalities such as presidents and other dignitaries.

Secret Victorian garden hidden on the property, Ani is fortunate to have a job tending it during her time off from school

this oak is ancient

Last but not least, after Jefferson  - Rob and I travelled to TableRock lake in Shell Knob, MO for the annual BARNABAS ON THE LAKE camp! A good time, he made friends and got involved with activities...he was ready for his routine and farm life in Alaska, though!

Rob and his camp buddy Charly take a turn on the tube!

with his friend Emma, closing ceremonies

Rob and his Dallas girls...lol

We are thankful to all who made this memorable trip possible, folks at the TCC, and DDP team: Amanda, Christina and our gracious hosts Mary and Tim Tesi and Ani and my sister Karenza Hanson for the loan of her comfy bed and lovely trailer home - thanks! Also, thanks to my sister San for driving down to see us and spending some needed sister time - "que se repita!"

Have a blessed rest of the week!

JUNE!

JUNE ....WOW...TOTALLY MISSED MAY!

BUONGIORNE AND FAMILY NEWS:

Where to begin? Ok on the homefront, Rob is done for school for the time being, he will do some summer school via the AGSD as time permits. It's been a good run this year and we got a lot of ground covered. Thanks to all the great resources from the REACH Academy in Tok, Alaska. Rob does most of his academics online plus some extra courses one on one.

Sometime in the summer/fall he will have some job coaching at our local super center IGA. At the end of July him and I will be going to the a CAMP BARNABAS in MO again.

Here are some links to what he's been up to.

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10205736002991069.1585591801&type=3

Ani is coming to Alaska and staying for a month which will be super. She is taking part in the DCYC (Dry Creek Youth Camp II). We are expecting quite a few kids this time around, should be fun.

PatLou is fighting fires with Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot crew from Palmer Alaska.  

They have 5 kids under 5, so it's a busy household. Haven't seen much of them lately, it's a 6 hour drive and everybody has been super busy, plus with such a large family it gets harder to travel, I imagine. I miss the girlies they are getting so big!

May is busy with her garden and keeping everything shipshape, she is such a hard worker! Hope to have a wonderful harvest.


Big Pat keeps busy with his itinerant piano tuning services, traveling around Alaska. Summer months keep him home tending to the firewood needs of the folks here. Rob is a big help when it comes to stacking!

SOME COMMUNITY NEWS:

June first dawned clear, warm, and seemingly normal.  By ten am, clouds had rolled in and  sleet/snow was dumping upon us.  It didn't ever stick more than a few minutes, but it was  very wet, collecting 0.28” of melted snow or rainfall by 2 pm.  We do need water for our  newly planted crops but we don't need freezing anything.  This is what Delta Junction looked  like after the crazy snow flakes... Last week, we transplanted the entire garden except the squash who were behind somewhat. May has diligently been planting the seeds for a couple of weeks now.  Thomas and his  helpers have the potatoes planted.  And whatever they plant ATR is planted as well.  Tony  drove around tonight madly fertilizing all the lawns.  He and his boys have already fertilized  their fields, I think. Olivia Geyer has one more week in Indonesia before returning to the states.  I don't think her  parents can hear much from her, if at all because she doesn’t have access to a phone or  wireless. Wendy passed out our baskets of flowers this past week.  So much beauty!!!  Also, bro Rus  gave us leftover pepper plants. Michael had his cast taken off this past Friday.  He is now  walking around with a cane till his leg is strong enough to hold all his weight again. Wenda visited us about ten days.  She came up for Eric Stossmeister’s graduation. We  enjoyed her visit so much; hope she did likewise.  Jared and Jennifer and kids are in Arizona visiting the Fouse's and other family members  in that area – Joel and Nathan and their families. John Cheever is here for a couple of weeks.  He has roto-tilled the garden for May, and he  preached this past Sunday.  Now he is preaching for three devotions.  I think he’s enjoying  his time.  Oh, and he helped Garth finish putting up the siding on his house.  I think Garth  only has a dormer left to do.  Andy and Sarah Jane have moved into Craig and Hannah previous home in the last couple  of weeks.  Right now, Andy and Sarah Jane are in Seattle so Andy can have some tests  done by a specialist down there.  The oncologist in Fbks was concerned about the spots on  Bro Andy’s liver.  Andy’s spirit is upbeat and normal; he looks and acts normal, but…..  there’s these spots.  We know all know and believe God has everything under control.  Ben is in Canada visiting his family.  His brother, Steve, who we pray for often because of  his MS, has flown to see the family in Canada as well.  Steve has been recently married and  the family will be meeting the wife.  Erica and son, Caleb, are here for several weeks.  Joe  and Kels are out here sporadically, like tonight and part of tomorrow.  School ended last Friday.   Rus and Millie celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last week.  We found a flower  arrangement, cookies, and ice cream to celebrate with.  Fifteen years ago, on Rus and  Millie’s 50th celebration, Bro Larry left us.  We will not forget.  Kathy Casey spent two weeks in WA with her family while attending one of her niece’s  wedding.  She was fortunate enough to see her grandson from Stephen plus many other  relatives. Seth and Amy moved back ten days ago.  Before moving out, Seth and Ammy started  remodeling Wenda’s home which a long time ago was the horse barn, then Cheever’s home,  then the preschool.  The remodel has gone well.  Seth and Ammy spent their first night in  their new home last night.  Youth Camp is a mere three weeks away.  Planning and prep is in even more FULL swing.   We have so many people coming from all over.  More on that another day. Have a great Tuesday!!!!   Papilio Canadensis - Canadian Tiger Swallowtail - THEY'RE BACK!!

