SPRING HAS SPRUNG...KINDA...

This week we had some moderate weather finally.  The snow is getting just a wee bit soft and crunchy, and the temperatures are more moderate.  A bunch of the guys went out snow machining today in the hills around the farm.  Tomorrow some of the guys will probably begin trips to Fish Lake with the supplies for the upcoming fall hunts.  They will make as many trips as they can before the snow is completely gone.

The wedding party that went to Bethany and Isaac's wedding in Kansas, came back. They had a great time by the looks of it.

So far, this spring, Tommy cows have had 16 calves.  Tom is pretty pleased with his outcome so far.  A couple of Richard’s cows have had calves and have freshened so we have plenty of milk, butter, and cheese. 

Thomas, Brad, Craig, and Kevin are in Wasilla doing that job for the railroad.  As always, there a few glitches, but things will work out.  Apparently they are staying in a coolly warmed building owned by the guy they’re working for. 

Ben attended the homeshow in Fairbanks last weekend as a vendor and did well in sales.

  

Floan is doing better with her sprained knee issue.

Robin has finally been diagnosed with Grave's so we are treating him with some nasty drugs for a period of time, in the hopes that he will go into remission. Prayers always welcome.

Pat went up on the cabin roof to clear off the snow and then...it snowed....oh well.

Have been trying to go snowshoeing before the snow gets too mushy. It is rather lovely at this time of the year.

A group of young homeschooled kids from Tok came out to play and be with our school kids. Alot of snomachining, snoboarding, eating and laughing was done. A good connection. Hoping to send Rob to their summer camp this summer...if his health stabilises.

Presently, it is 30° and trying to snow. 

Have a great week.  

                       

ROB'S ONGOING ISSUES...

Family and Friends,
I am not sure if you all know that Rob has been dealing with rapid weight loss (about 20lbs. since November), profuse sweating and trembling. After research and profesional diagnosis, we are still baffled but it all points towards a form of hyperthyroidism which is rare in individuals with DS, they are usually on the other end of the spectrum of thyroid disorders.

In Rob's case it seems to be an excess of iodine in his system which is causing his metabolism and his thyroid to be on overdrive - as it were. His endo has recommended all iodine based products to be cut out of his diet - that means NO FISH or fish products of any kind. He loves our fresh farm salmon so that will be a biggie for him, plus any brain omega's that he takes in supplement form, are out as well.

Our farm water contains iodine as well as other minerals so bottled water it will have to be for a period of 3 weeks.

AFter this we are to spend a couple of nights in Fairbanks at FMH for an iodine uptake. What is an iodine uptake? Glad you asked...

You can read all about it here:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/radioactive-iodine-uptake-test

I could post some of the photos I have taken of Rob but you would  be taken aback at how much weight he has lost and how scrawny he looks....so I have refrained from scandalizing you...

Iodine is a trace element, water soluble and actually rare on the planet. It is, like so many things, ESSENTIAL for thyroid health BUT TOO MUCH OF IT IS NOT GOOD...

kind of like that xtra chromosome dealy, where too much of a good thing is actually harmful.

You can read about how too much iodine in the system can affect the whole works in a bad way:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/454495-symptoms-of-excessive-iodine-intake/

Pray for Rob, we know God has him in the palm of His hand.

Blessings to all

have a great week!

MARCH MADNESS PART 2

LATER…..

I knew I left something out of last week’s email… a weather crew came out to film the loggers doing their logging thing.  They followed the guys in the woods for one day and then here for two days.  They had to wear mikes and have cameras in their faces.  We met the film crew (two guys and a local from here sound guy); they were super nice.  If I ever figure out where our 11 minute segment is airing, I’ll let you know. 

  

Katrina Miller from Whitestone, daughter of Jay and Amy Miller (granddaughter of the late Dick and Jane Miller and of Jon and Carol Dufendach) won the Interior State spelling bee and will go to state at the end of June.  Here is a link for an article on her.  It is so “Katrina” sounding.  From a very young age, Katrina has spoken in big words about life’s happenings.  http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/article_af5ce216-83de-11e2-98c6-001a4bcf6878.html

Gosh, I’m always apologizing first thing.  In my last email I said that the night temperatures had only been getting to zero degress.  After perusing my little weather book, I realized that was a very incorrect assumption.  The night temperature had been steadily getting as low as -15° regularly.  Yesterday, was very windy with the high at 29°; this morning it is still 15°, and windblown piles are everywhere. 

