This past winter our temperatures here in South Central Alaska reached -30 below zero. In between we had LOTS of snow and 40-60mph winds for most of the winter months.
I went to the grocery store on one of those terribly windy days, and as another woman and I blew past one another in opposite directions, I screamed above the wind, "Why do we live here?!" She screamed back, "We live here for the SUMMERS!" Once we were safely tucked inside of our respective areas, she in her car and me inside the store, we both turned and waved at one another. I thought, "she's exactly right. We are here for the summers."
Just three weeks ago, we had another snowy day, and today it is instant summer. These Tiger Lillies are the first flowers to bloom in my garden this year. Everything is in bloom and the air smells so fresh and clean. The growing season in Alaska is short and ever so sweet, so everything grows fast and huge. Such a privilege to live in a beautiful place like this. It really is the Last Frontier in America. I came here in 1982 after high school and kind of got "stuck" here.
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Our winters are loooooooooooooong, but we usually do not get as much snow as they do in New England where I am from. This past winter, we were buried in snow however. Now that the winter has past, there are mountains to climb and trails to explore this year.
Maybe we will climb another glacier this summer, but whatever it is, we will be active and outdoors. It is completely normal up here to be served dinner at 10 or 11 p.m. as the sun is up and no one wants to go inside. The sun gradually makes its way around to rising in the Northeast and sets in the Northwest. Between now and June 20th, our days get longer by 3-5 minutes each day. June 20 & 21 are our longest days of the year, then we start losing 3-5 minutes a day as earth travels patiently around the sun in obedience to God's command.
God has been so very good to my sons and me as we are starting life anew. Such a blessing to be surrounded by the beauty of this place as we recreate our lives together. Wherever you live on this earth, hope your summer this year is full of happy memories, good times and good friends. Hope your days are active, productive and full of joy! Wherever you live, and whatever you do this summer, make it count. Get UP, get out and make some memories with your loved ones. This is the only 2017 you will ever have, make it a great one!
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