Sharry Miller

Favorite Books of 2013

Woo hoo! I just recorded and reviewed on Goodreads the last two books I read, and officially reached 85 for the year. I'd randomly set a "goal" of 60 books for the year; I clearly kicked that in the butt. I have no idea why that would be something to be proud of, but it feels like an accomplishment of some sort. I won't bore you by including my entire reading list (if you want... Read more →

Happy Everything to Everyone!

Whatever you celebrate and for whatever reason, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, and every other mid-winder celebration there is around the world. All that's important is that we make a point of spreading love, happiness, and gratitude to one and all. Peace and joy be with you and yours. Read more →

Yay, Solstice!

Winter solstice in Alaska may be one of the best days of the year. You might think that summer solstice would be better, with nearly 24 hours of daylight in which to play. The problem is, you know the downhill slide is beginning and the days will just be getting shorter. Spirits begin to sink in anticipation of rain and the end of summer. On the winter solstice, however, despite having less that 5 1/2... Read more →

Exploring the Himalaya Mountains in India

No, darn it, I don't have plans to go to India...yet. Someday, I hope. I just wanted to take a moment to let you know about a book review I wrote which just went up over at the Women's Adventure Magazine website. Rana Chawla edited a beautiful book of real-life stories of adventures in the Indian Himalaya called aLoft @ the Indian Himalaya. If you have a chance to check it out, I highly recommend... Read more →

The Slaves Have Names – Book Review

It’s not often that we (well, I, anyway) get to see the process an author goes through to write a book. One of these years, I’m hoping to report on my own methods, but for now I have to be satisfied with living vicariously through others. I’ve had that opportunity over the past year or two as Andi Cumbo-Floyd generously shared her writing life as she struggled to create The Slaves Have Names: Ancestors of... Read more →

Glass Class Fun

Admittedly, I sometimes am glad when I offer a glass class and no one signs up for it. It's just one less thing I have to do. On the flip side, every time I teach a class I have fun, and leave inspired to keep creating. My students almost always give me great ideas to work from. This past week, I had the privilege of doing two classes. On Thursday, Mrs. Beck asked me to... Read more →

Panic

Panic: any behavior that is sudden, extreme, and results from fear. (Cambridge Dictionaries Online) Thankfully, I haven't had many reasons to panic in my life. I'm sure my friends and family would attest that I've acted irrationally quite often, but not usually in a panic. One time, however, stands out in my mind. Thirteen years ago. I know this quite certainly because I was six months pregnant with Rowan at the time. Thane and I... Read more →

How Many Slaves Work for You?

What do you mean you're not a slave owner? Are you sure? There's a little survey that might set you straight. I personally have 50 slaves working for me. My friend Andi Cumbo recently released a book called The Slaves Have Names: Ancestors of My Home. It's about the enslaved people who worked on her family's plantations, and what she was able to learn about them. She was driven by a need to not allow... Read more →

46!

It doesn't seem quite possible that I'm closer to 50 than 40. I'm pretty sure I should still be in my early 30s. I know, I know - quit whining. We all have the same lament as we age. Nonetheless, it's my birthday, and it seems like a good time to take stock and see where I'm at in life. I've never been one to set one-month goals, let alone 5 or 10-year goals. I... Read more →