Return to Alaska

 I am returning soon to Alaska...both literally and figuratively speaking.

Literally, because I just booked our tickets to Anchorage with my fingers crossed that it won't get postponed (again) because of COVID. Really looking forward to a visit with family there and also family in Seattle. It will be wonderful to see these folks and also to enjoy the beauty of the Great North. Since we have family there, we have been several times, but I am always excited about the prospect of exploring something new. This trip we hope to see some new sights in Anchorage and an extra trip to Seward. 

Figurately speaking, I am returning to the topic of Alaska with respect to my blog and my book.  So many changes took place in the last year in my little corner of the blogging world. I eliminated my "travel" blog for many reasons that I won't extrapolate on here...so I am now down to just one blog: Outlooks and Inspirations. It occurred to me that many of my interesting travel features were not shared on this particular blog; so I thought I would like to share some of my favorites here. Also, my National Park book is in the process of revision and publication with a new publisher.  Frankly I am very excited about that, more on that later. 

The following article about Alaska is one of my favorites about this beautiful state.  It is from my book about the National Park Service and is focused on the National Parks: "The Alaska Parks".  I purposely omitted several photographs...you will just need to purchase my book for the additional photos! (...shameless plug...I am my only marketing manager, remember?)

I have another blog post about the city of Seward, which we plan on returning to also.  I will publish that as a separate post.

The Alaska Parks

Alaska beckons. The mountains are calling. The pines whisper and the frozen tundra holds curiosities beneath.  The unique lands showcased in the parks there demonstrate its reputation as The Last Frontier.  Alaska is a youthful state, gaining statehood in 1959, but the marvels of this land are timeless.  There are 8 National Parks and 16 National wildlife refuges in the state of Alaska making it the leading state in the volume of protected lands.

Horseshoe Lake at Denali National Park

Like much of the state, Alaska’s parks and lands live up to their reputation as being the “Last Frontier”.  The breathtaking beauty of the forested lands, the snowcapped peaks and the diversity of wildlife is showcased in the parks. Yet, because of the ruggedness of the land, some of the places are very hard to get to and are not frequently visited. That could be good or bad depending on your perspective.  Out of the eight National Parks in Alaska, I have visited three of them; as it turns out the three that are the most accessible.

Probably the easiest to access and one of Alaska’s most popular attractions is Denali National Park.

Denali is  Alaska’s most well-known national park and is actually more readily accessible than some of the other remote parks.  Denali averages over  400,000 visitors annually. The flag ship feature of the park is the 20,320 feet high mountain peak known for thousands of years by the Athabascans as Denali, or “The High One”.

So What’s in a Name?  The park we know today as Denali National Park was founded in 1917 by Woodrow Wilson as Mount McKinley National Park. The name of the Park has been a controversy since its inception.  There are certain ironies that one can’t help but ponder on. First, the name McKinley was taken from our 25th President William McKinley. McKinley himself had never traveled to Alaska.  Perhaps he would have gone to see the majestic mountain and park, but sadly he was assassinated in September of 1901. Charles Sheldon, a naturalist and conservationist, advocated from the start the name of Denali for both the park and the mountain. The locals called it Denali, and the debate continued for decades. Finally in 1980, many continued to favor the name Denali after the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act changed the park’s name to Denali National Park and Preserve. But the official name of the mountain remained Mount McKinley.  Then just prior to the National Park Service centennial year in 2016, the mountain was reverted to the name Denali. While visiting Alaska in September of 2015, President Barack Obama announced the official name change of the mountain.

Keeping the “wild” in Alaskan wilderness.  The vastness and diverse ecosystems of the park are beautifully preserved and presented to visitors by virtue of how the park is operated and maintained.  Unlike other National Parks, access into the park is restricted and controlled by only one road, 90 miles long into the park.  Personal vehicles are not allowed beyond the 15 mile mark on the park road; only the shuttle buses taking visitors back and forth from several destinations. This may seem odd at first, but when you take a bus trip into the park it helps you to understand  how this system helps to minimize car travel and reduce the carbon footprint on this wilderness. Riders are free to get on and off the bus as they please.  Another distinct advantage is that you are much more likely to view an abundance of wildlife.  The animals have become accustomed to the big tan buses along the road and are more likely to view them as just a part of the landscape. When we went, we observed, from the safety of the bus, a mama Grizzly helping her two cubs to hunt a ground squirrel. That was an experience I will never forget.

