Sometime during the second Monday on board the Diamond Princess somewhere at sea in the Pacific Ocean a passenger became seriously, dangerously ill and needed medical services far beyond those available at the ship medical clinic.  The captain began exploring options to transfer the patient to a hospital.  The best plan was to increase the ship speed and head toward the Alaska Aleutian Island of Adak, where the patient could be transferred from the ship and flown to Anchorage.   This voyage took a day and a half.  The ship arrived near the shore of this tiny village of 350 people about 10:45PM, the huge cruise ship was met by a tug boat and anchored a mile off shore.  The tiny 200ft. dock was barely visible, lit by a few lights in the murky blackness of night.  Alaska artist Gail Niebrugge watched from deck 7 as emergency crews assembled and lowered a tender to deck 4 where the patient was loaded on board and escorted to shore by the tug.  In the lower photo the tug, tender, and tiny lights of the dock can be seen in the distance.  Many prayers were said by passengers who witnessed the scene, knowing that a long flight still awaited the stricken patient.  Gail really felt the vast distance and isolation of the empty sea very much that night.  All the games, movies, music, and dancing seemed so trivial when a life was at stake.  The captain reminded us that his first priority was for the safety and protection of his passengers and crew.  Well done captain, well done!

The Diamond Princess sailed away from Japan heading out to sea for an eight day Pacific Ocean crossing to Alaska.  Once hot, sunny skies slowly became misty gray, low clouds spattered rain and temperatures cooled.  Soon the outdoor poolside lounges were abandoned for warm indoor nooks and crannies strewn about the ship with reading lamps and soft chairs.  Strangers joined each other in spontaneous card or board games becoming friends.  Bob and Gail Niebrugge celebrated Mother’s Day with a champagne breakfast in their stateroom, a feast of smoked salmon, fresh fruit, pastries, quiche, and endless coffee afterward.  Enough food to last till evening.  Later they joined four other couples met on the Beijing tour for a steak dinner at the Sterling Steakhouse.  Eating became the order of the day, eating and reading.  A life of leisure, waiters beaconing, stateroom stewards at your service, and a chocolate on your pillow before bed.  Soon enough this fantasy will end, but until then……..the couple is living the dream.

Tokyo, Japan, is the last port on Bob and Gail Niebrugges cruise, next the ship begins the trip to Alaska crossing the International Date line sometime during the final week.  The couple visited The Sankeien Garden while in Tokyo, it was established in 1902 and contains mature Bonzai trees surrounding many ponds and trails with traditional arched bridges over waters filled with colorful giant carp, historic buildings are carefully nestled in the foliage.  It is a sanctuary in Japan’s second largest city.  Bob and Gail declined an opportunity to tour Tokyo, the largest city in Japan, preferring instead the quiet beauty of the gardens.  The couple braved the crowds taking a free shuttle from the gorgeous pier to the downtown train station and shopping malls, to find a wine shop.  A bottle of Kendall Jackson red wine cost $63.00 US.  They settled instead on some red wine from Chili to bring back to the room.  The Japenese people lined the rails of the pier including a lively band for the evening sail away, and the huge Diamond princess was escorted by several tugs and a fireboat shooting water from all of its hoses high into the sky.  The people waved flags, their arms, and took photos of the departing ship.  Earlier in the afternoon seven Japenese fighter planes flew in low formation over the ship decks leaving smoke trails, they dove and circled in perfect coordination for more than 15 minutes. What a tribute!  Tokyo is the sister city to San Diego, California, where the Niebrugges lived before moving to Alaska in 1976.

Osaka, Japan, a modern city with monuments from the past served as a one-day stop for the Niebrugges on their journey by sea back to Alaska.  Pictured above is Bob standing next to a few of the thousands of stone lanterns that line the way to to the Sumiyoshi shrine, a Japanese National Treasure.  Both Gail and Bob were delighted by the 1,000 tame deer that live in the Nara Park surrounding the shrine.  After a visit to the Golden Pavillion in Koyto, a stunning three story temple covered in gold leaf surrounded by a pond rimmed with blooming iris, the couple completed their tour at the Heian Shrine where they celebrated with several other couples by sampling Saki wine.  Internet use onboard ship is not dependable, posts are often deleted or delayed and internet is banned in Japanese waters.