APRIL SHOWERS...OF SNOW FLAKES...

Ella & Essie Easter

The girls are getting sooo big. These are some Easter photos taken at their home in Palmer. Miss them!

awww....aren't they the cutest?? <3 br="">

April??? Already!!!....I missed March...where'd it go?

We had a melting set back this weekend.  Friday afternoon, clouds rolled in and between Friday and Saturday we received a good 5 and ½ inches of snow!  It was beautiful, but…. Not what any April Alaskan wants to see. Normal, yes; to be expected, yes; still disliked.  This morning we had a low of 12 degrees and except for the last couple of days, our daily high has been in the 40’s.

Leo & Emeli Nerbonne are here for three weeks.  They came in time for John and Kathryn’s wedding and are here for a few more weeks.  They only have one more week left here so if you eel to visit, you’d better head on out here!  With the wedding also came all sorts of flu bugs in various forms.  My dad, among others, has been struck with a bug.  He is still recovering.  Fortunately, retirement allows for time to recover.  :) 

The wedding week was fun and great, but now it’s over.  All the Clarks save one sibling, Pam, and family were here.  Rehearsal dinner night, they treated not only the rehearsal group with fresh halibut and halibut cheeks, but they cooked and served it to everyone.  When I have permission, I’ll send out a few wedding photos.  It was a nice wedding.  

Madness abounds even after the madness of the wedding prep et all...now it's OPENHOUSE. Rob has been a busy bee making dioramas 'n stuff for his Western Civ. class (with technical help from yours truly)...hes got alot to show and we plan to lay it all out in the Tab next wednesday.

Not sure what all the news is...but we seem to be busy all the time...my snow trails have melted for the second time and now I must find bike trails. The skies have been phenomenal with Auroras and just stars and comets and eclipses...

Some Alaska scenery from around here....

 Alaska Highway, Tok

 Range AK

Red Aurora, Delta River AK

Eyak Lake Cordova AK 

 McKinley The Great One AK

Quartz Creek 

Snow trails at sunset

END OF FEB. MOOSINGS....

Good Morning folks,

The temperature this morning is -1°, and we are thankful for that!   Last week, the temperatures went as high as 38°, and we had rain.  As heavenly as that sounds, and it was wonderful, it is much too early for such awesome temperatures.  Everything started melting and getting sloppy; the road to the logger’s worksite (really Whitestone’s road) went out.  The loggers were unable to do their work and there was concern about how to get their equipment out of the work site.  Now, things are happily back to as they should be for the end of February temperatures. 

 Here’s the link to Shane Williamson’s family. .  http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-shane-williamson-family-after-loss-to-cancer/311331/update/282957  Shane is the 3 year old grandson of Paul and Nancy Baltrum (their daughter Rachel's son - he passed away after a 3 year battle with an aggresive form of cancer). Thank you for looking at this.

We held Marilyn’s memorial on Sunday.  We had few guests since that was the morning we woke up to rain on ice.  It was a small family gathering that I think Sis Marilyn would’ve appreciated.  Our guests were Don and Liz Werhonig, David and Kim Johnson, Sue Brown, Seth and Ammy, Dora Lopez, Becky Riche, and maybe someone else.  Thomas officiated, Bill Casey spoke and read a poem, as did Griselda, Brad and Becky, Rich and Dora sang – if anyone wants a link to hear that, I’ll happily pass it along),then we had a brunch.

