I was just two weeks into motherhood when I took a job at the Dairy Queen on 28th drive and Cactus in Phoenix, Arizona and …
2012
The Pilot Fell-A-What? | Backwoods Mom
I’ve gotten used to flying in small planes. In fact, I prefer it immensely over large planes. I figure, if a forty ton jet loses …
Stalactites Of Winter | Backwoods Mom
When winter blends in to the fall that precedes And darkness consumes us and sunlight recedes Tall spears of ice, from the roofs edge they …
Blockbuster Babies | Backwoods Mom
My daughter Destini wrote this for a class this year…I thought it was really good so I thought I’d share. Destini is eighteen years old …
Adoption Pending »
He came to us in the summer, four years ago with a chip on his shoulder, a mouth with no filter, and a yearning for …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 9/30/12 | Backwoods Mom
This weeks Scenic Sunday is created entirely by Robin Riley, age 15. This summer Robin set her sights on a camera and did what it …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 9-23-12 | Backwoods Mom
BMOM “If I had only one friend left…I’d want it to be you.” Recommended Articles
Settling In To Cabin Life | Backwoods Mom
My lantern oil just dimmed to nothing and left me in complete darkness but for the glow of my laptop and the internet box blinking …
Fuller Lakes Trail »
It was noon on a sunny summer day last June when Dan and I decided on the spur of the moment to hike in to …
This Is My Land »
It was more than forty years ago that my in-laws, just after giving birth to their seventh child (my husband) purchased an acre of land. …
Our Fearless Leader | Backwoods Mom
This is not going to be well written, of that I am sure. It’s late at night, I’m tired, and I have computer access for …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 8-12-2012 | Backwoods Mom
Found a couple of caribou on the side of the road… Attended Salmon Stock at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds… Worked on the floor and wall …
Boys In The Backwoods… »
I don’t remember being covered in bruises, blood and broken skin on a daily basis as a child…perhaps that is the key difference between little …
Resurrection Trail — aka Trail Of Terror »
Written summer, 2010…warning…this piece is long…but worth the read (or at least look at the photographs of true Alaska wilderness.) We were eighteen steps down …
Against All Odds »
Found in Cooper Landing, Alaska…fighting it’s way thru the asphalt “Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving …
Battle Scars | Backwoods Mom
Robin the week she came to us…what’s not to love, right?! Tonight while making dinner, the boys were swapping scar stories, as boys do. Steven …
Revival–by Anthony | Backwoods Mom
It’s about 11:30 at night and Anthony just knocked on my bedroom door to show me a poem he’d written. This work will make more …
Father’s Day »
With Father’s Day upon us, I’ve spent some time trying to put together a piece about what makes a “father” become a “dad”. I’ve scribbled …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 5-14-2012 | Backwoods Mom
Had a wonderful Mother’s Day evening with new friends… THIS WEEK I MY LIFE I… Got some pretty good shots of this young eagle carrying …
Another Mother
I’m sitting here at 11 p.m. the night before Mother’s Day. Anthony, age 11, is here with me. He’s sleeping on the couch tonight so …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 05-06-2012 | Backwoods Mom
Startled a flock of geese…more than once. This week in my life I… Wondered if Luke knows he is small… Watched Anthony fall in love …
Backwoods Bees »
When I was a kid in Kasilof, Alaska, there was a honey store about a mile down the road. We’d pedal down there, present our …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 3-18-12 | Backwoods Mom
This week in my life… “Go ahead…try to get to your truck.” “Going somewhere?” Icicle…cheaper than a chew toy. Spoiled “Hint…hint…” New Mama…my fridge is …
Sixteen and Profitable »
Someday I hope to live child-free. And in order see that fantasy happen, I have to get them out of my house…independent…living on their own. …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 2-26-12 | Backwoods Mom
I watched a great sunset instead of going to the gym… This Week In My Life I… The small boys built dragons… I did a …
At The End Of The Trail »
As I sit in the Alaska dark, waiting for Spring, I can feel the grit beneath my nails, the sweat across the back of my …
Without A Paddle »
Sandi and I had escaped, kid free…which says a lot considering between us we have twelve children…and were laughing our way across Tustumena lake headed …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 1/22/12 | Backwoods Mom
