It's Spring! Really this time!

Okay, so today I was in town for a while. And found out that it's spring.

The bringer of this joyous news? No, it wasn't a robin. It wasn't the sixty+ degree weather. It wasn't the flip-flops (rubbah slippahs), wellies and shorts. It wasn't that my skin is now a few shades darker than it was a week ago. It wasn't another Italian Soda. It wasn't flowers.
Wasn't even pussy-willows in bloom.

I saw me a gangantic RV, pulling a trailer AND another car. Yep. That's it folks- spring in Alaska has arrived!

Next scene: the tourists in heavy winter coats and hip-waders walking around with a forest of fishing poles and the likely hood of catching zippo fishsies.

Oh, how I love the ability to tell the season-changes in Alaska.

La Fontaine a la My Mythic Music Player

Last night, I finally accessed my Pandora account that a friend had set up for me. He'd told me about it weeks before- but I was terrified of opening an account on a site called Pandora. (Too many times of reading that myth, I suppose...)
So, he sent me a link, saying he'd set me up with one, and that he'd suggested some music for me already. All I had to do was log on and listen. And I'm so glad he did, and that I listened. My apparently electic tastes in music was appeased when it started playing Simon and Garfunkel, Loreena McKennitt, The High Kings, and Enya at me.
Then... a new singer... a new song...
And I fell in love with it. It was so lovely I couldn't describe it. (I was on Skype with Jhaniel at the time, trying my best and failing.)



I think I've found another artist I like a lot. And now I have this desire to go write poetry like this- even though I have no clue what she's singing about (other than a fountain)... I think it doesn't really need translation.

The Sun!

It was over fifty today! Huzzah! You have no idea how happy I was to sit on my deck in the sunshine and just enjoy the warmth.
Then I heard Houghton was at a balmy 92 degrees. In April. Wow. I'm going to die in August. (First day is in four months!) And I'm going to get tan. And have to wear light clothes. I guess no sweaters in August, eh?
The one problem with today's weather? I'm going to guess that it'll be gone by tomorrow...

Remember me when the west wind blows...

Fields of Gold- Sting

Chilling as Winter

Absolutely chilling...

Please spread the word about this new documentary- before we repeat the Roman Fall. Before the death of societies and civilizations, the destruction of countries and cultures.

Confused...

Maybe I'm confused, but I think it's cute.

We have four kittens- a week old. And I named them.

Flopsie...

Mopsie...

Cottontail...

And Peter Rabbit!!!

I know. I know. They're kittens- not rabbits. But, they are so cute! I want to put them in little clothes and write stories about their kitty adventures and then somehow how come up with the artistic talent to draw them... *sigh* That's not happening. At least I can write about them, right?

Making lists and checking them twice...

Things Linden wants to do in the UK:

• Go to the London Tower.
• Go to Westminster Abbey.
• Go to Bath.
• Go to a few concerts.
• Go to Buckingham.
• Go to Wales.
• Go to Scotland (with Hannah-jan!)
• Go fishing for Nessie (again with Hannah-jan!)
• Get her picture taken with a good-looking British guard to placate a few of her friends....
• Go to The Bird and Baby. Oh, I mean The Eagle and Child.
• Visit C.S. Lewis' home.
• Visit Austen's home.
• Forget her umbrella and run in the rain. (Easily done...)
• Say "Tut tut, it looks like rain" like Christopher Robin when it rains.
• Get a new Winnie-the-Pooh book.
• Reread all the Beatrix Potter books.
• Write three poems a week.

Things Linden wants to do at college, first semester:

• Go cowtipping. (Just kidding!)
• Keep her grades up.
• Pull an all-nighter with Andromache. (This'll be easy...)
• Have a swing dance. (It was Hannah-jan's idea!)
• Keep her title as the Library Girl.
• Prove to everyone that Alaskans are pretty much the coolest ever.
• Meet as many people as she can.
• Spend some time with her cousins... and grandparents! :)
• Collect leaves... and climb trees...
• Go on a motorcycle ride. (Someone else driving- at this point...)

Things Linden shouldn't do again... (Always growing...)

