Beat smoking and inflation at the same time

 How's this for frugality in an age of inflation? I have been chewing nicotine gum since I quit smoking in 2004 — probably 5 to 10 pieces a day. That sometimes led to three boxes a month at $31.99 a pop. (Expensive but cheaper than cigarettes) There came a day when every store that sold the kind I wanted ran out of stock. I tried to gut my way through by cutting back on what I had left and in the process reached the point where I only had one a day. Now, get this: I found out I could go a whole day on one piece and have been doing that ever since with a few exceptions and get this I kept track and the last time I bought a box was June 1. Two and a half months on what I used to use up to three per month. Oddly the price is still the same, $31.99 for 110 pieces. However I noticed a year or so ago the maker had reduced the size of the pieces somewhat. (Inflation by deflation? ) I'm still ahead.

Oh the joys of writing

Here's another one of those "memories" conversations

Shared with Your friends

Ah the joys of the writer's life. I just received a royalty check for $1.44. One dollar and forty-four cents. Partaaaayyyy!

Gail Somerville

How will you ever decide what to spend it on? Hahaha

Shelley Gill

I have six books with one publisher. Have yet to get a check. Twenty five books and I work as a naturalist and do school visits. Shoulda been anything else.

Tim Jones

We don't do it for the money, that's for sure.

Shelley Gill

I used to write a book a year. Now I'm trying for three a year.

Tim Jones

I have been working on the current one for more than five years. If it ever gets finished and sells the hourly wage might be in the negatives

Michele Vincent

That'll buy a can of beer from the local 7-11

Sharon Wright

Buy stamps for your next submissions!

Tim Jones

It's all done on line these days.

Suzy Peakall

Don't know whether to cry or laugh at this one!

Kitty Delorey Fleischman

Sounds much like the magazine world.

Helen Hegener

I gave up on the traditionals a decade ago, never looked back, never been sorry. I'm not getting rich, but it's keeping me happy.

Tom Walker

Whooooo-hoooooo.

Tim Jones

Ha ha you got one too.

Tom Walker

Tim Jones no, I didnt. Nada

Tim Jones

You should have, it was our book. I'm not sure which is worse, getting a royalty check for $1.44 or not getting a royalty check for $1.44.

(In a more recent time I received $500 from Cruising World for an article they never printed) 

Somebody had to say something

Political comment for the day:There's a candidate for governor of Alaska named Treg Taylor. You may have seen his ads claiming he will stop those nasty Outside liberals coming here to fight for the woke agenda and protect Alaska from the antifa coming North. He prides himself on being an Alaskan having been born here. It is like he's pointing a finger at me as one of those liberal outsiders. Well here's the deal: you pride yourself in being a born Alaskan but I, an incomer with a long history as a liberal, have lived here longer than you have. Too, I came here by choice rather than dropped in a simple natural process. My experience as a child whose formative years were lived elsewhere let's call it development and education and I arrived a full-grown adult by choice. That gives me about another 20 years jump start as opposed to your birth and childhood isolated here.The point is I and a whole lot of people like me have just as much of a solid claim to being Alaskan as you. And you in claiming support for the current president are the one inviting damaging and dangerous and mostly outdated ideals north. The truth is, we are all Alaskans but, FYI, it's not 2024 anymore. 

More politics 

I'm not scared of dyin'

I'm not sure what to say about this without sounding maudlin, but when my current anthem, BeeGees' "Stayin' Alive" has run its course, this is the next song on the playlist.

 

 

Written by Laura Nyro

"And When I Die" - In Remembrance of David Clayton-Thomas

One of the most memorable performances of David Clayton-Thomas's remarkable career was "And When I Die," the powerful 1969 hit by Blood, Sweat & Tears. Ironically, a song with such a sobering title became one of the most life-affirming recordings of the era.

