Pat2003~ August 8-17th. So between now and then, I will help you with any advice you need.
Shoot, if old kitty could make the trip, she would be welcome here. There are shrews and birds and she could sit in my bay window and have a ball.:) J.

Uh-huh, girlfriends! Those big blueberries are just another good reason I can give DH as to why we need a home in Homer!!;-)

BayouGal, just remember to have a room for us, above your garage will be fine.
Jetset, the old cat (just don't say this in front of her or expect to get a look that may kill) loves windows and birds. However, she comes with my husband so you would have to accept both of them. They can sit quietly in one spot for hours reading Science Magazine. You won't even know they are there. And I can go blueberry picking.
Got to go now to find someone who speaks Russian fluently or a native Russian speaker. My husband and I are going to Siberia in 2007!!!! My job is to relearn the language well enough so I can get us around.

Oh, Pat, Siberia??!!! What a trip!! Please keep us updated on THOSE travel plans. And yes, consider yourself invited to our (future) home in Homer!:)

Pat~ your husband is welcome too. I have a library full of Isaac Asimov(sp?) as well as classic literature that my late dad left me, so plenty of intellectual material around.
If he's interested in aviation, we also have many magazines and books.. I say let's leave him to read on the deck and you and I will go pick berries for a day:). J.

BayouGal, do you speak Russian? I need to find someone. A student I met yesterday asks for $100.00 per lesson (2 hours). I don't think so.
J., I like your idea of you and I berry picking. Meanwhile I need your input on places for berries while in Homer.

Pat~ Today, I'm calling an old family friend with a homestead. I know she's let us loose on her property, and I'll ask if there's other places nearby.
Years ago, I went out East Road and found moss and blueberries. Another local favorite that some people from the lower states aren't familiar with is watermelon berries.
Those and twenty varieties of other kinds can be bought as jellies, jams and sauces at Wild Berry Products in Homer, Anchorage, Juneau.. I worked there for a couple summers back in college days. Will report back today:)

Hey, Pat, J is part Russian. So what about it, Jet, do you speak Russian?

And while we're at it, just keep those selling points for our move to Alaska coming . . . DH loves fresh berries!!! ;-)

Yes, but my grandfather came over as a young man and I never learned any of it. My mom spoke French and Spanish.
They say it's a difficult language to learn. We have "Old Believers", Russians who left after the Bolshevik Revolution and migrated first to South America, then up to Oregon and then here, for fishing and to maintain their culture.
First time visitors will notice colorfully dressed people, the women have scarves and dresses, the men, pants with a white shirt and sashes(unless they are fishing).. the village outside of Anchor Point is interesting. All the houses are pastel colors. The food is good, lots of potato, meat, cabbage rolls and other goodies.
Whew.. there's my local cultural contribution for today.. J.

Our Fodorite Faina is from Russian and speaks fluent Russian I am sure, but she lives in SF. One of mystepgrandson's wife family is from Russia and she speaks fluent Russian too but she is in SF also.

Thanks Love, I guess I need to move west.

J., I have to leave next week for a few days in Europe but please post here your research results on berries. Thanks

Hey, Bayougal, yep, my name is Kevin. (I couldn't reply to the post on the Europe board because it was closed.)

Are you psychic?

That's soooooo weird! LoL No, I'm not psychic, but that's my brother's name and when you described your own upbringing in that church referenced, you also described mine to a T. How strange, huh?!:) Maybe there are more of us . . . . ;-)

From where do you hale, IOC?

Pat2003~ wonderful.. which countires are you visiting?
((*))Yes, I promise to have the berry information when you return! J.

I am originally from Haringey, North London. Now I live in New York City.

Wow, I would like to go into this more, but don't think <i>this </i> is the place. :)

Anyway, IOC, you have a surrogate sister in the deep south!

J., Thanks. This is going to be a quick trip to Paris for a couple days, then from there to Dubai for a business meetings. Flying back from Dubai directly to New York with Emirates, it's going to be a long flight but maybe not too bad in first class. Anyway, take care of yourself here while I'm there

Pat2003~ sounds quite interesting. Can you tell me what your Alaska travel dates are so I can note them? My next three weeks are full, so I want to keep track.
I hope to be able to meet you in August(kitty and husband too). J.

8/17-9/1