Rest in Peace, Mom

Blog Post4 Comments

My mom passed away on Feb. 20, 2026—6 years and 361 days after my dad passed away. Just like with my dad’s death, it was expected. My mom—my anomaly of a mom with her indestructible stamina—had been on hospice for more than 2 years. She spent 4 months in her home in NJ on hospice with me as her primary caregiver, then she moved in with my sister in CT in April 2024, where she spent the remainder of her life. And as our parents’ caregivers for basically the last 7 years, my sister & I are reconciling both grief and relief (side note: parental caregiving and custodial care of my parents’ estate for 7+ years has nearly destroyed my nervous system, but that’s a post for another day).

Currently: December

Blog Post3 Comments

Currently living/working: We returned from travels 12/3 right in time for what became the coldest December on record since 1989! Temps around our area are erratic, and we live on a hill, which puts us in a banana belt of Healy. So our lowest was -35.5, but that same day, we went over to a friend’s cabin 3 miles away and their analog thermometer was recording -60!

Currently: October

Blog Post2 Comments

Currently living/working: We bust our butts all summer so don’t have to work “much” in the winter (a privilege, I know, but also a combo of major summer hustle, frugality & budgeting on our part). However, I’ve been working 10-15 hours/week at the library and Justin is working about the same at his Discover Denali tourism job. So it’s been more of a light winter grind versus the cozy cave of hibernation I was craving!

Currently: April

Blog Post1 Comment

Currently living/working: I had two shifts for the library this month, so clearly my winter work is winding down. Plus I was only in AK for 14/30 days, so there’s that logistical detail. With that being said, both of us have had writing projects this month, Justin is still doing his Visitor Center work & we had our first yurt rental! With summer’s unrelenting productivity hot on our heels, we tried to enjoy the last bits of rest and freedom … 

Exploring TN: Chattanooga

Blog PostLeave a comment

Through the years, everyone told us: you need to check out Chattanooga; it’s an outdoor hub that seems right up your alley. But in all our dozens of road trips criss-crossing the country, somehow we only skirted the edges of Tennessee, and missed many of its highlights, including Chattanooga. 

Currently: February

Blog PostLeave a comment

Currently living/working: February was a weird month. There was a blend of dog/housesitting (mostly me), press trip travel (Justin), travel to NJ/CT to take care of my mom (me), travel to Denver to see family, but perhaps more importantly, go to some concerts (Justin). And in between all the travel, we both worked a little. I started subbing at our local library again (like I did 2 years ago), just 2 days/week, while Justin continues his part-time Discover Denali visitor center job. 

A Colorado Thanksgiving!

Blog Post3 Comments

When we visit Justin’s family in Colorado, it’s almost like we signed up for a triathlon at high altitude. The events include: eating the plethora of scones and soups Justin’s mom preps for our visit, snuggling the 4 cats across 3 households, and keeping up with our pre-teen nephews.

Currently: November

Blog Post3 Comments

Currently living/working: Most of this month was spent living on a cruise ship, while the second half of the month was spent in Denver visiting Justin’s family.  Current mood: The weight of my mom’s estate has lightened on my shoulders since I sold her house, but somehow I don’t feel 100% free? Could it be…

Currently: October

Blog Post2 Comments

Currently living/working: We finished cleaning out my mom’s house in NJ & returned to Alaska’s heatless sun. Not for long since we are now in sunny Spain! Anyway, most of October, Justin has been busy with some writing deadlines & his Discover Denali job (it’s still part-time, but year-round), while I continued on the crash course of managing my mom’s affairs. 

Summer 2024 Family Visitors

Blog Post1 Comment

Justin’s sister, Jamie, is trying to go for the record of being our most frequent visitor, as she came in 2021, 2022 and now 2024 (and actually this is her 5th time in the state)! I’m convinced she loves Alaska as much as her brother does … The stars aligned when Jamie and Rachel had…

Currently: July

Blog Post2 Comments

Currently living/working: July sped by in what felt like a loop-de-loop of time. Somehow we both guided a lot of hiking trips, cleaned a lot rentals, did our respective admin jobs and enjoyed bits of free time here and there. It’s hard to describe the rush of an Alaskan summer, but another Alaskan came up with a great analogy. Just imagine you are at a music festival & all your favorite bands are playing simultaneously. No matter which stage you pick to watch, you always miss something else.

Currently: April

Blog Post1 Comment

Currently living/working: I’m ecstatic to say that I’m back in Alaska! TONS of big changes around here for all our summer hustles & beyond. Most notably, Justin is the new manager of Discover Denali, an organization dedicated to promoting tourism beyond Denali National Park and into the surrounding gateway communities. It will be sort of…

Currently: March

Blog Post1 Comment

Currently living/working: My time as the dutiful daughter in NJ will be winding down mid April as I’ll hand off the caregiver torch to my sister to take over the hospice care in her home (in CT) while I return to AK in time for our typical robust summer work schedule.  Current mood: I’m trying…

A Day in the Life of a Caregiver

Blog Post1 Comment

I sleep in fits, thinking I hear the floor creaking from my mom walking around. I sleep in the basement, which has its own heating zone so I can drop the temperature down to 60 for prime sleeping conditions. Upstairs, the thermostat is set at 75, the carpeted floor and wood paneling contain 40 years…

Currently: February

Blog Post2 Comments

Currently living/working: Justin joined me in NJ for a few weeks this month! Thank goodness for gig work and our convenient side hustle of virtual library presentations because trying to incorporate the tide of personal responsibilities and work goals into the caregiving seems impossible to me. Also, I sold at least 6 Between Each Step…