Sharry Miller

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

I couldn't help but break into song as I rolled out of my driveway this morning: Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day, I've got a wonderful feeling, Everything's going my way. -Oscar Hammerstein II Luckily, no one was around to hear me. Given that it was only 40 degrees when I left my house, I didn't have much company on the bike path. Of course, the temperature also meant that the... Read more →

Favorite Books

In the blog world, at least in blogs by writers (those who write beyond their blogs), lists of 10 favorite books seem to be the thing to write lately. The first I saw was Andi Cumbo's, and from her blog I looked at a few other lists. Not surprisingly, reading these lists made me start thinking about my favorite books. Many of the bloggers were listing books they came back to repeatedly, read and reread.... Read more →

Bicycle Friendly...Anchorage?

Shocked. I was shocked. But there it was in black and white on page 74 of the July 2012 Bicycling magazine: Anchorage, Alaska was listed as number 46 of the 50 most bicycle friendly cities in America. Anchorage? I still can't quite believe it. Here's what they had to say: 46. Anchorage, AK Population 291,826 Claims to Fame - There's a 135-mile network of greenbelt trails ringing downtown and premium singletrack within city limits. Each... Read more →

Welcome, Summer!

It's the first day of summer, and I could tell this morning, really I could: 45 degrees and pea soup fog. I decided it wasn't really raining. Water wasn't actually falling out of the sky, it was suspended in space. Since it wasn't raining, I had no excuse to not ride my bike to work. Once again, I was very glad I accessorized Madeleine with fenders. We had a great morning ride. Read more →

Best Quiche Ever Recipe

I promised the women on my Bhutan trip that I'd share my salmon (or anything else you want it to be) quiche recipe. It's the best ever! I think it originally came from the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (in Chugiak, Alaska) cookbook many, many years ago. I've made a few changes to suit my tastes and available ingredients. Salmon Quiche 3 eggs, beaten 2/3 c milk 1/3 c mayonnaise 1/2 c plain yogurt or sour... Read more →

Shoup Bay Trail Botanicals

Rowan and I took a very wet and muddy stroll out on the Shoup Bay trail today. Oh, I suppose I should say that Cathererine, aka Cat, from Valdez Area Tours, gave Juniper a tour of the trail, and said that she was available to be my guide on any other trail I'd care to explore. We didn't go far, but it was sure nice to get out and enjoy a little bit of sunshine.... Read more →

Writing for Cranes

The land has been ripped apart next door to the house where I am staying in Homer. My friends Tim and Peggy were kind enough to say yes when I asked if I could stay with them rather than at a hotel while I attended the Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference. While I was here, an excavator ripped stumps out of the ground across the lawn, the operator's precision admirable as he placed them in a... Read more →

Adventures in Writing

I'm leaving on another trip tomorrow afternoon, nowhere near as exotic as Bhutan, but perhaps more intimidating. I'm going to Homer for the Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference. I've never been to a writers' conference before, and I'm a little nervous. Realistically, there's nothing to be nervous about. The conference will consist primarily of panel discussions, workshops, and informal writing circles - I imagine it'll be like being back in school for a few days. However...however,... Read more →

Longlining 101

The view from my cubicle at work is never this nice. As the line came up, white flashed below the surface of the water: a halibut. As we'd already caught our quota of these fine flat fish, Thane stopped the roller as soon as the 40 pound halibut was within his reach. He leaned over the side of the boat, slipped the gaff into the circle hook, and with a quick twist and pull removed... Read more →