February 2008

Homer, Alaska

February 2008

2008 Caucus - This is our first election year back in the US and we plan to be engaged in the political decisions as best we can. Alaska is a caucus state and, for the first time, they scheduled it on Super Tuesday hoping to be part of the decision rather than an 'after the fact' state. We attended the Democratic Caucus and it was exciting. For the 2006 election they had 20 people attend so they prepared for 200 this year because of the close race, and over 370 packed into the local Islands and Oceans Center - stretching the fire occupancy rules and creating a little chaos. We stood in the corner for Obama, and found ourselves with a 75% majority. Alaska is heavily Republican and they went for Romney, shortly before he dropped out - so much for having a say on the National scene.

Burning through the Firewood - By mid-January we had bought 2 cords of wood, and found that we were really going through it at a good rate. By the time we got another delivery (delayed variously by broken equipment, running out of fuel, and perhaps a little Sunday football) we were down to a few sticks. At the end of the season we'll show the savings by using wood rather than propane - we think it will be substantial!

Remodeling - Not withstanding our focus on the apartment Judi loaded up her brushes and tackled other areas - the Laundry Room did not escape and it now sports a brighter shinier color and she has other rooms in her sights!

Activist Stuff - In addition to attending the Alaska caucus we have been active in the local Bush/Cheney Impeachment movement. We expressed our disapproval back in March 2003 and have not changed our opinion. So we stuff envelopes and petition the local government - perhaps not much against the power of 'King George', but we try our best. In addition we have volunteered to contribute time to the city to implement its Climate Action Plan - however so far the city has not called, so don't know how serious they are.

If You Don't Like the Weather ... - Many locations like to brag about their variable weather, but the last 3 days were an eye-opener:

On Wednesday we wandered downtown in 35° temperature with snow melting all around.
At 4PM on Thursday we watched a weather front blow by at 30-40 mile per hour.
Behind the front was a blizzard that lasted 2 days, burying our driveway in 12" of snow and scoured parts of our yard back to bare ice - it snowed and blew 15-40 MPH.
At 5PM on Saturday the wind stopped and the sun peeked around the clouds.
Today (Sunday) it was above freezing and melting, so that it can freeze icy smooth tonight. Whoops!!

Police Beat (Homer Police do good work but the public does their best to make it interesting):

Feb 1 - A caller at 12:51 p.m. reported a man was panhandling in front of a local business. Police issued a trespass warning to the man and took him to another local business
Feb 5 - A caller ...reported a man was walking down the street and feeding crows.

Faizel reports: They didn't tell me how cold is was going to get on my walks. Where we used to put on a leash so my handlers would not stray too far, now they put booties on me and sometimes even a sweater (pink! at that). I guess I shouldn't complain 'cause when they forget the snow packs between my toes and it is really cold! I don't know how those dogs on the Iditarod handle it - must be all that salmon they feed them! Well, anyway I think I'll share a couple of pictures to show what they put me through, and what I really prefer to be doing.