Happy Birthday Betty!

Our granddaughter, Little Betty, turned TWO last week. Her parents threw her a birthday party where she had lots of fun. Here are a few pics from her big day.

Snowy Girdwood Weekend

The drive out to Girdwood is always a beautiful one, but with all the snow and cold temperatures it was particularly  beautiful this time. The arm was chock full of tiny icebergs and looked like landscape from Mars, kind of.

Our cabin this time was a very nice one, although it did have a rather steep driveway and you had to climb stairs to get into it. It snowed even more while we were there, so the whole place just looked so cozy and Alaskan. Just one of the reasons we love Girdwood so much.

Inside, the kitchen was well stocked with all the necessary cooking utensils, and even had 5 jars of strawberry jam, 2 jars of grape jam, and 1 jar of orange marmalade (people leave things when they go). The living space was a little bit cramped but we managed to stuff all our things in there; he worked on his computer stuff while I got quite a few cards made while watching cheesy disaster movies.

He was a good boy and wore his arm brace the whole time, even though he really doesn’t need it so much anymore. It’s just a way of making sure he doesn’t accidentally forget while he’s out and about. Plus people see it and give him a little extra space so it doesn’t get knocked accidentally. He wasn’t too happy about the ladder leading up to the loft: it was clearly handmade, kind of twisted with uneven steps. But he managed, even in the dark.

I set my table up by the couch and had more than enough room to spread out. I did have a bit of a problem with the couch wanting to grab on to my lounge pants each time I got up (almost like Velcro but not as firm a hold) but I managed.

I only wish they’d let me bring the kittens – but I’m not sure how they would have delt with those stairs.

A Care Package

My good friend Sarah sent me a care package all the way from Miami. It arrived the other day, and just in time. I have had the crappiest year so far, and really needed that pick-me-up. Greatly appreciated, Sarah! 

Inside the box, I found a bunch of books (she knows me well) and some other little nick-nacks like candles, honey, and even a cookie!

A tiny puzzle of Florida - fun for perhaps one of our Weekend Get-Aways!

A tiny book of plant stickers for my cardmaking - I mean, who doesn't love stickers?

A murder mystery - it has kind of an Agatha Christie kind of vibe.

True stories of mysteries in the Everglades - I just might take this one on vacation with me in September.

A cookbook from Florida - I foresee a lot of tasty meals in my future!

A Mystery-mystery book! This one is so cool… I won’t know WHAT book it is until I open it, but it is a mystery book of some sort.

All in all, it was a GREAT care package.

Rest In Peace, Mother

Maureen Elizabeth Stevenson passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, at The Pioneer Home in Palmer, Alaska. She was 88 years old. 

Maureen was born on May 18, 1937, in Santa Rita, New Mexico, to Talbot and Kathryn Barger. She had two brothers, Roland and Stanley Barger.

In her younger years, Maureen moved to Colorado, where she married Jannen “Jack” Amgwert, the only child of Henry “Bud” and Esther Amgwert. During their years in Fort Collins, the couple owned and operated The Westerner, a shop located in downtown Fort Collins that was well known to many in the community.

Maureen and Jack raised five children: Stewart, Kelly, Noel, Ruth, and Reed. In 1971, she moved her family to Palmer, Alaska, where she would spend the remainder of her life. Her later relationships had big impacts on our family.  Her marriage to Robert Stevenson brought us four loved Stepsisters: Cindy, Vicky, Ricky, and Wendy.  And her long partnership with Stanley Murdock gave her grandchildren a beloved grandfather.

Throughout the years, Maureen worked in many roles that reflected her strong work ethic and independence. She held positions as a line-order cook, school bus driver, receptionist, meter reader, remote camp cook, and landlord.

Maureen had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and simple pleasures. She loved animals, enjoyed gardening, and spent time shooting and bird watching. These interests brought her joy and kept her closely connected to the natural beauty of Alaska.

She will be remembered for her resilience, her independence, and her devotion to family.

Maureen is survived by her children Kelly, Noel, Ruth, and Reed. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, 3 partners, and her son Stewart.

The public is invited to join us for a memorial on April 18, at 2:00 at the Presbyterian Church in Palmer. A private family remembrance will be held at a later date. The family asks that those who wish to honor Maureen’s memory take time to enjoy the outdoors, care for animals, or tend a garden—simple pleasures she cherished throughout her life.

Palm Springs

My friend Tammy moved down to Palm Springs last year. I finally took a long weekend and went down to visit her!

