Niilo’s stay at Denali Center was short-lived: Another urinary tract infection sent him back into the hospital (this time room 263) via the emergency room. When you’re not as young as you used to be and your health isn’t what it used to be, every problem lays you lower than it used to. With a new round of I.V. antibiotics, we hope to see Niilo feeling and looking at least somewhat better within 48-72 hours.

With Koponen ‘kids’ spending more time with Niilo, it would be great if other old (and young) friends could treat Joan to drives to see the birds at Creamers Field, or the caribou calves at the Experiment, or movies at Alaska Public Lands Information Center, or to go bowling (only if you score reliably below 100) or even just dropping in to say hello.

Fairbanks had another 17 degrees F and a dusting of snow overnight; watch out for slick roads.

Heather K.