In addition to the park road, the trails allow foot traffic within the park for both the casual hiker and the seasoned veteran. Some of the more seasoned hikers are encouraged to “make their own trail”, but for the casual hikers there are several trails starting closer to the Visitors Center.  An easy hike, 1.5 miles, to the beautiful plateau above Horseshoe Lake provides ample opportunities for stunning photographs. 

Wildlife thrives in the vastness of the park and the “Big Five” have been designated as:  grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and Dall sheep.  It may be a personal goal to view all five, but don’t be too disappointed if you don’t view them all. You can always pick up a coffee mug or t-shirt with all of them on it; sounds a bit touristy but a great way to remember your visit.

My family and I saw a grizzly and her cubs from quite a distance and also a mother moose and her cubs, but sometimes it’s very cool to also capture them on a souvenir. Not quite the same as seeing them in real life, but it’s so neat to bring back the memories of your trip and be able to say you’ve been to Denali. Wolves and grizzlies are not as easily seen, but the abundance of Moose in the park makes it almost a sure bet you will see them at some point. Depending on the year, the moose population within the park fluctuates of course, but the National Park Service estimates about 1,800 Moose at Denali.  That’s alot of Moose!  Just FYI, the plural of Moose is Moose…good to know.

 “Mush, Doggies! Mush!” You can’t get up close and personal with a grizzly, but at Denali you can get close and cuddly with the sled dogs.  In the winter months, the best way to get around from here to there within the park is still by sled dog team.  One of the must see attractions at Denali is the sled dog demos and a visit to the kennels.   Even if you are visiting in the summer, they have to keep the dog’s training going year round, so they add small wheels to the sleds to run them on all terrains.  During the summer tourist season, they have 3 daily dog sled demonstrations.  The Park Service runs several shuttles to the kennels.  When I was there I was amazed to find out the importance of the use of dog sleds within the park and also within the state of Alaska.  The most famous, well -known sled dog race, the Iditarod, has a colorful and intriguing history.  Portions of the Iditarod trail were used as early as the 1880’s, However the most famous event in the history of Alaskan mushing  is the 1925 serum run to Nome; also known as the “Great Race of Mercy.” A large diphtheria epidemic threatened Nome. The only way to get the antitoxin to Nome was by sled dog, due to unusable planes and ships in the worst of winter.  So on January 27, the port at Seward had received the serum where it was passed to the first of twenty mushers and more than 100 dogs who relayed the package 674 miles from Nenana to Nome. The dogs ran in relays, with no dog running over 100 miles. Wow, I hear that story and am amazed of the courage and tenacity of those mushers and their dogs. No wonder it has become an inspiring tale; both for those that participate in the Iditarod and those that watch on the sidelines.  All an amazing part of the Alaska experience.

Another very accessible Alaska  park , via Seward, is Kenai Fjords National Park . It covers about 950 square miles and showcases some of the iconic features of Alaska including glaciers, marine life and coastal scenery. 

A large majority of the Park is either in the waterways or frozen icefields, so one of the best ways to get an overview of the park is via a tour boat from Seward into Resurrection Bay and parts of the Gulf of Alaska.  There are several tours available from the starting point of Seward for both wildlife viewing and fishing excursions. We went on an afternoon cruise with Major Marine Tours.  Getting out on the water gives you a great overview of one of the crowning features of the Park: the Harding Icefield.  It is 70 miles long and 30 miles wide and creates all the glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park.  It is incredible to see-and hear- the glaciers “calve” icebergs into the bay by releasing massive chunks of ice into the water.

Additionally, on the boat tour, we were able to see numerous examples of Alaska marine life.  We saw Stellar Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and an abundance of Puffins and Kittiwakes.  Puffins were always my favorite. They look so cute and pudgy and seemingly awkward, but they are fast flyers and divers with excellent fishing skills.