She and her husband have a lovely home in a gated community. They get to sit out on their back deck and watch the golfers play their 18 holes all day long. Sometimes they even get to see the Big Horned Sheep come down from the mountains but that did not happen while I was there.

I only had three days, but Tammy packed those days with some really fun tours, while still giving plenty of down time to just sit and relax.

Our first tour was certainly a unique one. Drag & Fly Tours took us around Palm Springs in a “mobile theatre” that seats up to 13 guests, hosted by a fabulous drag queen named Danica. We learned about Palm Springs’ rich history with comedy, live narration, and dazzling video moments. It was definitely a fun way to get introduced to the city.

After the tour ended, we walked around downtown a bit. I got to see Marilyn Monroe even! This 26-foot-tall sculpture, created by artist Seward Johnson, depicts Marilyn Monroe in her famous pose from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch. Interestingly, city ordinance limits residential homes to no more than one story, so this statue stands taller than pretty much every building around her!

Our second tour the next day was also an architectural tour but was quite a bit less flamboyant and more reserved. The Modern Tour gave us another view of the architecture of Palm Springs, even taking us inside a few of the homes along the way.

For our third tour we had to travel out of town where we got a guided golf cart tour of a private wind farm. The tour guide talked about the successes and failures at the beginning of the “Wind Rush” in the 80’s to the modern sleek designs we have today. It was really interesting, and our guide was very knowledgeable. It’s always fun to have a guide who is so excited about his subject matter.

 

Painting Party with Anne

You all know I love an art project – so I was so happy when my friend Anne invited me to join her at a painting party in Anchorage. Anne’s two sons would have joined us, but they were visiting their father. So it was just the two of us – along with several other moms and their children.

This was a guided thing, where the teacher taught us how to paint a Chicken! The teacher did a great job of making sure the littles were all happy and did not get too far off track.

It always amazes me how different the results always are. We all get the same instructions, and yet we all have our own interpretations of those instructions. None of us are wrong – we’re all just our own unique individuals. And that’s okay!

My chicken was pretty basic, with a few mixed colors but not much detail.

Anne’s chicken was a lot more intricate with a lot of mixing and detail.

Date Night

Bryan’s father gave us a gift certificate to the Chop House for Christmas this year – so we decided it was time to use it. It’s been a very stressful year so far, and both of us needed a special Date Night out.

The Chop House is located out on Lake Lucile, on the far side of Wasilla. It’s a beautiful restaurant with a gorgeous view. While we ate, we got to watch several people out ice fishing on the lake.

For our appetizer, Bryan ordered the Fried Calamari. Then we shared the Winter Beet Salad; with beets, carrots, cucumbers, blueberries, pumpkin seeds, and a spring mix tossed in a tasty vinaigrette.

For dinner Bryan ordered the Alaskan Scallops & Shrimp, served on a bed of linguini – which he said was absolutely scrumptious. I had the Chicken Grand Mere, a chicken thigh served with onions, mushrooms, sundried figs, and green olives. It was not very good: the chicken was dry and the olives overpowered everything else so that’s pretty much all I tasted. I would not order that again.

Desert was a slice of their house-made Peanut Butter Pie. I thought it was quite tasty, but he thought it was not peanut buttery enough. And I must say, their presentation of the dish was excellent.

Well, That Sucks

I got laid off.

It came as a shock. I worked for that company for 12 years, but all the sudden I don’t “fit in with their version of the company”. They paid out all my PTO and gave me a decent severance check, at least, and I got to keep my insurance for 2 months.

Honestly, though, I should have known. The Architect I’ve worked with the whole time I’ve been there retired and no one else quite knew what to do with me. I thought about retiring with him, but I guess that decision has been made for me.

The first thing I did was roll my 401k over to my own personal investment account. My stockbroker at D.A.Davidson helped me with that, to ensure that I won’t have any tax issues with the transfer. It does take time, however. The check has to be mailed to me, and then I have to mail it to my stockbroker. Currently I’m waiting for the check to arrive in my mailbox.

The second thing I did was begin the process of signing up for unemployment. This is more difficult than I remember it being. I went to their website. I followed all their instructions. I did everything they told me to do. And yet, when I got to the very end of their long and arduous process – I’m still not signed up for unemployment. I’m not sure what I did wrong. That is today’s tasks: try to figure that out.

While I was dealing with my 401k and unemployment, Bryan worked with his company to get me put on to his insurance. Thankfully, they allow for a Domestic Partner! That’s a major item taken off my “things to worry about” list!

