Books, Boy Scouts, and Bach

Temperatures have dropped and the first snow of the season sits high above our little village. The morning air is brisk and clear but by the afternoon heavy clouds bring rain and sometimes hail. Folks are taking the cool cue from nature and are preparing for the harsh winter. The sound of chainsaws and axes splitting wood grind through the usually quiet streets. I am thankful for this slow introduction to my first Alaska winter, for I know the short, dark days and heavy snow will soon arrive.

In addition to adding extra layers to our morning outfits we have added a few things to our schedule…

We started piano this week (yes, we) and thankfully located a keyboard to bring home for practicing. We were both quite nervous about our first lesson, but Mr. Olsted was very nice and patient. I am working on a Bach Invention, Clair de Lune by Debussy and a Kulau Sonitina. Andrew is picking up where he left off with my mom with four new pieces from his book. Mr. Olsted also wanted Andrew to listen to and work on one of the Suzuki pieces. We both have our work cut out for us. But even Steve has been inspired and is plunking out some music on our loaner-piano. He is re-teaching his fingers the impressive chords from Erik Satie’s third Gymnopedie.

We are all striving for balance in our life so now that we added the music lessons ….Andrew asked to join Cub Scouts. I was reluctant because I so enjoy the down time we have acquired and frankly, I was nervous about all the bad press the Boy Scouts receive these days. I decided not to stereotype, put my judgments aside, and do my own background checks.

Hoonah Boy Scouts is led by Major Loni. She is a female and a blood relative of the real Laura Ingles Wilder. Major Loni is also the Salvation Army Church Pastor and the tee-ball coach. It is strange to me that a lady is in charge of the Boy Scouts, but I’ve watched tons of Little House on the Prairie shows and I am sure Laura could out-survive me any day. They meet once a week and from what I hear from Steve and Andrew they do cool boy things. (Steve made it all the way to "Life Scout”…which is the level just below Eagle... his parents moved to Japan where he didn’t have the opportunity to finish) I am, seriously, going to do the criminal background checks just for my own piece of mind, but as of today Andrew is officially a Cub Scout. The first thing Andrew did when Steve and he came home from the meeting is hand me flyer about fundraising…so beware… an email may be coming your way :)

We scored a used couch and some dishes from one of the teachers at the school. Yahoo! Now we can sit and snuggle together rather than all three of us being spread-out throughout the room in those funky black chairs.

We went to a Title 1 program called “Cocoa and Books” that brings parents and kids together to read to each other. At the end of the evening the student is able to keep two brand-new books of his or her choosing.

We had another great week. We really miss you all. Thank you for reading. It is the highlight of my Saturday to publish these posts. I love that we can share our Alaskan experience with you even though we are many miles apart. Steve, Andrew and I wish for you all to have a wonderful week and we hope that your days are filled with love, beauty and peace.