Something Wicked this Way Comes...

is a Ray Bradbury story written in 1962,  It was made into a movie in 1983.  The movie is set in October, and has the feeling of carnivals, fall and Halloween.

This is October, and the season is fall, but that is as far as the comparison goes.

I'm referring to something different - but equally scary.  This is the scene from a couple of weeks ago:

just a little snow on the peaks

That was just about 2 weeks ago.  Then over the weekend we had rain in town, but the wicked stuff started to creep down the mountains -

Heading out on the Glen Highway

The Visitor Center at Mat-Su

Severe case of termination dust

Today

Yes, I'm sure you have figured the wicked stuff I am talking about is snow.  Our temperatures are in the 30's and 40's at night, and there was ice on my windshield this morning.  We have had a heavy enough frost to kill most of the flowers in my flower boxes.  There are still leaves on the trees, but as you can see, they are thinning rapidly.  Parts of the state have had temperatures below freezing on a regular basis and the ads on the radio are all about putting on the snow tires.

It seems like overnight we went from hours of unending daylight to darkness.  Now, when I drive to work at about 7:30 AM, I cannot deny it is dark out. I spent a few days telling myself it was cloudy, which it was, but the sun really wasn't crested over the mountains yet.  And by 8 PM the sun has set.  There is no denying the approach of winter what with the snow on the mountains and our days growing shorter and shorter.

But what everyone is really talking about right now is the release of the PFD.  What is the PFD? Well, you know the rumor about how the state pays everyone thousands of dollars to live there?  That rumor is only partially true.  The PFD stands for Permanent Fund Dividend.  The state does pay all residents, who file the appropriate paperwork, a return on state financial investments.  This year it works out to $1,174.00.  Steve is eligible, and I hope I sent in all the right paperwork.  They were pretty demanding; certified birth certificate, copy of taxes.... but I guess if as a state you are paying out that much money, you want to make sure no one is cheating you.  Next year Jake and I will be able to apply.  Maybe Joe too.

It is hard to believe that I have been here almost a full year.  The time has really flown by.  I'm on the search for a new house to rent.  Housing prices in Anchorage are pretty astronomical.  We thought WI was so much higher in comparison to Ohio.  But wow, here a small three bedroom house with hardly any lot can cost $275,000.  The same house in WI could probably be bought for 1/2 the price.  And with rentals, it's not much different.  If we were willing to do the hour commute and drive out to "the Valley", prices would be cheaper.  But you probably make it up in gas (a gallon goes for $3.85 right now), and time.  And truthfully, I have no desire to do that commute - summer or winter.  And I'm limited with rentals because I don't want to move Jake into another high school so we have to stay in this area, and the place has to accept dogs.  It would sure be easier to rent without the kid and without the dogs, but I'm not ready to give up on either at this moment.

That's about all for now.  I think we will have snow on the ground before halloween arrives.  Guess the kids will need to wear snowsuits with their costumes.

Take care and send me warm thoughts!

Until next time!