Jessy Geyer started her year with Michael Sowers last week (maybe the 17^th).  Then a few days later, Mike had to return to Canada for a couple of months.  Jessy still seems to be floating on a cloud of happiness. 

Carolyn is still under the weather with her fractured foot and flu problems.  Hopefully, we will glimpse her face again soon.

Kathryn and John’s wedding is a few short weeks away – April 4^th.  They've been diligently preparing their home in order for it to be ready for themselves but also for John’s family to stay there when they come to the wedding. 

Joe Allison is visiting for a couple of days or weeks.  Kelsey will be out on weekends when she can get away from work.

Bonnie went to Texas for ten days or so.  I guess Jim didn't behave; he got left behind.  :)

Bro Dan Riccardelli preaches on Sunday morning, but he’s coming on Saturday night.  We will have a sing along and dessert time with him at the tabernacle. 

Sadly, Rob's special ed teacher from the AGSD is not being retained by the district,  as his teacher. So we will be sad to see her go, she is a real spark plug and Rob likes her - which is important - last week she came out and they both made choc chip cookies in the Tab. Funny thing (and I'm certainly NOT a cookie baker), too much butter was used - or so say the experts - and Rob's final comment was "they are pancake cookies" ...lol..anyway fun was had and cookies were consumed.

Ani continues to enjoy her Panola College activities and courses. She keeps quite busy. Icy weather (amazing for TX!) has stranded students either at the college or at their homes...but she is happy. The college newspaper featured her in one of its recent issues. Ani is an Art major with a Choral Music minor.

http://pcponyexpress.org/student-spotlight-ani-buongiorne/

Still trying to get on to the ski trail, although the warmer weather has made it rather slushy.

SUN IS OUT! YAAAIIIII

!

Have a great day, and a wonderful weekend.

FEB. NEWS SO FAR...

local Delta photographer Sebastian Saarlos, does it again with his amazing shots of the Aurora's we've been having this past month.


Family and Friends,

We’ve had nothing but cold weather since the last time I wrote.  It's been mostly -35 to -40 degree weather.  Sometimes, when the sun does its job, we have temporary temperatures of -13 and -15.  The only redeeming factor about this weather has been that it has NOT gotten windy since it last snowed.  The trees are laden with snow, and we've been blessed with moonlit nights with auroras.  Everything, whether it be night or day, looks shimmery and beautiful although cold.

This photo and caption from Canadian poet Janet martin...captures my state of mind...

We heard from Sis Cathy Owens recently; she is slowly improving day by day. She thanks us for our prayers.  

The memorial for Shane Williamson was last Wednesday.  Stacey and Kenny drove fourteen hours to attend.  I’m so thankful that someone from us was able to support them.  Paul, Nancy, Paul’s bro, Bob, Charity, and Liz O Baltrum were there as well as some of the staff from St. Jude’s.  Rachael made a slideshow of Shane’s short life.  Someday, I’d like to see that.  All so very sad, losing a child has to be the most heartbreaking thing ever...

Another closer loss we've suffered is that of one of our beloved grannies. Marilyn Hagley who came up with her daughter Ali  (Allyson Squires) like 40 years ago or so. I had the privilege of being with her and some of the other ladies singing and praising and helping in any way I could while she slipped away to be with the Lord. She will be sorely missed!

Here's is a short eulogy to her:

" Sis. Marilyn, there you sat on your sunny porch, surrounded by your lovely flowers and you probably never knew how much it meant to each one of us who stopped by for a chat, just to share something we saw or heard, get your input on this or that and then be on our way. Every time I lugged my laundry basket up the ramp I would look towards your cabin, and if you were there you invariably waved - our little secret message - just to say “hi, I’m here - all is well”…gonna miss that!

I think that mothers and grandmothers are one of God's greatest blessings, and you were no exception. Your smile, the twinkle in your eye and sweet voice made you a joy to be around. I will miss you dearly friend. Hope you're gonna tend those lovely flowers beds up there as well, 'cause I'm pretty sure that angels love flowers too!!

 "

Marilyn loved orange lillies like this one! Her's were always the best on the block...

