Icewind's Ramblings

I was doing a few things in my garage yesterday when I saw something that brought back a memory of long ago. There are things that trigger some memory like it was yesterday and can bring a smile to your face. This was one of those times. Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far, away. Ok, maybe not so long ago, but definitely far, far away, from where I am now. It was 1995 or so, It was when I was living down south, Georgia, or perhaps even Utah, Somewhere back east (of Alaska) and west of I-85. A trip to one of my favorite restaurants, I know it sounds dorky, But yes . . . it was a bit of a scene still in my mind, these many years later. You know Cracker Barrel? Ah yes! Fried Chicken, Cornbread, Fried Okra, Dumplings, Pork Chops, and Pancakes, Yummy things I love best. Not to mention all the homey things you might, take home to your wife or friends. You know come to think of it . . . It might even be a Santa’s Wonderland of sorts, the Granny Rockers; checkerboard games made...

Working in the plumbing industry for many years and observing people I have noticed a few things. Some might say I either have too much time on my hands (mind) or just have a slightly twisted look at life. I tend to think it is just a waste to not think of the possibilities out there and to consider things that most may not have time to think about. It then is my duty to report my findings to everyone here. Most people (women) and a few men, especially those who don’t use a urinal, fail to realize the complexity of today’s modern bathroom ethics. Urination, not to mention defecation, in public restrooms always creates a paranoia in most people (women included) involving a lack of privacy. This fear is eased by finding of a urinal which is the farthest away from fellow “pissers.” Unlike the concept of infinity, this theory is fairly easy to grasp. It’s a man thing I guess probably started by the military in latrines with no partitions between toilets and urinals. Ever...

I was out of town the last couple of days on business. It was a fast trip down to one of our branches on the Kenai Peninsula . It is fishing season right now and the tourists and construction are in full swing with the activity of excited people wanting to catch fish. I am no exception but this was a working trip with an overnight stay calling on clients in the area. I had debated for several days before leaving whether I should pack a duffle bag with my waders, fishing pole, and some gear to grab a quick trip down on the river. The hotel I would stay is on the river so it would be easy enough to walk down the hill a bit before bed and fish. There is still plenty of sunlight this time of year so it would be easy enough to find some time after work. Then the reality sets in for me. If I do catch fish (a good probability) I would need to clean and filet them but I cannot carry a knife on the airplane. I would need to process and flash freeze them so they would no...

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head sadly and said, "I'm so sorry, your pet has passed away. ”The distressed owner wailed, "Are you sure? ”Yes, I'm sure. The duck is dead," he replied. "How can you be so sure", she protested. "I mean, you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something." The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few moments later with a black Labrador retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog and took it out and returned a few moments later wi...

We have many hiking trails and bike trails in Anchorage and the summer time brings out people from all over to enjoy the weather, a walk, and the beautiful scenery. The mountains still have snow in places, the wild flowers are in bloom, and the waters of Cook Inlet sparkle in the many hours of sunlight found this far north. In my travels I have found it interesting that you can spend all day wandering through the busy streets of Manhattan without anyone noticing you, and yet anyone you pass on a hiking trail will not only notice you but usually will pause to find out where you’ve been and where you are headed? The street is anonymous—people passing in a hurry to get somewhere else. There are far too many people to even consider engaging in a conversation. You would never get anywhere I guess if they did. Loneliness flourishes in large crowds. But I have yet to pass anyone on a hiking trail that didn’t stop and talk at least briefly. The camaraderie of the trails is imme...