Busan, South Korea, charmed Bob and Gail Niebrugge as they spent a full day touring this clean, modern city.  It was a significant contrast to the congested, industrial China with its heavily polluted air.  Busan sports a very efficient infrastructure, elevated freeways and long, curving bridges.  Gardens and trees are profuse.  The above photo shows Alaska artist, Gail, sitting on one of the unusual benches along the path to the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple perched along a spectacular coastline.  Busan white sand beaches were built entirely from sand imported from Australia.  South Korea, according to the Niebrugges guide, is a very religious country and has prepared itself for hostility from North Korea by the absence of worry for worry accomplishes nothing, daily prayer for world peace, and most of all; carefully positioned missiles.carefully positioned missiles, the absence of worry, and daily prayer.

Dining alone on an empty ship at the dock in Dalian, China, while all the passengers went on tours, Alaska artist Gail Niebrugge  explored the smoggy city by herself while husband Bob was confined to their stateroom under a 48 hour quarantine.  The Diamond Princess is using extreme caution with passengers showing any signs of illness.  It turns out that Bob was suffering from mild dehydration, but once any symptoms occur the quarantine begins and is not lifted until 48 hours after the last symptom.  Apparently 200 rooms were under quarantine during the previous cruise with passengers exhibiting signs of noro virus contracted offshore before the cruise.  A special team called the “Hit Squad” is assigned to disinfecting each room during quarantine, the regular steward cannot interact for fear of spreading disease.  The “Hit Squad” keeps all linens, and utensils separate for cleaning.  Although it was a bit of a pain for the Niebrugges, they appreciated the cautious and efficient approach on behalf of all the passengers.  Bob recovered nicely after rest and hydration and his second day of confinement was spent watching in room movies, reading the Kindle, and enjoying room service.  It’s a tough life but someones gotta live it!

Touring Bejing, China, Alaska artist Gail Niebrugge and husband Bob visited the Great Wall and climbed hundreds of steep steps up the steep hillside for a great view.  Truly an amazing historic place.  The couple also toured the summer and winter palace grounds, both in beautiful locations surrounding small lakes.  The city of Bejing itself is quite stark and industrial looking and famous for its heavy smog.  Two of their three days in the city they experienced some of the clearest days of the month, a lovely gift.

During the Alaska spring bird migration in the Matanuska Valley, hundreds of Sandhill Cranes occupy fields and marshes and begin the noisy, mating ritual.  Alaska artist Gail Niebrugge spends days chasing all over the valley to find the best vantage point for sketching and photographing these large, beautiful birds.

Frozen Alaska ground thaws slowly, melting snow forms temporary ponds where great flocks of migrating geese congregate to feed and rest.  Within weeks the water will absorb into the warming earth, fields will dry and the birds will be gone.  But for this short time, Palmer, Alaska is transformed into a sanctuary for migrating waterfowl, and artist Gail Niebrugge is watching, sketching, and taking photos as reference for future use in paintings.

The skies over Palmer, Alaska, are alive with thousands of birds as they migrate north for the summer.  Hay fields in motion with hundreds of birds feeding at once, Snow Geese, Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and temporary ponds from snow melt the magnificent Trumpeter Swan repose.  Sounds of wings and bird calls fill the air, sometimes gaggles flush all at once creating a momentary frenzy.  Mainly the birds are gorging, filling their bellies to have the strength to resume the migration.  Alaska artist Gail Niebrugge loves this time of year.