 Another aspect of our tour at Kenaj Fjords was my first introduction to the concept of the “Land of the Midnight Sun”.   Since we were there in August, the long days and short, short nights were very evident. At the end of the tour we came back to the harbor, pulling up to the dock and the sun was still  high on the horizon.  It felt like about 6 or 7 pm, but it was 10 pm. So odd. Now I know why residents of Alaska purchase “black out” curtains to get a good night sleep.  Yet, as a tourist it’s great because you  can fill so many things in one day and you don’t run out of daylight.

The only road in the Park, ends at the Exit Glacier parking lot. From there you can take an easy hike to view the glacier face. It is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska and terrific to view, but sadly is also a very visible indicator of glacial recession due to climate change.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. 

Another impressive Park that holds such beauty but is somewhat more challenging to journey to is Wrangell- St. Elias  National Park and Preserve. It is  on the eastern side of the state about 250 miles from Anchorage.

Wrangell- St. Elias is a vast national park that holds the title of the largest of our national parks at 13.2 million acres.  To provide some perspective, the park is the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined! The combined mountain ranges in the park: Wrangell and St. Elias contain 9 of the 16 highest mountain peaks in the U.S.

Also within the Park reside the remnants of the historic Kennecott Mine and a very interesting visitor’s center explaining what life was like in the glory days of copper mining.  It’s a fascinating place to visit because it is a demonstration of the tenacity and ingenuity of the human spirit. When traveling the McCarthy Road to get to the mine, you feel as if you are already on an adventure, and you sometimes have to reach into your own resolve when seeking this destination.

The McCarthy Road is 60 miles long and is a long gravel road. Here is a photo showing where the nice smooth pavement ends and the gravel road & imposing cliffs begin. It is intimidating when all the travel literature warns NOT to take rental cars on this road and other warnings for the faint of heart. It was a rough ride with several portions of the road demonstrating the “wash-board” effect, a series of tight ridges.  I give my sister-in-law, Christy, so much credit: she drove both in and out on this challenging stretch of road.  We took her mini-van, which worked well and we took it slowly.  That is the key to surviving on this road without a flat tire or worse damage to your vehicle.  It is only 60 miles, but plan for about 3 hours. It is well worth the trip if you take your time. You can see so much more when you are traveling at 30 mph as opposed to 65.

Be sure to catch all the scenery and wildlife along the way and the views are spectacular. This is the Kuskalana Bridge, built in 1910, it spans 525 feet and sits at a height 238 feet above the river. An incredible building accomplishment and yes we drove across it. Having a little bit of a fear of heights (don’t we all to some extent) I had to hold my breath and somehow muster up the courage to take in the view.  Be courageous and take in the view, it’s worth it. 

So travelling along the rustic McCarthy Road, you eventually meet your destination: the McCarthy/Kennecott settlement and the Kennecott Mine.  Nestled in the snow capped mountains of the Wrangell-St. Elias range, the Copper Mine was closed in 1938. It stands silent watch above the valley and the steep drop offs that are common to the area.

When visiting the abandoned mine, the sheer majesty of its size gives you a whole new appreciation for the people who lived and worked here. The structure of the main mill has such an ominous presence that even if it is not haunted it still has an alarming presence that truly is awe-inspiring. The building of the mine itself, and the surrounding buildings supporting the workers, initially seemed to be insurmountable tasks. To bring buildings materials in through the rugged mountain passes, the first priority was to build a railroad. In addition to helping construct the new city and mine, the copper ore was transported via railroad south to Cordova. When visiting Kennecott, I walked along the original rails that line up with the chutes, where the rock crusher spit out processed rock and ore that was further refined.

Remnants of the tools that were used in the labor intensive process of mining are found strewn about the area. Here my son Dan surveys the rugged Wrangell Mountains while standing by an ancient rock crusher, circa early 1930’s. Also remnants of the life that was left behind after the mine closed are still visible and one gets a strange sensation that memories and spirits of the past still are present here.  It seems to have had more recent activity in the mine than the footsteps of tourists and it is hard to believe it closed more than 75 years ago.  Nevertheless, as one of those tourists, I found it a fascinating historical place to visit and taking in the natural beauty of the park was an inherent bonus.

