Don’t Mind Us

Site construction. It’s a theme. Some people say, “In Alaska there are two seasons: winter and road construction.” Har, har. Winter will be a time of construction on this site as we try to peck away at redoing our website and the many other tasks of life. I have decided to close down my EtsyContinue reading “Don’t Mind Us”

It’s a Girl! Surprise!

Marlena Joy Stark was born at home on August 11. We decided to keep our pregnancy quiet, all the way up to birth, from everyone in our lives with the exception of people who actually saw us and could see my belly swelling. Marlena succeeded in surprising us as well, as I was sure sheContinue reading “It’s a Girl! Surprise!”

The Hum of Spring

Sitting on ripped lawn chairs, on old buoys, or on log rounds eating s’mores around a fire boiling birch water into syrup, we hear the honking of the cranes come through. Looking up to see a flock separated into two groups our daughter squeals with delight. We watch as the pass over us as theyContinue reading “The Hum of Spring”

The Alaskan Winter

Darkness and slowing down are the main themes for Alaskan winters. A time of year to nestle in and cozy up to the wood burning stove, watching movies, reading, and sipping hot liquids. We really distanced ourselves from life outside our bubble. We still socialized, still got outdoors, and even went on vacation for anContinue reading “The Alaskan Winter”

This is Why I Live Here

Finally! Spring is here! Today was warm and clear with sunshine from 7 am until just now at 9 pm as the sun sets and I sit in the Laz-e-boy writing this post while Savanna breastfeeds Primrose and rocks her to sleep on the other side of the wood stove. 11 flats of plants takesContinue reading “This is Why I Live Here”

Evidence Intake Center

I received mail today denying me of any form of disability from the VA relating to my ankles, knees, upper back and neck, and hearing. There is no evidence that my four and a half years as an airborne infantryman, with two years in Iraq, had any impact on those parts of my body. IContinue reading “Evidence Intake Center”

Bristol Bay Circa 2008

I went commercial fishing once and the only thing I came back with was a pocketful of poems and a new pair of Grundens. It was worth it. Here are two poems… King Salmon Arrived to King Salmon around three o’clock,Hitched it to Naknek and walked dock to dock,Searching for Snopac to send me toContinue reading “Bristol Bay Circa 2008”

Books of 2020

We LOVE books in this family. We are so so so fortunate to have all of these books to entertain, learn, and escape with, to stir our imagination and inspire change. What are you reading?  This first picture is to illustrate that point. Our bedroom has 3 entire walls filled with books. At the beginningContinue reading “Books of 2020”

Poem for Prim

How am I supposed to get things doneWhen my whole dayRevoles around a tiny one? I try to mop & wash & scrubI’d even LOVE to clean the tubI milk & bounce & rock to sleepI sing & hug when she starts to weep. I need to put our things awayI can’t keep saying “anotherContinue reading “Poem for Prim”