• Trip to ER - Early in the month Bob started to have dizzy spells one day and after a couple of hours of this unusual behavior he said a trip to the ER was in order, and quickly please.  So we called the ambulance and he proceeded to deposit all of the day's meals in plastic bags, helpfully provided by the lucky volunteer EMT's.  By the time the dust settled the doctors concluded it was a 24-hour virus or food poisoning - within 24 hours it was just a scary memory.
• Appendicitis - Definitely the highlight ('low'-light?) of the month. Judi woke up at 3AM with generalized side pains and by mid-morning she too decided a trip to the hospital was in order. By the afternoon the doctors were 95% convinced it was the appendix and decided an over-night stay was in order.  By the next morning the pain had focused in one spot and now the doctors were 99% sure, and out came the knives.  By noon Dr Sayer had done his thing, Judi was several ounces lighter and the next day they sent her on her way.  We were impressed by the professionalism of the staff and facilities at the small hospital in Homer.  We were quite thankful it happened here and now rather than in the middle of the Pacific or Indian Oceans!
• Medical trip to Mayo - Preceding Judi's serious medical issue Bob had his routine follow-up at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester (for a little continuity) and he was given a clean bill of health.  Next one should be in Alaska - Minnesota is nice enough  but too far!

Remodeling Begins - Our first gas delivery (200 gallons at $3.75/gallon) convinced us that a wood-burning stove would lower our cost of living (as well as carbon footprint).  So we plunked down a deposit and ordered a Danish Scan Andersen 10, and started preparations.  First a slate hearth (see left) and now a 4-week wait while the ship delivers it to Maine, then Nevada, then ... anyway, we wait!

Frontier Life? - We are not exactly on the frontier, but Alaska offers the opportunity to be close to it, and with the impending installation of a wood-burning stove comes the problem of FUEL!  Well, we rose to the challenge and struck out for our 'back 2' to look for downed trees - and found many since Spruce Beetle infestations have been killing the trees for several years (another side-effect of Global Warming).  With the help of strong backs, weak minds, a chainsaw and sledge hammer we were able to add to our stock of wood and feel quite satisfied with ourselves!

Wildlife Visits - One of the reasons we liked Homer and the country setting was the promise of wildlife visits.  Well the moose have been elusive so far but our birdfeeder has attracted a lot of attention, even getting a normally ground-hugging pheasant to fly up to our second floor feeder and chase the little guys away.

Impeachment - We continued to devote time to this effort with periodic meetings and occasional Saturdays of sign waving in the park.  Most people wave or ignore us, a few display other forms of disapproval, but we are good-natured about it.

The Snows Arrive - The locals had told us that it usually snows by Halloween, and as the goblins roamed the streets it was a balmy 40°F and nary a snowflake in sight.  By the 9th of November we brought back to the real world as the snows arrived and our front yard turned white overnight!

Faizel Reports -