It looks like we’re contemplating having another youth camp this summer.  We have a few things to do beforehand such as Kathryn and John’s wedding and Joe B’s graduation amongst other things like farming, etc.

It will be another busy summer it seems. Ani is planning on coming for the youth camp and then she, Rob and myself will be flying back to Dallas to visit with Ani's extended family in Jefferson (Tesis and my sister Karenza), before flying into Springfield for Rob's special needs summer CAMP BARNABAS on the Table Rock Lake, MO. We did this last summer and it went very well. Not sure what everybody else is up to but that's what we're planning

A guy, James Farner, has come to live here for a year while he establishes himself in the Lord.  He is staying with Kim and Garth mostly.  He is a construction worker, but he also wants to learn how to do anything and everything.  

We had a good convention - it’s so odd to have convention in the middle of the week.  We didn't get hardly any visitors so our convention was super small.  It would be nice if we could have a weekend convention every other year - like swap with Whitestone for the coveted weekend.  It was nice and intimate though and we had lots of food left over! If anybody is interested in the WSF convention messages get in touch with Jeremy Austin, he has a nifty dropbox link that one can download onto a laptop or mobile device...May went to their convention and was very impressed.

Garth is chauffeuring the Ministry around to the next conventions. They’ve been to Haines, now they’re at Hoonah. Soon they will be off to Whitehorse.

My time is up; I need to get to school. Have a great day and weekend.

One of our moonlit nights - see Orion. I love it. This month has been amazing for the auroras and even the Light Joy comet, which Pat and I braving the cold, went out and actually saw through our binocs...

THE KIDS ARE HOME...IT'S CHRISTMAS IN DRY CREEK ALASKA!

My humble attempt at a small Alaska style Christmas corner. The nutcracker is an antique that Ani sent us.

This week has been fun - earlier in the week Jessy and Olivia came home for a few weeks.  Jessy has been spending time at the Blueberry farm and is home for a couple of weeks.  I’m not sure of her plans yet; guess I should ask.  Olivia brought Jessy home from the airport; Olivia has had a successful semester at the U of F and will be home for a couple of weeks too.
John Venebles dropped in on his way home (Haines) from the U of F.  He dropped Lizzie Jepsen off.  He and two other college kids spent the night here before taking off early morning to head to Haines.  They were going to meet two other car loads of kids from the U in Tok and caravan to Haines together.

 Bradie Cox flies in today from Homer.  She’ll be home for a couple of weeks too.

Here's a link to some of the fun stuff we planned!

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10204846371190830.1585591801&type=3

Annie Buongiorne came home from TX on Tuesday. She hasn't seen her Dad and Gramy Flo for over a year now...

It is super fun to hear all the kids running their mouths like magpies catching up on news and foolish life’s details.


Yesterday afternoon, Rich and Liz ran to Delta to bring Ella out for overnight.  She’s at a fun age, but I won’t bore you with stories.  Well, maybe one story.  Lizzie brought home this little chocolate covered acai candy things.  Ella is perpetually on high alert for all things sugary.  Ella smells the candy and gets down on her hands and knees to try to covertly peer between Lizzie’s ams and face (Lizzie was on the floor) to see what was there.  When asked, Lizzie told Ella they were little poops.  Ella sweetly kept asking about the “poops”, the "yummy poops”.  We laughed until we cried.  Lizzie finally gave Ella a “poop”. 

Before I last wrote, Marilyn had her gallbladder taken out.  She’s had a rough couple of weeks here recovering.  Yesterday Jon took her back to Fairbanks for more tests.

Today it is windy and 11 degrees.  A couple of times this week, it has dipped down to -15 and -20 degrees but then it quickly rises to above zero when the wind arrives.

We had an nice sharing meeting this past week - Sarah Jane shared for the first time since she came home; Hannah shared too; Tommy, well……., he told his nightmare, I mean dream, about procrastination in order to make his point.

Cody Williams took a real nice photoshoot of Rob...

Rob and Michael Squries continue to have a good time in their archery classes with May. Michael has been taking Rob out to his trap lines in the woods...they go off together on M snowmachine...now Rob is saving up to get his own snowmachine...so far he has about $15 in quarters...haha

Have a great weekend.  I plan on it!  

DECEMBER...'TIS THE MONTH....REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

An early greeting, don't want to forget to do it with the upcoming whirl of events.

 FROM OUR CABIN TO YOURS. WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST PAT, GRI, ROB, MAY & GRAMY FLO