I am kicking around a few ideas to help supplement my considerably lower income:

• I signed up to be a Cat Sitter on Rover.com (I even got my first gig already!)
• I signed up on DoorDash to deliver lunches (I can’t drive at night) and have plans to sign up with UberEats as well
• I am in the process of applying to the Musk Ox Farm to be a part-time Interpretive Guide, and am considering the Reindeer Farm as well
• I might get my own business license to enable me to do some Contract Drafting work

It will be hard to find a job that fits into the schedule to which I have become accustomed: working from home and getting every Friday off. But I’ll be okay. One way or another, it will all work out.

The Bionic Man

He had his 2-week post-op visit the other day, where they cut off the original cast and did an assessment of the wound. He’s healing well, just like he should be. His arm did not look very nice, all shriveled and orange, but the color will fade after a few showers and the arm will regain muscle mass once he starts the Physical Therapy.

They gave him a new half-cast thingy to help stretch the muscles out. Right now it’s set at a 60 degree angle. He can pull his arm up towards his shoulder, but cannot extend it past the 60-degree mark. We are to adjust the angle by 10 degrees every 5 days, such that eventually he will be able to fully extend his arm.

His hand and fingers are still swollen, but doctor says that is normal. He has a fidget spinner that he fusses with all day to help get his hand back to normal. And starting this week he is cleared for working 2 hours a day. Next week they will reevaluate him and perhaps bump that up to 4 hours a day. it's typing on the keyboard that is the issue - the angle your hand sets at when you're on the computer is not exactly conducive to healing torn biceps!

The Cone of Shame

I’m not sure why I call it the Cone of Shame – it’s not like Naldo did anything wrong and I have to punish her with it. She hates it, none the less. 

Naldo is a very sensitive soul and with all the stress going on in our household right now, she’s broken out in a rash on her leg and her tummy. A quick visit to the vet got her some ointment and The Cone. I am to apply both twice a day for two weeks.

Thankfully she only has to wear the cone for about 10 minutes while the meds get absorbed into her body – but she truly hates it. Alternately, I have found that if I just hold her for 10 minutes, then I don’t have to subject her to that particular torture. Not that she enjoys being held for 10 minutes. That in itself is a form or torture. But it’s better than the cone, at least.

Poor Naldo. Life is so hard.

So Many Books, So Little Time

My TBR shelf has grown again. It’s both an exciting thing to see and an upsetting thing, all at the same time. Exciting because there are so many good books on that shelf – I can’t wait to dive in! And yet it’s upsetting because I simply don’t have the time it will take to read all of those wonderful yummy books. Life just gets in the way, you know? And they just keep publishing more books!

I’m in the middle of our Book Club book right now, Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb. It’s the first in a series of maybe 6 or 9 books (depending on how far you want to go with it). I’ve read them all before, but that was a long time ago, and I am enjoying getting reacquainted with them all. But do I go on? Do I not? I don’t know yet. I have next month’s book to read, too, however. Stinger by Robert McCammon. Not sure how I feel about this one yet.

Our annual Book Exchange (borrowed from the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð or Jolobokoflod) was a great success again. My niece Laurel drew my name this year, and gave me The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. She actually went to my Goodreads account and looked at all the books I’d marked as Want To Read. Pretty clever of her, I thought. Then my niece Katy got A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen for me, technically for Christmas but she borrowed the Book Exchange format and paired the book with some Chocolates from Trader Joe’s.

My partner gave me two books for Christmas this year, books 1 and 2 of a series I had been eyeballing. Leave No Trace and Cold Burn by A.J.Landau are both thrillers set in National Parks, the first one featuring the Statue of Liberty and the second one set in Glacier Bay National Park. Both should be very exciting books, I think.

In preparation for my trip to study Sharks in September, I ordered three books that will get me more familiar with our featured creature. All three of them look really good (Emperors of the Deep by William McKeever, The Secret History of Sharks by John Long, and Sharks Don’t Sink by Jasmin Graham) but I think the Sharks Don’t Sink one will be most helpful. I’ll let you know when I return from the expedition!

And, while I’m ordering myself some books, I of course have to get a few “just because” books. I mean, who could turn down Beasts of the Sea by Lida Turpeinen or Maiden, Mother, Crone by Joanne Harris or I, Medusa by Ayana Gray? Not me, that’s for sure.

Last, but most certainly not least, his mother gifted me with a few of her favorite books from the past. The Lives of a Cell by Lewis Thomas and The Firmament of Time by Loren Eiseley will be some heavy reading, requiring my full attention. But I do believe the results will be well worth the effort – both of them look to be very interesting and thought provoking.