Written by Laura Nyro, the song found its perfect interpreter in Clayton-Thomas. His rich, soulful voice brought warmth, strength, and conviction to lyrics that remind us to embrace life rather than fear its end. Released in 1969, the recording became a No. 2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of Blood, Sweat & Tears' defining classics.

With its soaring brass arrangements, infectious rhythm, and David's unforgettable vocal performance, "And When I Die" showcased everything that made Blood, Sweat & Tears unique. More than five decades later, it continues to resonate with listeners for its honesty, hope, and timeless message.

Now, just one day after David Clayton-Thomas's passing, the words of this classic take on an even deeper meaning. His voice may have fallen silent, but the music he gave us will continue to inspire generations to come.

Rest in peace, David Clayton-Thomas. Thank you for the songs, the passion, and the unforgettable performances. Your legacy will live on every time the horns begin to play and your unmistakable voice fills the room.

Memorials
 

BREAKING NEWS! This sure brightened up a day (For a while)

Mowed down.

The bees seemed enthusiastic

BREAKING NEWS

So much for the grand plan. I woke up today (Friday 6/19) to the sound of a lawn mower. Below my window a person on a riding mower had plowed through all the dandelions in the center of the lawn. I spoke with her later and she said she'd been told to leave a bunch of flowers "somewhere." This is what we got. She did leave a section of flowers uncut next to the building visible to the lower right in the top picture.

 PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

Every summer since I've lived here the lawn outside my window had been filled with bright yellow dandelions — at least until a staff member came along and mowed them down. Finally last winter while I was talking with a member of the management team I suggested they leave a strip of the flowers alone. She immediately caught on, bringing up the subject of aid for bees along with adding some color to the yard. She asked me to remind her later toward the approach of springtime. Come springtime a friend and I took a tape measure out there and using the measurements and a photo I took of the yard I generated a kind of outline where to cut. I took the result and gave it to her and that was that. Then we passed Green Day and a cold May. When plants started flowering in early June, I checked every day and no dandelions except close to the building. Today I heard the mower and raced to the window to see a couple of cuts all the way down the yard, but the driver had left a flood of yellow on the side next to the building. I went down to take some pictures and there were bees everywhere. SUCCESS! I still wonder why no flowers showed in the center. BTW Thank you Laurie for making this happen.

AN UPDATE — A couple of days later some heavy equipment showed up, I think to wash second-story windows, and crushed a bunch of the flowers. After that the dandelions began spreading toward the center of the yard.

The wreckage but notice flowers creeping toward the center. 

Good night Stephen

Ever since I left the East Pole for the last time it has been my habit to watch the Stephen Colbert show five nights a week before heading for bed. That was until tonight (5/21/2026). In that time for the most part I stopped drinking. I never officially quit it was just over time after I quit smoking, I stopped drinking too. that was until Colbert's last show on TV after CBS network officials knuckled under His Trumpness's 'pressure and cancelled his show. Then came his last episode:All right, first, it wouldn't have been right if it hadn't ended with a tear-jerker. But let's start at the beginning. I poured myself a scotch on the rock. Expensive single malt and singular rock because I have this ice tray that makes cubes so big I have to hold them in my fist under running water until they melt enough to pass through the neck of the snifter. Then settled in for the rest of the show, entertaining, but not emotion-raising. (I'm sure it's on YouTube somewhere) I came close to finishing the first pour and dipped a little into the snifter before they went into this song, I just hope we're saying hello. And still (almost) sober but feeling it. (one hint, listen through the first song. It was the second that got to me.) I'm not sure what I'm going to do at the 10:30 hour from now on.

ONE MILLION!

OK, now here's a number I could never expect to have any relationship with. Then tonight at around 10:23 Alaska Daylight Time, April, 11, 2026, the Google counter that logs hits on this blog posted the number 1,000,000, that's right ONE MILLION blog hits. Knocked me over. 

