Alaska, Alaska, Alaska

Even the name, Alaska, means large one, in the words of its Native Americans.  It is an understatement to even
use the words large, enormous, or maybe even immense.  The sky and mountains and forests go on forever. We travelled by air, by foot, by more busses than I can count, by train,and finally by cruise ship. Miles and miles of natural beauty in every minute.  We saw bright yellow foliage across the Fairbanks area which made us think we were back in New England, except without the reds or oranges. (Because of the cold and altitude, none of our deciduous trees cab grow there).  We saw glaciers that were white, blue, gray,silver, and black -all at the same time. We even walked on the Mendanhal Glacier in Juneau, a half hour spent in heaven.
We went down a river by raft that is through an area only reached by boat, surrounded by wildlife and nearly untouched by any human influences.  We passed through fjords (deep, long, fingerlike harbors) to see glaciers , that from our twelth floor deck were at eye level; twice the ship did a slow circle turn with a panoramic view of the glaciers from one side of the ship across to the other.  We saw moose, reindeer, beaver, eagles, whales, and stuffed bears (real, but not still alive). We learned about the salmon (5 different varieties), the caribou (who summer in Denali ,then winter in the North), and wild birds (who summer in Fairbanks, then winter all over the globe).  We rode in a helicopter and stood on a glacier.  We had a dog sled ride (in a summer training cart).  We saw a Lumberjack competition iin Ketchican.  We saw where the Gold Rush began in Skagway.  We ate ourselves full for days and days. We walked so much we didin't even put on weight. But the absolute best thing we saw was Mount McKinley, or as they prefer to call it Denali, the Great One, standing tall and bright at 20,320 feet.   Pictures, and more sharing to follow soon....

Where did everyone go?

It never fails to amaze me.  One day we are wall to wall tourists and the next day most of them have gone.  This week is so quiet that it seems more like late September than the first week.  Of course , it IS September and the fact that Labor Day is late probably accounts for it. The weather is certainly more like fall than summer.  The air is fresh and clear, with the temperature at night down to fifties.  Brrrr!  Feels kinda nice to pull a blanket up and snuggle at night, but the mornings, not so good.  I even gave in and took a shower indoors today.  I love using the outdoor one, but 52 degrees is just too cold.

September is usually my favorite month here.  This year, however, we will miss much of it, as we carve two weeks out in the middle for our Alaskan cruise.  We leave next Wednesday (9/9 -9/22) and won't be back to work until September 23.  I can't wait.  The countdown is on and the lists are being crossed off.

If you are coming to visit the Rainbow during September, I'll be sad to miss you, but come visit anyway.  We will be open our usual hours (Sunday 10-5, Monday -Saturday 10-6). We still have a sale section highlighted on many of the lower shelves.  We even still have a "indoor yard sale" area, but don't wait too long.  As our things for Fall, Halloween/Samhain, and Christmas/Yule start arriving, we will be needing the room.

Communication is an art (and a large time consumer)

I have spent the greater portion of today (my so-called day off) writing the latest newsletter for the shop. Although not a difficult task, it IS a time consumer, especially for me who is not technologically fluent. I use one of the leading programs which provides templates and allows you to use pictures of your own as well from their image library. In theory, a very simple process, but in practice? Still takes several hours.

I wonder how we communicated in the "old days" with just our pen and paper. It certainly was easier, but limited.  Even though I could send a letter relatively quickly, it was to only one person. Later with the copier, I could print several if I needed but then individually address and mail them.  Today, even though the process seems more time consuming, it is really a marvel to think that after I write here, anyone in the world (with interest, of course), can view it in mere moments.  I like that.  Imagine the power my words can have!  Guess I best go back and be sure the newsletter is worthy of all that power.  Peace to your day!

Thank you, Senator ted Kennedy

I am filled with sadness this morning to learn of the death of our Senator, Ted Kennedy. I met him first when I was a teenager, learned about his health care reform ideas as a student nurse, watched families benefit from programs he sponsored/supported as a community and school nurse, and today follow the current health care reform discussions with a liberal background influenced by him and his era.

Although the present health care reform bill still needs much continued discussion, the mere fact that it is being discussed(again)is a tribute to his tireless efforts to see it pass. The fact that even after 42 years we have so many people who cannot afford medical care, and there is still so much debate as to whether we need a universal health care system simply tells me that the issue continues to be a battle of enormous proportion. I'm sorry he won't be a part of the ongoing discussions and feel his absence has been felt even before this.

I am sad, but proud to have had his voice and service in Massachusetts and the country. Thank you Senator Kennedy. Rest in Peace.

ENJOY SUMMER TODAY!

Like most everyone, I get busy with my day to day activities, especially in the summer season, and rush from one spot to another. Focused on the activities of the shop, I rarely spend much time alone or outside when it is a work day. I have a general knowledge of the day's weather but it is not a main part of the day, instead I focus on errands or shop activities.

Last night as I watched the full moon rise, I thought of how marvelous the world of Nature can be, quietly changing in the background of our busy lives. One night shadowy in the fog, the next clearly illuminated by the moon, and in the morning murky again until the fog burns off. As I write this in my home office, I am surrounded by trees, almost shrouded in silence except for the calling of a mourning dove, which will still be here when I return from a busy day in the village, where noise is so much more prominent. The constant drone of the air conditioner, the roar of cars and delivery trucks, the constant movement of people and activity, chattering in conversation and the bustle of shopping. How different the two parts of my life are and yet each is so necessary to maintain the other. How marvelous this balance is to creating a holistic pattern in my life. Who would I be without these different influences?

Hope you can stop for a moment today and feel the Nature around you. Feel summer breezes, soak up the humidity, splash in the water, enjoy the sunshine (or rain). It's August, the last few days of summer. Enjoy what it has to offer you, wherever you are! That's what summer is really all about!

Why is summer so short?

Is it really true that summer is getting shorter? Or is it just my view of it? It seems that every year is shorter and shorter, although this year's rainy June likely played a big part in it. We have had sunny weather for the past two weeks and summertime really is here. Last week we even had six days or sun and only 1 overcast!!

We start our Christmas in July sale this weekend, running for a week, and when it is over it will be August (not yet, no). This sale is a new one for us and we will be greatly reducing our things from last year, along with all the other holidays (Valentine, Easter, Halloween). Weather permitting we will have the outside tables filled with bargains of a holiday nature as well as our usual mark-downs,starting at $1. New this year will be our brand new Christmas decorations and table ware. We have tried every year to squeeze a Christmas corner into the shop and this year we have succeeded! We haven't put a real tree up but we do have Nativity sets, boxed Christmas cards, 2010 calendars and datebooks, and Christmas ornaments. Everything Christmas or other holiday related will be on sale along with some special surprises, so come by and see.

Meanwhile, enjoy every moment of this all too short summer. I am taking two days off a week (Sundays and Mondays) and loving every moment of them, relaxing, beach walking, reading, and planning for a filled schedule of events and classes starting in late September (after a two week Alaskan cruise- I can't wait). Hope you can spend time with your favorite summer activities. Feel free to add your comments about summer and how short it really is. Peace and rainbows,
debbie

A selection from emails on Friendship and Aging

I don't usually send things on from email. We all have enough junk to not need any more in our mailbox, but this one (sent to us by Elizabeth-thank you!) just seemed to hit me and I wanted to share it. Enjoy!

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.



I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART! MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!