Saturday A.M.

Good morning, out there!

We got up at 6:15, and at 6:30 I was standing in line, outside the Sam's Club. I was eighth, waiting to get the tires changed on my truck. They finally opened the doors at 7:05, and let us in.

A few were starting to shiver, by then; there were 10 more folks behind me, when the doors opened. It was 33 degrees, and I regret that I didn't stop for a cup of coffee on the way.

So I checked in at 7:32, and now I'm awaiting the call to let me know the summer tires are installed.

* * * * *

The puddles were a bit crunchy, but there wasn't any frost on the windows. It's been light since 5 a.m., and sun finally made it over the mountains around 7:15.

Sunrise was "official" at 6:04 this morning, and we have 17 hours and 38 minutes between the rising and setting. We gain 5 minutes and 37 seconds of daylight every 24 hours, at this point in the spring.

* * * * *

We haven't made any plans for the day, but now that my wife & I have had our coffee and breakfast, in that order (got to have priorities, don'tcha know), we'll think of something.

The battery in my company cell phone has given up the ghost, and won't hold a charge longer than about 18 hours. I'll need to remedy that, today - there's a battery store near the airport.

UPDATE: the battery is one they normally carry, BUT it's out of stock. They ordered more, BUT they're on back order. The company that makes the batteries is good, BUT they can't say when the next batteries will arrive.

That's life in Alaska, folks.

Just for the record, Radio Shack also lists that battery as one that's available, BUT only in the Lower 48. They won't ship it here BECAUSE WE'RE OVERSEAS. (Really? We drove here, and didn't even get a flooded engine.)

My wife & I have long since stopped doing business with any company that can't figure out where Alaska is. Some companies will ship here, but only by 2nd Day Air, thereby tripling (or quadrupling) the shipping fees ... OR they don't ship to Alaska at all "because of the increased cost to get it there."

I have taken to asking friends in the Midwest to pick up certain things for me, and mail them here. Strangely enough, 1st class postage gets here just like anywhere else. <sigh...>

* * * * *

I finally installed a webcam on my PC, as friends back in the Midwest keep insisting they would rather talk than correspond by instant message. It seems I type too fast or something...

For whatever reason, they seem to think they need to see my ugly mug, and no amount of warning from me keeps them from wanting it.

* * * * *

Brigid mentions that it's Turkey season, down at her home on the range. Here, black, brown, and grizzly bears are in season. I haven't looked up the smaller critter dates & seasons, but haven't been tempted to go hunting lately. I get a tickle of that old feeling, every once in awhile, but then I get distracted by family or work and it goes away.

Besides, just hiking in the city parks here provides a possibility of an encounter with bear and/or moose ...

* * * * *

It's bright & sunny, with clear skies and 37 degrees. I'm going to pick up my truck & get a cell phone battery. After that, who knows?