Things were almost chilly this morning when I went outside to throw a tarp over the load on the trailer I have to haul away. Yes, I have a trailer now. And a barn. And about five acres in west TN. Itâs been two months and weâre almost settled in. We have a cottage and […]
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...
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. Â Here are...
on Writers in the Storm: Writers are told to use the five senses to create vivid scenes. But without further information, they struggle to follow that advice. Their use of the five senses is often basic. But our senses are complex, with many descriptive components for each. With judicious use, these descriptive components can immerse […]
quotes  A giant sequoia forest could soon be growing in a Detroit neighborhood. Arboretum Detroit, which owns and manages a system of parks in the Poletown East neighborhood, has plans to plant 200 giant sequoia trees on vacant land. The nonprofit has already planted about 20 of these fast-growing, carbon-eating trees around the neighborhood, […]
(No idea what inspired this poem. Think I was just going for an evil, manipulative womanizer. An Incubus or vampire might have been something that triggered the creation of this poem. Third option is that this was a character I ⊠Continue reading â
In this series for 2024, William will be sharing some of the iconic duets from the 1960s onwards. Collaborations between artists that were hits around the world and are still enjoyed today. Thanks for joining me today and I hope ⊠Continue reading â
Myself, along with my 4 daughters, daughter-in-law, and one of my granddaughters formed a book club in January to see who could read the most books in 2024. We stay in touch with a group text every day and Goodreads. As an incentive we all agreed to put $1 a week into a kitty and […]
LAST CHRISTMAS is free for 2 days only.This "heartwarming and steamy small town romance will have you laughing, crying, and falling in love all over again."Until tomorrow evening, Oct. 4, you can get a free copy but only at select booksellers. (NOT at Amazon.)Get your free copy of LAST CHRISTMAS now.(Be sure it still shows as free because […]
 Hello everyone, Over the past two decades, Iâve juggled my time and energy populating five different blogs containing alternative news, music, economics, political activism and creative passions while also supporting hundreds of artists, activists and alternative news journalists. I did so because they offered a clear, unscripted, honest approach through their investigative journalism. The goal […]
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 âGather and feed all you can, as often as you can, because you never know if […]
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 […]
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.
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.
April 1943. "Detroit, Michigan. Boarded-up pumps at a closed gas station." Medium format acetate negative by Arthur S. Siegel for the Office of War Information. View full size.
March 1943. "Bob Daugherty, a driver for the Associated Transport Company, at the wheel of a Brown truck on U.S. Highway Route 29 near Culpeper, Virginia." Medium format acetate negative by John Vachon for the Office of War Information. View full size.
Maintenance being done on the USS Potomac (AT-50) in Dry Dock No. 1 of League Island (Philadelphia Naval Yard) in 1907. 6œ x 8œ inch glass negative. View full size.
In reply to Truckin': 1943: The lever on the steering column is known as the hand valve and applies the trailer brakes only. Really handy if you have to start on a grade. On the floor is the foot feed or gas pedal and the brake pedal or treadle valve that applies all the brakes. […]
In reply to Truckin': 1943: I was on Highway 29 in Culpeper several times a couple of weeks ago. I saw a lot of trucks but none like this one. Must have just missed it.
