transition

rox's garden that we were able to help build (in a dust storm) @ burning man
3 story high astro-turf slide at sunrise... ahh, burning man!!!
hank and me under the hoopa
hank and me

oysters in SF!!!!!
greetings to all!

i am currently in orlando, visiting with family and friends for a few daze- then i begin my voyage southward again on the 30th. i will be flying thru denver for a few daze then thru l.a. and sydney to arrive in christchurch for more training and then off to the south pole at some point after that... our flight times become jumbled to antarctica due to available seating, ect. i am very excited about my position this season because i will be involved in logistical support- essentially, it will be like working at a huge home depot. we receive cargo and place it in it's appropriate home and then retrieve it - when needed- with forklifts!!!! defiantly much better on the body than shoveling snow!

burning man was amazing this year, but much more challenging than any of us expected. there was much to do and the dust storms were a menace, alas- we made it thru, and stronger for it!

i am hoping to be able to take a trip to thailand in the spring when i get off the ice, it's always called to me, and really if i do nothing but eat... i'll be happy!!! my plan is to return to MV in the spring for more gardening adventures! my mailing address is on my very 1st blog from this time last year, so i will not post it again, but i do ask, if you find yourself with a spare moment- drop me a line- it's just regular 1st class US postage and i'll certainly send you something in return!!! well, i'm off to bed- i hope this post finds you all enjoying the september splendors where ever you may be!!! take care, karengrace*

end of augustness

singing with the spirituals choir at the east chop light house
the hibiscus and me!
passion flower!
chico shine with his ribbon from the dog show at the fair!
kids+dogs+sunset at lambert's cove=heaven!
greetings !!!

i'm on the bus from woods hole to logan intl. airport right now- free wifi on the bus... so fancy!!

i just left the president and all his people on the island, it's actually not as congested as i expected it to be, except for when the motorcade stops everything, ahh- the price we pay to live in paradise!! it's been over a month since i've written, mostly because life has just been filled with simple things like the beach and work and dinner parties!!! i am flying to LA tonight to prepare for burning man (a week long art festival in the desert in NV) we are producing a piece of art, so we are going in early!! we'll be in the desert with no cell phones or computers or $$$ for 10 days this time - it's going to be quite a journey=on every level!!! we are driving the RV up from LA on friday and will enter that evening to set-up camp and begin assembling our art sat. morning before the sun gets too hot. the festival opens to the public on monday, and the man is burned next saturday evening. if you're interested there's a great website for the event, check it out!!!

i will then be going over to SF to see mel and all the bay area folks and then fly back to MV for an undetermined amount of time, as i haven't received my deployment dates yet to return to the pole...and for that matter, i am not sure that i am 100% pq'd (passing all medical requirements) but i think it's a go!! will keep you posted as soon as i know! otherwise there's not too much to report, i hope this message finds you all well, and enjoying the glories of august!!! take care, karengrace

summer funnin'

happy 4th!

me +mere on the skipper on the 4th!
luna moth
chico shine!!
poippy belle!
greetings!

it's beginning to warm up here, but the rain is ever present... had a wonderful time with Sabrina and am enjoying every moment of the sum-sum! not too much to report, loving the choir and my radio show and all the lovely-ness that is this season! sending you all loads of love!! hope all is well in your corner of the world!! take care, k.grace*

summer sun!!!

cooter brown in the sunshine!!!

hank and me at gay head light

greetings from the 3rd day of summer- the sun finally came out today...what a relief!

it has rained almost everyday since i've been back on the island, that's from april 1st until now.  all in all we have been having a blast though, definitely  not able to work in the gardens as extensively as previous summers, but we are making it all work! i truly can't believe that next week is the 4th of july!! i have been singing with the choir, working in my own yard, hosting and attending dinner parties, watching true blood, doing my radio show (which is where i am now!) and getting all my doctor things together for the p.q. requirements to return to the south pole this october. as soon as i know anything definite i will post it on here! hank was visiting a few weeks ago and sabrina will be here in 2 weeks and i hope that karl and melissa can make it over this summer... especially when it warms up!  the world lost a beautiful soul last week, my dear friend Sarah Thorn from alaska passed away last week, she is deeply missed.  i am getting quite excited for burning man, it is all coming together so quickly and we'll be driving into nevada before we know it! there are several of us going early this year because we are producing an art piece for the festival!!!! we are all looking so forward to being more involved participants this year!  i hope this message finds you all well and able to enjoy summer fun!!! take care, kgrace*

spring show(ers)

cooter brown!!!
oooops!
lamberts cove at sunset
amazing!!!
greetings from the depths of wvvy!

