She Has Erupted

Have you ever wanted to see what a volcanic eruption looks like on a seismograph? Well, if you look closely at the above image, courtesy of the Alaska Volcano Observatory's page on Mt. Redoubt, you can see five discreet eruptions.

So far, we have no ash in Anchorage. Flights out of Anchorage and heading north, at this time, are not happening. As I have said before, ash and jet engines do not mix. Another interesting link to look at, again on the AVO website, is their puff predictor. What a wonderful tool! Please, Bobby Jindal, don't take it away!

I would post actual pictures from my house of the volcano, except after a week of gorgeous, crystal clear weather, Mt. Redoubt choose a perfectly cloudy day to erupt. We will just have to make due with webicorders.

Volcano Un-Erupted

Sometime the end of January Mt. Redoubt rumbled to life. It had been in state of repose, relative to active volcanoes. It hadn't erupted in many years. The national media picked up on it's activities. The state was at readiness for any issues arriving from an eruption. My workplace had contingency plans in place for routing aircraft due to an ash event.

We maintained this level of vigilance and readiness for over a month. Activity slowly quieted down. Here in Anchorage, we were feeling a bit of relief, but also kind of jilted. It was like getting all dressed and ready for a night on the town, then your date never shows. Oh well. The Alaska Volcano Observatory down graded Mt. Redoubt back to a level yellow last Thursday. No ugly ash for Anchorage.

Yesterday as the family drove to some friends' house, we had a chance to observe Mt. Redoubt. Hmmm....what is that large plume, going about three miles into the air? Ohhhhh....increased activity! We are now back up to an orange level. No one knows when or if Mt. Redoubt will erupt, however, with a level orange, there is a 24 hour watch on all the data and activity associated with this volcano.

Why would we need around the clock surveillance on a seemingly remote volcano? When Mt. Redoubt erupted in 1989 a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines 747 with 231 passengers flew through the ash plume. The ash took out all engines on the aircraft. Luckily, after falling for more than two miles the crew was able to restart the engines. Air traffic has only increased into Anchorage in the last twenty years. Ash and jet engines do not mix. So, we are back to wondering if we are going to get an eruption. If we do, I sure hope I don't have to go anywhere.


On another note, I am working with this yarn. What a lovely yarn, it is 80% suri alpaca and 20% silk. Yummy! The only problem is I cannot find anymore of it.



If you have any tips where I can find one more hank of Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Baby Suri Silk, dye lot #83406, let me know!

Cook Inlet -Turnagain Arm - Portage Valley Timelapse from Dennis Zaki on Vimeo.

Wow! This is such a cool movie from Dennis Zaki. He's a photographer and film maker over at the Alaska Report. Enjoy the water and movement.

Dinner with Lupe

I am trying to get back on the blogging train. I am deeply sorry and I humbly repent for letting anyone down. Gee, it's just been an extra busy winter. I have been getting Zoey to workouts with a high school team and homeschooling Vivi now, too. Why don't the high school workouts happen at MY house? Hmmmm....



A few weeks ago we had supper with Guadalupe, the godmother of my children. Her wonderful husband, Kelly, was there, too. She gave the girls their Christmas gifts. Vivi's is this fantastic pink hat. She will not be parted from it, now.



Lupe also unleashed her fabulous purple wig for all to enjoy. Needless to say, we had a grand time. And thanks to Lupe for the pictures. I had forgotten my camera.

Long Nights Moon

Welcome to the Celtic month of the Long Nights Moon! Gather your friends and family around the your hearth or kitchen stove, socialize, share stories and await the return of the sun.

Today I watched this Long Nights Moon rise over False O'Malley Peak, and found myself darn near run over on the raven super highway. Most of Anchorage's ravens were flying off to their roost in the Chugach Mountains. My camera and I were inadequate to catch their daily migration. Most were only ten feet over my head.




The moon was rising almost due north and on the other side of the house at the same time the sun was setting due south. I love this time of year, the stillness and quiet, at least when I can grab it!

Today is also the day in 1531 that the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico. Isn't she beautiful? I will light a candle to her tonight and gather my family around.

Sing the Praises of Charlie's Bakery

For many years after moving back to Anchorage I mourned for real Chinese food. I wanted to walk into a warm, steamy restaurant and see women pushing carts of char sui bao and ching fun. Alas, all Chinese food in Anchorage that I could find was bastardized and americanized, with gooey sweet and sour. It was all overdone and over the top.



Then, about four years ago a co-worker whose mother is from Taiwan opened a door to happiness for me. Ahhhhh...... Behold the lovely shu mai above and the subtle chicken dish that tastes like there is honey and five spices in the preparation.



And below are nicely sweet, savory and sour crystal dumplings! I treated the girls to lunch at Charlie's on Monday. There are no women pushing carts around like at the fantastic Fook Restaurant in San Francisco, but Charlie's is a slice of heaven in Anchorage.



On Tuesday Vivi had gymnastics. It's not connected to Charlie's in any way, except we all enjoy it.



Just a note, I was not laid-off, I took a voluntary leave of absence for three months so that a more junior agent would *not* get laid off. I am loving every moment of it and find that I have had even LESS time to myself. Sheesh!

How Time Flies...

One would think that with not working my wage slave job, I would have oodles of time to post. Actually, it has been quite the opposite.



I have been getting Zoey to all kinds of work-outs and range openings. I have been getting her to her play rehearsals. Yes, she is in a play right smack in the middle of the holiday season. She is a character in the Christmas-Yet-To-Come part of "A Christmas Carol." She is LOVING it. Check out the play...



I have been re-connecting with my friends, like Lupe.



I have also been enjoying the view from my house.



And not having to drive in the snow!