The National Park Service acquired the mine in 1998 and the lands of the historic mining town of Kennecott.  The mine has been designated a National Historic Landmark.  On the Wrangell-St. Elias website: www.nps.gov/wrst life working in the mine is described: “Kennecott was a place of long hours and hard, dangerous work.  At the height of operation about six hundred men worked in the mines and mill town. Paying salaries higher than those found in the lower-48, Kennecott was able to attract men willing to live and work in this remote Alaskan mining camp…..Despite the dangers and grueling work, the Kennecott workers mined and concentrated at least $200 million worth of ore.”
The mine successfully ran for over 30 years, but was closed due to declining copper deposits and the high cost of railway maintenance.

 It would be quite a challenge to see all eight of Alaska’s parks, yet even taking the opportunity to visit a few definitely gives you an appreciation for this most beautiful land. Alaska is full of breathtaking vistas, welcoming people and places that create memorable trips of a lifetime.

Not Folk Tales, but rather Faith

 There's an age old saying that when a Cardinal comes to visit you, it's a departed loved one coming to reassure you and a signal that they are at peace.  I always thought this was a lovely comfort to those that are grieving, but in the back of my mind it felt like mourners "grasping at straws" to find somewhere to get comfort during the grieving process.  Well, I now feel a little differently because I can now say: "It happened to me" and became a demonstration of my faith at a time when I really needed it. 

 After my Mom's Memorial service, my husband and I were leaving the hotel we were staying at and putting our bags in the trunk.  The sun was shining, and the birds were chirping away as we made our way to the van. My husband looked at a nearby tree and said," Oh Look, Julie....a Cardinal." I gazed up and saw a tree filled with at least a dozen black birds and one lone Cardinal. I immediately thought of the "when a recently departed loved one comes to visit" story.  It was surreal but in a strange way comforting to me. The tears started to flow, and I looked up and said, "Hi Mom." I knew I had to regain my composure, so I could drive. By the time I wiped my tears and collected myself, I looked up and all the branches were bare. 

Thinking pragmatically, even if you don't believe that a Cardinal is literally the spirit of a loved one it gives me comfort in knowing that, and believing that, the Holy Spirit is at work here.  Sometimes things that happen in our lives just can't be explained away and categorized as coincidence. Matters of faith and matters of the heart are well....just that: taken by faith.

My faith has renewed my spirit and helped me through many things in my life.  Most recently, it has helped and is continuing to provide comfort for the grieving process. Many Bible verses address GRIEF, but this is one of my favorites that encourages hope for tomorrow:

"Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning" Psalms 30:5

This simple verse says to me that weeping and grief are indeed part of the process, but there is hope for tomorrow.

Those of us that are left behind when our loved ones pass, take comfort in knowing that the memory of them is still with us, always a part of us.  The following poem was read at my Mom's service and helps us to find comfort in the fact that YES, we will remember:

‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer

At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength; We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart; We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.

It's a wonderful reminder that time marches on, but we can still remember our loved ones and they continue to be a part of our lives. Good choice of poems, Mom.

So when you see a Cardinal, no matter what the circumstance, I hope you find JOY in the beauty of seeing it. Take a few moments to think of someone you have loved and lost. 

 

 

Call Me a Cab

 Call me a Cab.....Cabernet , that is. What a delightful little pun that I recently ran across when planning an upcoming trip to Door County, Wisconsin. This terrific little pun is on a label of wine found at Heather Ridge Winery in Door County. I almost always like Cabernet Sauvignon, so it's a sure bet that Hubby and I will make a stop there.  Yeah, you can call it just creative marketing.... but it works on me anyway. I'm still laughing about it. (and writing about it!) And it makes me want to go check it out. I won't be a bit surprised if I bring home a bottle.

It made me realize that not only do (some) wine drinkers, and vintners, have a great sense of humor, maybe after a glass or two, but there is a whole culture around the hobby of wine drinking.  I love a good glass of wine not only for the taste, but also for the amazing sense of calm it brings to me.

When I began drinking wine, illegally as a teenager....I would partake in the varietals of Boone's Farm wine. Remember Boone's Farm?! Egad! They produced Boone's Farm Apple then when they came out with Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill we thought we were in 7th Heaven. It was sweet and basically tasted like pop, but we got drunk. And I guess basically that was the goal. Good Times.

