The Russian Immigrant boy who loved Willow; Royce; the grandmother who prayed for a coffee shop; horses; ravens; musician; a warm Pistol
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 4:00AM ;)
On December 29, I devoted my entire post to a series of pictures of children of Russian immigrants as they sledded down Tamar. In that post, I recounted a bit of a story from years before when a young, freckle-faced, Russian boy with red/blond hair used to happily come out to greet the dog Willow and I whenever we would come walking by.
I wrote about how he would follow along, but just for a little ways, because he knew that his parents would not want him too.
This is he, on the left, Ruvum. I hardly ever see him now, but today I did, carrying a snowboard on his back, accompanied by two girls. The third girl declined to be photographed, but she happily recalled how she used to see me with Willow.
As it happens, I meant them right in front of the house where they lived back when Willow was alive and walking with me. Today, they live on the other side of the block, although I am reluctant to call it a block because it is much bigger than the typical city block.
Much bigger. But it is square shaped, as blocks are.
Both he and the girls were very polite and courteous, if reserved, and their faces seemed to tell me that they are decent people, good kids.
I miss those old days, when they would come running out so eager to see Willow, when Ruvum would follow along for just a little bit, and then turn back.
;)
Compared to how he was last weekend, I think Royce is doing quite a bit better. He is still heartbreakingly thin and light. When I pick him up, I feel bones, not meat or fat, beneath his fur, but he is eating well, seems to have energy that belies his appearance, and the prescription food mixed with Metamucil seems to be doing at least part of its job.
He's dropped some healthy looking turds into the litter box lately.
Now, if only it will do the rest of job and put some weight back on him.
;)
Through the Metro Window Study, #Three billion-two-point-five: As I have mentioned before, a dog wash used to sit on the site now occupied by Metro Cafe. Then one day, the dog wash went out of business, the property went up for sale, the property was sold, the dog wash came down and construction began on a new project.
Nearly every day that I spent home and not somewhere else, I would pass by the construction scene, either in my car, on my bike, or sometimes on foot.
I, and the other members of this family were all most curious to see what rise in place of the dog wash.
We weren't the only ones. See the woman on the left? That is Carol, pictured in this magnificent study with her granddaughter, Serenity. Carol lives in the apartments right next door and she, too, was most curious. She would peek out from her window and sometimes she would sneak through the trees, hoping to get a close look, to see if she could figure out what it was going to be.
"I prayed that it would be a coffee shop," she says. Most of the time, she is on foot and there were no coffee shops in walking distance for a woman whose cane testifies that she is feeling the wear of this life. She wanted a good coffee shop, where she could go and sip a delicious cup as she sat down at a nice table with her granddaughter and enjoyed the company of the proprietor, and of other friendly people seeking the same pleasure that she sought.
So she prayed, and her prayer was answered, affirmatively.
When I paid Carmen today, I offered her the usual dollar tip, but before she could take it, the wind grabbed it and sent it flying down the drive-through. I could see a vehicle coming from behind, so I pulled up away from the window, got out of the car, grabbed the dollar bill and walked it back to Carmen.
As I did, a pickup truck pulled in and parked not far away. I began to walk back to the car.
"Oh, it's those cute girls!" I heard Carmen exclaim.
I turned back and saw several little girls pour out of the pickup and run laughing towards the coffee shop. They all looked to be Native, and all were happy. I could not take a picture, because I had left my pocket camera sitting on the passenger seat.
I got back into the car and thought about driving around and back to the window, so that I could do another study shot of those girls through the Metro window, but that seemed to me to be cheating.
Plus, from the tone of Carmen's exclamation, I knew that they were regulars.
I must trust that one day, before too long, I will pull up to that drive-through window when the cute little girls are in the coffee house. I will then make them the subject of a Through the Metro Window Study.
I wonder what number I will be at by then?
;)
In order to give myself a chance to hear a little news, I took the long way home. Not so long ago, it was pitch night at this time and one could barely make out the forms of these horses against the snow - if one could make it out at all.
Look at it now.
The weather remains unrealistically warm. It feels like spring.
But what do you want to bet that it's not?
;)
As I headed down Schrock, I saw a group of Russian Old Believers walking alongside the road. Before I could reach them, they turned and disappeared down a trail into the woods.
;)
Further along, I saw some ravens, flying off to my right.
;)
The ravens flew on.
;)
Then the ravens crossed over the road, and flew to my left.
;)
Then they drifted off in the direction of the Talkeetna Mountains.
