Blog
Sunday’s Thought
My friend Frank Soos ( a former Alaska Writer Laureate) has died riding his bike. It was an accident, I heard his wheel came off.I cannot explain how sad I feel right now, but I can tell you what another poet friend of mine, Naomi Nye says: "People do not pass away....
Reading E.B. White
I just read a few of E.B. White's letters. I'm back at my desk, for a day anyway, getting caught up on emails, some writing I want to do, and some homework for my summer residency next week at UAA. I like to "warm-up" with some reading, poems, or an essay, or author's...
Foreign Plates & Fish Shacks
You can tell it is summer in Haines when you are walking out of the post office and a friend is pulling in with their car, and you lean up against their window to chat about the weather, (it is freezing) and a mutual friend's health, and the person in the parking...
Youth ‘N Age, Ahhh
Corey Piper is the hero of the 4th if July. The high school sophomore cross-country runner won the annual Mt. Ripinsky race, and was part of a three man all Piper family crew that won the Mad Raft Race down the Chilkoot River a few hours later. Trust me, kneeling on...
Her Feet Are Smaller at 19 than 14
My 19-year-old daughters JJ and Stoli and I were waking in the woods, wearing rubber boots (it was raining) when JJ said her boots were too small. Stoli said JJ could have her old ones, she has two pairs, and one will fit JJ. Now, Stoli is smaller than JJ, and so JJ's...
Happy Wednesday
It's my birthday, I'm 51 and very happy. (Also, happy birthday to L.A. Katzeek!) Last year I had a big party. This year, it is a family day. It is raining so we have the fire going and the house is full of children and dogs. All five of my girls are here (including...
Papa Bob’s Most Excellent Alaskan Adventure
My Dad brought his wet suit to the cabin this weekend, and Sunday morning swam for forty minutes in Rutzebeck Lake and almost died of hypothermia. (He is training for the annual swim across the Hudson River in NY in July. It is warmer there.) JJ and Stoli had to lift...