Deborah Collins

Random Musings from Alaska

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Hello world!

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Greetings! All site suggestions are welcome. Thank you, Deborah

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nature's symphony--1/15/25 January 15, 2025
Today's selection--from The Miraculous from the Material by Alan Lightman. Fireflies and the magic of bioluminescence “I grew up in Tennessee. On many a warm, humid summer night, I would go walking in a field near our house and become dazzled by the light show performed by fireflies. In the modern world, we're accustomed to […]
skepticism and common sense –1/14/25 January 14, 2025
Today's selection -- from The Cambridge Companion to the Scottish Enlightenment by Alexander Broadie. David Hume's philosophical revolution: “It is uncontroversial that Hume undermined the traditional concept of reason and true knowledge by arguing that all our judgements are based on belief. If belief is nothing but a peculiar feeling or sentiment produced by habit, […]

Recent Research Spreadsheets
Our students have compiled research in three topic areas. Below are the links to their research tables that can be downloaded for searching and viewing. For a state-by-state review of Mandatory Reporter laws, click here. For a state-by-state review of Background Check laws, click...
feigleycommunications
Legislative Drafting Students
Our students spend the summer working on the research project of the LDICP. Through their extensive research, massive databases of information on state statutes regarding the abuse of children have been created and will be posted here as their work is finalized. Here are...
feigleycommunications

How to Find Your Writing Niche and Connect with the Right Readers – by Colleen M. Story January 15, 2025
on Writers Helping Writers: It’s not easy finding new readers these days. The secret to drawing just the right readers your way might be finding your niche. A niche isn’t just your genre—it’s the unique angle, theme, or audience focus that makes your writing distinct. It sets you apart and makes marketing feel natural rather […]
Chris The Story Reading Ape

Sunny Ann Starling, July 2, 1943 - January 6, 2023 January 10, 2023
All-American patriot, artist, designer, entrepreneur, flower arranger, chef, and joyful servant, Sunny Lou Starling, was carried on the wings of angels to the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, January 6, 2023. She once said her mission was to “Gather and feed all you can, as often as you can, because you never know if […]
Unknown
WASP Final Flight February 28, 2022
WASP Deanie Bishop Parrish, 44-W-4"Failure isn't failure unless you let it be. It's simply a change in direction. Just count your many blessings move on. With God's help, anything is possible!"Deanie Bishop Parrish passed away peacefully in her home in Waco, Texas, on February 24, 2022, just one day shy of her 100th birthday. She met every challenge […]
Unknown

Four Fun Kodachrome Car Image Series No. 519 October 30, 2024
Editors Note: After posting over five thousand features and twenty five thousand images over the last thirteen years, the time has come to end posting weekly features here on The Old Motor. At this point, the site’s future hasn’t been decided, although it will remain online for the foreseeable future. There may be future updates...
David Greenlees
Four Fun Kodachrome Car Image Series No. 518 October 23, 2024
In this weekly series, we ask our readers to tell us the year, make, and model of all of these vehicles along with the location where the image was taken and anything else you find of interest in the photos. You can look back on all the earlier parts of this series here. The photos are via Americar....
David Greenlees

Main Street USA: 1905 January 14, 2025
Circa 1905. "Central Square -- Keene, New Hampshire." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative (cropped), Detroit Photographic Company. View full size.
Dave
Forsyth Street: 1900 January 13, 2025
Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1900. "Bank and post office, Forsyth Street." The National Bank of Jacksonville at Forsyth and Laura, next to Castle Hall of the Knights of Pythias. 8x10 inch glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Photographic Company. View full size.
Dave

Mrs. Claus: 1949 December 27, 2024
Christmas 1949 in Valparaiso, Indiana. That's Grandma in a Kodachrome slide. View full size. Our Christmas coda is this cocktail-hour Kodachrome submitted by Shorpy charter member Delworthio 16 years ago, in 2008. Cheers!
delworthio
The Third Man: 1951 December 19, 2024
Occupied Germany at the U.S.-Soviet sector The East/West German border circa 1951, ten years before the Berlin Wall was built. U.S. Army soldiers Harry Manville, Dave Crosson, and Ray Kwapil (my dad). I have the Agfa Karat 35mm and Rolleicord 6x6cm Dad is dangling. Nice cameras, they are still working. Location: "Untersuhl by Eisenach, Germany, […]
JeffK

My Favorite Year January 15, 2025
In reply to Main Street USA: 1905: There is something wonderful about your photos from 1905. The cars and modern world have hardly shown up and we still see a glimpse of a forgotten world of horses and wagons and sturdy towns and cities that had no idea they were about to be swept away. […]
robb moffett
Their town January 15, 2025
In reply to Main Street USA: 1905: The modern scene looks not too different, save for the clutter of wires being replaced by the clutter of branches ("after" and "before" trees if you will). Today we would offer up a guess of what's in the barrel, for it approximates the site of "Creative Ink" (Tattoo […]
Notcom