• Not write poetry after brain went into over-drive thinking philosophically about shades of reality...
• Read murder mysteries when she's cold and it's grey outside and her coffee cup is empty.
• Forget what she's doing and dump too much cream in her coffee till it tastes like caffienated milk.
• Dance to Simon and Garfunkel and forget where the table is. (Ouch...)
• Start singing in the car and moving to the beat... only to find out a bunch of people saw her driving...
• Try writing Arabic symbols left-handed and backwards.
• Call her friend's little brother Casanova. (Awkward...)
• Play music so much that she starts quoting it without meaning to.
• Write herself letters of admonishment and then find them five years later.
• Play with pencil, doodle on self, while not paying attention. (I really don't know how I managed to doodle on my eye-lids without realizing it...)
• Check if the milk is hot enough by dropping the thermometer in the boiling, frothing milk.
• Realize that all these things were done either today or yesterday... because it damages her self-esteem.

Tricked ya!

... said the sun.

He left us today. I was sad to see the return of the grey skies and loss of warmth and light.

I even had to wear a sweater that I haven't worn in over a month when I went into town this afternoon. And yet, I was still a bit cold. Luckily, I got to pay the coffee-shop a visit. Unfortunately, I didn't get myself another Italian Soda as I doubted the sanity of buying a cold drink when I was already chilled. So, hot coffee was the option for me. And, of course, writing in my notebook. That activity always seems to warm me up. (It makes the happy endorphins flow...)

I hope it's back tomorrow. I'm missing it. And we need the sun to melt the snow and make the flowers grow.

Italian Sodas

Today, I celebrated the coming of real spring and warm weather.

I went to Kaladi's and bought myself a cherry Italian Soda and drank it outside in the sunshine! It was the first Italian Soda of the season, and I'm very happy with how it tasted just as good as my memory of August's last Italian thought it was. The sun was glorious. My face was really warm, and I might start getting rid of my blinding white skin.

However, I spent my evening at the high-school, playing for a mid-school mass choir concert. Surprisingly, it went much better than most Junior and Senior School concerts. The guest conductor was amazing, even if we did amaze him at the talent instrumentalists in Alaska actually possess. It got me thinking... eighth grade, for me, ended five years ago. It's funny all the things that have changed in such little time.

Of course, my love of things staying the same reassured me. At least Italian Sodas have remained the same delicious, sweet, highly-caffeinated things they were when I was thirteen.

The Social Oddball...

The home-show went well... it was long, but I got to see a bunch of people! :) And that's always a good thing. Plus, I entertained myself with the thought that Theophilus will be home in 16 days.

Today, at the library, I realized that there was a bunch of bright light on my page. And so I started looking around. And then this amazing thing happened... I looked outside and saw this really shiny yellow thing up in the sky, which had changed colours. (It was blue! How strange!) Hm... would that be the sun, that thing they're always talking about in books, that which I remember seeing in New York and Indiana? And it was warm! Then, I noted that in my book, Christie described a blue sky.
Oh. I guess it's not that unusual.
And here I thought I was so special.
I guess I'll have to get used to warmth, sunshine, non-grey skies, and good weather. Weird. Hunh. Do they have any needs for rubber boots down there? I love rubber boots. And mud-puddles. Here's to hoping for break-up!!!

Then, when I'd finished my book, I checked it back in, and checked out another Agatha Christie (A Poirot this time, I think...) and a Simon and Garfunkel CD. The librarian, Jeanette, kinda looked at me with a half smile.
"So, how exactly do you fit Sounds of Silence, Agatha Christie, and Arabic Script books together?"
"Um... well... I like the first two. Sounds of Silence is nice to listen to, Agatha Christie is like mind-candy, and I need to learn Arabic letters..."
Terry interrupted, "Oh, you know, it's just that she's a home-schooler. She's just different. I don't think she's ever been anything but herself."
"Obviously, if she uses Agatha Christie for mind-candy."

Yes, dear readers... I apparently am myself, no one else, and somehow, being home schooled is a convenient excuse for my socially unusual tastes and behaviour.
At youth orchestra, I attempted to tell of these woes to the conductor, who's known me since I was five.
She laughed at me. "Those librarians don't know the half of your oddness! You've always been yourself, marching to the beat of your own piper (you didn't want a drummer)."
I guess pity isn't available to oddballs who have strange ideas about mind-candy reading.