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 donât need a lot of space […]
Iâve been growing cauliflower for years, but only recently did I learn this cauliflower growing tip from a farmer friend of mine. I was showing her my garden and she wrapped her hands around the leaves of my young cauliflower plants and folded them upward. âWhen your cauliflower begins to form a bud, pull your […]
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 3, 2024 is: posterity \pah-STAIR-uh-tee\Â noun Posterity is a formal word that refers to all future generations of people. It is often, though not always, used with for or to. // A record of the events was preserved for posterity. // The truth about what happened […]
Along Hurricane Heleneâs path of devastation, National Guard officials said they are hearing that some of their own soldiers have lost their homes but are still reporting to call-ups to support local response efforts. âThereâs at least two in the state that I know have lost everything,â said Army Col. Paul Hollenack, a commander in […]
An American bomb dropped on Japan during World War II recently exploded after lying dormant for roughly 80 years. The 500-pound bomb detonated on Wednesday at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan. Video of the explosion shows the blast spewing a geyser of asphalt, leaving a crater in a taxiway about 23 feet wide and three […]
 Tuesday, October 1Chris, Lori, Martha and I spent the day driving to/exploring/driving back from Telluride, CO.The small mountain village is enclosed by mountains on CO Hwy 145 and it took us about two hours driving each way.We first drove all the way to the trailhead for Bridal Veil Falls. We didn't get too far along […]
We didn't do much of anything on Friday except for hanging out at the campsite. The occasional truck/camper/car drove by going into and out of Little Molas Lake raising clouds of dust.There's some really optimistic people out there, thinking they can show up on a Friday to a popular camping area and find themselves a […]
A friend on Facebook asked me who Iâd be voting for in November. For whatever theyâre worth, my thoughts:I think reasoning tends to be more interesting and useful than conclusions, and going into my reasoning would take a while. But to try to summarize: I donât think America has two political parties; I think we […]
Update, June 25, 2024Just finished watching the Dark Matter episode 9 finale and holy shit, did they stick the landing! No spoilers and so much still to think and talk about, but three initial impressions:1. Part of what makes the show so special is the authenticity and consistency of the human reactions and emotions. In one […]
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 […]
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 […]
 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 […]
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 […]
While the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting brighter. Thatâs especially true north of Fairbanks. Northern Alaska Tour Company has vans and planes that go up and down ... The post Itâs âAurora Seasonâ in Alaskaâs Far North appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Devilâs Club is a common wild plant in Alaska thatâs large & covered in hidden sharp thorns, growing everywhere from remote forests to even well-groomed Anchorage city trails. Just because youâre âin townâ doesnât mean you wonât run into devilâs club. Itâs smart to stay on the trails, particularly if youâre not confident spotting it. […]
Hereâs a delicious fall-time spin on classic blueberry muffins. If youâre a solo adult who likes good food, this recipe is for you. Or if youâve got extra kitchen âhelpersâ 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 […]
Full of fresh, healthy ingredients, this shrimp poke bowl is a feast for the eyes and your stomach. It's a satisfying meal filled with lean protein, whole grain brown rice, fresh crunchy veggies, and a Sriracha mayo that packs a spicy punch! My family enjoys this recipe on busy weeknights or on hot summer days when I... […]
Iâm home now. Iâm 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 itâs just right. Itâs been in my life 42 years. Tim has been in my life 34 years, but he had to be out of […]
Iâm saying my goodbyes to Toronto. Iâve seen my last Hot Docs Festival film, and Iâm just back from my last author program. Iâve probably had my last roti, checked out my last book at my local branch library, gone to my last art workshop. Horror of horrors, Iâve even watched my last play. The thing […]
California boasts U.S. vegan capital In what is likely to come as no surprise to Alaska residents, WalletHub has declared Anchorage the least âvegetarian- & vegan-friendlyâ city in the country. After crunching [âŠ]
 Body of Iditarod chief vet found near Idaho home Update: This story has been edited to include a report Stu Nelsonâs body was found Friday and that the Bonner County Sheriffâs [âŠ]
