Catching my breath, and recognizing I am here to stay, will be in Alaska for a long time -- July 26, 2009

As I'm sure I said before, it has been a much more difficult adjustment than I expected to come back to Alaska and to move back into my house (now somewhat worse for the wear and needing repairs). In fact, I am struggling with the affluence of the United States and the people who live here, the consumerism, and knowing everyone is taking for granted their standard of living. I'm even horrified at my own piles of possessions. It's been difficult to go shopping in a big store for more than a few minutes, and also hard to bring boxes into the house and try to unpack them. Once in a while I'm surprised at the beautiful things I own, but other times I'm depressed by having so much stuff. Oddly, I was fine as long as I was moving and traveling on the long journey to get home, but it really hit me after I arrived here.

So, I apologize to friends who expected to hear from me sooner, and even more to those who assumed this journal was finished when I left the Peace Corps after more than two years in Romania. On the other hand, I am delighted that I have friends who want me to continue, to post photos and make comments about my life and what it is like to be back in Alaska and on my own again.

As you can see in the photos posted below, my house was nearly empty when I got here, and I have only gradually made it feel like home again. My son Peter is here from Germany for his commercial fishing season, and you can see he slept on the couch his first night. Fortunately I had some furniture I could move in to make the place habitable. He'll be returning to Munich early in August. My granddaughter Sabra also came and spent one night, she's here from Oregon for a week to visit her father's family. I took her photo, wearing my winter otter fur parka and caribou leg mukluks. I'm gradually getting involved again with my Rotary group, slowly seeing old friends and acquaintances, but generally I'm keeping a low profile as I get adjusted. In the fall, I expect to be ready to take another trip somewhere.

I did go for a long weekend in Halibut Cove, a waterfront community across beautiful Kachemak Bay from Homer, about 70 miles south of where I live in Soldotna. I'm including some photos from there, too. Thanks to my friend Jane for inviting me, it was a welcome escape and as usual, I was impressed with the wonderful people who live there by the sea.

Please write when you can, I love hearing from you! Love, Kristin