Frosty Here on the Permafrost Ranch

Frosty is Bubba's Face

Frost on his poor little face

Video

Instant Evaporation

That was 3 cups of boiling hot water with green coloring in it.  As you can see nothing touches the ground in these temps. 

Boreal Owl

Little Boreal Owl on the Feeder

He wouldn't look at me or the camera

The Eyes have it.

The Eyes have it

Look closely into his eyes, you can see me standing there

Trouble in North Pole

Santa is a little upset at the moment

I knew she was going to be trouble this year.

Day of Christmas Surprise

Christmas Surprise 

Guess who was visiting the feeder.  

Feeling a little Fuzzy

Day after Turkey Day fuzziness 

Just wanted to say, I'm still stuffed and feeling a bit fuzzy

Even Santa Has Glitches

Merry Christmas From Santa At The North Pole!

Check it out

If your looking for Cam 2

If you wondering

The cam2 is being used to stream live on ustream.tv, stop in and chat and watch live at the Great Alaskan Red Squirrel Cam Streaming Live

If you're not watching you're missing the Action

He's watching are you?

If you're not watching the Great Alaskan Red Squirrel Cam streaming over the internet you're missing out said the wise old Owl.  I watch as often as I can he said.  Come see me at this web site (click here) or on Ustream.tv web site at the address (click here)

Short Days and Long Nights

Day Light Hours

The old squirrel is streaming live on Cam 2.  One of the most asked questions about the old Permafrost Ranch and Alaska is our length of daylight in the winter and summer.  If you look on the web pages Cam 1 page right above the live picture is a Weather Bug that shows our Sunrise and Sunset times.   It's always fun to watch our dwindling hours of daylight this time of the year.  On that shortest day of the year, we will be just under 4 hours of daylight.  So, stop in and watch the darkness grow says the old squirrel.

Live Streams

Live Streaming from CAM 2

The web cam capture sent to me from Diane M in North Carolina from early this morning.  Thanks Diane.  This post is to remind everyone if the Cam 2 is off when you log into the site remember to check this streaming cam link.  (Click Here)   Or you can find this link on Cam 1 page.  I may just be streaming live on UStream.TV on this channel (Click Here).  It fun to watch the live streaming when the feeder is active with squirrels and birds. Plus, you can chat with me in the chat room at the same time.  See you there 

Water Under the Bridge

Challenges 

It's a challenge to stay positive sometimes said this old squirrel.  Over the years he's watched me go through many changes here on the old Permafrost Ranch.  Looking back through that long tunnel of time.  I should have done many things different and some mornings like today I awake with a introspective look back at some of the water thats passed under that bridge.

Squirrel Jealousy

Hummmmm!

National TV is pushing that Puppy Cam, shoot says the old squirrel.  I'm just as cute and they don't promote the Squirrel Cams.  We have been around a long time....   Someone should write them and tell them, he said looking at me.   

Native American History

November is  American Indian Heritage Month

The old squirrel was asking me about my Native American Heritage today being this month is to honor those of such Heritage.  My blood quantum is thin, very thin I told him.  My Great Grandmother was the last full blood in my family.  My tribe right now is having a constitutional convention.  As it is, I am a tribal member but can't run for office because I don't live in the nation and haven't enough blood quantum.  I may lose even that with some of the new purposed amendments to our new constitution.  How does that make you feel the old squirrel asked me?  I'm really torn by it I said, part of my personal view point that makes me the person I am is this Heritage.  I do understand what is driving this, the money that is now being made by the casinos in the Nation.   To rid themselves of us x-patriots and those of little blood lines is exactly the desired end to be reached by the Dawes Act.  Further weakening those tribal links and reaching those very goals he and the emerging white nation wanted.  

Dawes himself said it.  We must teach the Indians that GREED is fundamental part of the American Way of Life.  It looks as if we have learned this lesson well.  Those goals may have been reached it looks to me, said the old Squirrel.  

Grocery Prices North Pole

Grocery Prices for Thanksgiving

1 can of Cranberry Sauce $1.79, 1 box of Stove Top Stuffing $2.50 1 gal of 2% Milk $3.99 1 pkg of Frozen Brussle Sprouts $2.99 2 gals ice cram $7.00  1 loaf of sliced Bread $3.18 1 8 to 10 pound frozen turkey $9.00  This was just a quick trip to the store thinking about the up coming holiday.  We were just shopping for two this year.

Squirrel Cam Viewers Captures

Sent in by Cleta A

That little Red Squirrel is showing up in the middle of the night to run off the flyers from the feeder.  He's taking big risk in doing that.  Thanks for watching the cams here on the old Permafrost Ranch.

