The Way to Travel - The Alaskan Train

This is a terrific way to see some of Alaska's beauty. The train goes from Seward and Whittier to Anchorage and from Anchorage to Fairbanks. I have only been on the train from Anchorage to Fairbanks but I traveled it in all the seasons. If you have a clear day.......Glorious view of Mt. Denali/Mckinley!

Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins, Utah

Springtime in Snow Canyon State Park is beautiful. I saw gorgeous deep rose colored flowers on my Sunday drive today. This Canyon is 5738 acres with an elevation of 3200 feet. There is lots of wildlife here, peregrine falcons, desert tortoises, gila monsters, coyotes, kit foxes, quail, road runners leopard lizards gofer snakes and canyon tree frogs. It has also been the site for several movies; The Electric Horseman, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Conqueror - John Wayne to mention a a few. This is a small but beautiful park.

Sojourner Truth - Ain't I A Woman

Sojourner Truth was inducted in the Washington DC
Emancipation Hall on April 29, 2009

(1797 - November 26, 1883)

The woman we know as Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in New York as Isabella Baumfree (after her father's owner, Baumfree). She was sold several times, and while owned by the John Dumont family in Ulster County, married Thomas, another of Dumont's slaves. She had five children with Thomas. In 1827, New York law emancipated all slaves, but Isabella had already left her husband and run away with her youngest child.

AIN'T I A WOMAN?

By Sojourner Truth Delivered 1851 at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about? That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman? Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full? Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him. If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them. Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.

Eklutna Lake - Eklutna, Alaska

I do remember this lake. We had a picnic up there and Grandma Curtis was there, as was Aunt Laura Jean and her family and ours. I remember sitting with Grandma on a log that was laying on the edge of the woods. It was our first year in Alaska over 55 years ago! This lake provides hydroelectic power for many homes and business. My Dad worked on shoring up the tunnel that first year. Information about the power plant and tunnel can be found on the Internet. It is rather interesting reading.

The Views of Bear Mt. - Chugiak, AK

1960's Alaska Memories

I was looking at some old photos that had been archived from Alaska's Digital Archives that brought back some memories of my young adult life in the 1960's. There were many photos however; and I was unable to copy them. There were lots of memories reminding me of fun times. One photo of the old Providence Hospital on L Street brought back memories of the 5 days I spent there with strep throat! More pleasant memories were of the Nikko Gardens, Rabbit Creek Inn and the Chefs Inn. There was a picture of Lucy Cuddy, Board President of the 1st National Bank on 4th Avenue. One of my jobs at the bank from 3:00-3:30 was to tell people the bank was closed. One day she came to the door and asked to come in. I told her no and she asked me if I knew who she was? I let her in after that incident. They had a picture of the Carpenters Hall. They had Friday night dances for the teenager. I only went to one. I played city basketball for one season. I skated over on the pond on 9th avenue, ate lunch many days at Berts Drug Store on corner of 4th and G street. My favorite was grilled cheese with a piece of pecan pie. There were many photos of the 1964 Earthquake - not so pleasant. I could go on about this time period, dragging Northern Lights Blvd. with Dave, and so on............

My Frog Family

Next to roosters I like frogs. I bought the two larger ones first and found their babies a few weeks later.

A Note...Lifeline is coming Monday to install me....Yea...finally....I have taken a few falls.