The swans are magnificent but we have to count the buffalo calves… from “a day in the life” (on a Delta farm)

Originally published April 29, 2006 by Ruby Hollembeak on the Hollembeak’s Farms Web site.

The swans are magnificent. There must be thousands out in all the fields around Delta. While we drive around the farms, they stay put and with field glasses you can really watch them interact but as soon as I stepped out onto the road, they take off or move away. Of course, there are many other waterfowl, owls, hawks and eagles too along with the sparrows.

Today, Scott and I will take the 4-wheeler out to count calves. I am replanting the rhubarb and starting to get ready for next plants. My geraniums wintered over fabulously so I will get more and do the same this year.

I have a friend who has so many beautiful flowers and mostly perennials. I will try to get some photos for my Alaska gallery page.

Yesterday, I delivered 2 bison skulls to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Sullivan Roadhouse.

The Sullivan houses the “Hollembaek Miner’s Cache” and the plexi-glass broke so we have to order new. This will help with that.

I was going to stay for the baseball game but I just got too chilled. It is calling for snow flurries this weekend. Tok (90 miles south of us) got snow and it is suppose to be headed here.

The library is also having their open house along with the Calico Cow quilter’s store. I won’t head back to town until Monday though. (Editor’s note: the Hollembeak’s Farms are 25 miles from Delta Junction.)

I notice Governor Murkowski’s push for the petroleum tax and will review that as I’m not sure I understand all of it. His daughter is our Senator; he appointed the position to her when he ran for Governor.

Senator Stevens is over 80 years old now and quite a pillar to our State. Whether you believe in his views or not, he has been instrumental to Alaska’s growth. Of course, I think it is only 2% of Alaska is owned by private hands-at least that is what I heard. Probably should research that before I make that statement.

There was a terrible plane crash which killed a man and his sons plus another seasoned pilot. One pilot worked for Fish and Game and the other was an Alaskan Airlines pilot. It stopped everyone in the state as so many people fly here, whether as a passenger or pilot. I think the statistics were at one time that 1 in 6 people owned a pilot’s license.

This is Ruby Hollembaek’s most recent journal entry. She has been making entries in her Web journal since June 19, 2005.

Ruby is a farmer, artist, teacher, gardener, mother, and grandmother, long-term Delta resident, and lifelong Alaskan. Read more about the fun, the challenges, and the rewards found living on Scott and Ruby’s Hollembaek Farms by clicking here.