Regal Round-Up

Talk about magnificent. This was taken in the parking lot of the VFW Hall in Eagle River, Alaska. Each winter while the rivers are frozen over and fish are hard to come by, a kind woman feeds wild eagles on Sunday mornings. She begins passing out pieces of fish at 10:30 a.m. and precisely at 10:25 a.m., the eagles begin arriving. Don't ask me how they know; I guess nature has a way of relaying important information like this when it needs to.

My son-in-law, Ron, and I visited a week ago yesterday. This lone eagle stood watch over the parking lot, and eventually, someone came out from the building and informed us that the eagle lady would not be coming that morning. Apparently, the river had thawed enough to allow the eagles to fend for themselves. My question for him was "How do the eagles know not to come?" He shrugged and grinned. "Beats me." When I asked him how many had arrived the week before, he said, "About a hundred." Can you imagine seeing a hundred of these magnificent creatures gathering from all directions, down the from the snow-covered mountains to a humble gravel parking lot on the edge of a small town-- swooping, snatching, gliding on the currents to accept the gift of food during the cold Alaskan winter?

Evidently, the memo hadn't reached this eagle and he stood on his tree branch for close to an hour while we snapped pictures and waited for the lady, her fish pieces, and the other eagles to arrive. When they didn't, we left and I imagine he did shortly thereafter.

But for a little while, I shared a moment in time with one of God's most regal creations, both of us hopeful; both of us waiting and watching. We have one more winter here in Alaska before we leave for parts unknown, and you can bet your bottom dollar (and all the fish you can eat) that I'll be there every single chance I get for a chance to witness the regal round-up.

Until the next time...

Living in the moment

I've spent the last few days marketing my new story, Laramie and the Law. Somewhere in there, it dawned on me that I'd better start thinking about working on the third installment. (The second will be published on April 1, 2011.) I've become caught up in the neverending game of the "done" and the "yet to be done."

Life is like that sometimes. We get so caught up in something in our past (or looking to the future) that we forget to live in the moment. This morning I woke up and noticed the glorious sunshine the Lord has seen fit to bless us with for the last several days. The snow-covered mountain peaks are etched against the startlingly blue skies, the snow covers the ground like a huge white blanket, and the icicles that melt during the day magically re-form overnight as the slow process of thawing out for another year progresses.

In a few weeks, this will be gone. Yes, I'll love the warmer temps, the green grass, and springtime flowers. But I shouldn't lose sight of the beauty that God is giving me this very moment. I have lots of "yesterday moments," and plenty of "tomorrow moments"--but I have only one "right this minute" moment. I need to savor each and every one of them.

Until the next time...

Good times, goodbyes, and new beginnings!

It's nearing that time again--the day I'll be boarding another plane back to Alaska. I've had a good, long run here in Kentucky, though, and I've loved every minute of it. I arrived on September 10th and my flight leaves on February 6th. Five months! And although I'll always be grateful for these special months spent in the company of my daughter and her husband and my three precious grandsons, it's time for me to let them have their house back to themselves.

I was able to share Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (and all the preparation and celebrations those occasions entail) with my family down here. The day before I leave, we'll be celebrating my middle grandson's 8th birthday, so we'll be ending the visit with another memorable occasion. I hope I've been a healthy, happy, nurturing, and inspirational influence on my grandchildren during this visit, as well as a help to Dennae and Richie. I appreciate their putting up with me for all this time and hope I'll be welcome to visit again! I love you guys.

Then in June, I'll be heading to Michigan in time for the birth of my 5th grandson! My oldest child and his wife are expecting their second child--and it's a boy! He'll be joining his big brother who will be four in August. Good times! And there will be news from Alaska soon... stay tuned for further developments.

Finally, I'm excited to announce that the first installment of my six-part children's series for Echelon Press will be published on March 1st! I've been asked to keep a lid on the details, but soon....

Until the next time...