The World Knows About Us

Finally, the world knows that we are about to explode. Only a week or so late, but whatever.

My email inbox was flooded with forwarded links to everything from CNN.com to nerdy scientific Web sites that I could not for the life of me understand.

But, the latest volcano verse: Redoubt is now blowing smoke (well steam, but doesn't smoke sound more appropriate?). The current level of alertness (Alaska Volcano Observatory's words) is still Orange. But, and this is a bit different, the Observatory folks are now saying that it is a mere matter of time. Okkkkaaaayyyy, so, when??

This is kind of like waiting for a baby.

Current ashfall predictions have moved the fall away from Anchorage, but, it all depends upon how high the explosion is to determine its trajectory, speed, etc.

It has been snowing hard all day, and I can only imagine the cement-like mixture that could result from a blizzard/ashfall at one time. Oy, better get out the extra strong shovels...

We, too, remain at some level of alertness. I am sure to your relief.

Orange Alert Readiness

Yukon sent the VA's Natural Disaster Readiness Standards via email this afternoon.
Apparently Mt. Redoubt is leaving no doubt about some sort of "volcanic event", whatever that means.

I took particular note of the "Prior to Eruption" standard that demanded that individuals "not go near volcanic eruption areas". Check and Roger on that.

We were also given instructions to fill containers with water. I am all out of plastic containers so I am using beer growlers (Fresh Beer/Fresh Water, it's all the same). I can all but guarantee that we have enough liquid to last more than the recommended three days...

Individuals and families were further commanded to use respirators and goggles during any ash fall to prevent any and all particles from coming in contact with the face. Bear did a fine job of modeling the procedure, should you be curious.

We are staying tuned to our NOAA Weather Radio for more updates, which we shall pass along if they are interesting enough.

Where Do I Go When the Volcano Blow?

I wonder how many people can say they have witnessed two volcanic eruptions in their lifetime?

Mt. Redoubt, 100 miles SW of Anchorage, appears to be gearing up for something. Just what, we are not sure, but the fact that earthquakes are rumbling beneath us and out in the Cook Inlet give a pretty strong indication.

I was in 6th grade when Mt. St. Helens erupted, and I still remember the ash piling up along the roadways in Eastern Washington. Darkness in the middle of the day.
We are all hoping that no respirators, plastic bags, and headlamps will be needed here.

We had a 5.7 earthquake last Saturday morning that swayed the lamps for quite some time. Yesterday the Alaska Volcano Observatory has posted an "Orange" watch for Mt. Redoubt, which means geologists will be staffed in their offices 24/7 until something happens. Or, more hopefully, doesn't.

Guess we just wait and see now. Should be interesting.
The photo above is from our flight home from Dillingham in 2007. Redoubt in all her glory.

Update From the Wolf Den

Wolf has called us for three consecutive nights now. After a long dry spell of positive communication it is nice to have the "Unknown Number" come up on the caller ID.

He received a wonderful birthday gift from our neighbors, an Origami calendar that has a "shape a day" on 5x5 pieces of paper. For our tactile son, this has been fun, and a great coping skill besides. When anxious, Wolf tends to be unsure of what to do, and something soothing and intense like Origami seems to provide a mechanism for calming down and focusing on something other than his anxiety. Nice Work, Neighbors!

There have been lots of "I miss you's" in our phone calls as well. It has been a long time since Wolf has seen anyone from his family, and I am sure he is feeling a little lost.

While we were chatting the other night, the CD player held a collection of Disney movie tunes. Wolf has always had a propensity for movie tunes, and one in particular. Yukon knew this, went to the five-CD collection and dug it out.

For three minutes, thirty seconds, Wolf had his song, and, perhaps, a lifeline.

The song?

From Mulan. "I'll Make a Man Out of You".

All Hail the Head

I am fighting the urge to bow down and revere my bathroom.

After months of demolition, renovation, and last-minute decision making, my bathrooms are done. In conversation with a friend of mine the other day, she said, upon learning that the project is finally completed, "Isn't it funny how excited a new bathroom makes us?"

Why yes, and I'll tell you why. After three years of sitting on toilets that either sway backwards or sideways, after watching water disappear underneath the tub when Bear splashed a little too hard, and after one-too many glances into the Hollywood-1970's style mirror/light combo, I now am up to par with the 21st century restroom.

I also am thrilled not to be staring at stains around the toilet from you-know-whos. My new floor hides things very nicely, thank you very much.

I continually walk by the door to the hallway bathroom and stop in vain amazement at our good fortune.

I'm not ready, however, for anyone to actually use the facility, lest it get dirty before I am done stargazing. They can go downstairs to the other 1970's potty.

As the mother and cleaner, I am sure I am entitled to this for at least a few more days.

Update From the Wolf Den: "It's Complicated"

If there were one phrase I could use to describe our family's journey since Wolf left us last spring, this would be it.

There has been little information I have wished to pass along these past few weeks, in part due to a recent trip to Portland, during which time Yukon stepped in to fulfill the role during two family therapy sessions. I will be honest, however, that I quite simply needed a break from Wolf and that which surrounds him.

While very well-orchestrated on my part in a credible attempt to make Christmas as positive as possible for all of us, December was nonetheless a bit stressful. A cancelled trip to Utah, explanations to family members and friends, the actual holiday itself, guests, blah, blah. Pretending "perfect" doesn't work. Anybody caring for someone can probably relate to my sentiments. Trying to keep up with expectations, I have discovered, is pointless.

Now that I am back and trying to catch myself up with my son's world, questions seem to prevail; inquiries that seem to have no answer as we ponder the present and the future for a young man whose childhood is nearing its peak with the real work of adulthood staring him square in the eye on the other side.

I met with a very wise person today who very succinctly reminded me, however, that no journey need ever be taken alone. Not his, not mine. That single step sure is a big one, though.

It Used to be Winter Around Here

Somewhere in Alaska it is winter. Obviously not here in Anchorage, where daytime temperatures have hovered near 48, and the nightly "freeze" puts us somewhere in the 20's. Feels more like spring, except that it is darker than the depths of hell without snow.

With today a holiday for Yukon, we decided to get outdoors, rain or not, and hike a local trail popular with skiers and mountain bikers during the winter months. Only a scattering of snow was left on the actual trail tread, and icy puddles took careful navigating in some spots.

However, the weather did provide some bonus features; lots of sticks for Bear to pick up and use as guns, easy walking for the most part, even a moose sighting. Moose are very happy now, as they too have a bonus of good browse a few months early.

We also did our part per Barack Obama's "Day of Service" request. Armed with a trash bag, we picked up wrappers, old water bottles, and even a lost dog bootie along the trail.

Bear was sent to bed at 7 p.m. for giving us lip regarding pickiness over what we were having for dinner. No argument ensued, so I am assuming he was appropriately exhausted from our fun day. I love the outdoors, for so many reasons...