Yet, all of our tastes change when we get older, thank goodness.  I am not trying to sound like a "wine snob".... on the contrary.  I have reached the point where I enjoy wine for the taste and fully realize that everyone has different tastes.  Drink what makes you happy. For me it is the drier reds and the crisp whites like Pinot Grigio.  Yet, whatever your preference, one thing that brings all wine drinkers together is the paraphernalia surrounding the hobby. Fancy glasses, funny kitchen wall plaques, ornate bottle stoppers....well, you get the idea.... the list goes on and on.  I have a nice collection of glasses, but am always on the look-out for an additional "souvenir" one.

Whenever I visit a winery, the sampling of the wine itself of course is the highlight. Yet, seeing all the "stuff" in the gift shop is a bonus and even if I don't buy anything it is so entertaining to read the t-shirts and funny little kichen towels.  So here are a couple of examples from my own collection when I succumbed to the laughter that it brought me. Yet, I don't regret buying them, they still makes me laugh. 

Returning to my original premise in this post, the fun with the labels almost always catches the eye of the consumer. If you buy a good wine, and the label is catchy, you are almost sure to find it again in the future.  I bought a wine once just because it had a lighthouse on it, shallow I know...but it turned out to be very tasty and now I can just look for the lighthouse. Nifty.  If the label has a "story" behind it and evokes memories for you....all the better to cement it in your mind as a great wine.  And of course, the bringing to mind a great story is always a bonus. The example I am thinking of is Casillero Del Diablo. Wonderful wines from Chile! My Spanish is not so great, I originally thought it meant "Castle of the Devil", I was close but not quite. I worked with a gal that spoke Spanish (I miss working with Jessica, she was so much fun!) and she clarified that it means "Locker of the Devil". So keep the "devil" locked up. Well, come to find out there is a very interesting legend about this. From the wine maker's web site:

"As the story goes, more than a hundred years ago the founder of our winery, Don Melchor Concha y Toro, hid a prized collection of wines in his personal cellar protected behind a wrought iron gate. However, over time he began to notice that bottles would strangely disappear. It seemed his secret cellar was no longer so secret, and that the townspeople, having heard of his exquisite wines, couldn't resist tasting them for themselves.

Needing a new way to safeguard his treasure, Don Melchor turned to local folklore. Knowing that superstitions and otherworldly phenomena were feared by the local people, he spread the rumor of strange nighttime events that could only be explained by a simple fact: that the devil inhabited his cellar. Fueled by the locals’ imagination, each sound in the cellar—every echo, shadow, and shape—gave weight to the story."

Wow, what an intriguing story...to this day, they still have a little emblem of a devil on the label. There always seems to be stories behind your favorite wine.  With a little bit of digging you can find them and remember:

     "WINE! Because no Great Story ever started with someone eating a salad."

                                                   Cheers!

Julie E. Smith

Does Grief burn calories?

Painting by Jill Battaglia

 I am exhausted all the time...I can't help but wonder: does Grief burn calories? I certainly hope so. I woke up this morning with the intention of going to the gym, trying to get my life back to normal...I am exhausted all time. I sleep and I still wake up exhausted. I am doing all the things I am "supposed" to do: eating healthy, trying to sleep, limiting my alcohol and I just can't seem to fit in EXERCISE. This too shall pass, I know my grief is young and I have to work through it. In the mean time I am trying to take care of myself.  So here I am doing the thing that brings me peace...writing. Ironically, the day I decided to provide myself some self-therapy by writing, is exactly one month to the day that my Mom died peacefully...on Christmas Day.  There are mountains of paperwork on my desk with tasks that I need to take care of, but just for a few hours today I will sit and write. Mom would have liked that...she knew how much writing means to me. She read all my blogs and articles. Now that she is gone, I frequently wonder if anyone at all, other than myself, will read the words on this paper.  Nevertheless, it is good therapy and cheaper than drugs. (Albeit just as addictive)

I woke up this morning, sore and stiff. Yesterday, I had shoveled a light snowfall off the driveway (Hubby did the other half), light housework and some work on organizing Mom's memorial service. Nothing too taxing...so why am I so exhausted? The clincher was when I woke up to see that it was 13 degrees below zero, no gym for this gal today. Call me a wimp, but I am going to do the thing that makes me feel great...writing. I have so many other things that I should be doing, but writing helps give me clarity and focus, not to mention keeping my mental health intact. Keeping my sanity is tantamount to burning calories and losing that pesky weight I have been trying to get off for about the last 10 years.  If I completely lose my mind, would it really matter if my jeans fit too tight?

