Recessionista

By Melisse. In other times and places, when I tell people my interests are art and science, I am often met with a perplexed look. "That's an unusual combination," some reply. Not so in Homer. People like me are a dime-a-dozen. It is fun to be around so many people who focus on nature with a keen curiosity of how it works as well as how magnificently beautiful and amazing it is. That being said, I have little knowledge about the sciences other than biology. The rich patterns the frost makes when it forms upon ice is breathtaking. There must be physics and chemistry causing it to happen but I currently know nothing about that. Instead I just focus on the exquisite beauty of design of these brocade tapestries and capture in photographs something that is ... read more

By Melisse Similar to an archeologist or paleontologist peeling off the layers of earth to unveil buried treasures, the melting snow seeps into the ground, exposing layer upon layer of sign of what occurred in the passing months. The snow "remembers" who walked upon its surface and what transpired there. At the turn of the new year this year, warm temperatures filled Homer's clean air, causing the snow to melt, revealing and then erasing the record stored in the deep accumulation of white compacted crystals. I recalled the moose that, weeks before, had walked through the yard, depositing a pile of well formed oval scat, the splash of red paint-water I tossed out the door, the "calling cards" of loving dogs who had come to visit us (one dear dogfriend who had since passed away), a ... read more

By Melisse Nearly 6 months has passed since our last travelblog entry. It hasn't been for lack of travel or anything to report. Perhaps it's been just the opposite; We've had so much going on that our energy has been into doing rather than reflecting and reporting. As you probably know, we've left nomadic life and settled down, at least for a while. We're now living at the end of the road in Homer, Alaska… a place so fine it well makes up for my aversion to cold weather and my love of warm tropical environs. We do miss our Missouri community immensely, and our California connections as well. But our new life here is amazing and compelling in a huge wealth of ways, both socially and physically! The people here are overwhelmingly warm, welcoming and ... read more

By Melisse. Every year friends look forward, and set their summer plans, to spending a fun-filled weekend at The Teachers’ Party (Libby, Chris, Dan and Laura’s) on 40 beautiful, Missouri acres. The gathering traditionally is held on the full moon in June, but broke with tradition this year to be held on the new moon. Interesting people flock from all over the central part of Missouri. We came in from California. Some folks see each other frequently throughout the year while others catch up only this once a year. The days and night are spent visiting, cooling off in the luscious clear waters of the three-acre lake, playing bocci ball, and eating an abundance of delicious dishes everyone brings. One of the big highlights of the party is the opportunity to play, sing along or just ... read more

By Melisse. Wildlife abounds in Alaska!! Seeing moose, bear, eagles, cranes, and many other land animals is a common, though thoroughly exciting, occurrence. The waters are amazingly full with an abundance of fish, whales, otters, crabs, and lots of other sea life, even after being heavily fished for a very long time. For many (and perhaps most) people in Homer, and other parts of Alaska, fishing is a way of life. And for some, hunting is as well. These people don’t buy their meat at the supermarket, and thus they do not support industrial meat agriculture - chicken, beef, pork, etc. Some don’t participate in the act of killing animals to eat but do choose to eat meat. They may barter goods or services in exchange for the bounty of those who do. It is an ... read more