Original Painting SOLD

The following is a quote from artist Gail Niebrugges book Alaska Wildflowers; “Dwarf fireweed, the stubby cousin of common fireweed, carpets the sandy riverbed below my studio during the summer with its magenta-colored blossoms.  On one of my daily walks, I was startled to see a very rare, white fireweed in the midst of a field of pink ones.  After photographing the plant, I marked the location with twigs and rocks so that I could easily find it again.  When I returned a week later, l found, to my dismay, that all the petals had fallen for the season and it was impossible to identify the white plant from the others!”  Painted in 1997 “Rare White Fireweed” is part of a series of Alaska wildflowers created for her book.

Beautiful spring sunshine and above freezing daytime temperatures are causing the snow to melt.  Alaska artist Gail Niebrugge believes it will be a slow thaw and break-up this year.  The lake ice is is still 3′ thick, and covered in snow.  Skiing and walking on the lake in the late afternoon is lovely, needing only a sweatshirt for warmth.  The long days of sunshine reflecting from the blinding white surface make sunglasses and brimmed hat a must.  Dormant lawns are beginning to peek through on sunny west facing slopes, and some ground thaw is taking place where the snow has melted.  Gail says that it will be a late planting in the garden plot this year, it is still blocked by a six foot high snow berm from plowing the driveway all winter.  The artist loves these long, sunny, clear days during spring break-up.

“Sound of Silence” 11.5×12.25 acrylic/watercolor on rag board, framed under glass 17×18

Original Painting SOLD

Niebrugge painted “Sound of Silence” in 1993 from research gathered in the coastal town of Valdez, Alaska.  The artist is drawn to the light, early morning or late evening is best, most of her paintings are all about the light.  Rosy glow from the setting sun is reflected on the snow covered mountain range located across the bay of Prince William Sound, this colorful phenomena is often referred to as “alpen glow”.

“Meadow Brook” 18×13 acrylic on Sintra panel

Original Painting SOLD, Commissioned by Alaska Percent for Art at the Teeland School Library

“Meadow Brook” is one of a five panel commission installed in the Teeland Middle School Library, Wasilla, Alaska.  Artist Niebrugge depicted one of the many small brooks and streams that flow throughout the Alaska meadow lands.  All five panels in the library represent some aspect of the Matanuska Valley, including wildlife, wildflowers, history and landscape.  Although Gail doesn’t regularly compete for Per Cent for Art commissions, she has completed more than a dozen during her 35 year career.  Her style of pointillism is very slow and takes a long time to complete, she rarely commits to large-scale works.

“I Love Fireweed” 12×17 acrylic on rag board, framed under glass 18×23

Original Painting SOLD

The wildflower fireweed is the subject of many of artist Niebrugges paintings, she professes to love this plant.  In the summer fields and fields of dazzling pink and fuschia blooms will literally carpet the landscape.  “I Love Fireweed” painted in 1997 depicts this tall plant, it grows somewhere between 2.5′ and 5′ tall and it will be among the first to revegitate after a fire.  It is a sight to behold when large burned areas are blanketed with these gorgeous magenta flowers the next year.  Gail painted the seasonal progression of this wildflower in her famous tryptich series “Bloom”, “Transition”, and” Seed.”

1.   One cold, snowy day this week I got the urge to buy new jeans.  It could be that the sweat pants I always wear are getting stained and baggy, and I have a stack of pants that are too small (weight gain) and another that are too loose (current weight loss).  Anyway, clothes shopping is sparse in the valley, and the weather was too bad to drive to Anchorage, so I started with the local Sears.  Right away I found a line of Gloria Vanderbuilt stretchy jeans that fit perfect, some even had bling on the back pockets!  And they were on sale.  As is my usual way, being a non-shopper, I bought four pair (different colors).  That should hold me till the next crisis.

2.  I’m having an art show Saturday at the local gallery, named The Gallery, in Palmer.  My last show was a year ago in Anchorage, and aside from having a booth at the Alaska State Fair I don’t do shows anymore.  I guess I’m tired after 40 years.  But, I’m really looking forward to Saturday.  It has been 5-6 years since I’ve shown there and the owner Joann has a good client base for my work.  The only issue on the horizon that could cloud attendance is a big funeral for a well-known local man, the son of one of my friends.  Every one in Palmer will be attend and it is during the show.  I will go to the funeral and leave early.

