Icewind's Ramblings

As I continue my quest looking for the beauty of this land around the world I turn my sights once again to my home turf of Alaska .  I have been quite busy as summer turns to fall and the daylight slowly week by week drifts away.  Luckily there have been those that have taken the time to document these changing seasons and posted in the Anchorage Daily News pictures of our changing times.  Some are staff photographers like Bob Hallinen, Bill Roth, and Erik Hill while others are reader submitted like Anne Raup and Fran Durden. Enjoy this photo journal of Anchorage Alaska and surrounding areas during this ever changing time of the year.  Most of these photos were taken within a few days of September 22, 2009. Downtown Anchorage looking across a portion of Cook Inlet from the overlook at Earthquake Park – Erik Hill Geese taking flight by Russian Jack Park – Bill Roth Artic Valley – Anne Raup Bull Moose on Powerline Trail – Bob Hallinen Duck in Fall Colors r

As Robert Frost so eloquently wrote in 1920: “I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Ice

I love the internet as you can find almost anything with a few key words or a brief description.  There is information on subjects or topics from all walks of life and that cover any side or point of view about a subject. Example: Itchy Butt has much information with a quick Google search and trying to find a remedy could be found in of all places on Craig’s List.  Even Answers.com gets a hit! What a product to help you stop itching . . . Here's the text of one testimonial ad for AnaNOitch-D on Craig’s List: "Hello there, I bought two bottles of AnaNOitch-D to get rid of my rectal itching.  After just a few days of using this natural remedy the itching stopped.  Now I don't need the second bottle.  I paid $33 for it as you can see on their website, but I will sell it to you for $14.  If you live close by, you are welcome to come over and pick it up.  Please let me know.   Myra . " Now that's a sure sell if you suffer from this ailment. In case

Somewhere at the jumping off point at the north end of the earth . . . the edge of what's known.  Where I'm going is another plane ride away on Kodiak Island , where there are 3,000 brown bears and around 10,000 humans.  I’m going to look at a project there to bid work on the Coast Guard Base.  I’m hoping to find the time to explore this area as one may quickly get away from everything almost without realizing how fast you find yourself in no man’s land. I had flown into Kodiak Island a couple of years ago and had written down some thoughts and filed them away.  It’s funny sometimes how you come across a few things here and there that are bits and pieces of times past.  Do you also do this?  Put a few things on paper and put them away so that later on when you find them it will trigger a memory or event.  It is nice sometimes as the surprises they bring can almost put you in the mind frame as if you had returned there . . . if only for a brief moment. Here in Anchorag

I’ve had this one tucked away for many months now debating when to post it as I have moved away from some of my earlier funny but questionable musings.  But I do feel it is a subject that many experience but may never have thought to ask . . . Well that’s why I am here to help . . . your itchy butt expert who took two years of research without any government grants to give you this insightful information. Have you ever needed to scratch your butt in public but there were too many witnesses?  Well I have a solution for you for just about any situation. Icewind’s Guide on “How to Scratch your Butt in Public (without unwanted stares)”. 1. The Wall Approach - Slowly back-up towards the closest wall possible. Then, take desired hand & move it towards the itchy buttocks.  Scratch uncontrollably, until its better. 2. The Pants Approach - “The Back Pocket” carefully reach into the back pocket of your pants.  Slowly itch the desired cheek and act like you can not find the

It is hard to believe that this show has been on 19 seasons . . . Check it out on Thursday nights on CBS. This was one of the first “Reality” television shows and it is strange to realize what we have seen over those years . . . from winner Richard Hatch (the first evil) and the great retired Navy Seal Rudy Boesch who showed us that despite age we can accomplish anything on season 1 to Season 8 “All Stars” romance of Rob and Amber who went on to other reality shows like the Amazing Race.  Season 10 “ Palau ” gave us fireman Tom Westman a likeable man whose tribe won every immunity challenge.   Season 16 gave us “Fans vs. Favorites” which had interesting dynamics between those who had watched the show and thought they could do better than previous contestants . . . Parvati won that one. This season renews itself with a few fresh characters and infuses new life into the familiar mix of challenges and camp interactions.  This show is back to the ‘beach base’ program which lends its

I ended up going out of town last week and did not queue this one up to post while I was away so I wanted to get this one out now. My generation is slowly dying off. This has been another hard week to watch or read the news as almost everyday this past week someone from my generation has died.  This summer has seen many deaths from the ‘baby boomer’ generation. It may have come after a bout of cancer, a heart attack, or just a passing of those who brought music, laughter, or a great movie or television role.  It is a constant reminder that life is precious and to not miss out on living it while you can for you never know what changes may come in the future. To some old friends who brought much to this world, we will miss you and your ability to make us laugh, sing, or be absorbed in the drama on the screen before us. Patrick Swayze Henry Gibson Mary Travers This summer could come to be known as the summer when baby boomers began to turn to the obituary pages fi