Russ’s story begins long before his service. In the North Cascade foothills where he learned early how to survive. His mother struggled with her mental health, and the weight of that instability shaped the household. His father was tough, often unkind and frequently unfair; but he also taught his children how to endure. From him, Russ learned practical skills that would stay with him for life: fishing, cooking, self-reliance, and how to make do with what was available. These

One time I was at the Portland Airport and I had some time to kill so I got an amazing Bánh Mi from a restaurant there (seriously it's the best I have had besides the one at Asian Grill in Mount Vernon, WA) and went and sat in the mini movie theater they have at the airport. It's pretty cool, they were showing short documentaries on different people and what their life's work has been. I thought how cool to be so passionate about something you dedicate a huge part of your l

Storytelling serves as a vital tool for preserving family legacies by fostering inter-generational connections, strengthening cultural...

I didn't want to end January without sharing this fun opportunity to encourage a vision board of sorts for the little ones in your life. ...

As we wrap up the holiday season and snuggle into winter, with the dangle of hope for more light to come, we can take this quiet time to...

So I love useful plants, but especially herbs! They smell good, are often lush and green and they add pizazz to my culinary creations. ...

ILY (I Love You) is the coolest little kitty around, just ask the neighbors!  She loves to visit everybody & strut her stuff purring all...

Oh, my girl! She is full of sparkle and sass, and sometimes I want to kick her axx! But I love her to pieces, and she has brought so much...

One of the things I remember most about my mom, Bobbi Jo Gustafson (Phillips), and my early adulthood was the gathering around the island...