When I was in the eighth grade or so, we read a short story by Jack London called “To Build A Fire” about a dude freezing to death in Alaska. While my circumstances are not quite as dire, I too have had to learn some things about building a fire.
Fire needs fuel, air, and heat. …

Well, I’m back. It’s been a fantabulous holiday; 10 days off for the price of four. I spent every day working and checking things off my list (not a big believer in sittin’ around), but the biggest news (for me) is that I finished my first novel and completed the first draft of my second. …

I’ve been out of the office sick the last little while, and I’m about to be out for my Christmas break. Sorry for the delays, but you know. It is that time of year.
It’s been a great adventure putting this blog together over the past, oh, nine months. I thought it would die out in …

My daughters Emma and Becca and I were driving home from the Spokane Temple on Saturday evening when a big fat whitetail doe meandered out in front of me. It was raining; the road was wet, I slammed on my brakes, and she just kept coming.
WHAM!-thmp.
I pulled over as quick as I could and left …

Since we won’t be posting anything on Christmas day, here is the lastdessert recipe. I love chocolate anything…chocolate alone, chocolate andpeanut butter, chocolate and raspberry, chocolate and orange….My friend,Pixie, gave me this recipe a few years ago (chocolate and caramel), and Ihave found similar ones since then. It is great because it uses thingsyou probably …

A short illustrative story withal: Once upon a time we were tooling up the highway amidst the mountains of British Columbia, on our way to Canada’s beautiful Banff National Park. Just after sunset we stopped the car to let the kids run around and throw rocks in the river. We almost didn’t get going again. …

My parents recently celebrated their fifty-year wedding anniversary. They were married in 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent their golden anniversary sitting in the classroom, preparing to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will serve in Hyderabad, India, for an anticipated 18 months (assuming their visa …

Well, there he is. It’s not the greatest chicken picture in the history of Western Civilization, but it gives you an idea. What we should have done is have the chicks come up alongside him for a size comparison—we’re pretty sure Tubaloth and Fang are banties, since they’re half grown and only the size of …

So the new issue of Backwoods Home Magazine is starting to show up in mailboxes nationwide, with a little writeup by Yours Truly. It’s not on the website yet, but check at your library. I’d love to hear your reaction, both positive and negative.* If the horde shows up with tomatoes and rocks, I’m ruined! …

Ok, I decided. Granola bars can wait until January. Today is something chocolatey. I have this kind friend who makes really yummy treats to share with me, one of which is this great dessert with peanut butter and chocolate, a winning combination in my mind! Since I am trying not to buy much in …