Currently: March

Currently living/working: In typical winter routine for us, March was a combo of travel (Iditarod) & work. Justin has still been managing Discover Denali, I’m still subbing at the library, and our writing projects have been plentiful! 

Current mood: Some moments of my life are so sweet right now. However, I still feel like I’m in a weird headspace anticipating the loss of my mom for 14 months now and continuing her custodial care. What a mind%$# this whole experience has been. 

Currently not excited for: And just like last summer, I have something—the possibility of heading back East—hanging over my head through my busy season as we continue to evaluate next steps for my mom. 

Current confession: Since I haven’t been able to grab my metaphorical suspenders & pull myself up out of a sullen state, I finally got a therapist. I’m only 1 appointment in, and wow, I am already more hopeful that she will help me work through all my sh%&. Therapists seem like magicians! With that being said, I would like to formally recognize all my “friend therapists”—they know who they are. You’re not completely off the hook, but hopefully I’m less needy going forward. 

Current guilty pleasure: Because both of us had winter income, I feel we went a little hog wild on the travel. I suppose the mantra “work to travel” lands right! We are currently on another trip—this time together. Justin planned to return to the Sphere in Vegas for another Dead & Co. show with his uncle, sister & a few NJ friends, and I decided I needed to tag along so I could raw dog some warmth. Of course Justin really wanted me to experience the Sphere while I was in Vegas, so cajoled me into joining for 1 night of the Dead show. I can confirm the Sphere is quite the concert experience with all the visuals, although I have no idea how the 18,000 hippies can handle the vertigo induced by the venue while on drugs! It was an adjustment even being stone sober. We just arrived in Chattanooga to visit Justin’s dad and stepmom for the next leg! 

Currently excited for: In the immediate future, I am thrilled to be exploring to Chattanooga! In all our dozens of road trips, we’ve never been to this neck of the woods, and I’ve always loved Tennessee. 

Currently regretting: Justin & I took 2 red-eye flights this week, and every time we do, we end up questioning our life choices. It really is the reality of living in Alaska—being far from everywhere. Red-eyes are the best option, but so disruptive to functioning like a normal human. 

Currently amazed by: After what seemed like a year+ dry season for new writing projects and a creative slump for my non-paying blog, I feel like I’m regaining my mojo and mental clarity to write & take on projects. I’ve had TWO separate paying projects fall into my lap. I’ve also had a bunch of electronic post-it notes in my brain—thoughts that felt too overwhelming to string together—and I finally felt the courage (post-therapy) to start to organize them. My mental load constantly needs some sorting and filing, so this feels like a big win. 

Currently proud of: I always joke that Justin hijacked my career when we both started writing about gear for Backpacker. After all I’m the one who went to college to be a writer, gosh darnit! But the truth of the matter is Justin is a far better technical gear writer than I am. He’s able to just glance at a piece of gear for like 20 seconds, then rattle off its pros and cons. Justin has wrapped up his role with Backpacker, being the knife category manager since 2016 and the snowshoe category manager for the last 4 years. What remains? 22 pairs of snowshoes and an even larger stash of knives/multitools. Don’t fret—his name will still pop up on gear articles. Nonetheless, I hope to never see another snowshoe package arrive on our doorstep … 

Currently thankful for: Justin has been full-on training for his Mount Kilimanjaro climb in September & part of our trip East is to participate in a Spartan race with his team in North Carolina. I know that feels “impossible” with a teammate who is in a wheelchair. But that is the whole point! Nothing is impossible!! We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank those who have donated money toward the team’s climb. It really helps offset the costs & it’s appreciated! 

Currently worried about: Alaska is in the overtime point of winter right now—not the darkest, not the coldest. The sun feels warm, but not warm enough to paint the landscape with spring colors yet. There’s even been new snowfall since we left! But sadly, our overall snow drought probably means a spicy fire season. 

Currently reading: Two books this month!

I did return to nonfiction for Alaskan Bush Pilot, a very quick read of short stories about flying around Alaska in the 1970s and 1980s. I thought it was fitting since we were taking small bush planes to/from the Iditarod. Anyway, I interviewed the author Chalon Harris for a historical article a few years back, and—true to form with pioneers who came to Alaska in those early days—he had a wealth of stories to share. Unfortunately, he died a few months after my interview, but this book remains as a superb collection of stories from his years flying around Alaska. 

I continue my escapism by reading fiction. I read Leaving by Roxana Robinson. The writing wasn’t particularly compelling, and I would actually call it quite mundane at times (it is often just a recanting of the character’s day). But wow was the messaging was poignant. It asks some ethical questions about love and marriage, and just kind of reminds you that everyone has individualized boundaries and sacrifices. 

Currently watching on Netflix/Peacock:Without regular Below Deck to binge and still having the luxury of free time, we have been watching more movies. But also TV occasionally. However, our rabbit ears antenna that used to bring in CBS & NBC has been inconsistent for the last 2 years. If we stand on one leg right next to the TV and don’t breathe, it’s superb.