          I understand that grief comes in stages and it ebbs and flows just like waves on the ocean.  Just when I think I have myself together, the tiniest little thing, seemingly insignificant memory will make me spiral into sadness and tears. It reminds me of this poem that I came across that really has helped me make sense of at least part of the process of grieving:

          “You Don’t Just Lose Someone Once”  by Donna Ashworth

 You lose them over and over,

sometimes many times a day.

When the loss, momentarily forgotten,

creeps up,

and attacks you from behind.

Fresh waves of grief as the realization hits home,

they are gone.

You don’t just lose someone once,

you lose them every time you open your eyes to a new dawn,

and as you awaken, so does your memory,

so does the jolting bolt of lightning that rips into your heart,

they are gone.

Again.

Losing someone is a journey,

not a one-off.

There is no end to the loss,

there is only a learned skill on how to stay afloat,

when it washes over.

Be kind to those who are sailing this stormy sea,

they have a journey ahead of them,

and a daily shock to the system each time they realize,

they are gone,

 Again.

You don’t just lose someone once,

you lose them every day,

for a lifetime.

Be mindful of your ADL's

Recently, when I take a rejuvenating hot shower, take a walk in the park or enjoy a bowl of Cheerios with fresh strawberries I count my simple pleasures like these and am mindful that my ADL's are going strong and I have the ability to do them. What are ADL's? The term ADL stands for Activities of Daily Living and is a term used by medical and health care providers  to access an individual's capacity to perform these tasks on their own. Basic daily self care routines include:

• Personal Hygiene
• Feeding
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Transferring (The ability to change positions and walk independently)  

Now all these tasks, we frequently take for granted and I am here to say: Please don't take them for granted. I have become familiar with such terminology in recent months while working to secure care for my mother. Many of the simplest routines that we take for granted, become increasingly more difficult as we age. It also has been very difficult to see the changes in my Mom in both her physical and cognitive functions.  She is doing incredibly well for a 94 year old, but the last 6 months have been rough. She is struggling with short term memory loss and sometimes it is so hard to repeat things to her over and over again. But I do, because I love her and she's my Mom. In dealing with this situation, it's always good to keep a sense of humor.  Even the Mayo Clinic has come out with studies that reveal the healing benefits of laughter. So many of the stories I could tell about laughter with my Mom are really just one of those "you had to be there", but it's good advice as a caregiver to find a little humor in every day. 

I always envisioned a "caregiver" as an individual who is physically present and providing meals, bathing and attending to all the ADL's. Even though my Mom is living 300+ miles away, it has been easier for me to cope with situations when I became willing to call myself a caregiver. No, I am not there directly assisting with all the "ADL's", but we talk every day and my sister (who lives even further away) is also very active in her care.  My sister and I have been working together as a team to assure that all her needs will be met.  My Mom did an awesome job of raising her girls, so my sister and I are working very hard to assure that her "golden years" will truly be golden for her.  Mrs. Carter had it right when she said: "There are only four kinds of people in the world-those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. " Rosalynn Carter

Some of these life transitions that we are experiencing now with our family have been really rough...really rough and emotionally exhausting for me.  Yet, trying to be the eternal optimist that I am, I have to admit that the process has been very eye opening and a learning experience for me. Several trips to the library have yielded much research on dementia and the best ways of helping my Mom.  It truly helps me to appreciate what I have every day and remembering to also keep gratitude in my heart.  After coming across this poem....I just sat and cried. Yet, cleansing tears are also beneficial.

So I dry my tears and pray for Clarity and Patience to face whatever the day may bring. I find joy every day in the Activities of Daily Living and I hope you, gentle reader can do the same.

