Icewind's Ramblings

Alaska likes to do things quiet differently during the seasons of the year and during our “springtime” in the northland there is an event that is locally called ‘The Arctic Man’ . Officially billed each year as “The Arctic Man Sno & Go Classic” this crazy event in its twenty second year is a combination of downhill skiing and snowmobile racing, a wacky team sport in the wilds of Alaska . It is a week long event where over 13,000 adventurers head out in motorhomes, campers, and rigs (trucks) pulling snowmachines to a narrow gorge in the Hoodoo mountains approximately 200 miles from Anchorage. The Arctic Man takes place each year close to mile 196 of the Richardson Highway , near Summit Lake , Alaska , and this years is the second week of April. Despite the sometimes extreme cold weather there is a party you have to see to believe. The Arctic Man is a race for teams of two skilled competitors that tests the strength of an athlete and the horsepower of a snowmobi...

He who laughs last, thinks slowest. I’m glad to see the weekend as it’s been a busy week. It was so busy I did not realize that it was Friday the 13 th until almost the end of my workday. So much for superstitions today. Ice

Ideas are for the weak! Real thinkers have Observations. Over the last several days I have observed many ‘out there’ things in this world around us. Another talk show host was called for his comments on the air that took away the ‘moment’ for some women athletes. It’s about time that a penalty is paid for mistreating our fellow man (or woman). Now what do we do about all of the rappers and comedians who dish others without anyone calling them out on their words or lyrics? Several weeks ago I had jury duty and I saw a man with huge ears in the elevator. I mean he had really huge ears. It reminded me of Dumbo when I was a child and I wondered if he could fly. I saw one full-grown man pinch another full-grown man in the butt. The former winked and the latter giggled with pleasure. I did not know what to think of that other than its more fodder for the debate on same sex marriages and benefits. A young man was singing to himself while walking a...

I have a sick friend who is part of a gaming Community I play with and over the past several years her condition has gone through the ups and downs of long term diseases . . . the highs of being more healthy for a short period and the lows of many hospital visits or stays. It is extremely hard on her and her family as the medical community in our country many times fails those who contribute the most to that system. The countless paperwork and phone calls to hear some lame excuse about what ‘form’ is needed or some other doctors written statement before the needed medicine or treatment is carried out. It sickens me sometimes that we treat each other this way . . . people suffer and our system of medicine lacks the help it is supposed to give that most of us pay for each month. Luckily in our gaming Community there is support and people who care . . . not just in the virtual world but in our real lives too. This Community is about Friendship and Love . . . because...

The Masters Golf Championship The only thing worse than a quitter, is the man who is afraid to start. This is Easter weekend and there are so many traditions and events that usually occur this time of year. One is the kid’s faces waking up on Easter morning and seeing things that brighten their uncomplicated day. Another is The Masters , the special golf tournament founded by Bobby Jones that brings together the world’s best golfers for a trying week of mental exercise played out on one of the world’s most beautiful and trying golf courses. Bobby Jones once said, "Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course, the space between your ears." I enjoy the game . . . I’m not that good but I do enjoy the time outdoors. It has some great things to teach you about yourself that I always find interesting . . . how people score themselves . . . how different people approach taking that shot from 130 yards out from the green . . . the ...

A while back a friend of mine sent me a picture that I wanted to save until today. It is such a remarkable picture when your mind opens up and “sees” exactly what the mountains and lake is showing you . . . This is probably the greatest ‘holiday’ of the year for people of Christian faith and I will pass along blessings to all for Easter. I pray that everyone has a wonderful and love-filled day. Hopefully with family if possible but for many . . . that is not possible so be mindful of our loved ones in other places . . . and if in harms way, safe. May all of us be mindful of what Easter truly means - the almost unfathomable blessing that God has granted us through the resurrection of His Son. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written . . . "Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, Where is your sting?...