A Christmas Day Calf

January 12, 2015

I spent the holidays back in my homestate of Alabama, and it was terrific. There was so much Chick-Fil-A and Krispy Kreme consumed that I reckon I'll be detoxing from the South for a good month before my dietary habits get back to normal.

One of the high points of my trip was driving up to Tennessee with my dear sweet Momma on Christmas Day. Most of my roots are still in the Deep South, and whenever I'm that side of the Mason-Dixon line, I try to get some time in with family in Centertown, Tennessee. My last trip to see my Tennessee kinfolk was way back in 2012, so my visit back to the Farm was long overdue.

Most of the family's got a history in farming, and Uncle Pug - who's in his late 70s - is still up and at 'em. Imagine my surprise when he tells me Christmas morning that one of his Black Angus cows birthed a little one just a few hours earlier! Somehow I talked Uncle Pug into naming it Candice, because let's get real - who doesn't want to have livestock named after them? What an awesome, one-of-a-kind Christmas present!

Check out the video below of when Uncle Pug and I took the four-wheeler on the farm in search of "Candice." My fave part is at the 02:19 minute mark when Uncle Pug tells me about "Big Daddy." Enjoy!

Uncle Pug.  Quite the character. — Uncle Pug. Quite the character.

I don't know this cow's name.  I will call it "Grumpy Cow." — I don't know this cow's name. I will call it "Grumpy Cow."

Bama Bound

December 16, 2014

It took four flights and 26 hours to get back to Bama. It cost just shy of a thousand dollars, plus an overnight on a bench in the Seattle-Tacoma Airport. It took all this and more to finally get back to the Heart of Dixie, back to my Momma’s arms.

I’ve lived in Alaska for “only” six years, but whenever I venture back to the Lower 48, it's still sometimes overwhelming. Don't get me wrong - I love the travel and hustle and bustle of big cities. But I’m comfortable in Alaska now. Comfy with the community and low crime and no traffic. Relaxed in the simplicity and minimalism of the Last Frontier.

Yet on Sunday, I found myself navigating Chicago O’Hare International Airport – and it was an assault on the senses. Crowds rushing everywhere. The smell in the air of fried chicken and gyros and bubble tea. Florescent lights reflecting on slick tile floors. Beeps, thuds, and foreign languages around every corner.

There was the Swabian family, worried they weren't going to make their connecting flight to Frankfurt. And the couple from Minsk, beyond excited about spending their holiday in Vegas.

And then there was me, just a happy and anxious Alaskan, wide-eyed with wonder... and thrilled to be going home for the holidays.

Feeling Good

December 13, 2014

Birds flying high, you know how I feel

Sun in the sky, you know how I feel

Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel

It's a new dawn

It's a new day

It's a new life

For me

And I'm feeling good

I'm feeling good

Catchin' Fish

December 3, 2013

Seafood is king at Seattle's Pike Place Market. And I got up close and personal with plenty o' fish during a recent trip to Seattle, Washington.

On my bucket list: catch fish at the market! I'm not sure how I talked myself into getting chum salmon thrown at me, but once all the tourists were gathered, the pressure was on! My fave quotes from that adventure were "Wash your hands, Honey" and "Oh my gosh, I'm gonna die." Check out the video below for more laughs!