Icewind's Ramblings

I'm still under the weather so this will be short tonight. Quick jokes: Ten thousand years ago, the first humans came to North America . They crossed from Russia into Alaska . Actually, they hadn't intended to do this. But they got lost and . . . . . . couldn't get their Berings Strait . A common misconception is that Alaska and the North Pole has Penguins running around everywhere. Alaska has Polar Bears . . . Antarctica has Penguins . . . They are Poles apart. There is a reason why there are no Penguins in the North Pole, the Artic or Alaska . . . Ice

For those of us celebrating this day of Thanksgiving and for those that may observe this on another time of the year, I hope everyone has a wonderful day. My daily prayer for many years has always had the partial lines of "A Soldier's Prayer" and includes: I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I am blessed! Here is "A Solder's Prayer" written during the civil war by an unknown Confederate soldier dying and written in blood on the floor of a cabin in South Carolina . This was given to me in 1982 by my friend, Max Cleland and is the back cover of his book, "Strong at the Broken Places" . A Soldier's Prayer I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might humbly obey. I asked for health; that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. ...

I'm not feeling well tonight so this will be quick from a story last September in Fairbanks. Flying Moose in Fairbanks JahJahbinks, a friend over at The Amazon Basin , Sep 12, 2005 - 9:42 PM posted to one of the members who had just hit a large animal. He said: "And remember do not try to avoid hitting anything on the road unless it's a moose or a buffalo." "It's hard to hit Flying Moose." Flying Moose Didn't realize that Moose could fly did you? Ice

This question was recently asked on my Amazon Basin forums. There were several funny answers and takes on this subject. Here is mine: I could not resist this. The straight dope on Prep H and baggy eyes Now the fun stuff . . . Preparation-H Hemorrhoid Cream - 1.8 oz. Preparation-H Hemorrhoidal Cream, 1.8 oz. (51g) tube - Large Size Helps shrink swelling of irritated hemorrhoidal tissues. Gives prompt temporary relief from the painful burning, itching and discomfort of hemorrhoids. Indications: Temporarily shrinks hemorrhoidal tissue and gives temporary relief of the itching, burning and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids. Directions: Adults- When practical, cleanse the affected area by patting or blotting with an appropriate cleansing tissue. Gently dry patting or blotting with toilet tissue or a soft cloth before application of Preparation H. What about the kiddies? Do they apply to dirty areas? Apply externally to the affe...

It has snowed here the last couple of days and we have about 8 inches on the ground so we are assured a "white" Thanksgiving next week. It is good to see the snowfall again and the days are continuing to get shorter and shorter. Barrow had their last sunset of 2005 last Friday and will not see the sun again until January 21, 2006. I have 2 projects starting there and will be spending some time at the "top of the world" above the Artic Circle over the next couple of years. In the meantime I wanted to share this summertime picture with you. I especially like this "dream cabin". It sits on a bluff overlooking Cook Inlet and Redoubt Volcano across the water to the right side of this view. The flowers are "fireweed", one of Alaska's flowers. There are fields of this everywhere in late summer and early fall. It is beautiful to see and has a nice "lavender smell" to it. Here is a closer view. "Dream Cabin...