Light and Petals

A Gerbera Daisy from my patio. It had just been watered and the afternoon sun was bright. I love to experiment with light, this shot is straight from the camera.

To see more flowers from around the world visit Today's Flowers.

Tide, Feather, Snow

Tide, Feather, Snow
A Life in Alaska

Synopsis

Alaska is a place where know-how is currency and a novice's mistakes can kill you. An extreme landscape in both its beauty and challenges, the state is nicknamed "The Last Frontier" with good reason: Here is a paradoxical landscape where boundaries—between community and isolation, bounty and deprivation, conservation and exploitation—are constantly in flux.

But the state has also always been a place for reinvention, a refuge as much for those desperate to escape something as for those on a quest for something else. In Tide, Feather, Snow, Miranda Weiss, a young woman who grew up landlocked in well-kept East Coast suburbs, moves with her boyfriend to Homer, Alaska, where the days are quartered by the most extreme tides in the country, where the years are marked by seasons of fish, and where locals carry around the knowledge of fish, tides, boats, and weather as ballast. At first, she struggles to make a place for herself in this unfamiliar country. But ultimately, Weiss learns the skills to survive on her own, from setting a fishing net to befriending the locals, from jarring rosehip butter to skinning a sea otter.

Weiss's keenly observed prose introduces readers to the memorable people and peculiar beauty of Alaska's vast landscape and takes us on her personal journey of adventure, physical challenge, and culture clash. In the tradition of John McPhee's Coming into the Country, this elegant and affecting memoir is nature writing at its best.

* * *

Review

I will admit right from the start that when I was asked to review Tide, Feather, Snow I was both excited and hesitant. Excited because I love books about Alaska, my home for a decade. Hesitant because I have read a few that turned out to be poorly written attempts to sound like an insider's impression of the state, this book is not one of those. While I lived in Alaska's largest city, my jobs took me all over the state, from Barrow to Juneau, and in contact with local residents. Many friendships were formed in those years and the experiences were many. But those stories are for another day.

One of the most exciting things about Miranda Weiss's book for me is that it takes place in Homer, Alaska which is a place I have spent time. From the first pages I could easily picture the locations and enjoy the details of this interesting little coastal town. But even those who have never set foot in Alaska will have the same feeling.

From the time she arrives in Homer it is not only a learning experience but also a challenge to fit in with the inhabitants of this close knit community. Newcomers arrive and leave so quickly in a place like Homer that fitting in is not always easy.

If you want a close look at life in a small Alaskan town this is the book to read. Miranda takes her readers through all of Alaska's seasons with the trials and tribulations each brings. Her descriptions of the landscape will have you shivering from the cold wind across the bay and enchanted by the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. She will introduce you to some of the locals, colorful, but down to earth in their own way.

Miranda Weiss's journey from East Coast girl to Homer resident is an excellent read. I highly recommend Tide, Feather, Snow.

This is a video I found on You Tube, it is Miranda Weiss reading an excerpt from Tide, Feather, Snow. It is also a little peek into Alaska life, hope you enjoy it.



I received a copy of Tide, Feather, Snow from Harper Perennial. I was not compensated for my review.

In Flight

Words are not always necessary, visit Wordless Wednesday.


For more great photos visit Tuesday Takes.

Color in the Sky

Even with all the flowers we have this time of the year there is nothing that stands out quite like the fiery display of Japanese Maple leaves. Those red leaves against a bright blue sky is one of my favorite sights in the summer.

To see more skies from around the world visit SkyWatch Friday.

Ducks - Wordless (Almost) Wednesday

Blue-billed Duck

Mallard

Wood Duck

To see more photos visit Wordless Wednesday.

And to see more photos visit Freda at Tuesday Takes!

The Silly Photo Challenge

Miss Cindi Lou Who: Hey! That's my ear. What is my ear doing on your Silly Photo Challenge post? My ear is not silly! I protest!


Hello All!

Welcome to The Silly Photo Challenge.

For those who are just joining us this challenge came about when my fellow blogging buddy Sandra aka The MadSnapper did a post and asked, "What is the silliest or craziest photo you have ever taken". We started talking about it and the challenge was born.

We are looking for silly, crazy, blooper, or just simple mistakes in photos. You know you have some in your files. You still have time to join in so go now and search thorough your photos.

To show us your photos just add the link to your Silly Photo blog post to the Mister Linky below. If you have any questions, problems or need help just leave a comment or email me (my email address is on my profile) and I will be glad to help. Please do not link up just to advertise your blog and spam links will not be tolerated.

The Challenge is open from the time you see this until Tuesday night so be sure and come back often to visit all the participants. To visit, click on the links below.

Ready! Set! GO! Let's see those Silly Photos!




The one that got away!

Don't Forget!

Just a reminder that the SquirrelQueen (that's me) and the MadSnapper (aka Sandra) are teaming up to bring you The Silly Photo Challenge on Tuesday, June 15th (that's tomorrow).

