the week, in summary:

1. Amanda
A very good friend of mine, Amanda, came to visit me for a week over her spring break. It was so good to have company in my quiet home, and with her reserved, yet fun, personality, she was a perfect compliment to my on-the-go lifestyle. She had a great trip and was able to see more than I did when I came up over spring break 2005; because I had to work, she rented a vehicle from the Wasilla Enterprise and drove up to Fairbanks to spend the night and tour the UAF campus. Apparently she had a blast and it was perfect driving weather- yay her! I was sick for most of her stay, but that didn't stop us from taking in the sights, going to an Anchorage Aces hockey game (or, "We went to a fight and a hockey game broke out!"), cross-country skiing, shopping downtown Anchorage and Palmer, enjoying a family dinner with the Berrigans, and cooking. Actually, I shouldn't say I cooked at all. She played nurse and personal chef all week, so you can understand my sadness at her departure.

Amanda and I up at Hatcher's Pass



Ski day at the farm


View of the amazing Talkeetna Mountains (Amanda's photo from her trip north)


Out of all the hullabaloo surrounding her trip, the best part by far for me was the Aces game. I'd never been to a hockey match of such esteem; we played Phoenix and won 3-2 in the last 18 seconds. I'm still trying to decide if my sore throat came from all that screaming or the pneumonia. My friends Roz and Kim secured our tickets for us, and on Saturday night we headed down to their art gallery to have some good snacks, drink and talking time before the game. Once 6:00pm rolled around the group gathered up and boarded the Magic Bus, a party bus with coolers of god-knows-what (PBR, Molson Gold, Coors Light, anything and all things Mike's...I've turned into more of a beer snot up here with all of the amazing microbrews AK has to offer) and a radio tuned into the oldies. Amanda and I were the youngest ones there by far, but we got the snot partied out of us as we went riding through downtown Anchorage before and after the game. We retired at Roz and Kim's in their guest room, and were pleased to be on the receiving end of an amazing breakfast frittata the next morning.

2. Pneumonia
Oh well, better than oldmonia I say. Came out of nowhere, and kicked my butt right back to bed for a good portion of the week. Coughing, hacking, sniffling, wheezing, aching stupid pneumonia. I had a visit to the doctor on Tuesday and have enjoyed the relief that the antibiotics have provided over the last few days. Definitely not fun to be sick, but the support of friends and family through the ordeal has been wonderful. I had posted on Facebook my need for a 6'1" handsome country boy to play nurse for me (that being Boyfriend Charlie) and got a variety of funny and endearing responses. So hard to be away, especially being sick and just wanting to curl up and snuggle in. The Berrigans cooked Amanda and I an amazing dinner of moose and mashed potatoes on Thursday night, and my friend Sierra is always a fount of wisdom and nurturing with her capacities of herbal know-how and hugs. Phone calls home were croaky on my end, but always wonderful to hear familiar voices. I am feeling much better; better enough, in fact, to do a little....

3. Kayaking
As I've said, I have a kayaking class every Saturday in Anchorage. I had dropped Amanda off at the airport last night around 7, and then stayed the night at Roz and Kim's so that I didn't have to drive all the way back to Palmer and then turn around and come right back in the morning...so gracious of them to let me stay! Toodling around the pool is a riot, and it is also some of the most physically rigorous stuff I have mustered my way through (and I ran cross-country for feet's sake!). The class has a trip planned to Resurrection Bay near Seward April 3-5th, and we have just a couple more class days before we leave for a weekend of paddling adventures. Today's focus was honed in on paddling skills, learning how to maneuver with a partner in a double kayak, cockpit changeovers, self and assisted rescues and braces. I'm excited to put my new set of skills to the test, and to continue learning through the trip. Hopefully I'll be able to do the expedition in May as well; still figuring out the finances for it.

4. Housesitting
This week I am housesitting for the Berrigans while they are in San Francisco on vacation. It is again, a quiet house, but one well loved and lived in. I'll be staying here through the week, cleaning, taking care of their sled dogs and house dog, watering plants and doing other house-y things. The new environment with new books, a fireplace, deep tub and comfy big bed will be a nice compliment to my need to rest and heal. That about wraps up my life at the moment; I've been writing many a letter and love getting them. I may or may not have your address, so post it if you'd like to communicate via SnailMail! A letter from me is better than a bill any day. : )

Katie Freeman
PO Box 3596
Palmer, AK 99645