An Awesome Day!

Haven't blogged for a few days...the weather has been very nice, no rain for the last 10 days, which is quite unusual for Juneau...but we'll take it : )  So we have been doing several projects outdoors...the dandelions have exploded so trying to keep them out of the flower beds at least....it will be a battle I'm sure !   We are getting about 17 hours of sunlight now so things are growing like crazy.

Having my coffee this morning, I heard the sound of whales blowing....was able to get a short clip of them " talking"

( turn up your audio) 

There must be some good feeding right here today, they were hanging out for several hours right in front of the house.   Still hoping to see and capture a picture of a full breach !

We treated ourselves to some new binoculars, they are awesome!

  

I can see clear across to Shelter Island, 3 miles across the canal.  We can see the whale watching tours out in the area and when I notice the boats stop moving that means there are whales, so I can focus in on that area.

Speaking of wildlife, I hung out the hummingbird feeders Jeanne left and we've been entertained by up to 6 hummers at a time at the feeder.

   They are drinking a quart of nectar per day!

The Shrine has a beautiful rock garden along the water that is a Rosary Trail. It is a beautiful & peaceful place to pray & meditate.   The rock walls are planted with beautiful succulents, many that I've never seen before... It is starting to fill in  nicely!

Can't believe we get to live here ...

Happy Mother's Day! (and a hat tip to Fathers)

A beautiful day here and an orca playing in the bay but can't get its picture, they are a bit camera shy ( or I'm just not quick enough) But a lot of excited Japanese tourists got to see it. 

We had a busy week as the Priest's Retreat was here at the Shrine all week.  Nine priests serve the Diocese of Juneau & they were all here along with Bishop Burns & Bishop Zelinski from Fairbanks.   A great group of men & we were happy to get to know them all.  We spoiled them with Jeff's BBQ Ribs & DG's 24kt Carrot Cake so I think they will be back! 

The 2nd photo is at the "Libby"  Fr Hubbards boat-- he served the diocese in the 1950s - he was also an explorer & lecturer all over Southeast Alaska.   I would say he certainly must have been a man of faith to travel in Libby!   But even more so, Fr Thomas was out in his sea kayak every day & regularly "commutes" in it.... I'll just enjoy the view from the shore, thank you! 

Happy Morher's Day to our moms & all the women who have touched our lives as "moms" and friends- miss you and sending our love today !

Pre-Gardening

So, even though we've had some nice days, it's a bit early for planting.  Besides that, the selection I've seen so far doesn't look great & is expensive !  But since I had decided that the pots "must" be filled yesterday, I was up for the challenge...here's where living in a rain forest comes in handy : )     Snipped  some branches & twigs, wild raspberries in bloom, moss & ferns and relocated a couple plants from the flower beds and Voila!  Not too bad for $ 0.00 and they should look good for awhile til I can get some bedding plants. 

Gardening in Alaska has some challenges as I've mentioned...

Haha....haven't seen any bears up close yet, but 2 on the road so they are up and moving.  

Speaking of wildlife, (Jeff will deny this, but he can get his own blog, lol)  2 or 3 times as we've been walking around we've heard a noise in the canal and Jeff shouted "that's a whale!"   And then we'd see a sea lion poking up it's head, not a whale... but a couple days ago we were working outside and heard a REALLY loud noise ...now That's a Whale!  Definitely a difference in sound as they surface & blow air and spout !  Couldn't get a good picture, but it is a humpback whale 

The canal here is a migration "highway " and lots of whales will be moving thru soon. Hope to get better pictures...

Happy Sunday !