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About

THE BLOG--HISTORY

"Blue Oasis" began in 2005 in its Blogger format (now an archive) and became possibly the first Alaska Blog on Progressive Politics. At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis was honored to represent Alaska as the state blog.

Transition--Community Blog

In September 2008, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis moved to a Soapblox Community Blog format. Readers can become full participants by registering on the blog to comment and write "diaries." Diary titles appear on the right sidebar for folks to read and provide comments. Blog editors may choose to move some of these diaries to the front page.

While this Community was formed specifically with Alaska in mind, all "friends of Alaska" are welcome as members!

**Note about registering** Scroll down the right side until you find the link to register. Then, just follow the instructions!

**Note about comments** To comment on a story, click on the heading and then look for the "comment bar" at the bottom (it's light grey, I can't seem to change it). I believe the font color NOW permits you to see the "post comment" text.

YOUR BLOGMISTRESS

My name is Linda Kellen Biegel and I am a former 15-year Federal employee. Thirteen of those years were spent working for the US Army Corps of Engineers. I am also semi-retired from the Alaska music scene (singer, sound tech, stage manager, logistics).

When the blog was chosen to represent Alaska in the DNCC State Blogger Pool at the Denver Convention, I attended with the help of Alaska Real blogmistress, Writing Raven and my daughter Morrigan. On August 29th, one day after Barack Obama's inspiring speech at Invesco Field , my life took another turn as it did for all Alaska bloggers when Gov. Sarah Palin was chosen to be John McCain's VP running mate. Since then, I've either assisted or have been interviewed by media from the UK, Italy, Australia and Germany as well as national media outlets such as Wall Street Journal, NY Times, ABC Good Morning America's Kate Snow, National Journal, Dallas Morning News, LA Times, and NPR.

Presently, I work as a freelance writer, PR, event coordinator, community organizer, wife to computer programmer Josh and mother to 11-year-old Morrigan. Our family especially enjoys our summers in Alaska where we get to subsistence set-net fish Sockeye salmon as well as halibut fish/whalewatch in the family's homemade aluminum boat, "The Neverdone" (when it's working). We reside in Anchorage, Alaska.

Origin of "Celtic Diva"

I've used "Celtic Diva" as a screen name since the early 1990's on Web TV.

"Celtic"

"Folks have asked about my Celtic heritage, especially in light of my name. What they don't realize is that I'm adopted. I was born Valerie Morehead of the Clan Muirhead. I was adopted at three-months-old by the Kellens. I always "knew" I was Celt even before really knew. I was drawn to all things Scottish, especially music. That's why my parents eventually told me at age 16."

"Diva"

"Linda is well-known in Alaska & beyond as the prominent progressive political blogger Celtic Diva of Celtic Diva?s Blue Oasis. But back in the day, the early 1990s, I knew her as Linda Kellen, a member of the local folk/rock band Sky is Blu, which amongst other things performed in at least a couple or so of the annual women?s show Celebration of Change, in which I also performed. And if you don?t already know, let me tell you: Linda is one fine damn singer."

I went on after the break-up of "Sky is Blu" to perform with various Alaska musicians and work with national folks like Bo Diddly, Coco Montoya, Debbie Davies, Taj Mahal, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bad Company, Creedence Clearwater, Carny Wilson, etc...

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--Anchorage Daily News "Community Voices" column 7/9/08

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--Anchorage Daily News "Community Voices" column 3/26/08

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A bee on Dragon Tongue Stonecrop in my rock garden

August 2010


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Golly, whatever will I do now that Palin has resigned? (Gardening progress)

by: Celtic Diva

Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 18:29:20 PM AKDT





Yes, the rock garden has grown.  It will grow more with more free time!


These galvanized buckets are from my wedding in 2005.  There were tons of them full of cascading flowers
all over the reception.  Yes, I did my wedding mostly by myself, including the flowers.

More flower boxes:


The first of many roses for the summer.  I need to weed around the bushes.


The veggies are doing great!


The peas are insane!  They are growing a couple of inches a day!


I love these salmon-colored flowers...wish I could remember what they are called.

Let's play "name that plant!"

 

Celtic Diva :: Golly, whatever will I do now that Palin has resigned? (Gardening progress)
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Beautiful! (0.00 / 0)
Your gardens are looking great! Oh how I miss the Alaska summer sun!

I have a feeling you will still be writing about Palin.....give it another week or so and KA-POW! Just wait.....


