whew.....that helped a lot!!

 have been stressing over our Governor election options. no matter what you did it was a split vote with the trump following tea party fool getting in office.  this week has been a bit insane as far as the state politics goes. 

 first, our current Lt Governor resigned on Tuesday suddenly. not sure exactly what happened but some inappropriate thing happened and he stepped down.  the election is just 18 days away...some 25,000 votes have already been cast.  Walker quickly swore in a new Lt Governor, rumors were flying all over the place

 today at a Native convention Walker, our current Governor stepped out of the race and he chose to support the Democrat Mark Begich.  Mark was our Senator before the tea party candidate got super funded by Koch and friends.

 i watched a 25 min question and answer that took place after with the members at the convention with Begich and Dunleavy.  i gotta say the Natives were giving it up to Begich, which does give me some hope that we have a chance to not have the trumpy nut case in as our Governor.  Dunleavy was not at all prepared.  he's skipped some debates already. he has no specific answers.  in his opener he spent his entire time talking about how he's married to a Native and lived in the villages.  i thought it seemed way too much like an attempt to pander to them.  they are not fools though and i suspect they saw his ruse as well. 

 the GOP has being doing a lot to prevent Natives, Blacks and others from voting.  they have set up all sorts of road blocks.  i recall growing up my family always railed on the Dems for these practises in the past...now it the GOP has refined voter suppression and perfected it. thankfully, a free press is making these things known and the Native population is not happy.  North Dakota has put up a huge road block to the Native vote by insisting their voter ID has an actual address and not a po box.  this was upheld in court i guess.  Natives on Reservations rarely have actual addresses, but they are working hard to get them one now so they can vote. don't see how the GOP believes this strategy will benefit them long term

 yes, America is becoming less white, but it seems nuts to offend and alienate those who are not in your preferred color scheme.  it's not going to make America more white, it will just assure that in the future they will not support you.  why would they?  they will vote for candidates that support all Americans. 

 these are older pictures from my little Nikon camera.  i had used it at the dog park the other day.  my iphone is becoming less reliable.  storage is full so can't take photo's as often.  trying to get into the cloud and see what i have and how best to save it all. it's getting about that time for an upgrade i fear.  my computers are also getting old...crap just doesn't last like it used to.

 have also been following the story about this poor reporter who was apparently killed in the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul.  there are some horrible scenario's....a band of 15 men came in, complete with bone saws to capture him....well to kill him.  of course, the Saudi's have finally came up with a ridiculous story.  somehow they thought intelligent humans would believe that Khashoggi got into a fight with these 15 men...the guy is not young and did not appear to be a prize fighter...right, he started a fight with 15 men, who, for some reason showed up at the embassy with bone saws and an undertaker? 

 his body has not been found or released.  our iitoo is of course, trusting the Saudi story more than anyone else.  he trusts that a thorough investigation will be carried out by the Saudi's despite all likelihood that this was at the request of the current crown prince. those who carried it out were close to him and there is little doubt it was not done at his request.  our iitoo has no stomach for denouncing dictators and royal crown princes of Saudi Arabia so he will no doubt turn a blind eye to this horrific assassination and no doubt get a nice pay out for doing so. money from Saudi was already wired over.  look the other way while we toss some gold coins your way. 

 these are in Homer. 

 there is a strong possibility that Khashoggi actually recorded his torture and murder on his i-watch.  also there was  report that he was injected...some rumors that perhaps he was paralyzed and so aware as they cut off fingers....there are some countries that have a long history of horrific torture techniques.  i remember as a teenager, for some odd reason, reading about various torture techniques used. i think it had started with an interest in what happened in Vietnam and went on from there.  humans do some pretty horrific things to other humans.  it's pretty terrifying.  i think it was Hussain in Iraq that had a big wood chipper that he would drop his enemies in alive...brutal.  so my heart goes out to this reporter and his family and friends...

 of course, some on the GOP/Trump camp have begun to spread rumors that he was part of some radical terrorist group.  sadly, many will once again fall in line and believe the crap that is vomited up every day on Fox and others.

 when you can't win with the truth you simply lie and when that is failing you just create yet another conspiracy theory and demonize your currently believed enemy.  when will folks wake up? never it seems.  Vote folks...it's really our only hope...before it's too late.

 as for me, i finished my three nights of work.  i was in the adult ICU for two nights and then in PCU for a night.  fairly smooth as far as work goes.

 my handyman was over on Tuesday and he was able to move the pipes that were in the kitchen space back behind the wall.  he's headed back to the Kenai and then hopefully next week he can get started on the electric and the heater vent. prep work. 

 above was at Hunter Cabin. 

 this is my little tree up front.  so pretty in the fall.

 there have been swans at the University Lake this week.  we've been there a lot of late.  these two pairs put on quite a show for us all.  i just had the Nikon with me. 

