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Alaska bound

2012 July 11
by Rachel Turiel

last picture before the camera died

We’re processing the apricots Dan picked yesterday, all of us sighing, puckeringly, over the sweet-tartness of a fruit we haven’t eaten since the last good apricot year, 2009. Also, we’re preparing for our house/chicken/garden sitter, cleaning the house, which feels a little like playing memory: where did I see the match to that striped pink and green sock? Under Col and Rose’s dresser? Bathroom floor? Bike trailer?

I scored one of those 20-something, unencumbered, semi-homeless friends of our downstairs tenants to take care of the homestead while we’re in Alaska. Hopefully he’s saying “Wow, all I have to do for a bed and warm shower is water your crazy-ass garden by hand for an hour a day?”

{Thankfully it’s been raining raining raining – in a Southwesty kind of way, which means just as you’re getting a little overheated by the unfettered sun, the clouds swoop in, crack open, pour down, soak the garden, shine up the land, lower the temperature by 10 degrees, then move out, bringing the sun back, well rested and ready to shine.}

So, maybe our 20-something homestead-sitter, Drew, won’t have to water at all, just follow the chickens around the yard, keeping them out of the garden while they satisfy their daily dandelion leaf and insect quota. Kidding Drew, kidding.

The kids are earnestly packing their carry-ons and I’m trying to intervene very gently. Col’s packed half of his rock collection to show his cousin Peter, and Rose has been reminded that she won’t need 10 sundresses in Alaska where the daily high temps are between 55F and 65F. Oh my!

xo,

Rachel, who is not adverse to gaining a few pounds in salmon and berries in the next ten days.

ps: if you’re my neighbor and feel like texting me when it rains in Tupperware Heights, I’d be tickled.

Giveaway still open.



22 Responses leave one →
  1. July 11, 2012

    Have a wonderful time! Alaska, oh my, indeed. I’ve always wanted to see it. Can’t wait to hear all about it from you. Safe travels to you and your family.

    p.s. Love that picture.

  2. July 11, 2012

    Have a wonderful time! Alaska, oh my, indeed. I’ve always wanted to see it. Can’t wait to hear all about it from you. Safe travels to you and your family.

    p.s. Love that picture.

  3. July 11, 2012

    well now we know why your camera died. it reached perfection, the peak experience of it’s little digital life. obviously, not knowing how it would top such great heights, it just blinked out and gave up the ghost. in other words, that is the best picture EVER. col and rose look like they’ve been to alaska. and several outer galaxies.

    have a great trip and safe travels to you and yours!

    • July 11, 2012

      i mean, they just look like a still photo from some cult classic 60’s sci-fi flick. lucky mama.

  4. July 11, 2012

    well now we know why your camera died. it reached perfection, the peak experience of it’s little digital life. obviously, not knowing how it would top such great heights, it just blinked out and gave up the ghost. in other words, that is the best picture EVER. col and rose look like they’ve been to alaska. and several outer galaxies.

    have a great trip and safe travels to you and yours!

    • July 11, 2012

      i mean, they just look like a still photo from some cult classic 60’s sci-fi flick. lucky mama.

  5. Jenny Miller permalink
    July 11, 2012

    Awesome pic! I just love the pre-trip hoopla. Just think of all the rocks you’re going to be bringing home, too. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your time in Alaska. Lucky!! Safe travels and bright blessings.

  6. Jenny Miller permalink
    July 11, 2012

    Awesome pic! I just love the pre-trip hoopla. Just think of all the rocks you’re going to be bringing home, too. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your time in Alaska. Lucky!! Safe travels and bright blessings.

  7. Emmanuelle permalink
    July 12, 2012

    Right ! This picture says it all – and makes me wish (again) I could come and tend to your fantastic garden myself – chickens, insects and all. Col is ready to fly off to anywhere wild, happily and unblinkingly. Also, Rose sometimes looks like a blonde, blue-eyed, pink-clad, smaller version of you – with a specific Rose grin and frown however… Your own smile is pretty unique :o)

    Enjoy! We’ll miss you but we’re glad for your freedom!

  8. Emmanuelle permalink
    July 12, 2012

    Right ! This picture says it all – and makes me wish (again) I could come and tend to your fantastic garden myself – chickens, insects and all. Col is ready to fly off to anywhere wild, happily and unblinkingly. Also, Rose sometimes looks like a blonde, blue-eyed, pink-clad, smaller version of you – with a specific Rose grin and frown however… Your own smile is pretty unique :o)

    Enjoy! We’ll miss you but we’re glad for your freedom!

  9. July 12, 2012

    Have a wonderful time, Rachel!! I look forward to your updates.

    • Rachel Turiel permalink
      July 15, 2012

      I was so thrilled to see your book in a Grand Junction book store before we left!

  10. July 12, 2012

    Have a wonderful time, Rachel!! I look forward to your updates.

    • Rachel Turiel permalink
      July 15, 2012

      I was so thrilled to see your book in a Grand Junction book store before we left!

  11. July 12, 2012

    Have a great trip!

  12. July 12, 2012

    Have a great trip!

  13. July 12, 2012

    Have a great trip! And please tell Rose my 9 year old has been rocking the sundress over long sleeve shirt and pants look. It seems the best way to be in fashion and ready for the woods these days :)

  14. July 12, 2012

    Have a great trip! And please tell Rose my 9 year old has been rocking the sundress over long sleeve shirt and pants look. It seems the best way to be in fashion and ready for the woods these days :)

  15. July 13, 2012

    stephinie is right, my girls do the sundress over long sleeve shirt and jeans in the fall and winter here :)

    hope your trip is wonderful!

  16. July 13, 2012

    stephinie is right, my girls do the sundress over long sleeve shirt and jeans in the fall and winter here :)

    hope your trip is wonderful!

  17. Melissa permalink
    July 14, 2012

    yes, camera couldn’t go on after that photo. let’s you freeze time, in a way, which is always good when raising kids who grow *so fast*.

    hope you all are having a lovely time in one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been. safe travels!

    ps. i am taking care of my neighbors’ chickens while they are away and not exactly loving my urban farmer role. but they also get the nyt daily so my morning commute has me basically caught up with current events and brimming with all kinds of fun tidbits. i say all this to reassure you (and drew) that the home-care exchange usually works out well. xo

  18. Melissa permalink
    July 14, 2012

    yes, camera couldn’t go on after that photo. let’s you freeze time, in a way, which is always good when raising kids who grow *so fast*.

    hope you all are having a lovely time in one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been. safe travels!

    ps. i am taking care of my neighbors’ chickens while they are away and not exactly loving my urban farmer role. but they also get the nyt daily so my morning commute has me basically caught up with current events and brimming with all kinds of fun tidbits. i say all this to reassure you (and drew) that the home-care exchange usually works out well. xo

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