3.  My eyes have been driving me crazy for two weeks.  Red, itchy, swollen, and watery.  My friend, Karen, a nurse practitioner prescribed an antibiotic cream, Erythromycin, but it did not help.  My physician renewed my antihistamine eye drops Patanol, they made it worse.  So today I visit an eye doctor.  Hope he can help.  I look like I’ve been crying, people keep asking me if I’m o.k?

4.  I decided to explore internet marketing networks and spent all day joining Linkedin, Pinterest, and Etsy.  I can’t figure out how to use Pinterest.  After spending 3-4 hours posting, downloading and linking to my artwork I went back to the site and tried to find my stuff.  Nothing came up under any searches, even when searching on my name.  What a waste of time.  These internet e-commerce websites baffle me.  Does anyone sell anything on these sites?

5.  Which brings me to a three-day journey corresponding with my webmaster as she responded to a message from my server that my website had been seriously compromised.  She untangled a hacking job that not only baffled her in it’s complexity and depth, but made both of us furious.  Hopefully everything bad has been deleted and the site is secure again.  The next day while browsing my website I realized that many links led to the message “error, not found”.  Again, my webmaster found the issue after some frustrating searching.  I can only say I’m glad to have these knowledgeable people in my corner covering my back, for without their help I’d be lost.  My generation is not comfortable with the intricacies of the internet and even with all my effort it seems like nothing more than a small miracle.  Just like how electricity works is a miracle to me.

6.  I can’t wait until the weather warms up.  I’ve been trying to be positive and upbeat about the sudden turn of very, very cold weather and huge snowfall (it was 7 degrees this morning) but for crying out loud, it is April 12th!  Six weeks until planting season and my yard is buried under piles of snow.  Speaking of miracles, spring time in Alaska when the leaves begin to bud and grass turns green is truly a miracle.

7.  My husband is sitting upright at his desk, snoring.  How can he sleep this way, and so easily?  I know that it is part of old age, I remember when my mom did this.  She would fall asleep in the middle of a conversation and then wake up and resume where she left off.  When told she’d been asleep she would deny it.  And now, I am becoming my mother.  We are becoming our parents, now that they are all gone.  Not that many years left to our lives.  Live them fully and completely, with energy and joy.  And, take momentary sleep stops along the way to refresh.

8.  The large canvas on my easel is calling to me.  I hope to paint again by Sunday, or maybe Monday.  There never seems to be enough time to paint anymore.  Mundane minutia seem to fill more and more of my time these days.  And, I’m working shorter and shorter hours.  I remember when I’d start work at 9, take a lunch break, work till dinner and after dinner work till 11 or 12pm.  Now I quit at 4pm.  I like time to read, and time to watch my favorite news, and reality show recordings like; Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Voice, Yukon Men, and Shark Tank.  Has anyone watched the new series on PBS; Mr. Selfridge?  I’m getting hooked.

Continuing her adventures in Alaska, the young artist pursued her private pilots license, taking lessons at the Gulkana airport.  The photo above shows Gail standing next to her airplane, a Cessna 170B nicknamed “Charlie”, parked at the upper gravel strip in Copper Center, Alaska.  Niebrugge obtained her license in 1978 and flew throughout the Wrangell-St. Elias region for a number of years.  Originally she planned to use the plane for access to the vast Wrangell-St. Elias region, a massive area with two main dirt roads.  After a few years dealing with weather, maintenance, and hours of practice bush flying skills, she decided in order to have more productive hours in the field for research it was more cost and time effective to hire professional pilots.  Often she needed access with floats to remote lakes, landing on glaciers, the use of instruments for low visibility, helicopters, and just plain risky flying.  She felt more comfortable in the hands of professional bush pilots.  Eventually she sold “Charlie”.  In the long run it was a good decision, although to this day she remembers with fondness and yearning for those wonderful, adventurous times as a pilot.