Tuesday, March 14, 2006
21:17

Wrangell. I was interviewed by the radio station in the morning. How interesting our lives sound when we listen to each others stories. Surrounded by water, one week on an island was coming to an end. We stopped at the petroglyphs for one last photo. Zain, first grader and fearless leader on our hike, was beaming with energy. Even from his perspective the world is sometimes a complicated place. Thank you Alaska, I hope to be back one of these days.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006
02:10

Weather report: northeast winds will increase to 60 to 80 mph early Tuesday morning and continue into early Wednesday morning. Hazardous weather conditions are imminent or highly likely. people are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Bob tells me that a boat was sunk by the storm. The crew of two is missing. Wind-chill warning on the open water: minus 60 degrees.

Monday, March 13, 2006
11:50

It snowed tonight. Left-over shrimp and black coffee for breakfast. Bald Eagles soaring through the sky. I could get used to it.

Monday, March 13, 2006
01:18

A hearty breakfast, Lutheran service at 9:30, coffee and cake; Presbyterian service with Bob preaching at 11, coffee and cake; a hearty lunch; and in the evening Susie prepares 5 pound of fresh shrimp for three adults and a hearty 6 year old. What will I bring back from my trip to Alaska? Two extra pounds on my hips.

Saturday, March 11, 2006
21:13

The finest halibut I have ever tasted was what we had for pot luck yesterday. A group of about 15 gathered as diverse as can be imagined, from the local grocery store manager to radio station worker to doctor to seminary professor to organist, who does not read sheet music but taught in Mongolia and speaks fluent Arabic. A fine group of people. One man told me he had to cross the sound rowing a boat and then ride his bicycle to get to the church. They were quiet and attentive as they listened to the professor with the strange accent who had come all the way from Maine to talk to them about the Gospels of John and Mary. And when Bob drove me back the sky was bright with Northern Lights.

Thursday, March 09, 2006
21:17

Where did Jesus conduct his theological discussions? In dining rooms with tax collectors and drinking wine. Not so in Alaska. I just spent half the afternoon discussing Barth and Tillich and Jesus and the Gospels and ethics and society outside at near freezing temperatures with Bob and George, who are both of the Alaska Amber Beer drinking persuasion, in a hot tub.

Thursday, March 09, 2006
13:18

The flight attendant carefully studies the computer printout. After our stopover in Ketchikan all six continuing passengers are reseated. I am moved from 11A to 16A. 'It's because of weight issues' she says and apologizes. Next time I'll take it easy on those breakfast bagels.

Thursday, March 09, 2006
03:04

It takes six hours to fly from Boston to Seattle, roughly the same amount of time it takes to fly to London. This is my first visit to Seattle. All I know about this city is that it rains a lot. Well, it is raining right now. However, outside temperature is 30 degrees. Shouldn't it be snowing? Even the weather seems to find it difficult to get rid of bad habits. My wisdom for the day.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006
23:42

What would it take to get you here? Bob Evans, one of our recent graduates, emailed. An invitation and a plane ticket, I replied. Minutes later we had a deal. The location: Wrangell, Alaska; the time: reading week in March 2006.