Visits with old friends

Here's something I never thought about until one cold morning in January 2026.  Every day it's part of my wake-up routine to scroll down the list of memories facebook puts up. Today there were several replies posted by two friends who have died in recent years. As the realization dawned on me there were sudden moments of sadness. But soon enough I realized in a way they are still with me and for a few moments I am again connecting with them and sharing brief interludes and fond memories with each one. After this was posted, another friend (living) wrote about similar experiences. She likened them to social visits.

And there was this follow-up: Here's an example: A few days after I posted about the warmth in reading memory conversations with friends who have died, this came across talking about writing with a friend:

"Joe May

What about the blood on the floor, Tim???

Tim Jones

Beads of it dripping like perspiration from your brow.

Joe May

This evokes an image of someone hunched over an old Underwood typewriter pecking away by the light of a Coleman lantern. The raw plywood floor around his chair is spattered with new and old stains of blood, sweat, and tears. The rusty oil drum stove is surrounded by empty ravioli cans and ice cream cartons. How close is this?

Tim Jones

You just described the 10 x 14 cabin on the Susitna River where I wrote The Last Great Race. My typewriter was an office upright that dated back to the 1930s that I bought from the Chicago Tribune when I worked there. The only thing missing from your picture is the ermine who used to venture out onto the open floor, stand up on his hind legs and look at me like I was crazy."

    

 Since that time I have paid more attention to the comments on posts in my memories lists. Even if I find only one it shines a warm light into the approaching day. Joe and I had several conversations like this one, thinking I might post a few more as I come across them.

 

A serious shortage

Here's another one of those "Memories" social visits: 

April 14, 2021 Tim Jones ·

Can somebody tell me why there's a Dinty Moore Beef Stew shortage. Is it a pandemic thing? Hoarding canned stew. I haven't seen any in my stores since maybe early February. Other brands yes, but not Dinty Moore. This is serious. 

Joe May I bought 2 cans around Christmas. Hope I'm not responsible.

Report when you find more.

Tim Jones

Author

I could blame you if I hadn’t bought more than that in December for my winter supply; no more than usual though. I always leave at least one on the shelf.

Johnny Augustus Vespillo Newman

I love Dinty Moore

Tim Jones

Author

Do you know where the name came from?

Johnny Augustus Vespillo Newman

i do not

Tim Jones

He was a character in the Popeye comics

Joe May

He was cook on a tugboat I worked on in 1957. He baked his cakes on both sides. He also drank a lot, both on and off the job.

RECIPE CHAT

April 19, 2015  ·

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Enough of this. No more Facebook recipes. Garlic and brown sugar glazed chicken is not nearly as good as it sounds.

Emma Silver —Lol I'm with you

Carla Helfferich —Too bad--it does sound good.

Kitty Delorey Fleischman — I used to think you couldn't use too much garlic until I put six bulbs in a hummus recipe. When it was finally edible, I had about a gallon of it.

Joe May — I have a recipe for smoked salmon dip that I don't even share with Sandra. Women just don't seem to understand the alchemy of dead fish. I had considered putting it in my will for eldest son but If you're interested, let me know....

Kate KT McKee — I could say something really crass here in response to Joe, but will let him off the hook this time.

Joe May — Old Scandinavian humor, Kate. No offense intended.

Tim Jones — Joe, as long as there's no brown sugar in that dip recipe I'd love to have it.

 

Another throwback Thursday: This is late 40s/early 50s at a farm we owned in Java, N.Y. As I recall i seldom took off that coonskin cap. A bit of the history can be found here http://alaskaatitude.blogspot.com/.../there-goes...

Joe May

Same design: Used mine to haul logs. Other end of the log was strapped to the back of a Honda three wheeler ATV. Wheel barrow driver needed only lift the handles and run like hell to keep up. Very tricky....

Tim Jones I doubt that mine ever held a log, but I did pack some stuff on it one day and try to run away from home there. After pushing it up a hill, once I reached the other side and was out of sight, I got scared and went back. I don't think anybody even knew I had gone. They didn't make ATVs at this time.