Now, I'm going back to listening to the echoes of silence...

Heavy Sigh

Tomorrow, I have to go to a home-show. (A weekend for home and building salesmen to advertise.) It's the not a weekend I look forward to.
We, my father and I, set up our display for the year... and it's going to be a long two days.
I don't think I'll post tomorrow... as I'm expecting to be tired, most likely with a headache to boot.
Ah well, everyone else, have a wonderful, restive weekend!

Spring!

Spring is coming. It's here, actually.
I sat out on the swing for a long time today. (Was I really napping? O.O) The sun was out. It was pretty... The birds were all singing.
Then I saw a robin- which is the sign that spring is definitely here!
Later on, I went splashing around in the mud-puddles and returned a bit of me to my childhood.
However, I came in when the other sign of spring came.
I forgot how much I hate misquitoes.

Protesting

Mum and her sign... :)

Mother and daughter out protesting together! (dad was the camera man!)

You bet I got a lot of responses...
I love my sign.

Oh, I'm a Rambling Reader...

Wait! That's not how the song goes!
Hm...
Oh.

Hi!

Yes, I am supposed to (by my own self-imposed ideas...) be doing a Day in My Life today, but I'm too tired for that. Plus, my day was by far not interesting and would bore everyone to death.
The good news for today? Well, Theophilus will be home in about three weeks... I think he said it was seventeen days till his last day of school. That means summer. (And I'm trying not to be nervous about how much I really really need a job...)
And... I've started on that mending pile I've been putting off for forever. Didn't know I hated sewing buttons back onto shirts this much. Could be because I haven't done it in so long...
Plus- I found more Gordon Lightfoot CDs, and the librarians called me to say they just got some Simon and Garfunkle and Loreena McKennitt CDs in. (I know what I'm getting next time I'm at the library!) Oh, and there's an Agatha Christie book in my backpack, just waiting for me to be fully finished with those Arabic script books.
Jhaniel- I know you said not to worry, but I'm thinking about making you a CD anyways... :)

'Sushush

Today, when I went to the library, there was this little girl with a halo of wispy blond hair watching me. I gave her a little smile and then got back to reading how to make the Arabic letters over again. (I'm getting to be a perfectionist, I think.)
Then I felt this tugging at my sleeve. "Yes?" I whispered, looking up the see the little girl.
"Sushush. Can you help me?"
"Sure... what?"
"I need to put these books away, and I want a story about a moo-cow."
I walked her over to the kids' section, set the books away and gave her a couple of "cow" books. As I sat down, she scrambled up next to me. "Will you read them to me?"
"Okay..." I read them very quietly to her... she smiled so sweetly. At the end, she thanked me, and told me that her name was Brooklyn Jean. And she was three. And she liked cows. And I was pretty and what was it that I was writing? Did I have sisters to read to at home?
"Oh!!! There you are Brooklyn Jean! I'm sorry if she's been bothering you...." a woman interupted.
I assured her that there was no problem, and they both started to leave.
"Bye!!!" Brooklyn Jean waved at me...
"Bye!" I waved.
"Remember though, 'Sushush! This is a library!"
Looks like someone took over my post as the library-susher.

While You Were Sleeping

My computer isn't loading YouTube right now, or I'd just post a video. Instead, I'll leave you with the lyrics to the song that I wanted to share...

While You Were Sleeping
Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed
While you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him
in the world He came to save
Jerusalem, what you have missed
While you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
America, what will we miss
While we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
Tonight...

-Casting Crowns

Holy Week and Snow

It's snowing here, so the world is covered in yet another layer of white. But just a moment ago, the sun lit up the world- streaming in through the window.
It's rare that the sun shines while it's snowing. Just a few minutes ago, the sky was dark and cloudy.
Somehow, it's rather like Good Friday, Easter, and Holy Week.
Holy Week... the week of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. A long, dark week of remembrance that ends somehow in one of the most joyous, beautiful holy days of them all.
Holy Week is like the snow, falling, amidst the dark clouds and snow. But the sunlight is that remembrance of what will come after - the light of the Resurrection.