The beef and dairy cows have started having babies.  It is the time of night checks and birthing s.  Last night Chris Toby called for Rich because one of Rich’s moms’s birthed her calf in the gutter. Rich and Chris took care of that. 

Yesterday, Liz and I went to town to collect Zayden who will be staying with me for a few days and then with Jeni for a few days while his parents are on vacation. 

A bunch of folks have gone to Kansas. to be with the Chartier family as Bethany Chartier (who graduated with Ani) is getting married to a family friend from the town.

Sis Audrey from Sapa farm passed away last week.  A Master Teacher whom we will all miss. The original WRTR instructor and one of my mentors.

A memorial will be held for her this Saturday at noon at the Sapa farm.  Garth, Kim and a van load were supposed to be at the memorial at Sapa but were turned back by snow and stormy weather at Blackrapids. Ani had made a ton of cookies for the occasion and they ended up on our Sunday service snack bar! At least they did not go to waste… :(

The Loggers, Thomas, Craig, Kevin and Brad have left for Wasilla to begin a job for the railroad – Tom says they will be working 7-12’s for four weeks. 

Wendy and Rus have started planting seeds for the greenhouse plants.  I heard the greenhouse is being opened up soon. 

May is thinking "garden" and planning for what needs to be done.

Fresh snow has made Pat's trail manageable again, so we're gonna use it again for a bit before it gets bad again.

May and I went out on a 2 hr. trek looking for new trails in the snow and almost ended up Horn Mt. ! it was a lovely sunny, bright and crisp afternoon, May was trying out her new snowshoes from DepotPleinAir in Canada....

Here are some photos

We had a costume party recently, all the young folks participated in making their own original costumes. Here are some photos of the occasion.

ROB AND MICHAEL

MY 3 IN THEIR COSTUMES

Sooo… 

Here’s some links to pictures I’ve posted to facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200333504451982.1073741829.1585591801&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151342082601569.1073741826.674561568&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151345133866569.1073741827.674561568&type=1

Have a great week!

MARCH MADNESS...PART 1

How are you?  We are still having February weather in March!  Most of our weather has been hanging out around the 0° line, but mostly a little below it by ten degrees.  The other morning, we woke up to -40°, but it warmed up somewhat when the sun came out.  Over the last week, we’ve had fierce winds and approximately 5 inches of fresh snow.  This morning it is +19°.

Jennifer went for a prenatal check this week and found out they are having a girl.  (So, in April, Kimberli is having a girl, and Kelsey, my niece,  is having a boy; in June Kylin Casey [Fbks] is having a girl; at the end of July, Jennifer & Phanta are having girls; later on Marki Geyer [Fbks] will be having a baby)  It seems to be the year of the girl except for Ben’s grandbabies!

Floan is still housebound with a bum knee, but she is doing MUCH better.

Pat is gearing up for the firewood season and making sure the equipment is OK so that he can start delivering wood to folk's cabins.

Seth Jepsen came home and left again.  He arrived home on Sunday from his time down at the Mexican farm, bringing some fresh clams, cockles, and crab to share with various folks.  Wednesday, he caught a ride to town with Tony to “move” to Whitestone for several months to pursue his "walkie" with Amaris R.

Joey Casey has left again to return to work in Dutch Harbour or in the middle of the ocean somewhere as an "on ship medic".  It is always refreshing to have the boys come home – they effortlessly fill in doing jobs that need doing or that need young strength to complete. 

Chris Toby did very well in his Ferrier Oklahoma school, and he is now home too.  Again, it is nice to have our young guys home!  Also, Hope Margraf arrived for a visit and is staying with Jim and Bonnie Mason.  There is some interest between Hope and Chris so we will see how this pans out. 

Prins Samuel sent an email from his trip to India..  I will paste his message here.

“Greetings from Sri Lanka. I was in India for 32 days and had over 59 meetings in 3 different states. Now I am in Sri Lanka and will be here about 8 days. I am writing to request your prayers for this time. I was in Sri Lanka for 3 days in November and felt the Lord speak for me to come back on this trip. The Lord has opened some doors but now I need you support in prayer.

I can testify that the Lord moved in a powerful way during the time inIndia. I believe a new part in the south India has been opened up for this word to be preached. Will send a full report after I get home in March. Thank you.

