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Around Alaska's Mat-Su Valley with Pam Holen
May 5, 2008
The seagulls have arrived for spring break. They come for the first bugs of the season that are in the small ponds in the hayfields. As the hayfields dry, the ponds disappear along with the seagulls. Interestingly, our winter residents - the ravens - are nowhere to be seen. I’d probably leave town too if I had to listen to the constant shrill cries of the seagulls.
As the girls and I rounded the corner of our dirt road and started down the hill, the neighbor’s dog, a McKenzie River Husky, started barking at the top of his driveway. I was turned towards the right, trying different commands to silence his annoying howls. Sophie was off in deaf-land, trotting by my left side on a lead. Quinnie and Jessie were off-lead and outpacing me on their walk towards home. I caught a movement off to the left and realized there was a yearling moose less than 30 feet away. It was a “oh, $#@$” moment. Lucky for me, he was focused on the husky and busy chewing on willow bark. When we had safely passed, I turned and pointed Sophie’s face towards the moose. She didn’t bark; she didn’t flinch. I don’t think she could see him. She is going blind as well as deaf. We continued on our walk while I lectured Jessie and Quinnie on their new role – letting me know when danger is near. It is time they pick up the slack and start working for their walks.
The bonsai trees are coming out of the greenhouse. This is another step towards summer. The cedars and junipers will spend their days out-of-doors, giving me more room on greenhouse shelves for potted flowers. Tomorrow.. the elms join them!
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