Next Year in the New Jerusalem!

Last night, we had a Seder Meal (Passover) at our church. We have it every year, and as usual, I came home with a headache and didn't blog because of it. But, at the end of the meal, there is the benediction, and the "family" (the whole congregation) responds "Next year, in the New Jerusalem!!!"
While saying that line, I remembered the movie, Chariots of Fire, with the beautiful song, Jerusalem. Hm. Oh, and that reference book that I found at the library (don't look at me like that!) about London.
About how some people, mostly immigrant Jews, nicknamed London "the New Jerusalem". And how William Blake wrote that poem "And Did Those Feet In Ancient Times" about that, later to be set to music.
So, next year, I'm going to be remembering Holy Week in London. The "New Jerusalem." For me, that was just the coolest thought ever. I know, I'm a dork!

Fun Times!

So, yesterday, I got a call from Andromanche, telling me that she's decided on HC- as have I!!! Yes, this means I'm going to be rooming with my best friend.
I wonder if the college will know what hit 'em. Should we warn someone? We've already started planning what we want to do together- shopping, hair, classes, etc. Oh yeah, and I'm planning on taking her home with me to meet the whole family for Thanksgiving. (Andy, just so you know.)
Yeah, blogging in autumn may be just a little bit crazy. But it'll (hopefully!) be a bunch of fun.
Then too - all times with Andy are fun!!!

Sisters for Ya...

Sisters: The people with the goofiest smiles...
Sisters: Always looking into what you're talking about, what you're doing...

Sisters: discovering the world, side-by-side.

Yep. That's sisters for ya!

Looking Back (Tink)

After my post on Thursday, I decided to post photos of Tink too. There are so many, it was hard to decide what to post. But, I chose a few of my favourites.

Milk-coffee, mostly milk... one of the best things ever. The girls begged for it. And looked so cute, trying to be grown-up and drink their coffee... I miss making it for them.

Watching her grow... up, up, up!

Honestly, this is one of my favourite photos of Theophilus.

Petting zoo time!!!

I agree with her shirt: Sweet.

Somebody turned four in September! (yes, I remember when she was in a sling on my back and barely talking!)

Mum and Tink. I love this photo. (Yes Mum... I think it's wonderful.)

Okay. So I liked taking photos of Mum and Tink together. Her shirt says it all "I've been very good lately." I memorized that sometime during the countless laundry loads.

Yes, she was Mum's little Inuit baby.

How can you refuse such cuteness? Sunshine Stormcloud!!!

Even if that does mean that she got to wear my hats more often than me. And look better in them. Harumpf. It's still mine.

And this one... taken last June. Right after they came back. Sometimes waiting for Mum at the store was long and boring, but some of the cutest photos were taken then... And this is the best of them, I think.

Looking Back (Belle)

I downloaded all my files off my computer yesterday, after condensing most of them. So, now my computer has nearly nothing on it- we are giving it back to the program which we were in while I was in school. But I couldn't help but drift a little in my memories as I went through file after file of photos from the last two years.

We had some crazy good times...

I miss my Princess... who will be seven in June.

I remember making her and Tink matching pink 1950's aprons. Pink was nice, the flowers were cute- but as Belle said "Polka dots are still the ultimate in adorable."

Sometimes, the waits in Sherwood were long, but we made them anything but boring. I bet there's some fossilized pretzel hiding in there somewhere.

We never had warm days on the beach, but that didn't stop us from having fun days on the beach- much more important, if you ask me!

And there was always sisters to make life interesting! Tink was my little Boo... the Sunshine Stormcloud.

But some days, we had enough warm weather to sit outside, on the deck, and eat peanuts.

Slowly, all my files disappeared. But my memories are all still there. And this photo always reminds me to smile.

Words and Naming

"It is a word. Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power,
words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring
tears from the hardest hearts. . . . But a word is nothing but a painting of a
fire. A name is the fire itself."

-Name of the Wind


I think this quietly summed up part of the reason why I love words and languages. And naming everything and everyone.
Naturally, I was very happy when my favourite character (however minor he might seem to be) said this. I was grinning like the Cheshire Cat through that whole passage, and these lines have stuck in my head and refuse to come out. So now I'm sharing them.