 i have my homework list for the Kitchen.  1. order under cabinet lights-done  2. get rid of stove, i dropped price 3- look to purchase the new dishwasher before prices go up...thank you iitoo and tariff war 4. continue chopping away at the subfloor stuck on by the glue...got a little done.  5. prep the beam for stain, buy stain and stain it...pulled out a few last nails/staples and did some sanding tonight.  also did a little stencil on it.  we shall see.  i always like to add a little art to stuff. i think that is it. 

 i said i was hoping the kitchen was done by Christmas, he hopes by Thanksgiving so i like that. 

 life without the kitchen is going to be lots of fun.  haha.  i told him i trust him, i think he does great work and i was willing to be patient with the time to accommodate his family needs at this time.  he's worth it and trust matters a great deal. 

 been raining off and on this week, though it seems like most days i walk i have been lucky and not gotten soaked. 

 ran into a friend at the dog park so we caught up as we walked. the other day i spend extra time watching the swans.  large trumpeter swans. so beautiful. 

 the dogs didn't pay much attention to them, well until they were quite close to the bridge.  then the Ivy started to head towards them.  was able to call her off.  a few other dogs were jumping around them and barking. i really did not get the impression they were too put off by the dogs.  they are really big birds!!  funny to take a few photo's of the dogs near the swans.  the dogs didn't look that large.

 the swans were having a major bath session.  flapping and wings all over the place. 

 looking at the last bits of the cabinets out front and thinking i could probably just whack the crap out of them and fit them in the trash over the next few weeks.  can is full for this week again though. have been able to slowly get rid of the demo...just one run to the dump..thanks MT!

 omg, that Dunleavy actually proposed coal for fuel for the villages.  Begich seemed to get a bit of a chuckle out of that as did the folks at the AFN (Alaska Federation of Natives i think) convention. so trumpy...

 fun chatting with my brother Jeff again, he's discovered he can call as he drives home and I'm often just waking up between shifts.  perfect time to catch up. 

 the iitoo won on a Stormy suit.  Avanatti got too cocky...of course, as with all things trump, he could have just enjoyed the win but instead he decides to tweet and call her horseface or some other thing.  the guy has no class, no off switch.  there were so many options but he takes the low road at every turn.  he has no idea where the high road is.

 the death toll in Florida will surely rise.  total disaster. 

 an Idaho Fish and Game commissioner went on a killing safari in Africa.  it's just gross really to me, i just don't get trophy hunting.  hunt for meat, fine, just so you can kill.....

 you have the total advantage so it's not like it's really some big challenge.  it's just all about the photo op.  you holding up the heads of giraffes and baboons. he was forced to resign. 

 this beaver was swimming around the lake the other day as well.  he was funny, came and just chilled in the water near by.  watched me with the dogs it seems.  they can be a bit nasty but he just chilled and observed.

 the iitoo has gotten over $100 million towards his re-election campaign.  morning Joe was on Colbert the other day. he actual predicts Trump won't even run again.  take the money and run.  it's still a little ways off, though no doubt we will be forced to start hearing about it as soon as this mid term election is done.  i wish we could put limits on funding for these elections and put in a law that they can only campaign in like 5 months before the actual election.

 the Dems had better put up someone good.   some of the names tossed around just make me shake my head. 

 this beaver has a cut out of his tail. not sure what happened there.  dog bite, tree fall?  doesn't seem to be hindering the guy.

 i guess there was a horrific train crash in India today.  hundreds of people were on the rails during some festival...the train did not stop in time.  according to BBC at least 60 dead and over 100 more injured. there were firecrackers going off and some surmise that the noise of the crowd and the fire crackers prevented the crowd from hearing the train coming.

 the ducks will stick around all winter...if winter shows up that is.  there is a wee bit of snow on the mountains.

 i got my new passport, i need to request days off for the cruise.  already worried about finding a decent pet sitter for that long stretch. 

 it's never easy.....at least i should have a kitchen for them to use by then. 

 a woman in Seldovia apparently fought off a bear inside her home with only a broom.  she had a gun but it didn't work right....so there you have it.  having a gun will not guarantee safety.

 a CA teenager cooked some of her relatives ashes into some cookies to eat with friends, many of whom were aware that the cookies contained ashes.  that is just an odd story. i believe the police had no law to arrest her on.  just another strange story in our strange world.

 looking forward to a peaceful Halloween night at home handing out candy. the dogs have costumes of course.  i may just put on my cookie monster jumper.  easy and warm. 

 guess i should get myself in bed.  try to get flipped around to better enjoy my days off. i am getting hungry though.  really all i do without the kitchen is snack.  will be great to have meals again when the kitchen is done.  it will be nice though i think.

 enjoying the swans, probably should go look for moose again before the rut is done.  will see what tomorrow brings.  we have the play next week. i need to make reservations for dinner for those who wish to join for that. 

