The Storyteller Trilogy

I’m reading the Storyteller Trilogy by Sue Harrison right now, which is “the complete saga of prehistoric Aleut tribal life” . It’s a very interesting story, but I’ll be honest: it’s a hard read.

It’s very well written and thoroughly researched, making the tale as plausible as possible – which is why it’s so hard to read. She takes her time, taking multiple chapters before anything actually happens.

I think that’s rather indicative of today’s society: we are so used to having instant gratification, like a horrific car crash right on page 3 or a brutal rape/murder in the opening scene. Our attention span has been degraded over time to that of a goldfish: if it doesn’t grab our attention within the first two seconds, we scroll on to the next tidbit of entertainment.

Sue builds her story slowly, giving you all the background history: telling you about their daily lives, their tools, their society. How they weave their baskets out of which type of grass. How their shelters (or lodges) are built and who owns them & why. What they eat and how they hunt. All the pieces/parts that make a community work. Only then do you begin to get to the meat of the tale. You slowly meet all the characters and get a sense of where they fit into the story and what their part is going to be.

I have (finally) completed book one of the trilogy and am looking forward to book two now. But, while I wait for the evening so I can sit & read for a while, I am scrolling through Facebook and just happened to come across an article on Otzi the Iceman. I have always been fascinated by him, so this caught my eye. 

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Otzi, his story is something else. Back in 1991 his body was discovered by some hikers up in the Italian Alps. He was so well preserved that at first the authorities treated it like a recent crime scene. However, it was soon determined that he dates back some 5,300 years!

Which – coincidentally – is about when the Storyteller trilogy takes place! (give or take a few years)

So now, when they talk about all the tools that Otzi has on him, or the clothes he wears, or the tattoos on his body, or even the arrowhead embedded into his left shoulder that ended up killing him  = all of this is in Ms. Harrison’s book!  It puts a whole new level of understanding and clarity to Otzi the Iceman’s story, making it that much more fascinating.

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!

An actual Mystery book! This one is so cool… I won’t know WHAT book it is until I open it, but it is a sci fi 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.