Dorothy got it right – there’s no place like home. There are places equally as interesting, but when it comes down to it, home is the place to be.

I always think this when I turn onto Murphy Road and see the distant Talkeetna Range. It’s now snow covered, looks to me like a crumpled envelope.

So far, it’s been a mild winter, today with temperatures in the low 40s. Problem is, it could rain, and the rain could turn to ice. Then the temperature might drop. I did slip this morning, when I went behind the hay shed, where the horses hang out while waiting for me to spread the morning feed – three hay flakes, on the snow. Sometimes it takes some time before they realize that the good stuff is in the enclosure. Today, in attempting to convince Tyra of this, I slipped and fell on the ice.

Backyard sunset

I was okay. But I did get to thinking that if I was old and had brittle bones, I would not be okay. That day is coming, but then again, I may never come upon it.

It was a truly good day. Pete had to urge me to call villages, which I did. Now 13 boxes of books are headed to three schools. I managed to pack up three of these boxes. Tomorrow I will

I will be going to Old Harbor in Kodiak on November 18. I am very glad that my hip and S.I. joints are holding their own – I would not be able to go if it was seizing up.

I did go to physical therapy today. I was given a leg message. I also went swimming – I am now doing intervals, going all out in one direction and then not going out in the other direction. And today I had the lane nearest the wall to myself. This is the best because if I inhale when I should exhale, I can grab the edge of the pool. As it was, the lifeguard walked up and down the edge of the pool next to me even though there were other swimmers. I thought that I started thrashing that he might grab the net on the far wall and fish me out.

At the hotel, first thing I noticed was that the 70 or so odd boxes that previously were there, were gone. I figure out things slowly, and what I finally figured was that Bill, BLBP founder and book distributor, took the initiative to break them up and take them to the recycling center. When later, I called, he confirmed that he had done this.

I am now very grateful for those volunteers who display initiative. I now understand that this is very rare indeed.

Today’s visitors included Anchorage resident Cheryl Chapman who left us with 12 banker boxes full of books. She brought a friend with her – we stood and talked with the three BLBP volunteers.

This evening, I packed up boxes of books for three schools while Pete worked on a grant application. We are putting in the hours – but today I was reminded that ours is a very special project.

Next: 305. 11/9/24: Ta Pocketa Ta Pocketa