 

Joe May

We hauled 16 ft roofing tin through our swamp with this rig...Sandra on the wheelbarrow handles, me on the three wheeler....I still remember the words she used.

 

 Tim Jones ·

I can imagine. I didn't know those words yet when I pushed that thing up the hil

Philip Munger

  ·

Timmy, Timmy Crockett, King of the wild back yard.....

 

Tim Jones

  ·

It was a hundred acre wood

 

Marian Nattrass

  ·

Never knew your family had a farm in Java. Interesting!

Tim Jones

  ·

Not a working farm, really just land but it did have a sugar bush.

 

Del Allison

  ·

Tim, your expression of isolation including your snow machine, & fat tire bikes, resembles my personal thoughts, having never owned either. My mode of remote travel for over thirty years in Alaska, was dog team. Blazing trails and enjoying Mother Nature. Mechanical transportation is a total distraction to peace & tranquility. I still wondered what the result would be if gas pumps went dry and the power grid shut down. The wild berries providing the wine spirits, with an evening toast to the "Aurora" dancing on the horizon. Happy New Year...

Here's another one of those "memories" conversations.

Tim Jones

I had almost forgotten how therapeutic splitting firewood can be.

 

Sharon Wright

I used to love our wood stove, campfires, bonfires. Then I developed an allergy to woodsmoke. Replaced the wood stove with a Toyo stove and all those symptoms went away. These fires have been hard on me. Glad someone is still enjoying wood fires and splitting firewood--although it's sure easier in the winter, Tim.

Tim Jones

I am not burning anything except energy. This wood is spruce that has fallen down in storms over the years and I never got around to splitting. About three huge trees worth.

Sharon Wright

Bonus! We're heading back to Delta this weekend to deal with our blow downs--white spruce and useless poplar. I used to love doing that, too. Still glad Dave does it all now.Top of FormBottom of Form

Carrie Ann Nash

I need to do something therapeutic like that. Even scream therapy or something. The endless outrage is exhausting. And despite all the fighting and writing and calling I feel totally powerless to overcome the evil that is Dunleavy/Babcock/Arduin and their minions. Chop away!

Tim Jones

When I was quitting smoking a few years ago, I always left some unsplit wood in a pile by the door, so when it got to be too much, I could go out there and blast away at it.

Oh, the joys of writing 

Here's another one of those "memories" conversations

Shared with Your friends

Ah the joys of the writer's life. I just received a royalty check for $1.44. One dollar and forty-four cents. Partaaaayyyy!

Gail Somerville

How will you ever decide what to spend it on? Hahaha

Shelley Gill

I have six books with one publisher. Have yet to get a check. Twenty five books and I work as a naturalist and do school visits. Shoulda been anything else.

Tim Jones

We don't do it for the money, that's for sure.

Shelley Gill

I used to write a book a year. Now I'm trying for three a year.

Tim Jones

I have been working on the current one for more than five years. If it ever gets finished and sells the hourly wage might be in the negatives

Michele Vincent

That'll buy a can of beer from the local 7-11

Sharon Wright

Buy stamps for your next submissions!

Tim Jones

It's all done on line these days.

Suzy Peakall

Don't know whether to cry or laugh at this one!

Kitty Delorey Fleischman

Sounds much like the magazine world.

Helen Hegener

I gave up on the traditionals a decade ago, never looked back, never been sorry. I'm not getting rich, but it's keeping me happy.

Tom Walker

Whooooo-hoooooo.

Tim Jones

Ha ha you got one too.

Tom Walker

Tim Jones no, I didnt. Nada

Tim Jones

You should have, it was our book. I'm not sure which is worse, getting a royalty check for $1.44 or not getting a royalty check for $1.44.

(In a more recent time I received $500 from Cruising World for an article they never printed)