Sharry Miller

Say it Now, Not Later

I am debating writing this post, even as I type the words. I feel as if I'm taking advantage of someone else's tragedy to expound upon my personal thoughts, but apparently I'm saying, "so be it." I had the misfortune-pleasure-honor of attending a memorial service last night for the first time in over 11 years. The last was for my father-in-law who died after a long illness in his mid-60s. Last night's celebration of life... Read more →

Old Friends, New Lives, and Guilt

High school friends having a mid-winter indoor beach party in Alaska. That's me in the black and white polka dots. Pretty scary, huh? Thane leaned over to me and whispered, "Isn't that..." while subtly leaning his head to left. I glanced down the bleachers and nodded. "Yes," I whispered back, "that's L." He scooted down the bench and starting talking to the woman while I walked over to her other side. I saw the light... Read more →

Midwinter Sailing

BOB made an appearance today. I know you've met BOB, even if you didn't know his name: Big Orange Ball. Perhaps in your part of the world he's so commonplace that you don't give him the respect he deserves, but I know I am not alone in saying "All hail BOB!" when he shows his face in Valdez. He's especially worshipped after a streak of weather like we've just had. The weather forecast predicted that... Read more →

Happy Day

A plain white envelope with handwritten addresses. My name in black ink brought a little smile to my lips. Real mail, not bills or advertisements or junk, always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up with a pleasurable tingle. Even better was seeing my friend Maureen's name in the return address. My hands were full of envelopes, but I was able to press the envelope between my fingertips, an action that... Read more →

A Fun Little Mystery

I received a package in the mail Saturday which led me on a merry little goose chase of no consequence. In the padded manila envelope was a copy of Alaska's Mushrooms by Harriette Parker. This slim volume contains basic information on 35 different mushrooms commonly found in Alaska, many of which are edible, some of which definitely are not. There was no accompanying paperwork in the envelope, and the return address was for someone I'd... Read more →

Giving and Receiving Compliments

Be honest now. The last time you received a compliment, what did you do? I mean a real compliment, one directed at you, not your choice in apparel. The last time someone said you were totally amazing, how did you respond? If I had to guess about it, it's been a while, perhaps a long while, since anyone said you were totally amazing. I know it doesn't happen to me often, nor do I say... Read more →

Lookin' for Friends in All the Wrong Places

(My apologies to Waylon Jennings for bastardizing his lyrics, but this post title was just too right not to use.) Overlooking beautiful Prince William Sound I'm sure I'm not the only one who sees familiar faces in crowds of strangers or in places where people I know would not be. The more exotic the location, the harder I search for something familiar, something to make the situation more normal. A few days ago, I was... Read more →

Shoup Bay Sail

My plan had been to spend the day rigorously hiking as part of my Machu Picchu training, but all it took was a brief phone call from Emmie to blow my plans out of the water. Or maybe "onto the water" is more appropriate. After all, how could I turn down a chance to sail out to Shoup Bay on a hot, sunny day? It was 75 degrees by the time the Segel Stuga motored... Read more →

Bluebird Day for Sailing

I was in my studio happily sketching away on a new plate design, waiting to assist the kiln in doing it's thing, and planning a 30-mile bike ride for the afternoon when the phone rang. All plans flew out the window with the arrival of an invitation to go sailing with the Swansons. I felt a little guilty for giving up a day of training for my bike tour, but it's still four weeks away,... Read more →

Internet Friends

"Meeting someone on line is not knowing someone." ~Officer Baczuk, April 16, 2013~ The Valdez Police Department and Valdez City Schools have been offering a five week course in internet safety for middle and high school students. Rowan's attended the first two so far, and last Tuesday I decided I'd hang out for the class and see what the instructor, Valdez Police Officer Baczuk, had to say. His main message was that using the internet... Read more →