Jeannette and her husband had been married for about a year when they decided to start their family. Months passed, then years without success. Staying positive became more and more difficult. She was being told by her doctors that nothing was wrong, and yet nothing was right either.There were social situations that became overwhelming for her, seeing a little boy drinking hot chocolate, conversations with other couples that centered around their children, watching groups of children play, dance and have fun together. She was happy for her friends with families, but couldn't understand why she was unable to conceive.“You just didn’t know; there were some days I could handle it, other days I couldn’t.”
Mother’s Day. That blessed day when moms across the world get a break and have a celebration just for them. Maybe your idea Mother's Day is breakfast in bed. Perhaps it is a massage, a bubble bath or dinner out. Whatever it is, dreams of Mother’s Day are certain to involve relaxation as you revel in the love of your family.Of course, this is all fantasy.
From June 3 to 7, 1942, Japanese forces attacked Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, bombing Dutch Harbor on the island of Unalaska and invading the islands of Attu and Kiska. Attu’s radio operator, Charles Foster Jones, died during the invasion and his wife Etta, the island’s schoolteacher, taken prisoner. The Aleut (Unangan) residents of Attu were taken to Japan for the duration of the war. Of the 40 captives, 16 (40%) died from disease and starvation.
As the days lengthen but the cool and wet temperatures drag on, the primal urge to seek signs of spring grows strong within us all. Budding trees and sprigs of green may be hard to find out in the natural world at this time of year in Alaska, but with a bit of simple modern technology and the help of some local professionals, they are simple enough to bring into your life and home.
“Look! Here he comes!” She points to the sky and waves as we put our arms out like airplane wings and run hoping he will see us. In his Grummans Widgeon, he buzzes the one room schoolhouse, dipping his wings in acknowledgement of our welcome just before his landing on Lake Iliamna.Our mother was the school teacher, our father the pilot.
Easter was on April Fool’s Day this year, and Good Friday was chosen as a great time to feature the Annual Legislative Skits that began decades ago as a fundraiser for the Democratic Party. The show, which features staff making fun of their bosses, is now unaffiliated to any political organization but gives money to worthy causes in Juneau.Being a people watcher myself, familiar with this Juneau tradition, I went to observe what I knew would be The Beautiful People in all their glory.I don’t begrudge a once funny Saturday Night Live television show--which over the years has become less funny.
Alaskans have ridden high on the 21st-century wave of information technology-- a dramatic tidal shift in the way we live and work. Most of us these days would feel somewhat incomplete without our iPhones, internet, cable and streaming video.But another mode of communication, radio, has stood the test of time. It is as relevant today as it was in the 1920s when the Territory of Alaska’s first commercial stations were established: KGBU in Ketchikan and KFQD in Anchorage.
One of the best things about Alaska to me is how clean it is. Of course at this time of year, with breakup revealing an entire winter’s worth of trash, you may be wondering what I mean. In general, Alaska is one of the cleanest states I have ever seen. It’s refreshing to be able to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors without having to wade through plastic bottles, bags, paper and food trash. For the most part, people here have pride in the land, community spirit, and I frequently witness people taking a moment to pick up litter and throw it in the bin. I know we don't live in a litter-free paradise.
Recently I have been seeing FaceBook posts from “East High Class of 1969” friends anticipating our 50th class reunion. I look back with mixed emotions on where I was then, where Alaska was at in context with the rest of the country, and where we have come as a state having tremendous oil wealth.
People often speak fondly of “Gramma’s cooking.” The “Antique” section of “Something Special Alaska Style,” a cookbook put together by the Chugiak Elementary Parent-Teacher Association nearly a half century ago has some examples.A recipe for “Know Nothings” cookies taken from an 1856 magazine was submitted by Velma Deavers. Ingredients are 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon cream of tartar, ¼ teaspoon salt, nutmeg or spice to taste and flour sufficient to roll out and cut. After the mixture was rolled out and cut, Gramma apparently knew how long to cook it in a moderate oven; the recipe does not say.
