Since my last column...

Howdy everyone! It is good to be back writing. A lot has happened since the last time I wrote – 2008 I believe. No excuses on my end, at least not a one that justifies my lack of writing. That being said (or written), it is story time.
Let’s title it, “Since the last column.”
Since the last column…
We returned from Christmas (yes, Christmas, not “Holiday”) vacation January 11th and things have been hopping since. You can’t stop sickness and the infection never ends with only one person. Last week we had a day with five staff members out on sick leave. It brought back the memories of when Irene and I were at tiny schools. With help from other staff we managed to cook and feed the kids, cover the classes, and handle other day-to day challenges. It is fun to be back.
Since the last column…
We have learned that when people told us there isn’t Federal Express package service they were not kidding. We had some documents to send out and the company had sent us a Fed Ex return envelope. The post office doesn’t accept them and the Fed Ex truck hasn’t been out here in…I’d say…a couple thousand years.
The envelope was given to the airline agent who gave it to the pilot who gave it to the people at the Bethel terminal. That was as far as it got. We were notified that the company hadn’t received the envelope so we tracked it down. The airline still had it and they said they. “were waiting for someone to come pick it up.”
It had a to and from Texas address…I don’t know.
Nevertheless, we had them send it back to us and we repackaged it and sent it via post office Express Mail. It got to its destination in a few days. The whole mailing took more than two weeks.
Since my last column…
I again was reminded that you can't start a four-wheeler while the kill switch is on “kill.”
Since my last column…
A theory that I had wondered about was confirmed. If you press hard enough or continue over the same area too much you can cut yourself with an electric razor.
Since my last column…
Irene and I learned that no matter how hard you try not to give the other a cold – you usually fail. Within a day or two after I recovered Irene decided not to be left out of the suffering. She is about well now.
Since my last column…
The school basketball season has begun. It is a time of travel and no travel. Our high school boys’ basketball team experienced both this past weekend. They traveled to Kongiginak Friday and their Saturday 12:30PM flight is late. In fact, it is now after 3:00PM on Sunday and they aren’t here yet.
So as you have read, nothing much has changed in regards to life in Bush Alaska since my last column.