“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” ~John Muir, Alaska Days With John Muir, 1915 A few weeks ago I asked my dear friend Nancy, “If we could do anything to celebrate your birthday, what would it be?” It took her a few days to answer honestly, but … Continue reading Gratitude Day 3: The Gift of Hatcher Pass
What a relief that no one was hurt in last week’s magnitude 6.2 earthquake that rattled Alaskans. My school library sustained some decent damage, but my ego may have taken the biggest hit of all. Here’s the scoop: There were three classes in the library that morning, in addition to about a dozen kids on individual passes. When the shaking started I was walking down … Continue reading Gratitude Day 2: Happy Endings & Lessons Learned
There is a Gratitude Challenge going around on Facebook right now. It encourages people to spend a few minutes each day reflecting upon their blessings, and then posting about them. Last week I was nominated, and I have decided to accept the challenge. Sorta. I am blessed to say that listing 15 things, people, moments, or experiences for which I am grateful is an easy task. … Continue reading Gratitude Day 1: Maggie & Marley
It’s soup season in Alaska, but we seem to have a carrot crisis in this house. Last weekend it was the beef stew. The meat was already tenderizing and veggies half chopped before I realized we were out of carrots. Apparently the kids are devouring them in their lunch boxes. Last night it was chicken noodle soup. Once again my children had inhaled 5 lbs … Continue reading Purple Noodle Soup
After all the big water, ocean going boating experiences this summer I cannot describe how great it felt to be back on the Kenai River last weekend. We’ve had our little raft almost as long as we’ve been in Alaska, and it’s been the vessel for many memories: getting engaged on the Gulkana River, Clark’s float hunts on the King Salmon, and camping with a … Continue reading Back to simpler times
Profoundly Ordinary 