The Quirks I Love About Alaska

We've been in a freakish cold spell now, since about last December. No joke, it's been colder and cloudier than you would expect--even for Alaska.
So when your fingers already have cold burns in November- from hitting the metal car grill while plugging in the engine block heater-- a fleeting flicker of warmer times come to mind.
However, these thoughts of living "outside" somewhere in the Lower 48 pass as quickly as gas.
Some of my favorite reasons to live in Alaska, have nothing to do with scenery and boat tours described by a touristy Frommers guide.
Instead they are as follows:
1-Standing on my roof while unplugging the sewer vent pipe in sub-zero weather. I have to do this every time a cold spell sets in--but that also means it is usually a very clear night. With stars everywhere, crystal white snow, the moon shining on the mountains and sometimes the unexpected treat of Northern Lights.
2-Radio Christmas music season begins in Mid-November . It sounds annoying to some, but for me it is not. The lights start going up at the same time and nobody bats an eye about keeping them on until mid-February.
3-Live and Let Live. This is Alaska's unofficial motto. That means you don't care what wackiness your neighbor is up to, what's in their yard, or if they have 72 sled dogs. Goes along with no zoning which I secretly love, and I have accepted the fact that my neighbors seem to need railroad cars in their yard.
4- Ice Fog. It's just beautiful and magically coats the trees with Ice magic--like out of a Christmas card.
5-No ticks, worms or dog licenses. I can't believe how difficult it must be to keep a dog in the lower 48. Yuck- ticks all the time and registration (how could you possibly keep 40 of them?)
6- Sled Dog trucks idling at the grocery store. There's really nothing more fun than seeing 12 Alaska huskies watching you put away your groceries.
7- People shopping while wearing extra-tuffs (rubber boots) bunny boots (military boots) and all sorts of bloody or dirty coveralls. Fashion can be brushed aside--no worries here!
8- Gourmet coffee available everywhere. Nowhere else do drive through coffee huts grow like weeds, and it's especially funny because Alaskans claim they are not snobs--but sure love their fancy coffee ;)