I came into summer with expectations.  Not absurd expectations, like winning the lottery, but summer expectations.  I hoped for warmth and sunshine, which until recently we’ve experienced very little of.  I wanted to hike and work on furniture projects; but both have been hindered by mysterious health issues.  I hoped to get a lot of things done, …

Several years ago my Dad came back from visiting his family in Wisconsin. With him, he brought home some treasures from his family and past.  My siblings and I always love digging through the artifacts representing family and memories that were always at a distance from our Alaskan home.  On this particular occasion my dad brought a …