The Great Alaskan Red Squirrel Cam

What are you looking at

Charles, is always watching my cams and sends me captures of what he sees from North Carolina.  This old squirrel is watching and said, what's he looking at all the time :-)

Veterans Day

Veterans Day Tuesday 11 November

Lot of water under the bridges since this was taken.  And many of them I burned down.

State Capitalism

Contradiction of Terms

I don't understand, said the old squirrel.  How did we get into this state of affairs whereby the government is bailing out Banks, and Big Business, and the rich suits who ran it all into the ground continue to be in charge.  Unfettered capitalism with the keys to the public treasury isn't what our founding fathers had in mind I don't think.

He Really is Worried

He showed up on the Feeder

The old squirrel must have been worried about the lack of Sun Flower Seeds, he showed up on the feeder tonight and ran the Flyers off.   

Economy Runs Cold

The News on the Economy is about as frosty as this old Squirrel

How far do you think it will fall said the old squirrel?  How far what will fall I asked.  He said the stock market.  It's tanked two days in a row.  I said, it doesn't matter to me.  Heck I'm broke already anyway.  Now, that statement really worried the old squirrel.  He then looked at me and asked.  How many bags of sunflower seeds do you have stashed away?

Disappointment Runs Deep

The Cost of Medical Care

The old squirrel is fit to be tied, he was looking at the bills and the cost of one Doctors appointment for the wife was $190.00 for a half an hour office visit.  This new Doctor had asked the wife how she was paying for her perscriptions because she has no insurance.    

The real question is now, how is she going to pay both at that rate.

Amazement

Good Morning Alaska

We were having coffee this morning and cruising the net.  Not much was being talked about because we were both fixated on the local election results we were seeing.  After a bit I noticed the old squirrel was acting like a real nervous squirrel, whipping his tail back and forth.  He looked at me and exclaimed "Can you believe these results"  I replied, "it's certainly not the results I expected" 

Congrats to the President Elect

Congratulations to President Elect Obama

Congratulations to the winners of this election and to the American People for a peaceful change of power.  God bless America says this old squirrel

Get out and Vote says Sam

Sam the Magpie Stopped By this Morning

Sam stopped by and just wanted to remind everyone.  Get out and Vote today.

Alaskan Politics

I'm voting for

I saw a television political ad this morning said the old squirrel as we were having coffee.  It was Lisa Murkowski, for Senator Stevens.  He looked at me and then said   "Vote"   

Short Days and Long Nights

Long Arctic Nights

The days are growing shorter and the long Arctic Night begins.  I noticed yesterday the sun doesn't clear the trees anymore.  The sun makes a low circuit on the horizon and it never climbs high in sky.  Even this old squirrel was up early this morning while still dark he was out on the feeder.  Maybe the flyers woke him up early or he was just hungry this morning.  The weather bug on Cam 1 gives you sunrise and sunset times.  Watch our day light shrink quickly.  Sunrise this morning will be at 8:44 a.m. and Sunset will be at 4:24 p.m.

If I could turn back time

Here is your Chance

Tonight is the night...  You can actually do it said the old Squirrel.  Turn back time

Happy Anniversary

1st of November 1969

Happy Anniversary says this old squirrel, here is a  toast to 39 years of marriage

Halloween was a Bust

Are you going to eat that all by yourself?

We went to the grocery store and bought three bags of candy for Halloween.  Not one ghost or goblin showed up at the door.  North Pole, weather and distance between homes doesn't attract the trick or treaters.  So, said the old squirrel, are you going to eat all that by yourself?

I'm not a Crook

I have not been convicted of anything

What said the old Squirrel?  Oh, it is just something I remember from my past I replied.  A long time ago, another solid old Republican said that.  "I'm not a Crook"  But I do understand, you have to make statements such as that during the heat of a trial and campaign.

Happy Halloween

Have a safe one

All you spooks goblins and witches have a fun time but be safe.  

Political Ambitions

It's like Gold Fever

Did you see that said the old squirrel.  Our own Sarah, has her eye on higher ambitions if she loses.  It's like gold fever.  You know, once you get it you can't let go.  

Political Disconnect

Reality Check

This old squirrel was going through the email that we got this morning over a cup of coffee and sunflower seeds.  "There really seems to be a major reality disconnect between the Party and the convictions of the old guard here in the Great Land."   I really have to agree, I said  after reading the Party emails I just got.  I think some of the faithful I told the old squirrel are willing to put up with the delusion of being moral, as long as they stay in power.  

Up Coming Election

Wondering Out Loud

What do you think, asked the old squirrel.  Do you think, Senator Stevens will win the election if he doesn't step down after this conviction?  I don't know I replied, but I do know this.  The corruption was and is still ingrained in our Great Land.  Even our local Fairbanks Mayor has gone over to the Dark side with a political TV ad backing Senator Stevens.    Didn't a past Mayor and his wife get convicted of stealing money from a Senator Stevens developed grant for them asked the old squirrel.  I had to shake my head yes.  The old squirrel then looked at me and said, looks like your right about the corruption.

