I have no idea why we say that, and I never did for the first 50 or so years of my life. We didn’t have Elf on a Shelf, either. You learn so much from your parents. But whatever. First of all, I want you to know I’m fine. (And yes, a bit like Ruth’s version in Louise Penny’s novels too, but aren’t we all?) Thank you for missing me. This summer we have been making up for those lost Covid and care-giving-for-Dad years. The fair was this weekend and so was the Juneau Marathon so we did both. Well, I didn’t run the marathon, but Chip did and qualified for Boston. JJ (the real rabbit) paced him.
Her sister Eliza ran the 1/2 marathon fast, and Eliza’s husband Justin also ran the full marathon. JJ flew back to Haines in time to dance all night at the fair and run up Mt. Ripinsky the next day with another sister, Sarah. (And no one’s even tired. This crew of mine. Sheesh.) After weeks of warm, sunny, dry weather it’s raining today. “Of course it is,” Chip just said,” because there’s a wedding.” Our neighbor’s daughter is getting married at 3 on a lawn overlooking the inlet. Yes, Tuesday, at 3. Time in Haines is fluid. Especially in the summer.
Speaking of the fair,
I baked and volunteered in the Hospice of Haines dessert booth, but it was not the epic endurance event of the past because we have succeeded in the succession of the booth to a younger team with a lot of stamina– much thanks to Susan and Nishan! I baked North Douglas chocolate cake with my granddaughters. The southeast Alaska favorite from the Fiddlehead Cookbook is a fair booth staple- and I love it that my old cookbook is now sending me not so subliminal messages:
Imagination is so critical and seems lacking in this world. So does a sense of humor. I debated about the wisdom of taking the granddaughters to the Juneau Drag performance at the fair Friday night not for the content but because of the potential reaction, especially after reading what imaginations from far away had conjured up about just what a drag show is. Well, it was fabulous, fun, kind– packed– so many people– and there was not one negative moment during the entire event or before or after. It made me wonder what the heck the fuss was ( and is) about. I’m happy to report that Haines and the rest of the region’s hospitality and good will remains. My favorite act was the drag “king” who performed to Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like” country tune– it was hilarious.My grandaughters sang along.