witnessed beauty on the Kenai River… This week in my life I… Made friends with this guy… Took the boys out woodcutting…(that’s right…bravely sharing my …
My Overcoming One »
The tiny boy with the bright blue eyes Looked up and said to me Can I live here a long, long time? Three months, if …
Robin Wonders »
I rarely talk with my long term kids about their early childhood in front of the other kids. For some reason I’ve always hesitated…I didn’t …
I Am Mom…Do I Work? »
Last year my daughter was assigned to interview a person about their job for school. She asked, “Can I interview my mom?” “Does she work?” …
Damn Her | Backwoods Mom
A while back I had Billy into the local clinic for a sports physical. The doctor scanned his chart, did some quick work with his …
SNOW DAY! | Backwoods Mom
Anderson Hill, near Ninilchik, Alaska… In celebration of our first completed week doing our schooling at home…and after all the kids were finished with their …
Honesty Is Not Lost »
A few weeks ago my mother’s wedding ring fell from her finger while she was shopping in town. Now, this is a small town…so there …
All In A Days Work »
I just found the lunch I was supposed to eat today sitting on my desk between my laptop and the pencil sharpener with two bites …
Sneaking Out …The Next Generation »
I spent half my teen years suspended over the frame of my daylight basement bedroom window, either sneaking out … or sneaking back in. So …
I Sit To Save Lives »
I’ve spent the past twenty years wishing I was one of those perky, pony-tailed, runner-chicks I see on the side of the road. You know …
I Live Here…For Now »
One boy turns to the other and says, “Just because you live here, doesn’t mean…” “I live here?” the second boy interrupts, a broad grin …
Fishin’ At Midnight »
Gotta love that Billy just came in from work at midnight carrying this guy…guess who’s cleaning fish?
Things Anthony Says »
When Anthony came to us he was six years old. That very first day we knew we were in for a challenge. But we also …
The Feel Of The Food »
This morning I followed a trail of broken, dry, Top Ramen noodles down the hall, across the living room and to the garbage can where …
The Downfall Of Duct Tape »
Today I laid down 99 cents each for those balsa wood airplanes for my three youngest boys. I don’t know why…an impulse buy at the …
I See Clear People »
It’s a simple story really. A simple story with a big impact. I’ve tried to elaborate it. I’ve tried to embellish it. But in the …
Last Kiss »
As I sit here, one Hershey’s Kiss away from a coma, I’d like to express a special thanks to the makers of processed sugar for …
I Made This For You »
There are few words sweeter to parent’s ears than, “I made this for you!” said through sweet, smiling cheeks. We’ve all gotten them…those precious gifts …
Waiting For Results »
There are few sentences in the world that will stop you dead in your tracks as fast as, “You have a lump.” Like hitting a …
Calling All Addicts »
I’m not saying I’m addicted to my phone, but I once nearly tore my nipple off on the sharp edge of wooden paneling while running …
Birds Eye View »
This morning during my walk I got the opportunity to be eye level with this guy…and I took it. He didn’t move for a long …
Court Kids »
This afternoon I got to drive an hour south to take my two smallest boys to their basketball game. And by “got” I mean “had” …
Just Another Scenic Sunday »
In honor of my daughter Heather’s 23rd birthday, today’s Scenic Sunday is dedicated to her! August 28, 1988
I’ll Worry About It…If I Get Sick »
This week my doctor found a nodule on my thyroid. She sucked some blood from my body, promised test results soon and told me to …
Anthony…on Puberty »
Because we live in the sticks a trip anywhere takes a while. Most people like to crank up the radio and sing or roll down …
Momma’s Paintings »
I have glimpses of memory from my very early childhood of my mother holding a pallet knife and a paint tray. But not long after …
Time Dawdles On »
As time moves quickly, just like our parents warned, most of us spend at least a small portion of time re-evaluating who we are, where …
Mommy? »
He called me mommy on his second day in my home. People said, “Oh, how sweet!” Sweet? Not really. Totally emotionally dysfunctional? Definitely. Imagine your …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 9/25/11 »
This Week In MY Life I…. Built a floor for our cabin… Enjoyed the Fall view from our property… Made friends with this guy…until his …
Just Another Scenic Sunday 01/01/12 | Backwoods Mom
My mom and dad…my brothers family…and mine. All together for the first time in about fourteen years… THIS week in my life I…. Gave Billy …