Lord Bless, Prins Samuel”

POST CONVENTION NEWS #2

I guess I forgot to post some belated convention news...
BTW we had a quiet and uneventful convention, food was good as always thanks to the awesome cook crews headed up by Ali Squires and others, weather was very harsh in the -50's which was a shame for those travelling and we did not get as many guests as we would have - had the weather cooperated...
If you want specifics on the words you can contact LWM to get them...I believe Whitestone Farms has them on mp3 format.
here is a short report from Sarah...

**************

This morning dawned beautiful, moonlit, ice fogged, and very cold.  Andy said our low was -54°.  Right now it is still a crisp -41°. 

Convention is over and most everyone has gone back to their respective homes, except the ministry who traveled on today to Haines.  Bro Ernest and Bro Joe stayed with us.  They were up and ready to go well before their ride arrived.  I’m trusting that one of them will check in to let us know that they made it there safely. 

Yesterday we had one meeting but we still managed to have four speakers.  Amazing!  Paul Basalyga led worship.  Before taking the children out to practice their play, Bro Dick Kunz quickly told us that it isn’t good enough to know the truth, we need to buy it with paying the price.  Bro Ernest in few words said be alert to the night and of what is going on in the darkness.  He exhorted us to love spending time with the Lord and to love His gospel. Andrew Giles preached on the immeasurable power that God brings through the blood of Jesus.  Bro Buddy closed by telling us that we are in daily jeopardy because now we are responsible for what we hear. He said we learn about God through our natural understanding; but the Spirit reveals God by the way, the truth, and the life. 

Last night we had a nice meal with the ministry and some of the Whitestone guests that had spent the day with us.  Bro Dick and the kids did a small play on David and Goliath before singing us a song and playing a song with their colored bells.  A good time was had by all.

Today has been day of rest for most of us here.  It is a good day for resting since it is too cold outside to do much.

Oh, by the way, the sun came up over the mountains today!  A beautiful thing when the sun appears!

Have a great week!  Sarah

POST CONVENTION

Hi!  Monday’s very cold wind did warm our temps to -19° for 36 hours; now we are a calm -9°.  I can handle that.  We’ve had to dig our way out of wind swept paths yet again. 

Steve A, then Bro Garth, and finally Bro Joe wrote to let us know that they had a long, uneventful trip to Haines on Monday.  They left here around 7 am and arrived in Haines around 7:30 pm.  There were rumors that the pass was closed, but it wasn’t.  After the border, they had good roads and milder temperatures.  I heard that today Steve A had to leave the meeting due to his coughing, etc.  Bro Buddy had this while at Whitestone, and Bro Ernest was sick with that, too, while at our convention.   I hope the sickness stops right there!

I forgot to say that Pat and Bethany and the twins came up for the convention and to hang out for a few extra days.  The twins are super cute and remind us all of the Buongiorne kids when they were that size. 

Erica, with her son, Caleb, came for a 10 day visit.  At nearly five months, he’s pretty cute as well.  While here, Erica is throwing a baby shower for Kelsey.  Last I heard, the shower is to be at one pm at the tab. 

The Buerges have gone to visit Whitestone for the week.  They will drop by Friday before driving home. 

Thomas had a rough day in the woods yesterday – Delta received a lot more snow than us so even though the Pogo road had been cleared, the guys’ road from Pogo to where they are logging was uncleared.  Thomas said there was 8 inches of snow on that road.  Anyway, Thomas got stuck twice while on that road and slid off.  He was very close to falling into a ravine.  He was able to inch his way back onto the road and out of his stuck spots only by dumping his load of logs down the ravine (he only had to dump his load once). 

This week, Micah is having therapy in the afternoon in Delta.  The therapist comes from maybe Fairbanks, and she must stay at Lonnie’s because that’s where Micah and Ann have their therapy session.

Jannis had an unknown problem with her stove causing water to spew all over her house (she must have a water jacket heating system of some sort).  Marilyn’s pellet stove fan went out today and Allyson had to run to Delta late this afternoon to purchase a new fan. 

Hmmm…. I should end with some cheery news.  Well, we had a short and sweet prayerful prayer meeting tonight.  Interesting enough it started out with Seth and Liz leading worship accompanied by Cody and Kathryn on the keyboard and piano. 

Have a great week.

my niece Erica with her little guy Caleb the smiliest kid on the block!