Hungarian Wax Peppers October 18, 2024
Here’s an old Italian recipe for canning peppers, one of my husband’s favorites. Searching the internet, you’ll come across many variations — all probably good — but here’s a basic recipe to start you on your course. The kids and I canned these using the boiling method, though pressure canners might make the process easier. Not sure how, […]
gardenfrisk
Easy Microgreens June 13, 2023
Microgreens seem to be all the rage these days and for good reason: they are packed with nutrients and easy to grow! The USDA and University of Maryland found that leaves from microgreens had more nutrients than the mature leaves of the same plants. And great flavor. Plus, you don’t need a lot of space […]
gardenfrisk

Easy Beef Bourguignon January 11, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details. A classic French stew with oh-so-tender braised fall apart beef with vegetables in a luxurious red wine gravy sauce. why i love beef bourguignon what exactly is beef bourguignon Similar to its sister dish, coq au vin, beef bourguignon (also known as […]
Chungah @ Damn Delicious
One Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta January 4, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details. No fuss ONE POT MEAL! So so creamy, so easy. Chockfull of tender chicken, mushrooms, and spinach! why make one pot creamy chicken and mushroom pasta There’s just one pot and a few ingredients between you and dinner tonight. We’re talking tender […]
Chungah @ Damn Delicious

DIY Sweetgrass Basket Craft Inspired by Gullah Tradition by Josie Riviera May 22, 2024
Welcome back to Daufuskie Island, where every corner tells a story. This island is off the coast of South Carolina and is a 1 hour ferry ride from Hilton Head Island. Today I’m sharing how to make a sweetgrass basket: Materials: Coiled rope or raffia Colored yarn or embroidery thread Large-eye needle Scissors Instructions: Start […]
Josie Riviera
Daufuskie Delights: A Culinary Journey Through Gullah Flavors by Josie Riviera April 22, 2024
Welcome to Daufuskie Island, where time slows down and the rhythms of Gullah culture come to life. This inviting getaway off the South Carolina coast is more than an island; it’s a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Gullah people, descendants of West African slaves. These people were brought to work on the […]
Donna Fasano

Pete Hegseth grilled over leadership experience during defense secretary confirmation hearing January 14, 2025
Democratic lawmakers raised questions on Tuesday about Pete Hegseth’s ability to lead the Defense Department based on his past experiences managing two veterans service organizations. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Hegseth, a former Army infantry officer, to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday for his […]
Jeff Schogol
This Navy SEAL doctor is a big reason US troops carry tourniquets in combat today January 14, 2025
In 1994, Frank Butler was wheeled into an operating room for knee surgery on a torn meniscus — the result of running too hard with his sons at Fripp Island, South Carolina. A Navy SEAL and medical doctor, Butler watched the surgical team prep him for the procedure, feeling the sedatives set in. But even […]
Patty Nieberg

Last Day at Hot Well Dunes and First Day at Indian Bread BLM Rec Area January 14, 2025
We were joined by Chris and Lori Z. of BlazeOurWay fame the last 3 days that we were camped at the Hot Well Dunes. It was good to meet up with these two again since Fall of last year.The weather, which was chilly, precluded much riding. Just as well since we didn't have the requisite […]
redlegsrides
First Camping for 2025 January 9, 2025
Martha and I left the overcrowded cesspool that is the Metro Denver area on Sunday of this week. We were racing to catch a narrow weather window before snow threatened to close down our route through New Mexico.We left these conditions, not too bad really but cold:We got our wish, dry roads all the way […]
redlegsrides

Amazon Seems Not To Like Reviews of The Putin Interviews January 9, 2025
I’ve now tried twice to post an Amazon customer review of Oliver Stone’s The Putin Interviews.In response to the first attempt, I received an email from Amazon telling me I would have to edit the review because it violated community guidelines, but with no specific information on what guidelines I might have violated.The only thing […]
Barry Eisler
The Myth of American Idealism: How US Foreign Policy Endangers the World December 16, 2024
If you’re not familiar with Noam Chomsky’s insights into the real causes and consequences of US foreign policy, The Myth of American Idealism is an excellent introduction. If you are familiar, it’s a great refresher. IMO, the biggest, high-level takeaways:1. Rulers have far more in common with and concern for each other than regard for the people […]
Barry Eisler

Kashevaroff Mountain April 6, 2019
Long before we were a sailing family, Alisa and I were a young couple in love with adventuring in Alaska. The opportunity to introduce Eric and Elias to the delights of outdoor living in the Great Land was one of the big bright sides of our return to Alaska. Earlier this winter, the boys and […]
Letting go March 20, 2019
So...this beautiful island is our home. See the barky? The boys just had their spring break. A week off from school and nothing to keep us from buggering off in Galactic. The weather was generally poor - nothing like the pics above for the most part - so we just snuck off to the west […]