Julie Etta Smith

"A Walk in the Park...Journeys through our Nation's Greatest Treasures" A book profile

 As I am taking several different pathways for marketing my recent book, I wanted to provide an overview of it that is easily accessible to be viewed by prospective vendors. I want to provide more information about the book, than what is currently available on the Amazon/KDP site.  The book was self-published by Kindle Direct Publishing and can be found on Amazon by typing in the complete title:

"A Walk in the Park...Journeys through our Nation's Greatest Treasures."   Julie E. Smith

The book was conceived, in 2016, during the Centennial celebration of the National Park Service. My love of travel and the beauty of our National Parks encouraged me during this time period to pursue visiting many parks on my bucket list. I visited as many as time and finances would allow. I have been to many of the major parks but also a few of the lesser known parks.  I did not know, at the start of my explorations, that there is a beautiful National Park in Ohio: Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Check out Chapter 13! 

Along the way I have learned so much about the intriguing history of the National Park Service and what makes our system in America so unique. The contributions of men such as Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir were instrumental in preserving the legacy of our Parks. 

This book is not meant to be a guidebook of each and every site, but rather an overview with many helpful travel hints on how best to appreciate our National Parks and Sites. I hope it provides an inspiration and invitation to explore.    Julie E. Smith

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Sympathy for the Devil

 Sympathy for the Devil....totally one of my favorite Stones songs, but also very apropos when I think about current attitudes about Amazon.  In many circles, in addition to the literary world,  Amazon has been perceived as the devil: slowly eroding away at the fabric of many of our institutions. There are so many love/ hate relationships with this company and there is a whole bevy of topics about this company including employee treatment, putting small companies out of business...and the list goes on and on.  However, I want to focus my discussion on the role they have played in the publishing industry. 

I was prompted to write this blog after an eye-opening conversation with an independent bookseller whom I was hoping to sell my book in her store. I am much too polite to name the bookstore and publicly take out my frustration: I feel no ill will towards independent booksellers- I wish them success.  Yet, after my conversation with her & research on attitudes of other (actually almost ALL independent booksellers) about Amazon/Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) I experienced a whole bevy of emotions starting with an overwhelming feeling of failure. Then my sadness turned to confusion and finally I ended up MAD. Why should I be penalized as an author just because I chose the publishing company that worked best for my needs?  Does that diminish in any way the content or quality of my book? I absolutely hate being sucked into the political world of publishing...but lo and behold here I am.

 The woman I spoke with was very open to my book and gave me a sheet of instructions on how to submit my book for being sold in her store. I perused the sheet and when I saw the note about "We do not accept books published by any of the Amazon imprints, including Create Space."  Well, right then my heart sank and instead of just turning and walking out in a huff....I spoke with her and really tried to understand. I did tell her that I respect their position, but as an author I feel I am being penalized just because of my choice of publisher. 

After leaving the store, with my dignity still in tact...I was proud of myself that I did not burst in to tears or start hurling heavy books through their plate glass window. I do honestly empathize for the small independent booksellers and they understandably have a right to feel that Amazon is the big, bad Capitalist Pig preying on those that are just trying to earn a living. I can see both sides of it, but we live in a capitalist country where competition is stiff. Seems to me that many small booksellers have modified their business model to appeal to a local marketplace, and some have been wonderfully successful. I know I am not in the shoes of a book store owner: I am sure they have many war stories to tell.  I am just speaking on behalf of the unsung heroes of the literary world: The Authors.

If you are old enough to be part of American consumerism in the 1990's you will remember when Amazon got started in on-line marketing. Before they starting hocking clothing, household supplies, pet supplies and everything else under the sun, their primary focus was on....You guessed it: books. Amazon was founded in 1994 and I guess their success  just snowballed from there.  In 2000, they founded the publishing company: Create Space. My first 2 books were with Create Space which later changed to KDP. Sometimes it just feels better to go with what you know, so I did not switch publishers. At the time I had no reason to. (Maybe I still don't)

It's interesting to note that as of the writing of this blog, there are currently 2,827 American publishing houses.  The number of self-publishing companies is approximately a mere 30, a small number when compared to the traditional route of publishing but nevertheless when you are trying to boil it down to one company to use for publishing your book...the task can seem monumental.  Yet, my shock at not being able to market my book in small bookstores makes me ponder if I should switch publishers with my next book? Sometimes I wonder if I would feel "forced" to switch; this was the third book I published via Amazon/Kindle Direct Publishing (Formerly KDP was called Create Space) and I was very pleased with how all of the books looked upon completion.  Additionally, I truly appreciate the concept of POD (Print on Demand) so as a novice author I don't have to stock pile huge amounts of books which would also entail a sizable cash outlay. I haven't sold massive amounts of books, but that is not why I write. I write because I love the art of writing. So...if you are interested in my latest book about the National Park Service...you won't find it in a local bookstore, only Amazon:

 

 

And here's the link: Amazon.com : a walk in the park...journeys through our greatest treasures                                                                    

As always my readers...thank you for listening and I always welcome feedback. Julie E. Smith

Are you a Joiner?

