Pine Cones

Because of their widespread occurrence, conifer cones have been a traditional part of the arts and crafts of cultures where conifers are common. Examples of their use includes seasonal wreaths and decorations, fire starters, bird feeders, toys, etc.

As a child we made the Peanut Butter bird feeders.  I have made my own wreaths.  I have use pine cones as fire starters.  I have use them as Christmas tree ornaments.  For a long time just had a basket full sitting in living room adding a lovely fragrance.

In my yard I have several ancient Pine trees dropping pine cones over the lower third of my yard.  The neighborhood squirrels squabble over these morsels for storage during the summer for their winter feed.

Wiki has a great page for information and photos

of various pine cones species. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conifer_cone

Strawman in the Wizard of Oz

Anchorage at times is the center of wind storms.  We can be buffered from the North, the West and the South winds.  

Anchorage is in a bowl along the Chugach Mountain Range.  Many folks have built homes going up the mountain which we call the "hillside"  Winds gushing there can be 70 to 100mph.  With the speeds a bit less here in town.

The last two days has been major wind storms throughout the Anchorage Bowl.  This extends 40 miles South of Anchorage reaching Girdwood and 60 miles North to the outskirts of Wasilla.

Our little house is anchored in a bit of a valley here in town; one of the few actually... most of Anchorage is pretty flat.  The winds reached a good tree slapping 55-65mph last night.  It was a bumpy night with many strange bangs and clangs against the outside walls.  There were a few blasts that I thought this tiny house might go sailing through the air just like Dorothy's house in the Wizard of Oz.

With my fingers crossed all night for no power outage (which the temperature with wind chill -20) that would not be making for a toasty sleepy night.  We do own a generator although in the 4 years of owning it - it has never been powered up.  

I do believe a test and practice run of using the generator is in order...due to the severe wind storms this winter making my little old heart a tad nervous if I had to sleep again with such vivid dreams of a movie from decades ago.

All night my dreams seem to follow the characters in the Wizard of Oz.  The Tinman slamming into the side of our house, the Strawman tumbling over and over in the snow.  My fearless Patches the Cowardly Lion.  I the wicked witch of the East riding out the storm on my trusty broom.  And my guy the Wizard...telling all "Follow the yellow brick road!"

After this mornings quick check to see if any damage to our house and those on either side of me; I was happy to see just branches tossed throughout the yard and Mountain Ashe Berries littering the side yard.  My trees withstood the storm. Seems most of the litter that blew around; has been blown far south. I may find my trash can lids a few miles down the road tomorrow.

I wanted to tap my heels three times and say "There's no place like home".  There is no place like Home!

The snow did drift about one foot south over our sidewalk.  And added a layering effect on the other side.

Amazing Race

On Sunday night the team of two women won the Amazing Race.  A team I had been rooting for since the beginning of this season's start.  Finally two women beat out all men teams and man/woman teams.  I just about roared out a cheer but I just the the womanly thing and silently clapped my hands and said "YAY!"

Amazing Race has been since the first season one of the handful of programs this household follows. 

Dreams of being a team lurks in my brain. 

Fantasy of winning has been often replayed in my mind.  Except this is a household of two medical problematic folks.  Both heart patients.  And one has had two serious back surgeries and he medically could not do some of the stunts.  Then some of those things; I myself would balk at doing.  But the temptation to apply is always in the background when watching the teams race to the next stop along the race.  I think he would be a great partner to see the world with...I'm sure he thinks I would be an okay partner - I can be a bit of a nag, jump on his case for any reason, and I think things need to be done my way.  Other-words I have an attitude. 

I've never been out of the States.  He traveled once to England.  The cities on Amazing Race are ones I would love to race through.  He would rather do others, ones with more ancient history esp any that have a Roman history surrounding them.  He is an ancient history buff!  I'm just a time traveler to any city on the map of the world.

With a new season starting in January for teams that didn't win any race but became favorite of the viewers I can hardly wait to relax each Sunday night, dreaming of far off places and cheering on my next team to victory!

                                                 My guy racing each day in his own way