Lovely garden (0.00 / 0)
Bet you'd be surprised to hear that someone in the South is envying your flowers, but it's true! Mine have all keeled over from the heat, and the few roses still blooming explode and die in a day.  

It looks like... (0.00 / 0)
Potentilla fruticosa 'Marrob' "Marian Red Robin" although it'd be easier to identify if more of the leaves show.

From the page @ http://www.prideofplaceplants.... where I found a picture:

Flowers are a brick-red in color with very little fading through the Summer. Clearly an improvement over 'Red Ace' in its color retention. It is also smaller than Red Ace. Low and spreading. The tendency is tht Red Ace fades in summer from red to yellow while Red Robin fades from red to orange.

Recent research done on the Canadian prairies has identified the gene within colored Potentilla cultivars that triggers the color change by day lengths and heat.

Color: red
Blooming Season: summer
Zone: 2
Plant Patent: PBR 0130

There's also 'Red Sunset' Potentilla -- see http://www.paghat.com/potentil...




Very good, Kay! (0.00 / 0)
I realized you were right the minute I saw it!

I bought them and put them in two baskets flanking the front of the house because my favorite nursery, Dimond Greenhouse, had baskets full of them and they were gorgeous...and expensive.  I can't wait to see what they look like by the end of the summer!



Celtic Diva


[ Parent ]
I used to have these flowers in a previous garden... (0.00 / 0)
That's why I thought I knew what they were -- patting myself on the back for being right for once!  :)

I've actually landscaped two complete 1 acre gardens in two separate locations, from scratch.  

I'm all tuckered out from doing that, so I was thrilled to see our present home had landscaping all done -- but boy, is it a pain in the buttinsky to keep it up!  TOO MUCH landscaping!



[ Parent ]
Kay, they also have an interesting characteristic... (0.00 / 0)
...when they are wet, the flowers close up!

That's why I can't water them too much!


Celtic Diva


[ Parent ]
Love the rock garden! (0.00 / 0)
Looking at what you have done is inspiring me with possibilities for the pile of dirt that we have at the end of our lawn near our driveway.  Thanks!

For rock garden plants... (0.00 / 0)
...I recommend Stonecrop and Creeping Thyme for starters.  They are growing incredibly fast.


Celtic Diva


[ Parent ]
Thanks! (0.00 / 0)
I appreciate the advise for starter plants for the rock garden.

In such a short amount of time, you and yours have certainly done an incredible amount of work to transform your yard.  Looks really impressive!  I think that I need some of your energy. :)


[ Parent ]
flowers (0.00 / 0)
I love your garden.  I bet the wedding was just beautiful!  I also adore the picture of the store that had all the flowers in front.  It really makes me miss Santa Cruz, CA where I used to live.  Now nothing is blooming here except cactus and heat rash. Wahhhhh!  I want to come visit.

What a beautiful garden! (0.00 / 0)
I always thought that you guys up there never had a summer!
Your garden is beautiful and I am jealous there are no weeds.
I am lazy and use mulch. My garden is growing well, too.
We have had about 2 1/2 weeks of clouds and rain, today was the first nice day with cloudless sky for most of the day.
You could almost see the flowers and veggies stretching for the sun.
My daughter and f. son in law came for the long weekend and we have had her friends visiting. These were the high school friends and it is so nice to see what wonderful adults they have grown up to be.
We picked strawberries(35 lbs.) and made tons of jam.
Went to a friends house for a wonderful 4th party.
Topic; Sarah Palin and how could anybody EVER trust her again in public office. Women were sad that she acted in such a manner~irresponsible!

A wonderful weekend altogether.
And an extra special present from Whalin Palin, the gift that keeps on giving!


Linda (0.00 / 0)
I think you will have plenty of Non-Sarah topics to blog about.. there is still DADT, DOMA, and all things National of a political nature if you want..

As you said there is your garden, there is your beautiful daughter to chronicle her growth into the passage of young adulthood and just think.. in 3 years we will have another Presidential Election....lol

Just kidding... You are such a talented writer that you will have plenty of things to write about and keep you occupied. I know you will stay busy.  


My Garden is My Work Out Gym! (0.00 / 0)
I can run out and move the sprinklers and blog....life is good!  Aloha from Southeast Alaska!  It's close to 90 degrees in my yard today.

Hey, xango, freakin' hot as hell in Anchorage too! (0.00 / 0)
I was out building my new vegetable box fences (damn neighborhood cats using them like a litter box) and had to take a break and come in...whew!!!!

BTW, will show the process of what I'm doing on the blog later.


Celtic Diva


[ Parent ]




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