Pat and Erica are cousins

TUESDAY

Hi.  I realized on Sunday morning, that I had spoken too soon.  It was not a still day.  The wind was still happily whipping away, just not quite as bad as it had been during the night.  Monday was a slight bit quieter, but today, the cold, whipping wind was back.  L  Every time we clean the paths and roads, the wind just blows them away again.  The temperature this morning was 9° with blowing; tonight it is 14° and breezy.

Andy and Sarah Jane with Chloe and Katie took Katie’s mom, Jeannie, to the airport today.  Katie is a right jolly girl who I think will fit in nicely here.

We are enjoying Mike and Clara Buerge and their four children.  Their oldest has been going to school with our first graders while the four younger ones attend Carolyn’s classes.  The kids are sweet and have enjoyed other children to play with.  Tonight one of them ran up behind me and grabbed my legs and shouted “boo”.  I wondered if he thought I was someone else or if he knew it was me.  He had a big grin on his face, though, and didn’t appear to have thought I was someone else. 

Peter and Stacey are here for convention. Peter must be here for his job at Ft.Greely.  They will be here for the convention.

Pat, Beth and the girls will be spending convention with us and stay on for a bit longer...fun times for this gramaw...can't wait for cuddles. Hope to get some nice pics this time.

Just saw John Basalyga so I know he's coming!

Ali, Jo, Wendy et all, have been doing a ton of food prep and the first breakfasts of granola and sweet breads have been passed out.

Bonnie is madly doing all the stragglers last minute hair doos...I got into her maxed out lineup...just barely...under the wire...for my signature "spike" look which has become the preferred and easiest style for this ole dame...

The loggers received the piece needed to fix the pellet making machine.  Today Rich cranked out pellets to supply all the pellet stoves on the farm.  Those with pellet stoves were getting pretty close to running out. 

May and Seth went to Whitestone convention and didn’t return till today.  I was beginning to worry if they had been kidnapped.  (not really!)

Our convention begins on Friday morning.  All morning services will begin at 9:30 am while the afternoon services (on Friday and Saturday) will start at 4 pm. We look forward to seeing everyone.  It would be nice if you could call Rus (323-4192) or contact me to let us know what days you’ll attend so we have a head count for the cooks. 

May came back singing Whitestone convention praises, she liked the word, she liked the worship, she liked her hole in the wall sleeping arrangements...hope she won't move there...

Finally went out on the sawmill trail, it actually is behind the sawmill...I guess somebody opened it up...it was late and the light was going so I got kinda spooked its so quiet and deserted, so I turned back half way, but I now know its gonna be ok and I'll start using it besides Pat's a nice change.

The weather is holding steady and we've had some nice covering of snow, but it is rather deep in parts and now that Christ Toby is down in Oklahoma at the terriers course, we don't get the trails cleared as much as we would like...seems I'm always stepping into deep snow somewhere...especially around the school entrances...where the drifts are deeper.

Well, no more for now...convention is just around the corner.

Have a good day and remaining of the week...

SUNDAY 19TH. FARM NOOS

Some week end noos...

Hello,

It is presently -1° and quiet and gray.  All of yesterday and all of last night, a cold wind howled.  It was an especially dreadful wind for the guys that had work to do outside.

We’ve had a busy week due to convention preparations that were put on hold for a week or so.  Food is being cooked and prepared, the tab is being cleaned, roads are being “scraped” but now they will have to be done again, homes are being cleaned.  Everyone is in a sorta controlled frenzy. 

Whitestone’s convention started yesterday.  I haven’t heard any reports but I heard that Wasilla’s and Sapa’s conventions were great.  Mark Coy took over some people yesterday to the Whitestone convention – Seth, May, Claire Wilkerson, Kerri, and Maddie.  Seth and May are staying for the whole convention.  Since Amaris flew in from Boston a day or so ago, might be part of Seth’s anxiety to attend that convention.  (He’s not really anxious, just …. You know)

Garth was gone for a week helping to chauffer the Ministry.  He arrived home on Friday night in time for our tab cleaning party.

I did want to mention that Donna and Dave Austin were recently visiting Whitestone.  They made time to come over here to visit and perform a small concert for us. I was looking for some links to share with you all, but I need to get going to service this morning so I’d better not look too hard.

Katie Crossin has arrived.  She is very refreshingly excited to be here.  Her mom, Jeannie, Andy’s sister, is here for a week. Katie will be living with Sis. Wenda Lawrence.