I will be posting Mister Linky tonight, you can sign on tonight or tomorrow. We are looking forward to seeing your photos. You can click on either of the buttons below for more information. See YOU at the challenge.

MadSnapper

Squirrel Queen

Squirrel vs Paparazzi

Uh, oh! It's that lady with the camera again. Maybe she didn't see me.

If I am really still I will become invisible and she won't know I am here. I wonder if holding my breath will help?

I'm not moving and she's still here. I'm getting hungry, I wish she would hurry up. And to make things worse my nose is itching. When squirrel noses itch they start to twitch. Go away!

Yeah! The silly peacock is showing his tail feathers, that will get her attention. Yep, there she goes! I'm outta here before she comes back.

To see more critters from around the world visit Camera Critters.



I want to remind everyone that the Silly Photo Challenge is Tuesday, June 15th. We are all waiting to see your photos.

CSN Stores - Watch for the Review

Have you heard about the CSN Stores? No! Well you really should check them out. They have over 200 stores with a wide variety of products. Looking for a small appliance or maybe a vanity for your bathroom? You can find it at the CSN Stores.


I know you are wondering why I am telling you this. Well CSN has asked me to review one of their products. This is so exciting because the CSN Stores have great products. With so many different stores deciding is never easy but it sure is fun. The item will be on its way to me soon and I will share my review with you when it arrives.

Dark and Blue

We have seen a lot of dark clouds this week and many have brought rain showers and an occasional thunderstorm.

But there were breaks in the clouds. This one looked like a window had opened in the clouds.

Some days the skies were simply overcast.

Some days a little more blue came through.

And one day, briefly however, there was a really blue sky. See any interesting shapes?



To see more skies from around the world visit SkyWatch Friday.

World Oceans Day

To sail on a dream on a crystal clear ocean,
to ride on the crest of a wild raging storm
To work in the service of life and living,
in search of the answers of questions unknown
To be part of the movement and part of the growing,
part of beginning to understand,

Like the dolphin who guides you, you bring us beside you
To light up the darkness and show us the way
For though we are strangers in your silent world
To live on the land we must learn from the sea
To be true as the tide and free as a wind swell
Joyful and loving in letting it be

John Denver, Calypso

Note: The photo is almost as old as the song. It was taken in the Gulf of Alaska before the days of digital cameras.

In the Clover

The bee flew away before I could trigger the shutter but I liked the clover blossom any way.

Get up close and personal with macro photos, visit Macro Monday for more.

Blackberry Blooms

A Silly Photo Challenge

Hello all, I have a Photo Challenge for you!

The idea came from a conversation with my friend and blog buddy Sandra aka MadSnapper. She did a post (click HERE to see the post) and at the end she asked her readers "What is the silliest or craziest shot you have ever taken?"

We got to talking about it and decided to have a Silly Photo Day Challenge! We are looking for silly, crazy, or blooper photos. The date is Tuesday, June 15th.

Maybe you have taken a photo and after uploading it to your computer you ask yourself, "Why did I take that?" (Yes, that is a photo of a rock)

Maybe the subject of your shot did not cooperate. Maybe your camera had the wrong settings at the time. Whatever happened we want to see it.

We know you are all great photographers but fess up, you have some bloopers in your files. Think about it.........I knew it, you have a few. Now is the time to share. Be sure to tell your friends too, let's get a look at everyone's bloopers and funny photos.

Once again, the date is Tuesday, June 15th. That gives you plenty of time to look through your photo files. On that date come back here and post your link so we can all see each others photos. I will remind you just before the challenge.

What do you think? Are you in?

See you here on Tuesday, June 15th for The Silly Photo Challenge.

Music in the Air

It has been a dark gray week with overcast days and lots of rain. More is predicted for tonight and tomorrow.

But when the sun returns and brings back the blue we are all very happy.

The clouds dance and the flowers rejoice.

And the robin sings his song to all who take the time to listen. Do you hear the music?



To see more beautiful skies from around the world visit SkyWatch Friday.

The Letter "T" for Alphabe-Thursday

Mrs. Matlock has given us the letter "T" for this week's assignment.

T is for Trees. Towering above my head with limbs reaching Towards the sky.

T is for Twosome! Two squirrels with bushy Tails Traverse the Tree for Thrills.

T is for Thunderstorms! Sometimes the Thunderstorms Throw hail our way. This little chunk is about the size of a Ten cent piece.

T is for Turtles! The Turtles Tarry on the rocks, not really a Threesome since there are four.

T is for Triplets! Posted only because they are Terrifically cute.

T is for Trees! I know, I have already posted a photo of a Tree but I like Trees.

That concludes my Thesis on the letter T. Thank you Mrs. Matlock, this was a Thrilling and Totally Tantalizing Thursday Theme. Please visit Mrs. Matlock and her other students for Alphabe-Thursday.

Ta Ta for now!



Hi All, I have been on a long break so please bear with me as I get caught up with my visits to your blogs. It could take awhile.