 good night all, is there anyone out there?

thankful for: A.  a chill work week  B.  a clearer choice  C. progress, it comes in fits and starts but it does happen despite those who battle hard against it.

time to kill...

 ended up at the dog park yesterday.  no takers to join me and it seemed to be the only place the sun was shining.  the dogs love it there.  above is the larch...evergreens that are deciduous. always cool to watch these trees turn yellow and the needles to fall off, then in the spring to see fresh needles come out.

 this little bat eared guy was very interested in the pups and the tennis ball.  she was actually kind of getting mean and pushy, but she's small and small dogs can get away with stuff. 

 like if you are bit by a dog, someone will ask, what type of dog was it?  if if was like a Pomeranian or a shitzu...well you will get an oh and a bit of an eye roll.  if you answer shepherd of pit bull, ears will perk up and you would get sympathy.  size matters when it comes to dogs.

 this lady was sitting with her 14 year old lab very close to the entrance.  the dog couldn't walk far anymore and they were headed to the vets after this.  I've been there with old pups.  it was just sweet...i hope the best for her and her beloved friend

 it's not just moose babies being born all over town.  these little ducklings were spotted at University Lake yesterday as well.  so adorable.

 the parent ducks have their work cut out for them.  the little family was spotted by these cute pups who came in closer to take a look.

 no ducklings were harmed though.

 i think they just wanted a peek.

 my pups must not have seen them, they didn't investigate.

 this beaver was also out working on his home.  beavers are busy....they have a great work ethic

 pups had a great time out there.  we enjoyed the one sunny spot.  the sun did return later across my end of town and i sat outside on the swing. 

 it's never as relaxing as you would think though.  as long as i am outside the dogs believe i should be tossing a ball for them.  i remember hiking to beach in Ketchikan all the time, foolishly carrying a book to read.  Baby Huey brought me stick after stick.  not much reading was done on those beaches.

 puppy sightings at the park. 

 more of the larch

 we kept away from the beaver...beavers are busy but when their work is interrupted they can be mean...several reports of beaver attacks on dogs over the years.

 pretty here, rain elsewhere. today seems nicer though. 

 after our walk, we headed to the conservation center.  weather still not great, but better than it had been the day before's attempt.

 they had just fed the bears when i got there so i saw all the bears.

 there were tons of eagles spotted coming and going and several here to enjoy feeding time.

 the ravens also came around to steal their bit.

 the hooligan are running in the arm so there are so many baldies out there. on the way back i got lousy photo's but i lost count on the number of eagles out there....I'd guess over 75 all  bunched together.  there was another huge cluster about the same size so if you want to see eagles, hit the low tides on the arm this week near the hooligan crowds.

 liked how this gal was resting on the wood

 this other gal was nibbling on some fruit and veggies.

 check out those huge claws.

 what a face!

 then a bit of a spat broke out.  not great photo's but it happened a few feet away.  this is a position i never want to be in.  a huge bear towering over me.

 no blood, despite a few bites.  it was mostly a show of power, dominance.

 point made

 you can see all the brown bears that live there.

 the elk are losing their winter coats, look pretty scruffy.

 their antlers look like they were just super glued on.

 hello!

 the three elksteteers.

 fighting a wee headache today...just as the cold bug is releasing it's hold, the headaches return.  i do have a massage scheduled for today.  that will be super relaxing.  should banish the headache as well, which is an added bonus.

 there are three baby wood bison.  they were pretty far away

 this big one walked over towards me.  i give them a lot of room, they have been known to charge that fence. 

 so cute!

 we pulled up next to the wolves.  Ivy and a wolf caught each others eye, next thing i knew all the wolves rushed towards the car to check out the dogs...much to the delight of the tourists.  the dogs window was open like 3 inches...eventually a worker came over to chastise me for having the window down a bit on the dog side. no harm came of it and i happen to know that when the wolves were first brought in, they must have been young and the crew out there had a regular dog share the space with them...it may have been one of the workers dogs. 

 fun to watch the dogs and the wolves check each other out.

 very distant relatives...but still relatives.  still recall watching this documentary of about dogs.  in it they were showing how dogs have evolved a dependence on humans.  they put a large steak inside a cage in a room.  first they released a wolf into the room. the wolf kept working hard to figure out how to get to the steak.  after they took the wolf out they send a domestic dog into the same room/situation. the dog checked it out for a second, realized it may need some assistance and then immediately turned to the human for assistance. my dogs have always done this as well.  if a tennis ball goes under furniture, they attempt to retrieve it briefly, but soon, they stop and just look to me to fix their problem.

 there is also one baby caribou.

 they were a little ways off as well.

 still cute to check it out.

 better get my day started. 

 enjoy yours

grateful for A.  babies, all kinds.  always bring you hope and a smile  B.  cold symptoms going away. C. a massage to look forward to.