I often try, in my dispatches, to capture the “feel” of the day. It is like attempting to come to an understanding of a dream, upon waking up. I sometimes do this by writing about the details of a day, providing a big picture, and other times I try to do this by focusing on one particular aspect of a day. And sometimes, I go back in time and avoid the whole matter entirely.

And the feel of today? Susan, a volunteer, summarized it at mid-morning, right after I gave a visitor to the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel “The Tour.” She said, “It’s a good day.” I agreed with her after she said this, because what she said was true. It had, by 11:00 a.m. already been a good day.

Susan and Terry, now a BLBP board member, and Susan and I, began the workday by brainstorming about the BLBP’s participation in the mid-June Quilts of Valor/Bright Lights Book Project auction – the BLBP will have silent auction baskets on hand, which the BLBP board members will put together. The latter was my idea. However, Terry and Susan

Barn quilt

are starting to run with it. The two, who are both very crafty, are putting their heads together and starting to figure out what the theme of the various baskets will be. Me, I am thinking that I might have a horse basket on hand, with horse books and a free riding lesson. But no, I am not at all a crafty person.

Actually, I did put together a whole silent auction for the BLBP, which was held at the Sutton Library. And so, I know what’s involved. But I am quite happy to let Susan and Terry do this. In fact, I am relieved that this is in the forefront of their thinking.

My areas are expertise are slowly coming to the forefront of this project. I am doing weekly narrative reports, and soon (I hope) will start putting together podcasts. Slowly, it is dawning upon all involved that Alys, the book shlepper, is also a writer.

As I worked, book shlepping, Pete was at the table in the back of the room, working on his computer, doing grant and other related administrativa. If not for his administrative doggedness, the project would by now have imploded. He keeps it going. He keeps me going. And yes, he is able to type with just one hand.

We got a $100.00 donation from Dave, who I met at the Palmer Senior Center. He just walked in the door and handed me the check.

A woman from the Montessori School stopped by with books.

Pete, Terry, Susan and I went on a field trip. We went downstairs and checked out Archive, the new teen center. I got to check out a virtual reality headset – I was underwater, watching sharks and sting rays. I could get addicted to this.

And, I began checking out the books that were given to us by the Alaska Native Language Center. I’m starting to get them ready for distribution. I got the sense, as I was working, that preserving these documents is synonymous with preserving language and culture. This is so very important, and I am glad to finally be doing this.

Next: 74. 3/15/25: Doing it All