The Festivities Continue...

It is the second day of SBA (see yesterday) testing. One (or two, depending) days left. One of my 7th graders admitted to stalling so that it would be longer before the 8th graders returned. Hilarious...the 7th grade group seems to be generally quieter and more focused. I suspect that the 8th graders annoy them or something...

Oh, by the way, Amber...I don't hate my kids. Mondays are another matter.

We went to run errands last night. That is a much more complex process here than it is back in Michigan. Four hours to pick up some paperwork from the vet's office, drop off the sno-go for some work, grocery shop, and fill the neighbors' machine with gas (down to $6+ from the 7.80 a couple of weeks ago). Of course, the process of departure is much more involved than starting the car and opening the garage with a remote. First, we must prepare ourselves for the ride. That involves insulated overalls and thermal socks at least, and maybe long underwear as well. Of course, you definitely want a neck gaiter, and there is the fur hat and the goggles.

Once that is accomplished, the snow machine must be prepared. I take it off the jack that keeps the treads from freezing to the ground. Then I remove the locked cable that discourages unauthorized borrowing. The start process is usually fairly straightforward, as we have an electric start. Of course, the choke is manual. I found the biggest adjustment there to be cutting back on the choke sooner rather than later. Occasionally, the pull start will have to come into play, and that works differently than is the case with a lawn mower or snowblower. Instead of one big pull, this process involves a number of fast pulls until the engine catches.

Once the machine is started and warmed up, the sleds must be hitched. Often this winter, that means disinterring them from a large bank of snow.

All that to go to shopping for food, or out to dinner, or to run any errand to Bethel once the river has frozen. And this is a good thing. Because it is when we have to go through all of these gyrations that we are able to lift the veil of isolation a little and get out and travel freely (sort of) in the world. But it is a little more intricate here than it is in most of the Lower 48...