If you're wondering why I report on the weather each time I write this journal, it's because I want to let the family know what's happening up here and I later toss this into my personal archive. Later on, (much later) after I'm called home, my great-greats can read these e-mails and see what was happening in our world. I've reviewed several diaries from people who experienced the early 1900's and 1800's and found their day-to-day activities very interesting. Gave my a snap shot of what was happening in their world. I actually plan to write a book series on a wagon train of characters traveling east for Oregon in the mid 1800's. I seem to get my best story ideas in my dreams, such as the two books, "A Coming Storm" and its conclusion, "The Final Challenge". The 2nd book is completed, but awaiting editing.
Patrick, Canaan's husband is still working in Valez, going into almost month he's been gone. Valdez is roughly 410-miles from here, I believe. He's helping in the construction of a new hotel and learning how to do these real fancy floors. Normally he works on sandblasting boats and massive fuel tanks.
Here's a few headlines you might want to look up- "Vice President Pence says it's time for the European Union to withdraw from Iran"- California threatens to sue President Trump over his National Emergency Declaration- "Man killed 5 people in Illinois after gun background check missed a former felony conviction. 5 police officers were also wounded.- "U.S. military starts flying aide to Venezuela by going thru Columbia...the man was upset because he was about to be fired." "Missionaries trapped in Haiti as protests sweep the country"- State Department denies Trump's top Iran envoy met with Former Secretary of State Kerry (Obama Administration), who is reported to have engaged in shadow diplomacy with Iranian officials - State Department e-mails records show that environmental activists , who have denied operating as foreign agents in response to congressional inquiries, partnered with Obama Administration to advance climate change policies beneficial to China, but detrimental to the United States- Israel Prime Minister meets with Arab leaders to combat Iran -
Anti-Semitic congress woman defames Jewish-American hero. And the world keeps going around.
Mona and I have started watching this documentary show on Netflix, narrated by the actor Will Smith. The full name of the show escapes me, but its something like This Old Rock...about our planet. Fellow narrators are 7 astronauts who combined have spent 1,000 days living on the space station, which is 250 above the earth. Some really wonderful photography and I highly recommend you giving it a shot. Oh, they discuss a lot of theories on the world's creation, but as I said the photography is wild. I know I've learned a lot about nature's wonder after only watching two of the segments. Reminded me of the docu-series, "This Planet Earth"- 7 episodes with some of the best photography of nature I've ever seen. No, I didn't watch the Super Bowl, they wanted to much money to watch the game. Susan talked about buying the house the NFL package, but I asked her not to because they wanted nearly $300 for it. We used to get the games for free on Saturday and Sunday- or like Monday Night Football...it was free.
I am on Chapter 7 of my rewrite for "A Political Action". I try to get a chapter a day, but on a long day I can stretch that in to two chapters. This is my final edit, then I send it to Susan. One of my main characters, an Alaska Railroad Investigator is loosely based on my old friend, Gary Wing. We did a lot of work together, late night stakeouts on illegal party houses, when he was working as the investigator for the Alcohol Beverage Control Board. He was looking at illegal liquor sales and I was looking at illegal gambling. He was one of the finest men I've come to know and a great investigator. His beloved wife, Mary, was also our family doctor. Oh those were the days when you could really trust your doctor. The one I have now doesn't talk much and is only a PA. I'm considering finding another fully accredited physician once I'm cleared for medicare...or is it medicaid? My state insurance company refuses to pay for anymore medicine until I apply. But, it's the drive to Anchorage and spending a long day in the federal building that has me waiting until spring. Winter roads have a nasty effect on my spine it seems and I dislike crying and weeping on Mona's shoulders while she drives (laughter inserted here).
The canines are finally out of their "heat", calming things down in the house again. 4 ankle biters all carrying on, shaking with so much nervous energy, makes me really glad we humans don't go through it. Could be worse, we could be like Vulcans of Star Trek and only think of sex every 7 years. That sound really boring, not sure how the creator of Star Trek came up with that. Maybe his wife was making him sleep on the couch a lot for all his mood swings while creating his different shows. Oh, "Star Wars" Nine is now ready for the theaters. I wonder if they'll wheel Luke in with a wheelchair, powered by the Force. Or did they kill him off in #8...can;t remember. I still remember standing in line for two hours at a Phoenix, Arizona theater to see Stars Wars # 1. Hated the line, but the movie was awesome. I think I have 1 thru 6 on VHS/DVD. Mark Harmon, the guy who played Luke...I think that was his last name, also made another movie about that time, "Corvette Summer". You might check it out, it was a lot of fun. Story is about his search for a stolen corvette he and his friends had built in auto shop, also involves a girl.
Well, it's work time. God Bless, BILL Have a truly great day.