 I recently attended the meeting of a local quilt guild and it was such a delight to be in the company of these women that all share the same passion of quilt making and related projects. When I am in the company of very talented quilters I usually am intimidated by their amazing talents, but then I realize we all have to start somewhere.  I remember the wisdom of the advice by Warren Buffett:

"It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”   I doubt Mr. Buffett was discussing quilt circles at the time, however...the same principle applies.  We can always learn and improve ourselves when we surround ourselves with those we can learn from. I will probably join this group with not only the hope of improving my quilting skills, but to also forge new friendships with people in my community. It's a win- win situation.

Yup...I'm a joiner...as are many of my fellow human beings are.  The significance of this has really become evident as we still are seeking ways to connect with each other in the era of COVID. It is so refreshing to meet face to face beyond the realm of "Zoom land". 

So I was thinking today about all the different groups I belong to and how our group affiliation changes throughout our lifetime.  Currently I belong to a church, a women's Bible Study at another church, a craft group, two writer's groups, two National Parks organizations and soon to be a member of a quilting guild.  Then I could also mention several on-line groups with my targeted interests and geographic location. The Facebook group for my town has proved to be a very valuable tool for finding everything from which restaurant to choose to the best mechanic. So my predisposition of joining groups fits in with my extroverted personality.  So there are those that would prefer to keep to themselves.  This reminds me of this clever meme that really brought a chuckle to me while coping through the COVID isolation:

So what groups do you belong to and how have they impacted and changed your life?  It's kind of fun to think about and it's also a specific way to define your interests and count your blessings. Sometimes when we stop to think about the characteristics of our personality and interests it helps to provide goals and a framework on how we can improve our participation with those groups. 

Our group affiliations definitely change over our lifetime. Probably the first group I joined (that I can remember)was the Girl Scouts. I hold so many fond memories of camping, great songs and believe it or not...I do remember the work and skills I learned working on various merit badges. 

Fast forward to college days: my freshman year I joined a social sorority. I have to confess I originally pursued joining a sorority not so much for the camaraderie and the social aspects, but I wanted a nicer place to live than the dorms.  I had heard many stories about dorm living and I wanted a better (and er...cleaner..) place to live while I pursued my degree.  Although, in hind sight it was a great decision and many of the friendships I forged at my sorority: Alpha Chi Omega have endured. I will be an Alpha Chi for life and I was pleasantly surprised that it became so much more than just a place to live. To this day, I am still in touch with several of my sorority sisters.

Also, during my college days I joined the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. At the time it was awesome and wonderful training for a career in journalism. I also went to their convention in Washington, D.C. and was truly inspired to plunge into work as a journalist. Well, the path of life takes many turns and I ended up not pursuing a "traditional" role as a journalist. So this is one group membership that I let lapse, however I don't regret my experiences with them.

So life milestones and stages of our life can be marked by the groups to which we belong.  One of the biggest shocks for me, feeling like a splash of cold water in my face, was the letter I received stating I was eligible to join AARP.  For all you youngsters out there that don't have to even think about this...it stands for the American Association of Retired Persons.  Now I needed to rationalize this with the simple thought the requirement for membership in AARP is only 50.  Most people don't actual retire until age 65. Still....it made me feel OLD.  Nevertheless, I am not knocking AARP. They do great things to help "older" people and I really enjoy the monthly magazine.

I have learned so much from the variety of groups that I have had the pleasure of calling myself a member. My hope is that I can give back and enhance the group in some small way. And how can I forget support groups, they are an important facet to help us with some of the difficulties that life might throw our way. I wanted to end this blog with this great cartoon about support groups. Brought a smile to my day: