Author Archives: benthewelder

The children’s autumn cheers of summer’s faded heat are hushed by Winter’s snow blanket draped over them by his heavy storm. It’s the first of the season, but not the first sign of the time. An early November dusting came before…a … Continue reading →

Thank God for mountains painted by sunrises and the cold water that cuts through them and piles into crystal lakes in case we ever wake the boat from her storage slumber. Thanks for amazing music that fits the day…the kind … Continue reading →

I half own a delicious drift boat with my prodigal Alaskan brother. As with most debts I’ve shared with him, my portion has been paid only in promises. They must hold more value with him than coins Since our partnership … Continue reading →

There is a book set mostly in Alaska called One to Perish – One to Tell the Tale.  It’s a true story about a guy who leaves his secure but insanely stressful desk job to return to his roots of … Continue reading →

I think a dream was the source of inspiration…or maybe it was just one of those moments of a child’s unmoving belief in something absolute and necessary.  Regardless, a year and a half ago Annabelle informed us out of the … Continue reading →

Yesterday the weather and time were finally kind enough to allow it, so I took Adamae on a 4 mile paddle since she’s been asking about it throughout the Great Garage Cleansing that started 2 weeks ago and has exposed … Continue reading →

Never has someone smashed my feelings, made me laugh, or infuriated me more than you. Since the minute following your womb exodus you’ve pushed me away despite my efforts to hold you close while giving you freedom to play unshackled and free … Continue reading →

I love that place that graces us with the chance to occupy its space where we are coming out of something awful and are about to move into something better, even when I don’t know what the “better” is. I … Continue reading →

When everything in the professional world seems perfect and heavy doses of amazing playtime activities are balanced in as flawless cogs that keep the life engine a-goin’, it makes no sense to throw some irrational wrench in the gears that … Continue reading →

My poor wife is an X Man with the cursed mutation of dog nose.  She smells scents that most of us do not to a degree unexpressed in the standard unit by which we measure them.  Things that are inarguably … Continue reading →