it was a lovely spring day today, we've had several rain days that we've gardened right through...the life of a gardener. my friend kate showed up last week from the pole to garden with us this summer and her first day was a total rain day...she was such a trooper, made me proud!!! my life has been pretty uneventful for the most part, so, my entries have dropped off, also- i am so incredibly busy that i forget to write... i have become a bad friend, i have not returned phone calls, ect.... i apologize. i suppose no news is good news 'eh?! i have been enjoying my sat. mornings at the coffee shop, it's a great opportunity to goof off- we have theme days, so far it's going well, but we are a bit limited due to the fact that we are in a food service establishment... we're doing well though! my living situation is PERFECT!! i couldn't ask for any improvements, which is quite a rarity in the roommate world!!! eric bassett just arrived as well, he is my island connection, we met in s.f. 8 or 9 years ago and became dear friends and he always said i would visit the island he grew up on, i laughed and said i'd never live back east.... such an example to be carefull with the 'nevers'!!! i've been here for 4 summers now!!!! thanks eric!!!  we've been having great choir practices and our 1st show is the friday (6/5) night that hank will be visiting from lala land, i am so thankful he'll be able to hear us, and all my island pals that are sick of hearing me talk about too!! we have several party weekends ahead of us... starting out the summer brilliantly! i am part of an art installation at burning man this year and can't express my excitement in words on this tiny screen, but i am so blessed to be a part of a crew (rox) who had the vision to make it happen!! i am in the process of getting "p.q.'d" for another summer at the pole. i have been offered an alternate position, which means that there is no funding yet for the job, but if it comes through i will return... cross your fingers!!!! i'll certainly keep the blog posted as things in that department develop! so, all in all things are wonderfull and busy, keeping me out of trouble - for the most part. i hope this message finds you all healthy and happy enjoying spring bliss, where ever you find yourself!!! happy memorial day tooo!!! take care, karen grace  

spring radio funtimes

greetings from the deep down basement at wvvy!

this radio station is one of my favorite things ever.. totally volunteer, i do my show every weds night 9-11 est. last year i took it quasi-seriously and made up the show the night before, but this summer, it's total freeform-i prefer this!!! spring has been in full effect here on the vineyard-rainy cold days, blustery&blowy hot days, total rain days... springtime splendor! i am getting into my summer rotation, the schedule is filling up with various engagements with the choir, disc golf, and loads of other glorious adventures! my pal kate allen is coming to be a garden angel!! i met her at pole and she's amazing, she will be a perfect addition to our already tops crew... this is turning out to be a summer we will never forget!!!  i have found that so far i will be going over my allotted time for this show and going till 11:30 at least, although i am dog tired when i'm on my way here, as soon as i get in here i am energized and want to play MORE!!!! and the fellow who follows me doesn't show 'till 12:30! i am gettin into some post 11 dance grooves!!! gotta go!! hoe you all are enjoying the wonders of spring!!! take care! karengrace* 

springin'

driving the crew to gardening bliss

vineyard haven harbor
jennie's miniature rescue ponies
gnorman
the nuthatcher's stone hut
aaahhhhhhh
chico shine!
greetings from another lovely spring day on mv!

i am adjusting back into a routine of animals and old friends. i didn't realize how i'd taken the comfort of familiarity for granted, and my settling in has taken longer than i expected. i didn't think i'd be experiencing quite the culture shock that is my reality, when i tell ice stories i feel like i'm recalling stories i've heard from a friend, and i'm delighted when i realise that these are my stories!! we have been blessed with chilly, but sunny weather which has enabled us to be in the gardens for wake up bliss. i am surrounded by all sorts of animals and this has helped me to recover from my furry friend withdraw while away. there's a great place to catch some seriously cute baby lambs  @ www.fiberfarm.com/lambcam

i also just got my radio show back and will be streaming live on weds from 9 to 11 pm (est) 

@ wvvy.org    my show is 'grace space' we don't archive shows yet, but if you're near a computer, check it out! 

our slave spirituals choir will begin singing again this may and for a brief statement of what we do check out      www.us-slavesongs.org

i hope this transmission finds you all well and enjoying whichever faze of spring you may find yourself in! take care, karengrace*