Thankfully I didn’t see this movie before we went to Alaska

Last evening, Jim and I sat in our recliners and watched an action and adventure movie.  The movie was called, The Grey, starring Liam Neeson. It’s about the survival of a group of oil riggers who experience a horrific plane crash during brutal weather in Alaska. They are rugged men with rugged and irritating foul mouths, which I didn’t care to hear, but it fit their personalities.  The movie wasn’t an award winner, but it did make you think about your choice to survive when the worst of nature and predatory wolves surround you.

Since I am not keen on flying in an airplane, I was glad I didn’t see this movie before our trip to Alaska a couple of weeks ago. I was pushed to my limits already with trying to stay calm during the total of four flights. Obviously I survived. Thanks partially to Dramamine.

The two of us along with my son and his new beautiful bride enjoyed seven days aboard a floating hotel called the Island Princess. This was my second trip to Alaska and it was just as amazing as the last trip about seven years ago. Being pampered and fed in abundance was embraced and appreciated. The unusual warm temps in all the ports made it extra comfortable. One of my favorite things we did on the ship was watching a vegetable and fruit carving demonstration. Oh how I would love to create the cute edible creations. Maybe one day I will try it.

For the most part I am a homebody. I enjoy where I live and work and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. That being said, it is good to get away on vacation for a time to separate yourself from the consistencies of day to day work and life. Vacationing in a place where nature is the focus creates gratefulness and appreciation for me.  We are so small compared to the vast and what seems, limitless ocean and the height and majesty of the mountains.  Admiring nature as we did through walking, cruising and a day long train ride brought about peace in my spirit. I can’t help but be thankful to the creator who made it all for me and for you.

Click on the picture below to see more from our Alaska trip.

The photo below is a view from our seat on the train in Skagway.

And yes I admired the view of the land 33,000 feet below while looking outside the airplane window, but I prefer to admire the beauty closer to the ground. I wouldn’t have seen this beauty if I didn’t get over myself with my fear of flying. I chose to do that on faith and it was worth it. So I am back home and rested. Ready to move forward with life and it’s commitments.

Book News!

• Congratulations to both winners of the Goodreads Giveaway. Minzhi and Chris from Georgia and Missouri. They will receive a signed copy of my book soon.

• Had a great radio interview this week from a station in New Mexico. Thank you Sharon Vander Meer for the interview. I enjoyed answering your questions about my book. I also had the pleasure of the station owner joining in on the conversation during the interview. He also wrote a memoir and we discussed some of the same reactions we receive from readers of our book.  Both of us get feedback about the truth of our story. Some readers feel we have gone too far with sharing personal stories. But most readers praise us for our bold desire and ability to bring pain, darkness, faith and hope into the light. They feel as if we are sitting right beside them sharing our lives as friends. They listen and evaluate their own lives and decisions they have made.