sarahbay07

Black History in Alaska

About ten years ago I worked in a data-entry job near Detroit. It was my first full-time job in the United States, and so the first time working in a truly diverse environment (I had a full-time job in Japan, but it was as diverse as classic animated Disney movies, and I was the minority).Continue reading “Black History in Alaska”

Of Middy Tops and Flannel

Today I have to start out with a bit of a reflection. When I was growing up, anywhere from 1 day old to about 20 years, I had limited self-awareness where fashion is concerned. Going into middle school I still wore bright pink cotton shorts with sparkly flower t-shirts because that is what was putContinue reading “Of Middy Tops and Flannel”

When Google Fails (part II): Study Pictures

Google, Google, Google… usually so adept at anticipating my needs. Coming of age “rituals” of teens in Alaska? When Nome got electricity? Linguistic features or regional vocabulary? Nada. But if the information isn’t out there, I suppose I can’t blame Google. It would need to be digitalized somehow for Google to find it. In “WhenContinue reading “When Google Fails (part II): Study Pictures”

When Google Fails (Part 1): Go Local

For those of you who have been reading along, my frustration with finding sources that specifically talk about lifestyle of 1920 Nome is known to you. Since I am trying to write a story about that specific time/place, and not having that first hand knowledge, I need to find it from somewhere. I’ve never hadContinue reading “When Google Fails (Part 1): Go Local”

“Country Food” on Seward Peninsula

Inuit have been living on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska for thousands of years. They were adept at surviving in an environment considered inhospitable to most other people. There are many topics I want to cover concerning how Inuit traditionally lived, such as shelter, clothing, and boats, but today I’m going to focus on food.Continue reading ““Country Food” on Seward Peninsula”

Nature, Humans, and Airplanes

A few days ago I finished the first draft of my Alaska Expedition book. It’s just short of 3,000 words, but I expect with editing it will reach up to about 5,000-7,000. I have the basic plot down, but I would like the story to have a strong sense of place and time. 1920 Nome,Continue reading “Nature, Humans, and Airplanes”

Heating Homes in 1920s

Most people live in an area where food is bought from a shelf, clothing is found a rack, and heat comes from the basement furnace. We might grow some vegetables in the back yard, or on a balcony, but that is more for novelty. So subsistence living, or gathering and storing food season to season,Continue reading “Heating Homes in 1920s”

Black Wolf Squadron: An Expedition to Alaska

A few months ago my family and I visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. I’ve been there a few times now since my husband, Chris, loves airplanes. But this trip was different. First, our eldest daughter is now old enough to learn about theContinue reading “Black Wolf Squadron: An Expedition to Alaska”