The Eels are close - maybe they will get some here this year

The annual Eel harvest is similar to the annual smelt harvesting in the Kuskokwim area: both happen within a few days once a year, both have the people buzzing with each other over where they are and when to expect them, but that is where it ends. Smelts are small fish, eels or lamphreys are well....eels. Smelts come in the spring right when the ice leaves the river and eels come in the fall after the first ice floats down the river. Smelts are on the Kuskokwim and eels travel up the Yukon.

There are many ways to cook eels. Some people bake them, some make eel soup. I have never quite gotten my mouth and stomach used of the taste of eels.

Grandpa may not make it to 92

This fall has been plagued by sickness here and in the region. I am thankfully recovering from a positive strep sore throat infection thanks to the wonderful, yet very prickly penicillin shot. The day before I had it I was shivering in bed so badly in the morning that I made a nice cozy fire in the stove and had everyone complaining about the heat as I bundled up yet another blanket and fell into deep sleep. It took a few days but my body and mind recovered - I really should say is recovering. Sadly I am not the worse case scenario in the family. My grandpa has not been feeling well, his heart is weakening. My extended family is here, well most of them to give comfort and support to him in this difficult time, of which I am thankful he is able to receive. One thing he told me recently was that he worried that he would "leave you in a bum way." He meant dying suddenly, without being able to say goodbye and have everyone emotionally ready for his departing this life. The old folks interpretations of good or bad always leave me pondering about life in so many ways. I am thankful his wishes have come true, he has had a long life with a large family. Not many people can say "My grandfather has lived to know my granddaughter." Still, it will be hard to see him leave. I pray that he finds peace in knowing we love him and will support each other to continue on our own journey with him near because he will always be close to our hearts. I have posted a picture of him with most of my father's lineage. I don't think we would have a way to get everyone included if we were all here. We would have needed a panoramic photo taken. Only in my dreams would that be possible... Still I want more with those we have here today, but I will not put my grandpa through that on account of his condition. Some things are just not meant to be I guess.

Heading to get some black and reds before hitting the books

The weather was not all that great but we had little time awailable to enjoy the out doors before their work and my homework and babysitting so we went upriver to check for berries. Our blueberries are scarce this year but raspberries and black and reds are plentiful. I have two classes to complete this semester. My daughter is attending HS so I am watching the two babies also. Tough with little ones but well worth it. GOd willing we will both successfully balance school and kids.

My 2009 berry picking tale

Most of my berry picking adventures deal with animals, specifically bears but nature trumped the animals this year. I was able to join my parents, brother Herman and sister Olga on a camping trip across Napakiak this year. First picture a 16 foot lund boat filled beyond capacity with camping and picking gear. To lighten the load we used their dome tent but still the poor 40 HP motor was pushed to the limit with all of us and a trip that would normally take about an hour took three and a half. We landed to the sound of cranes nearby. We put up the tent and as my mom was cooking, my sister and I took a short walk to see what we could find. The wind at the time was not bad...but by evening, wholly smokes was it really blowing! We took a walk and picked berries until about midnight and tried to settle down below the loud crackly sound of the tent's dome flap whipping in the wind. (this would be so much more exciting if I could add the sound here) By 4:30 AM we noticed that the wind was doing more damage to the tent's poles. One had snapped and tore the top. I heard later that the winds were gusting to 40MPH. We made a wind breaker and were able to sleep after about 30 minutes of tying off the broken section of the poles. The wind had not died down all the next day, which was maybe a good thing: No bugs. We got about 17 gallons altogether in two days, I got to bring home 6 gallons.

Rainy days, good for eliminating procrastination

Sometimes I notice delays tend to wait for me to finish up something I put aside until it is completed. For example the weather outside has been dismal, and after I had a bout of sickness I got so bored I started scanning the pictures I wanted for myself from my parents collection (some of which were mine from years ago). What do you know - the sun is peaking through the clouds. Maybe once I am done uploading them to a place I can retrieve them later we can actually go berrypicking. Speaking of berries, they seem late this year. I hope we get some because I am missing my girls. The picture added here is my grandfather with his wife Olga, my dad and his sister Nastasia

Happy belated 91st Birthday to Apa "Papasneak" Peter Nick

My eyes mist every time I see my grandfather "Ap'a Papasneak" Peter Nick pray thankfully before he blows out his birthday candles. This year he got discharged from the hospital after an episode of irregular heart beat and "A-Fib." His health in the past year has been a bit stable but about every month we are reminded that his condition will gradually decline. We are blessed to have him as long as we had...this year the great-grandchildren kept vigil at this bedside for a while as I finished cutting the chums and red salmon caught for drying at my parents fishcamp. The nurse asked during my session "where are his little grandchildren?" I replied smiling, "They are his great-grandchildren - I am one of his grandchildren." Her surprise was the normal response I am getting used to. Peter says his long life is due to his faith and active lifestyle and native foods.

Never fails the perfect moment for a good picture or camcorder and there is none to be found!!

I have been at my parent's camp for two days now with Nicholas and there was at least 4 times where Nicholas got us laughing and one of us would say "if only we had a camera or camcorder!" With him being a year old and just learning to walk on the uneven ground his expressions when he almost stumbled or the time he fell and decided it was a great place to lay around and feel the sand, getting head to toe dirty especially around his mouth where he has been drooling on account of his molars coming out...I just had to write it somewhere I will not forget when I get home. Now we are at my parents home in bethel washing clothes and getting more sets because apparently three pants in a day of a year old boy is not enough. If only I had pictures!