Flyfishing and longer days

The days are getting longer and we are currently experiencing nice weather - sunny, low 50's (and a little windy). Daylight today is: 18 hours, 22 minutes and 12 seconds. Mary was heard to say today at 5am - there is so much light in the room already. I have made a couple of my ritual afternoon trips to the small boat harbor to check out the fishing haul. The halibit are still small and the boats are coming in later than usual but it is a nice way to pass some time. I am waiting patiently for the Sockeyes to come in - should be any day!

Mary and I took a flyfishing class last weekend. We spent the weekend at a lodge in Sterling (just outside of Soldotna) where the class was held. We learned all the basics of flyfishing - rod, reels, fishing line (hollow), fishing leaders (tappered), the basics of casting, and types of flies. My brain was full by Sunday afternoon.



Mary is demonstrating the classic flyfishing cast
The river is currently closed so that fish can spawn. So we practiced casting in a park next to the river. I can hardly wait until June 11 when the river opens again.

This the view from the lodge - it is on Longmere Lake

Bunnies and Playgrounds...

Nikan and Bruno longing for bunnies stew. From time to time the bunnies are out back - the boys generally bolt out the back door, racing to the right hoping to find bunnies. Nikan almost got one the other day. A couple of weeks ago the community came togeather to build a new playground for the childern of Seward. This was quite the undertaking - as the "PARKS group" began the raising of funds and designing the play ground in October. They raised approx $22,000 dollars. The play ground was build in 7 days entirely by the community. This is a picture I took during the building.

Sharing a moment...

At the school board meeting tonight (held in Seward) I was honored with a "Golden Apple Award" for outstanding service to the district. I wanted to share the moment by placing the text that was read at the meeting on the blog. (I also got a "Golden Apple" that says KPBSD School Board recognizes Ginger Blackmon for Outstanding Service.) Ginger

Ginger Blackmon

Golden Apple Award

May 5, 2008

The role of principal is more than just interactions with students and staff. For Seward High School Principal Ginger Blackmon, it also means involving parents and the community in education.

"She is a breath of fresh air and a dynamic, innovative thinker and administrator. Her efforts to re-establish academic excellence in our school should not go unnoticed," said Seward parent Catherine Bishop.

In her two years at Seward High, Ms. Blackmon has made academics the priority and is dedicated to maintaining an orderly, positive environment for students by being visible and accessible to students, staff and parents.

"She is willing to listen and problem solve - no matter how small," Mrs. Bishop said.

Ms. Blackmon is not only available to help, she seeks out opportunities to do so. She has met with the Seward community to discuss ways to improve Seward High and has actively sought parental involvement in the school.

We, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education, are proud to recognize Ginger Blackmon for her efforts to make Seward High an inclusive, engaging and rigorous environment that is integral to its community.

Bike for Women

Spring has finally arrived. We are getting a nice mix of sun and rain, flowers are blooming and this school year will draw to a close in a little over two weeks. Last weekend I was scheduled to compete in a triathalon here in Seward but illness kept me on the sidelines. This weekend I was heathly again and competed in the Bike for Women. It was a time-trial race (my first "bike only" race) - meaning riders leave the start line one at a time, at 20 second intervals. You compete against your actually start time - rather than one start clock that hinders you if you are at the back of the pack.

I got lucky and left number 170 out of 500 hundred riders. It was an easy 9 miles (Ha! Ha!)...hoping for a flat course...I was disappointed - as I made the hairpin turn out of the parking lot I quickly came upon a hill, going down. Nice - until I took a moment to realize that same hill, going up, was the approach to the finish line. The ride was 9 miles of up and down - only 2 major hills that tested my will (and my lungs) but...all in all I am very happy with my first bike race. I was hoping to finish in 35 minutes (on a flat course) - finish in 41 minutes with the hills. I also held my own in having only a hand full of people pass me - and I passed a couple myself.

Mary was a very good sport as my cheering squad - particularly because we went two hours before my start time. On a final note - things are good. Mary and I are getting excited about our weekend fly fishing class coming up in a couple of weeks. And it seems we may be going to see Elton John in concert at the end of the month. Stay tuned for more news soon - Ginger

Pug Poem

Someone found this in a copy of the pug dog club magazine form a couple of years ago and posted on pug rescue Alaska email:
What is a pug.
A pug is a friend when you're lonely
A sleep-soothing rumble at night
A ravenous meat-eating diner
And always a constant delight.
A pug is a star when you're shopping
A magnet when out on the street
A maker of friends and admirers
And greeted as "awfully sweet!"
A pug is a voice when you are listening
A grunter of many a pitch
A lip smacking yum-tum when eating
A bark that is musically rich.
A pug is a cuddle that's wriggly
A much-licking lovable lump
A sprinter with vertical take-off
And lands on your lap with a bump.
A pug is a clown when you're gloomy
A great teamster in pug-of-war
A chaser of moths and all flyers
And opener of many a door
A pug is fine hair on your trousers
An alarm clock that heralds the dawn
A yapper when out in the garden
And why on earth was it born!
So, what is the pug is the question
Not perfect, as well you can see
I can't answer the question for you
Just that a pug is the one dog for me!

Now you know why we are crazy about our pugs! Mary

Current Happenings...

Hello all,

It has been a while since my last update, mostly because it was to sad to continue to post "Yes, it is still snowing." It looks like we may have gotten the last of winter. The last few days have been sunny and warm (hit 50's in Anchorage yesterday).

There are 4 1/2 weeks of school left and fishing season is so close I can smell it. Restaurants and businesses in Seward have begun to open for business and tourist will be invading before we know it. There are already a few motorhomes do at the bay (and there is still snow and ice in the campground parking lot.) Mary is doing well in Anchorage, likes the "city" and all it has to offer. We have passed the 15 hour mark for daylight. Last night it was after 10pm before darkness set in.

I will be doing my first triatholon of the summer this weekend in Seward. Bruno joined me for my morning run. Finally, he is calm and resting - check it out!

Bruno - so tired he can't hold himself up

Bruno - he didn't even break a sweat during the run. No tongue hanging out or anything. Of course it was in the upper 30's during our run.

(We don't see this "sleeping position" very often) :-)

No - Spring Is NOT Here!

So...we had a blizzard on Saturday (lots of snow) and got a foot of snow today - I hear more is on the way. For some silly reason I thought April would mean Spring weather. Trying not to sound bitter about it all - but I am pretty much over the snow right about now. It seems we either have snow or warm summy weather - sometimes in the same day. (Like today)

We are up to over 14 hours of daylight and still gaining 5 minute and 43 seconds a day. The pictures were taken tonight out my front door at 9:35pm. It is also light now when I wake for work - YEA!

Hope all is well - Ginger