This and That
BRANDON
We are so proud of Brandon, and I want to publicly tell him how much we love him and how fabulous it is that he went back to school to further his education! Last month, he received his Associates Degree in Business, after much hard work and dedication. The official degree arrived at his home last week:
With his Associates under his belt, he’s now started down the path towards his Bachelors in Psychology. He’s thought about going even further and getting his Masters, as he’s expressed an interest in being a high school counselor, but currently his focus is more on public service. Brandon is very concerned about the homeless problem in America - particularly homeless veterans - and has plans to volunteer in a shelter or soup kitchen, as soon as he can get himself some reliable transportation. He’s also suggested that he’d like to run a shelter someday.
His aspirations don’t surprise me at all. Even as a young child, Brandon would empty his pockets of the few coins he had, and deposit them in the Salvation Army kettle at Christmas, or give them to a homeless person sitting outside a department store in Philadelphia. He has always shown compassion and empathy to those who are sad, or suffering, or hurting. I can think of nothing better for Brandon to aspire to, and Steve and I support his dreams and commend his hard work as he makes his way toward realizing them. Good job, Brandon!
~ Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy. ~ Dean Koontz
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HAINES TOTEM
You may recall the totem I wrote about when Steve and I took a trip to Haines last August. The totem was going to be erected on the grounds of the library. A week or so after I made that blog entry, I was contacted by a previous Director of the Haines Borough Public Library about using some of my photos on the brochure they would be presenting to the Tribal Conference in Portland. I was quite happy in allowing them to use my photographs for such a marvelous project. I was notified prior to the totem raising, inviting us to attend the ceremony, and as much as I would have loved to have gone, it wasn’t possible.
My friend Abby left Alaska in early December, making her way to their new duty station in the Lower 48. They took the ferry from Haines to Bellingham, WA and spent a few extra days in Haines to do some exploring. I was thrilled when she emailed me to tell me that the totem was stained and standing next to the library. She was gracious enough to allow me to use her photos. I wanted to share them with you. You can follow Abby’s blog about her life in Kentucky and her jewelry here, although she hasn’t updated in a few days.
Isn’t it wonderful?!
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FEATHERED FRIENDS
Yesterday, I was entertained by the gluttons at my bird feeders and since I haven’t photographed them in awhile, I thought I’d take out the camera and snap a few photos. In addition to the black-capped chickadees, redpolls, and red-breasted nuthatches, I’ve also had boreal chickadees, downy and hairy woodpeckers, gray jays, and even a male pine grosbeak last week - that I wasn’t able to photograph before he flew off, unfortunately.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Black Capped Chickadee
Redpoll (male)
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WEEKEND PLANS
Tomorrow is the start of the Yukon Quest. Today I will run a few errands and then get my camera equipment and winter gear ready for a morning on the frozen river. I am so excited about seeing the mushers and the dogs! It’s going to be a cold morning (it’s been -30F lately), and my biggest concern is keeping my batteries from dying prematurely. I’ll keep several in an inside pocket, and I’m thinking of tossing some hand warmers in my camera bag too.
Tomorrow night, I’m planning to go to Ivory Jacks to see Hobo Jim perform with a group of Alaska Living folks. I’ll try to remember my camera this time, and grab some photos. Should be fun!
Until next time…
Susan,
Great photos of the totem pole! It is so neat. Also, it is awesome that Brandon got his associates degree and is going on for more education. It is a great feeling to complete one degree and then work towards a higher one. I am in my last class for my PhD in Education and then I have to take my Comp Exams and start my dissertation. It sure feels good to know that our loved ones are working for more education too. Thanks for a great update.
Owen
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Thanks, Owen.
Brandon was a bit of a handful as a teen. He was home-schooled in his senior year because he was failing junior year and was threatening to drop out. Then, after he finally got his HS diploma, he joined the Marines (age 17) and served for 4 years. The GI Bill is what is allowing him to further his education, and we are all so thankful for that. Believe me…. if someone would have told us back then (including Brandon) that he’d go to college, we would have laughed. This is such a HUGE thing for him, and even better - he graduated with a 3.8GPA. Being proud is an understatement. And he’s pretty proud of himself too!
I know you’re most likely thrilled to finally be nearing the completion of your PhD! So much time and effort is invested in such an achievement. Way to go! Good luck with your exams and dissertation.
Susan
[Reply]
Owen Miller Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Susan,
Thanks. I wanted to say that the GI Bill is a great thing and it does help a lot of men and women to complete their education. You will have to tell Brandon congrats because not only did he finish, he did it with an awesome GPA! Have a great weekend and enjoy the Yukon Quest.
Owen
[Reply]
Comment by Owen Miller — February 5, 2010 @ 5:07 pm
Oh Susan please tell Brandon Congratulations from us! I know he will succeed in whatever he puts his mind into. And as parents we can only be so proud.
Thank you for sharing the totem pictures. It was so neat to see the pictures of it being carved then actually setting eyes on it finished when we passed through there.
I will be looking forward to your pictures. Hope it is warm for you all. Miss you all!
I will miss the Yukon Quest.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 9:34 am
I will certainly do that, Abby. We’re so proud of him!
Wish you were here for the Quest! It’s above zero (YAY) so at least I won’t freeze to death on the river. Last time the race started here, it was -42F. BRRRR!
Miss you!
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Comment by Abby C. — February 6, 2010 @ 8:27 am
Congratulations to Brandon. I know you are proud.
I was on the river this morning at Graehl Landing and had a wonderful time. I love watching the teams go by, and the crowd isn’t as bad as at the start line, although I do enjoy hearing the countdown and watching the dogs jumping and raring to go. Hope you had fun.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Thank you, Linda. We are indeed very proud of Brandon.
We were downtown until Lance left the chute, and then drove to Nordale Bridge boat launch to wait for him to come by. It was much colder under the bridge on Nordale than it was downtown.
Downtown was very crowded. I wasn’t able to get very many good photos because there were so many people and everyone was leaning into the trail trying to get photos. But I’m glad I went down there as I like to hear the announcements too.
It was a great morning! I’ll have photos to share eventually.
Enjoy your weekend!
[Reply]
Comment by Linda Douglass — February 6, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
Susan You have all the rights to be so Proud of
Brandon in getting that Degree in Associate of Arts
in Business He did you what you would want him to do
I too would be Proud also
So A Big Congradulation The next time you talk to him
Please tell him that all of us out here says
A Big Way To Go Keep Up The Great Work
Please take care Love John and Shirley
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Thank you John and Shirley. I will tell him you said congratulations! We are so proud of him!
Love and hugs,
Susan
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Comment by John and Shirley Strauser — February 7, 2010 @ 6:00 pm
I think that is great that Brandon got a his business degree. It takes alot to go back. I give him major Kudos! 17 more days. Wow this month is flying by! We got some snow too, so we had something pretty to look at for awhile. But it already melted!
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susanstevenson Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
We are so proud of Brandon and how well he is doing! I’m so glad he decided to use his GI Bill and further his education.
This month is DEFINITELY flying by. I hope you don’t get any blizzards when we come. We’re coming to ESCAPE snow! *grin*
[Reply]
Comment by Kayla Melton — February 8, 2010 @ 6:04 am