Tlingit Cousins

Hello Family & Friends,

Exit from Alaska Native Heritage Center

We had our first overnight visitors! Kitty's first cousin once removed, Terry, & her daughter, Melissa, came from MN and stayed with us for a couple nights. Her father and my grandmother were siblings. Terry had business with the VA in Anchorage and it was a delight to see them again. They arrived Sunday afternoon and after dinner we drove to the Flattop Overlook. The views are always stunning. We went to Kincaid park and the Tony Knowles Parkway and saw lots of moose and some bear scat. Melissa and Kitty experienced the thrill of having a 747 fly right over them near Point Woronzof. There were the most heavenly smelling flowers blooming in the trees nearby. Part of the bank had fallen into the ocean recently, but was cordoned off.

Melissa, Terry, Kitty, & Farrell at Flattop Overlook in Anchorage AK

Terry & Kitty by Tlingit totem pole

An Alaskan Native Game

A gorgeous fur-lined Alaskan parka

On Monday we went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Melissa stayed home as she was feeling nauseous. Because Terry & Kitty are members of Sealaska there was no charge for them. It was very interesting. The architecture, dress of the various tribes, and sports were so unique. We learned so much. The "Watch out for bears" signs were a little unnerving. We will go again anytime family shows up. 

Front entrance

It was pretty much a one man show starting Monday evening as Kitty checked out with a different bug and spent most of the week in bed. She thinks it was the flu -- a bit late in the year for that but all the symptoms. By some small miracle I didn't end up with it -- that would not have been fun. Back as a team this morning catching up. There was lots of time last week enjoying the visitor flow through the Visitors' Center. We live in a nice house while the owners are in Hawaii on a military assignment. The sister of the man of that couple dropped in along with a good friend. We discovered that we lived in the same ward in Springville with that friend when she was 5 yrs old -- about 30 years ago. She rapidly put the pieces together. We knew her parents quite well, the Hullingers. At the same time, the woman of that couple is visiting her parents here (our landlord) and we were able to visit with her about the house and the yard.

Back flower bed

 As a horticultural person, I was interested in the plants in the yard she could identify. Good luck so far. I haven't eradicated any of the cultured species. The bane of a gardener in Utah is field bindweed. There are two weeds here you don't want to see. One is Devil's Club -- looks like rhubarb but has wicked thorns like super sharp silica spikes all over it. It grows in large patches and makes crossing impenetrable. The other undesirable is Wood Sorrell. It has a feathery fern like structure you would think would be welcomed. But ... it reproduces via spores and runners making it almost impossible to eradicate. I know these things because after 8 PM when we are done with missionary activities and the sun won't go down for hours I find I need something to do that isn't mind intensive. Working in the yard is my mental relaxation and balm.

Farrell taking a little rest in the late evening.

Of course, when done with that there is time to relax. This picture of me soaking up the sun on our back deck is at 10:40 PM. The sun was very bright -- enough to get a suntan. Sunset is at 11:32 PM. Who knows when it gets dark. And that's not all the good news. We are still wearing sweatshirts/jacket but we hit 70 F on Saturday after experiencing the 3rd coldest May on record in Anchorage. It was the hottest day so far this year. Typical daytime temperatures have been mid 50's. I had to finally plant the flat of pansies for her:)

Bedtime?

With Kitty's absence, I kept very busy between tasks. Progress on the temple site is quite exciting. Concrete forms are going in along with lots of wood and rebar. I was joking with one of the workers about how it looked like more wood than concrete. They are working on the third "bunk" of 2x12s - very intricate. Some of the footings are three feet thick and loaded with double matts of #8 rebar (1" steel) on an 8" square pattern. Then there are the upright pieces for the pony walls. You get the idea. We can no longer go down to walk across the forms due to the congestion. Now it is a wait for concrete this week. When I get some time I will estimate how much. In my devotional to the subcontractors this morning, I told them how much they were appreciated and quoting Elder Anderson from last General Conference that "the talented workers will see their gifts magnified" ... because of the prayers of the faithful.

By the way, Kitty has recovered enough to be fully engaged today and out on the site. I think she still needs to pick up some more energy. Good to have her back.

We love you and wish you all the best. #Think Celestial

Love, Elder & Sister Badger