;)
As I neared home, All Things Considered began a story on Gil Scott Heron, the singer/songwriter who, in the 1970's, did a very angry and excellent piece titled, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Some says he is a father of rap. He has come out with a new album title, I'm New Here. It was mighty bluesy and damn good. I pulled into my driveway about half-way-through the story, but I could not get out of the car until the story ended, until Gil Scott Heron quit singing.
This would be a good album to have. So would The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.
;)
I shut down the car and the radio went off. I stepped into the house and there, by the door, sat Pistol-Yero on a chair, looking at me. He was so thrilled to see me he could hardly contain himself.
I'm not joking, either. I'm serious. I know this cat. He was thrilled to see me.
Reader Comments (11)
How does Pistol-yero look when he's not happy to see you? Maybe you should do a photographic study on the many moods of cats.
I am glad that Royce is doing better. I envy you your cats. My dog does not let me keep them. I miss the days of a purring cat on my lap.
your posts always get me thinking, bill. how does one cope with the darkness? dunno if i could stand it. also, what's your philosophy on washing the outside of your car? since i got a new car last july (a used car actually) i like to keep it fairly clean. scott waxes it for me and i clean it off with newly fallen snow which makes for a nice-ish shine. i learned to love cats when my grown son lived w/me and had two of em. beautiful xena passed last year and her ashes reside in a lovely box on dan and his wife's dining room shelf. glad royce is improving. we do love our animals, an important part of our family. and oh those russians. what SWEET FACES! my aunt hy used to call her son ray Sweet Face. stop it, mom, he'd say. stop it.
Well I FINALLY got to go to your area of study!
Great coffee, nice people.
Carmen had asked how I came to her coffee shop and I said "Mr. Hess's blog".
The ravens were sure out in force yesterday. I swear they follow my kid around and study her! She is only 3, but she looks at them, talks to them... Not a single raven can be seen about my property, then my little girl will go outside to play and they show up!
Who are Russian Old Believers ?
New grandchild news??? What's the status??
I'm glad Royce is doing better.
Alright already--you've got casual fans, anonymous ones like me included, hooked; I used to check the blog once in a while, but I've been slightly compulsive lately, hoping for Baby News--so please let us know that Lavina and Kalib's precious sibling are ok--I am starting to worry, and believe me, I got enough people I actually know to worry about that I don't need to start ruminating over random blogging stranger's families--though your family is much better looking than most of the folks I worry about already, so I guess that's an improvement--seriously, hope everything is ok--To Lavina: prayers, warm wishes, meditations, love, warm fuzzies, good energy or whatever it is proper to proffer these days
love the blog--I recently bought The Gift of the Whale at the Museum of the North, Fairbanks--hope you got some royalties!
I wonder how Russians immigrate to the US? Are there quotas? When we lived in CA one of my quilting friends was a lady whose family, when she was a baby, fled Russia, then fled China, then to refugee camps, then to America. She was a delightful woman, full of happiness and busy with family.
hooray to Royce for the healthy turds - a very important sign. also, i agree with your opinion on mr scott heron's music... wonderful when the radio tethers you... and i think i can tell pistol is thrilled - he's got that "cat that ate the canary" grin on his mug...
Glad Royce is eating well and pooping well. That is important. Weight gain might be too much to hope for, but have you tried adding some salmon oil to his food? Nice for the coat.
Debby - I think I have photographed just about every cat mood that exists. Tell your dog that its life will not be complete until you get a cat. The dog will want to have a complete life and so will relent on the matter.
Ruth - I don't wash the car until maybe May or so, late April at the earliest. It is pointless. One copes with the dark by sleeping late.
Donna - It would have been so fun if only you had been on the other side of the counter when I drove up. Then you could have been the subject of a study.
linmc - They are immigrants and their descendants who follow a religion that came with them from Russia that is different than the standard Russian Orthodox faith that is common in Alaska, particularly among Alaska Natives all along the southern coastal areas and the Aleutians. I don't really know much about them. To learn is one of my nebulous goals. I hope to accomplish it someday.
AnonymousBarrow - I trust you are not worried anymore.
Whitestone - I do not know the particulars of immigration law, but a certain number of people of Russian ancestry stayed in Alaska after it was "sold" to the US and Alaska has attracted Russians ever since - in part because of our proximity. After the Ice Curtain melted, many came.
kalaluka - you are a person who knows cats.
problem child - that is a real good idea. I will give it a try.
I'm so glad to hear that Royce is doing better, and I'm happy to see a cute pic of Pisto-Yero.