Itâs here. The big day. My memoir, the one I spent 15 years struggling over, launches today from Raised Voice Press. Iâm 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⊠[…]
I had had Alaska writer Dan Walkerâs YA novel SECONDHAND SUMMER on my list for a long time, and two weeks ago finally had the chance to dive in. I wasnât disappointed. Walkerâs book, geared for middle school readers (but still immensely enjoyable for adults), follows 14-year-old Samâs move to Anchorage from the small fishing⊠[…]
This recipe is eye catching and tasty. It has several (easy) steps, but you can do most of them early in the day (or even the day before) and then finish it all up just before serving. For each "nest", you will need one circle of toast, a pinch of cheese, one egg and one slice […]
My list of 10 Best Gifts for Cooks and Food Lovers helps last minute shoppers buy great presents for the food obsessed; most of the items on the list Iâve used and loved for years. Most importantly, if you act quickly, thereâs still time to order most of my recommended gifts and have them arrive […]
Oh the crisp cool days of fall! A lot of hustling, last minute garden harvests, berry picking, apple picking. And a moment for a bit of simple crafting with one of my favorite plants. See the picture above? The little nosegay off to the side is a bundle of dried yarrow I picked earlier this year […]
All about insects is the theme for the next session of Sitka Sprouts on Tuesday, April 30. This is the last Sitka Sprouts session before summer. âWeâre going to wrap up Sprouts this spring with a program about insects,â Sitka ⊠Continue reading â
I LOVE my grandmotherâs navy bean soup, but it takes forever to make with soaking the beans overnight and then slow cooking the soup all day. I decided to try it in my Instant Pot and it was a success! Not only that, but my kids loved itâŠscore! Ingredients: 1-2 Tbs. olive oil 1 onion, diced 3 […]
Download Radio Show The June 30th show featured a conversation with Kari Sagel and Brooke Schafer in our semi-regular cross-over between the Sitka Library Show and the Sitka Nature Show. If you have questions or observations you want to share, please feel free to leave a comment here or on the page Iâve set up […]
Download Radio Show The June 16th show featured a conversation with Daniel Graham and Zach LaPerriere. Daniel was the artist who crafted the Sitka violin commissioned for the Sitka Summer Music Festival by Marcel and Connie LaPerriere, it was the made out of wood sourced in Sitka by Zach LaPerriere. We discussed the of the […]
At the end of July we took the boat over to Halibut Cove to hike the Saddle Trail with the kids to picnic at Grewingk Glacier Lake. It's a great trail for kids to master themselves, and Riggs hiked the whole way himself. Raina was in the backpack, but more because we wanted to hike […]
A man who just moved to Homer about a year ago from Chicago has started a podcast interviewing people from the Homer community. He called up my husband a few months ago and asked him if he would be willing to be interviewed. My husband said sure, so the second episode of Alex's podcast features […]
Well, 2017 was not a good garden year in my area, even for those of us with greenhouses/high tunnels. Â I'm sure I didn't help my chances at all; we had a month between returning home from the States and getting the roof on the high tunnel, and I didn't start any seeds or work the […]
Looking for Classic American fare? This Mulligan Stew might just be the recipe youâre looking for. Hearty beef stew with a touch of tomato paste and full of veggies, this stew is good for you, too. Stew doesnât have take all day long. It can actually be a quick and easy meal. This recipe will... […]
Mountain View is in for a treat â a whole new store full of treats, in fact. Packed with dozens of varieties of handmade custom candies, classic favorites, and assorted other sweets, Sweet Creations Lollipop Boutique is one of the latest businesses to open doors in the neighborhood. Owner Missy Simms made it for the […]
During our time in Washington we also took some time to drive over to Kennewick to visit some of my family in that area. We camped in my aunt and uncle's driveway and visited them and some of my cousins. The highlight for the girls was the nerf war for sure (pictures here). It was […]
 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)--10â Seasoned Cast Iron SkilletMETHODAdd flour to bowl. Add yeast […]
 My husband loves this cakeso much he had two pieces 'after' eating lunch...Ingredients2 Eggs1 Âœ cup Canola Oil2 cups Granulated Sugar3 cups A-P Flour2 teaspoons Ground CinnamonÂœ teaspoon Ground NutmegÂœ teaspoon Kosher Salt1 Âœ teaspoons Baking Soda4 cups Chopped Apples (peeled and cored): measure after chopping1 cup chopped Pecans: measure after chopping1 teaspoon Vanilla Extractâ […]
Picture of the day Crucifix and shadow on the wall, Abbey of Saint Peter (Assisi). Today is the feast of Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Ecologists.