Seth Jepsen is back from Mexico. Not sure if he speaks any spanish or not...haha

Pat and self took Rob snowshoeing into the woods. It was windy but nice. The snow covering makes the trail smoother than it has been. The spring has been overflowing alot and getting onto the trail so it has been difficult to get out to ski and snowshoe, hoping the covering will last and the temp. will continue to stay where they are and not get unseasonably warm...

We are still searching out the reason for Rob's weight loss and high thyroid readings. Keep us in your prayers when you think of us. Keeping a balance between all his meds and supplements is always a challenge.

Well, I’d like to chat, but I better get moving.  We are doing well, Trotters and Masons are doing amazingly well.  We had a sweet sharing service on Wednesday where others that didn’t have time to share at the memorial were able to share.  Sarah Jane shared that she realized through this time that theChrist is very much alive in His people. 

Anyway, have a great week!  

A lovely musical evening with Dick & Donna Austin from Hoonah Alaska

Tony and Crockett clear our trails...

young and old help in the pre convention cleanup

SISTER REUNION IN SPRINGFIELD MO

Hi All,

With all the events and happenings here at Dry Creek, I totally forgot to post a short update on what I was up to BEFORE all these things transpired.

My brother in law, Don Burgess, passed away after a long illness and us Hanson girls decided it was probably a good idea to all converge at my sister Alexandra Hanson Burgess' family home in Springfield MO and spend some sisterly time together...

This is easier said than done since my youngest sis. Marina Hanson Alvarez lives in Buenos Aires Arg. I live in Alaska, and Karenza, our oldest sis. , lives in Texas. By a stroke of sheer good providence, miracle God workings and just plain "luck" I had enough miles (plus  some 
$$) from our Europe trip to make it and so we all converged in Springfield MO. As it happened Marina put her good standing and retiree benefits from the airlines into use, and was able to fly standby for most of the way from South America.

My trip was uneventful but for the 10 hours lay over in the Dallas airport because of the blizzard/icy conditions...I finally spoke some sweet words into an agents ear and she put me on the standby list and got me on the 10pm. plane...which got me into Springfield at midnight, rather than 4 pm as intended...but...all was well...

The best part is that I had my sister San all to myself for a couple of days...and that was nice!
Two days later we picked Marina and my niece Jessie up and then K and her friend Mary Summers arrived after driving 8 hours from Jefferson TX. K was in the throes of having just returned from our trip to Europe and then in the midst of a very busy Christmas season for the shop she manages - but was able to make it nonetheless..

We spend a lovely week or so with San and her family, a sweet time of being together as it was Christmas and New Year as well. The gift giving under the tree went on for days it seems, as somebody or something new arrived each day...San's two 5 year old grand kids, Tristan and Charlize, were happy for THAT part I am sure! There was always something xtra under the tree for them...I wonder what they made of all these older ladies - loud ones at that - milling around the house and stealing their precious gramma away from them!

As it is, Tristan kept asking us: "Are you my grammas sister?"...so cute! He would come into our bedroom and jump on the big bed and I think he enjoyed his eccentric great aunts....my niece Jessie and him got on like a house on fire, we could hear them whispering to each other over little games and cuddles, Jessie launching out into her English and conversing which was a very cool...

We were treated to a nice New Year's dinner hosted by my nephews Daniel and Benjamin and his lovely wife Jeshua. Sang songs around the coffee table and just enjoyed each other's company until it was bed time for the old timers (us gals...haha). At midnight we were duly awakened by somebody setting of a rather loud fireworks or gunshot or something...and then Dan called us to wish us HAPPY NEW 2013! Their part of the neighborhood had been clanking cow bells to bring in the year...

I was amazed at the large variety of thrift shops and antique stores and just LARGE Walmarts and other big stores which we do not have up here in Alaska...at least not in that variety. We shopped for all sorts of things. The antique store was actually like a large SAMS CLUB with bookhoodles of "stuff", statues, furniture, jewelry...an antique buff's dream...Ani would have loved it..I picked up an antique lapis-lazuli and silver pinkie ring and an original Murano glass ring for her at a good price...

A visit to BASS PRO headquarters was a must, and my nephew Dan was sweet enough to take me for my second visit ever (the first was when I had May, Ani and Rob with me in 2009), it was very upgraded and even boasted a live alligator... many good sales on so I picked up a nice Carhartt jacket for Rob at less than half the price of what it costs up here...

In the end we all  gave each other so many gifts that I had to actually purchase a new roller bag - also at a fraction of the cost - to bring up with me...good thing I had packed light so I only had one checked piece.