Jury Finds Stevens Guilty

Did you hear That

It was the sound of justice...   Knock   Knock  Knock  Guilty on all Counts...   Is Ben Next asked the old Squiarrel

Flying Squirrels at the Feeder

Busy Night at the old Watering Hole

The Northern Flyers are out in force tonight at the old feeder.  They must be hungry and it's always fun to eat with the rest of the family.   

Obama's Loss Traced to Bob Gilcrease

Live Squirrel Cam Problems

Live Cams are Back up and Running

Thanks ACS, says the old squirrel, he appreciates the quick response in fixing the ftp problems

Live Squirrel Cam Problems

FTP Problems with the Squirrel Cam Servers

If your wanting live images from Cam 1 or ads on Cam 2 I'm sorry says the old squirrel.  He's been trying all morning but there must be a problem with ACS and the server.  It won't accept passive ftp connections for some reason.  

Flying Squirrels at the Feeder

Friday Night at the Feeders

The flyers are bouncing off the poles on the side of the house and the feeder.  It's suppose to fall to -20 F tonight here on the old Permafrost Ranch.  It's really good weather for the Permafrost Crop.  It's a shame the price is down on Permafrost.   

Life in the Boreal Forest

Winter has settled in here on the old Permafrost Ranch

It's here, the hawk as it is called.  The hawk of winter.  Winter comes early and leaves late in this part of the Boreal Forest.  It sure changes the pattern of life for the squirrels and birds who frequent the feeders.  As the daylight hours shrink towards the long winters night the snow covered forest grows quieter.  At least that is the way it seems except the cold air really transmits sound quite efficiently.  You can hear the neighbors better, the crunch of footsteps out in the road or drive way.    The cars passing by out on the road or the trains lonely whistle over three miles away, all come through loud and clear.  The barking of dogs at night carries for long distances in the deep cold air that comes with the season.  The old squirrel agrees with me when I say us humans are a noisy bunch.  

Listening on the Web to AFN

The old Squirrel was Listening to the AFN broadcast on the Web.

Very interesting discussion of Veterans Health Care in the Villages and all of Alaska

Snow Cover

Frosty day at the Feeder

This little one was busy looking for something to eat at the feeder with the snow steadily falling today

New Snow

Grumpy Gus says it's snowing 

I'm still having sleep problems and it's snowing...  Making me a grumpy old squirrel

Sleepless in North Pole

Topsy Turvy Sleep Patterns

I was chatting with the old squirrel yesterday about my insomnia problem.  It kicked in big time in the last couple of days.  Here it is 5:00 AM and I've been up since 1:30 AM.   I'm sleepy now so I may just try to slip back into the bed and try to get some rest.   The old squirrel said, it's because I let them Northern Flyers on the feeders.  They don't sleep at night either he told me.  

Politics in the Oil Patch of Alaska

Powell jumps the Republican Ship

Well, this sure threw the Republicans for a loop, I'm betting says this squirrel.  Were you as shocked as I was he asked me.  I said I was but then it's a very special time we are living in.   

Time Marches On (Tracy Lawrence)

The Way I Feel Today

Bottom fell out of the Thermometer

Frost on the Pumpkin

There is more than frost on it this morning said the old squirrel.  It's down right frozen.  

New Heater

New Monitor Heater

The old squirrel asked me how the new heater did last night.   Well, I'm sitting here at the computer without any socks or shoes on.   It's like sitting on the beach I told him.   What a difference it makes in the back of this house.  No more fans trying to move the warm air from the wood stove in the front of the house to the back.  No cool drafts and floors...  hip hip hurray

Winter Mode

Winter is locked and loaded

The old squirrel was telling me this morning over coffee.  Winter has locked and loaded and we are getting both barrels he feels.  ACS, tore up the road in front of the house and had us blocked in the drive way all day yesterday.  They were laying new cable and my driveway took the beating of all the digging.  I don't think they will put it back to normal it's going to be a mess next spring he said.  They had to dig under the culvert that was there.  They dinged it a couple of times.  Not only that they didn't compact the dirt under the area they dug and  or over the pipe when they recovered it.  It's liable to subside with the moisture in the spring and cave in the pipe.  I suspect I'll be asking for relief from ACS before it's all over with next year.  Not only that they still accidently got into the cable for the phone lines that run around Victoria Circle.  It didn't affect our service but the rest of the neighborhood was down.  I suppose then they had to splice the cable before they reburied it.  

Installation Complete Except Fuel Source

New Monitor Stove 

Ok, I've got the stove installed except for the fuel source piping.  Will try to pick up all needed supplies to finish that and the fuel source drum.