Alaska Sea Life Center

Among the many things to do in Alaska is a scenic trip down to Seward.  The Alaska Sea Life Center is a nice place to stop in at.  This center, focussing on education and wildlife rehabilitation, is home to many soulful little creatures.  The first of which I encountered soon through the door.  I think this little guys was a rockfish...and he or she certainly has the eyes of an old soul.  

I then wandered to the window overlooking the seal pool, and saw one seal trying to peacefully enjoy sunning itself of a summer day.  But...we all have one of those 'friends'...this one apparently thinks playing Jaws is funny (not for the average seal I imagine).

In a suelte seal move, 'Jaws' got body slammed back into the pool lol.

I am not sure how the sea anemone's feel about this, but they live in the 'touch and feel' tank.  Fitting because they have so many fingers of their own, but guessing it gets a little old getting poked by preschoolers.  I predict an evolutionary adaptation of eel-like tazers by next summer.

Either way, the anemone's are shiny and silky, every one and an-y-one (pardon the attempt at the pun).

There are also lots of birds at the Sea Life Center.  I am always amazed at the variety of duck like creatures on the planet.  A lot of them definitely look like space-ducks, case in point below.

This puffin is looking a bit grizzled (but hey, that's what Rehab Centers are for, right?)

All the visitors are no reason to get one's feathers ruffled.  This little duck is sleeking down feathers and committed to always looking her finest.

Aaaaaand then there's crazy eyebrow angry duck.  If there are mad scientist ducks, I found one.

Here we have another seal soaking up some sun.

And much to my amazement, deep underwater in the 2 story tank, is it a stingray, is it a mini shark, is it a....wait, what is ithat?

It's a freaking penguin at the bottom of the tank.  So apparently, this is among the things that penguins do, steal fish food from the fish tanks.  I have this image of them just hanging out on iceflows, so, yeah, I guess they have to go somewhere for food.  I just wasn't expecting to see wings and feet in the fish tank lol!

This is the look of the residents when the penguin steals all their food.

A spotted harbor seal cozied up against the glass and wanted belly rubs.  Hopefully it wasn't because it thought I was in similar shape.  I'm going to go with it's just friendly, versus the idea that I look like a fellow seal.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  We are all unique, and I think this little guy has a beauty all of his own.  I would call him "The Professor."

And then of course, there are jellyfish.  Who doesn't love staring at jellyfish (particularly when on the other side of glass).  I can watch these little guys swoosh along for hours.

This little guy was about the size of a mandarine orange.  It just goes to show, it doesn't matter how small you may be in the world, you never know who is being inspired by your light.  Shine bright.

Life Lessons from a Porcupine

 Yesterday I willed my tired self out into the world, since the snowless days of Alaska are almost gone once more.  I made my way to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, which is always a good way to chill out and spend a day.  I met somebody new when I was there.  Twix.  Twix has been around humans since she was a wee porcupette -- she was found orphaned at just one day old with her umbilical cord still attached.  She was raised at the Conservation center, on goat milk, and seems to be quite alright with life with lots of humans to peer at, and a spacious cage with an awesome log to play on, and chicken wire to climb.  Hey, it beats traffic on the Glenn Highway.

Twix 

As I watched little Twix crawl about her cage, quick to come up to me and snuffle as she took in my scent, with large and expressively cute little porcupine nostrils, I realized she looks quite happy despite the fence.  Then I thought, orphaned, in a cage, but having the time of her life walking on her log, seeing the sites, and just being safe and warm and fed and entertained.  We all have our cage...maybe it's your job, your headspace, or something else.  But that doesn't mean you can't take joy in good snacks and your favorite log, and enjoy the day.


So there you have it.  Today's life lesson, from Twix the porcupine.

Isn't she the cutest!?

Now get out there and have your best day!

Don't Worry Be Happy

And then it was ten

March 28, 2009.  Feels like yesterday that we talked on the phone about the volleyball game, and the day.  Maybe it's because the better part of me is left back there, across this chasm of 10 years, but it feels like you are right there.  Like I should be able to hear your voice, see your smile, feel your hug.  I know how much all three of you are missed.  And after 10 years, the answers are no clearer, the scars not healed.  I know those things are among all the others that just will not be.  Yet I am grateful for the time we had with you.

As I said then, I say again today.  I love you today, tomorrow, and always.  Miss you!

It was the Best of Times, it was...the Best of Times

26.  That's how old she would be today.  I found myself thinking on the drive home today, where was I when I have 26, to try to imagine what she might be getting up to today.  I quickly realized that at 26, I was just figuring out that I didn't have it all figured out, but one thing I know for sure was I loved the time I spent with my favorite little humans.  At 26, I didn't know that half of my time with her was already gone.

So, those days were the best of days.  Life stretched out endlessly.  Laughter mixed with sparks rose up over bonfires and half burned marshmallows into timeless starry skies.  Decadent days spent in pajamas at the coffee table.  "Spin me again aunty!" and going round and round and round on a sunny Saskatchewan summer day.  Christmas day excitements.  Favorite pets, cartoon marathons, and the crinkle of nose before a laugh.

I grieve for all the lost time with you between then, and now, and all those still to come.  But I remember how happy you were.  There was always a giggle, a story, a smile.  Sure, there were also adorable bouts of indignant melodrama, as all wise old souls are prone too.  But mostly there was laughter, there was love.  We were all so happy back then.  All time with you was simply the best of times and...the best of times.


love you, today, always, and forever <3  Happy birthday my beautiful girl.