We even squeezed in a short visit to nearby Branson city (where Silver Dollar City is) and rode the bumper cars...what fun! Never had done that before...

A visit to remember and cherish down through the years...at times likes these one is confronted with the fact that our lives are "but a vapor" and one must try and keep chance meetings as gifts from above...just like Ani and my trip to Europe....things like that do not happen just because....God has a plan...Thank you Lord!

Thank you girls for making the effort to cross the miles that separate us... thanks San for sharing your sweet family with us, and hosting us so generously, thanks Benj and Jeshua and sweet Charleze, Daniel and Tucker (I want him for Rob! haha...) and Fi...thanks for sharing your little Tristan with us, he is such an awesome kid and you're a good momma..

Blessings to you all and may we meet again soon somewhere on the globe...let's keep updating and connecting with each other...life is too short not to!!

Love you all

your sis, aunt and great aunt...Gri

some farm news...

Hi,

It’s been so long since I’ve written a real note that I don’t even know where to begin.  I last wrote on December 14, so that’s been exactly a month ago!  A lot has transpired. 

We’ve been having some fairly mild weather this past month, mostly the temperature hovers a little above or below the 0° line.  Today, we are scarily above that line.  I heard it is raining in Fairbanks which scares me just a wee bit since I’m on my way there right now.  

Of course you all know and have kept up to date with the happenings concerning Rachel Trotter.  So many people here on the farm have been so great – doing laundry, cleaning, providing food for the bereaved families, making the meals for the events, setting up the memorial things, making a slide show, and so much more.  I was reminded of how much we can all do for each other and how when we share the load, it is so much easier to bear. 

Seth Jepsen is home.  :) Since Amaris’ grandmother became very sick, the Ramerizes needed to come out of Mexico to go see her.  The grandmother has since passed away so now the Ramerizes have to do all the things we just did.  But, because of all that, when they all flew from Dallas to Boston, Seth flew home! 

Katie Crossin, niece of Andy and Sarah Jane, asked to move here last fall.  She and her mom are due to fly in this week sometime.  Katie will live with Wenda. She and Rachel (cousins) were so looking forward to being together...God's plans are certainly not ours sometimes...

Also coming this week will be Mike and Clara Buerge from Partridge Creek,Canada.  They will come with their four children and will stay for a couple of weeks.  They will stay with Garth and Kim Millirons. 

Garth was supposed to leave earlier in the week, but he stayed home because of the recent events.  He has now taken off to catch up to the ministry who are already in Alaska starting the convention tour. 

Jim, Cody, and Tony flew with Chris Toby to Oklahoma to get him settled in a six week ferrier class.  Those three guys stopped off in TX for a few days before returning home. Gri met them at the Seattle airport on their way to Dallas, she was about to board the same flight the opposite direction... Gri had been in Springfield MO for 10 days - with her 3 sisters for support and fellowship after her brother in law, Don Burgess passed away after a long illness. She returned to Dry Creek the day we took Rachel into the hospital...from sadness to sadness as it were...

Kerri was pretty sick this past week.  When her throat started closing up, her parents took her to the doctor.  She has a bad case of tonsillitis and was put on steroids (to open up her throat) and antibiotics (to fight infection).  Hannah Mason was sick at the same time as her sister and continued to be sick on into the new week.  She went to the doctor and found out that she had strep throat.  Once they put her antibiotics, she started feeling much better. 

                                                      &&&&&&&&&&&&&

Yesterday the temperature ranged between 36° and 46° all day.  In Fairbanks, the roads were sheer ice.  It started raining at some point.  On our way home we alternately went through rain and snow.  Between Fairbanks and Eielson, the roads were very bad.  The radio kept blaring out warnings to just stay home and off the roads if possible.  School in the North Star Borough was cancelled.  Once we drove past Eielson, the roads and weather were still very bad, but that was only ½ as bad as they had been before. 

In the afternoon, I met Jon and Ally and Pat and Flo in Sams so we were kinda checking in with each other on the way home.  Pat’s tires were scaring him so he and his family stayed in North Pole last night.  Wenda went to Delta in the afternoon and went off the road a smidgen.  Just enough to need help getting pulled out, but not enough to hurt her or the car. 

Now, we have 19° and snow.  It’s probably about six inches of snow.  Maybe it’ll amply cover the slick snow.  And, I heard that Tok received a lot of snow too.

More later......