Icewind's Ramblings

For my friend Russ, who is on vacation now in sunny Mexico with his Rose , kicking back relaxing in the spa, drinking cerveza’s, enjoying the sunlight, and balmy breezes. It’s almost over now so the long flight back to your homeland, Canada will be with your favorite ready and waiting. I’ll pull a long Guinness and leave it at "The Tavern" for you, ready for your arrival. Life Observation # 24 I love defenseless animals. Especially in a good gravy, with a cold Guinness . Ice

We truly take a lot for granted. Forget the football "heroes" and movie "stars". Today I am reminded of a picture I saw several years ago. It’s one of those pictures that you never forget that is a reminder of the price of freedom. Thank you, to ALL the generations of valor. Caption reads: Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James of Dallas embraced Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr. during a Veterans Day commemoration in Dallas in 2004. Graunke lost a hand, a leg, and an eye when he defused a bomb in Iraq July 2, 2003. Today is the 65th anniversary of the attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor . That horrific event brought America into World War II, forever changing the world. Luckily, the world vastly has changed over the years. But the memory of that deadly Sunday morning remains, as well it should. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, speaking to Congress asking for a declaration of war against Japan , said it was a “day that shall live in...

Have an Ice Day! Ice

With this being that time of year that people tend to stress and wrap themselves into the frenzy of the holiday season, perhaps at this time of year we all need a moment to remember patience and good will. Even though Icewind is hesitant to put religious messages before you, the sentiments below are worthy, whether you pray to God or seek your own inner guidance. Oh Lord, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ou...

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some people just don't have film. Ice

Why is our National mascot trolling for tourist? It doesn’t seem to matter what time of year it is as they seem to be here all year long so if you want to see eagles, bald or otherwise, Alaska is the place to come for it. There is the Bald Eagle Festival in Haines and the “eagle lady” in Homer so if you want ‘em, we got ‘em and there’s an entire industry devoted to helping you see them. From beaches, rivers, planes, even your bed and breakfast windows there’s someone in Alaska willing to take your money and show you eagles. But sometimes with a great new industry there sometimes are a few problems. As time goes on and more people come to the great State of Alaska to see these incredible scavengers with graceful flight what is happening is the eagles are getting a little bit used to the tourists. Alaskans are a hearty lot with a great sense of adventure and a pioneer spirit and Alaskan eagles are getting some of that Alaskan entrepreneurial spirit themselves and are st...