Book Review

As an unabashed Alaskan, I review book set in Alaska with a critical eye. 

I can't help it. This tale of gold, manipulation, love and loss did the best job yet of portraying the real Alaska (other than my books since I live here and I'm not afraid to shovel snow). If you read Ms. Pace's Amazon page, you'll get the shoveling reference.
She did a great job with the setting, the plot was a good one as was the writing. A good book and one I recommend if you like romantic suspense.

I love cooking on a stove that's pumping out wood heat into the room. You can say what you want, nothing I know beats wood heat. Somehow, it warms a room the way nothing else can. An electric heater, even with a fan, doesn't quite do the job. Heating with electricity can find you with a bill that will nearly cause heart palpitations.

Gas heat is great if you can afford piping it in. In my case thousands of dollars is out of the question. So I stick with a fuel oil furnace and supplement with wood when the temperature drops below -10. A good compromise.
I'm not equipped to cut my own wood these days. Most of the time I get a cord (4X4X8) before winter sets in. My son-in-law helped me get my wood. I got a good deal because I picked it up. We loaded it and unloaded it at the house. Stacked it and after covering it with a tarp, I was set.
It's February now and the pile has decreased considerably. There's still a bit and I'm not worried, it is February which means things should warm up a little. And I have a backup plan. A pile of old junk 2x4s which I'll cut up with the electric chain saw should the need arise. Which I doubt.
I've used my little stove, and it is a small one by Alaska standards, to cook on this winter. It makes a mean pot of beans or a stew. I get double duty from it, lunch, dinner and heat. Works for me.

And we've gone from 41 to minus 10.

So we went from this less than a week ago, 41 degrees to this:

This is what -10 looks like. It will probably warm up a little during the afternoon. And I don't mind. I'm writing, have fuel oil for heat, food, chocolate and scotch. I'm good. This particular shade of blue, it is a little difficult to see in the picture, but it's pale-robin's egg I would guess, is only seen when its cold and clear. 
If it's cold during the night, it's bound to be clear. That is a given. 

There's a moose momma and a yearling hanging around my place. because the trees were never totally removed from my property, they tend to hang out here. I've got a lot of willow to browse. I've not seen them, but saw their tracks coming up the side yard and across the drive yesterday am. This picture is from last winter. But mommas tend to stick around the same places during the winter. 
Anyway, safe travels wherever you are. I'm going to start the wood stove. I feel like a shot of that special kind of heat you only get from a good hot wood fire. Stay warm. 

Port MacKenzie

I had the privilege of taking a short tour
of the facility last fall.
An amazing view not often seen
by the everyday person.
Because it is a port access is restricted.

Thank goodness the title of
Author/publisher carries a little cachet.
We have a view down Knik Arm
Into Cook Inlet and one
up Knik Arm.
I took some good shots of Anchorage
as seen across the water. Enjoy.  

Fireweed flowers have reached the tip of the stalk!

 

Those of us who live in Alaska know what that means. Fall is almost on us. A cold summer, I still kept the door open and let the fresh air in even when it was raining. I don't mind watching the rain come down.

I brought all but the geraniums in off the deck. It was too cold for the rest of my plants. And I'll probably close the upstairs window. I still have the heat off at night, it's easier to sleep.

That said, there are two new books to tell you about. The first is a new release from Holly Barbo. This one is killer! It practically throbs with action. I found it almost impossible to put down.

If you like historical novels, the Blood and the Barley is a different take on Scotland after Culloden and 1745. I do recommend it. Great story and well drawn characters. 

 

 

 Fall on it's way.

Until later, avoid the pot holes and never give in, never give up.

When the temperature gets above 65 and the sun comes out, Wasilla lake in downtown Wasilla is the place to be. The parking lot is too small so the surrounding businesses find the back part of their lots filling with those looking for a little fun in the sun.

We all knew it would be a good day when we woke up to sunshine and not a cloud in the sky anywhere. Better yet, since it would be nice far into the evening hours, people at work get to come home and take advantage of the great weather. Like the old nursery rhyme, Alaska when she is good is very, very good. And when she is nasty.....Well you get it.

Woke up to another beautiful day. And it's a weekend. Wow. Later all. Below is the view from the gym. I love the pink touching the peaks.This is from a few days ago before the clouds blew away.

The Eklutna Iris field has bloomed.

And the blooms have died off. But the wild roses are still blooming. The wild geranium and clover are next. We've had a lot of gray days and rain, but there have been some glorious days in between. The Alaska Scottish Highland games have come and gone. They were grand and great fun as always.
A little early rain fled and it got to be scattered and broken. I didn't take any pictures and should have but I was busy.
You see we did a give-away. Two baskets filled with goodies went to the two lucky winners who signed up and gave us email addresses. They will get a Paper Gold Publishing newsletter once a month. Nothing spammy or too often. That is too much work for me.
Busy hasn't let up one little bit. Galway Days is coming August 11 on the Alaska Pacific University campus. Come and joint he fun if you can. It should be fun. And we plan to do another give-away. Put us on the calendar if possible.
I'll leave you with another picture.