PDS on PBS II Cross post from "Frozen Grin" April 5, 2024
Here is a link to a story about my struggle to draw with Parkinson's Disease. the story is from "The Daily Cartoonist" a Web journal concerning the world of professional cartooning. It was occasioned by the release of the documentary "Matters of Mind, My Parkinson's" which follows three families and their efforts to cope […]
Peter Dunlap-Shohl
Matter of Mind, My Parkinson's, PBS Looks at PD and PD-S March 4, 2024
Here is a short trailer for the PBS documentary "Matter of Mind, My Parkinson's. It follows the attempts of three people and their families to cope with the progressive, disabling and incurable neurological condition. The film won the Audience Choice Award for documentaries at the recent San Francisco Film Festival, possibly due to a scenery-chewing […]
Peter Dunlap-Shohl

Identifying Devil’s Club Plant August 10, 2023
Devil’s Club is a common wild plant in Alaska that’s large & covered in hidden sharp thorns, growing everywhere from remote forests to even well-groomed Anchorage city trails. Just because you’re “in town” doesn’t mean you won’t run into devil’s club. It’s smart to stay on the trails, particularly if you’re not confident spotting it. […]
Ashley
Pumpkin BOO-berry Muffins (Fun Halloween Toddler Snacktivity!) October 21, 2022
Here’s a delicious fall-time spin on classic blueberry muffins. If you’re a solo adult who likes good food, this recipe is for you. Or if you’ve got extra kitchen “helpers” around (read: kids who need entertainment), turn baking these Halloween muffins into a fun toddler snacktivity. Pumpkin BOO-berry Muffin Recipe Ingredients: 2 boxes Jiffy brand […]
Ashley

"Home" vs. "Away" May 20, 2022
I’m home now. I’m looking at the flea market couch I brought up from California; I had cushions made three times over the years till I got it just right. Now it’s just right. It’s been in my life 42 years. Tim has been in my life 34 years, but he had to be out of […]
CloudyinAK
Goodbye, Toronto May 10, 2022
I’m saying my goodbyes to Toronto. I’ve seen my last Hot Docs Festival film, and I’m just back from my last author program. I’ve probably had my last roti, checked out my last book at my local branch library, gone to my last art workshop. Horror of horrors, I’ve even watched my last play. The thing […]
CloudyinAK

Malnourished launches today January 21, 2020
It’s here. The big day. My memoir, the one I spent 15 years struggling over, launches today from Raised Voice Press. I’m feeling very exposed, very vulnerable. This is not at all similar to when Dolls Behaving Badly launched from Hachette Book Group. That was a novel, and while some of it was based on… […]
cinthiaritchie
Book review: Secondhand Summer by Dan Walker December 1, 2019
I had had Alaska writer Dan Walker’s YA novel SECONDHAND SUMMER on my list for a long time, and two weeks ago finally had the chance to dive in. I wasn’t disappointed. Walker’s book, geared for middle school readers (but still immensely enjoyable for adults), follows 14-year-old Sam’s move to Anchorage from the small fishing… […]
cinthiaritchie

Sitka Nature Show #322 – Kitty LaBounty January 13, 2025
Download Radio Show The January 12th show featured a conversation with Kitty LaBounty. We spoke about Christmas Bird Count experiences in Sitka and Arizona and the Continental MycoBlitz, including potentially new-to-science species from Southeast Alaska. Other topics included the Alaska Native Plant Society, Kitty’s on-going work to put together a flora of Southeast Alaska, and […]
matt goff
Sitka Nature Show #331 – Brooke Schafer and Paul Norwood December 30, 2024
Featuring a a conversation with Paul Norwood and Brooke Schafer, they shared about some of their local adventures in 2024. A few of the highlights included exploring Baranof Island high country near Peak 5390 (the highest point on the island), close encounters with voles, and finding the first local record of long-leaf sundew.
matt goff

Sandra’s Overnight Artisan 10" Cast Iron Soft Bread-No Knead March 2, 2024
INGREDIENTS3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon active yeast (not rapid or instant)1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt1-1/2 cups slightly warm water (tepid)--2 teaspoons canola oil (For top and bottom of dough ball so it doesn't stick or form crust while rising)-2 TB butter melted in ramekin, with brush (set aside)--10” Seasoned Cast Iron SkilletMETHODAdd flour to bowl. Add yeast […]
sandra
Sandra's Fresh Apple Pecan Cake (9x13") September 18, 2023
My husband loves this cakeso much he had two pieces 'after' eating lunch...Ingredients2 Eggs1 ½ cup Canola Oil2 cups Granulated Sugar3 cups A-P Flour2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg½ teaspoon Kosher Salt1 ½ teaspoons Baking Soda4 cups Chopped Apples (peeled and cored): measure after chopping1 cup chopped Pecans: measure after chopping1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract⅔ […]
sandra