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A journey through memories . . .

10/1/2023

26 Comments

 
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Glacier Bay, Alaska
Cold, windy, and mind-blowing. It's hard to describe the vastness of Alaska, but those three words capture the journey with my sisters along the Alaskan shores.

It was a blessed trip with ample time for shared stories and laughter, but it was wonderful to return to the Port of Seattle and step foot on solid ground. The high waves of 12' or more rocked the ship mercilessly every day of our trip. 

Upon disembarking, hubby and I headed to the Spokane area of Washington to visit with my brother and his family for a few days. I'm the eldest of the crew, and this brother is #5. Again, we shared stories, enjoyed their garden, and talked of a family reunion in 2025. If you haven't guessed, my extended family is the size of a small city, and we have to plan far in advance to arrange for accommodations.  😊
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On a sad note, before leaving Spokane, we received word that one of my sisters tested positive for Covid. We felt fine, but by the time we arrived at our home, not so. We tested and sure enough, both my husband and I were positive for Covid. Then the next day, my brother tested positive. Bummer! 

We're all doing much better now, but this new variant is a demanding bugger, so take good care of yourselves.   ❤️ 

You might recall that my prior post introduced The Gift. It will be released in two weeks, though it's available for preorder now. I explained that this novella is a fictional Christmas story involving three families. To add to the festivity, I hid three presents under a tree for three readers who identify the inspiration for the story. 

Writers are inspired by almost anything. The smallest detail can capture our imagination and prompt a story. With The Gift, it was an emotion that sparked the story. That's my hint. 😊
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Have a wonderful week, dear friends. I hope to visit your sites this week. ❤️
26 Comments
CS Boyack
10/2/2023 04:49:11

Alaska is a wonderful place. I’m surprised the inland passage was that rough. Sorry about the Covid. Congratulations on the pending release.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 09:12:12

Thank you, Craig. I was surprised as well. I've never experienced such rough waters before this trip.

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Daniel antion link
10/2/2023 04:49:31

Welcome home, Gwen. I'm sorry about the covid, but I am gald you all had a great time. I have preordered The Gift and I look forward to reading it.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 09:17:13

Thank you, Dan. Your latest rests on my Kindle. I hope to enjoy it soon. Congratulations. 😊

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Harmony kent link
10/2/2023 05:51:16

Beautiful pictures. I'm so sorry you all got sick, and I'm relieved and happy that you're all feeling better. Take care. Hugs 🤗💕😊

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 09:17:39

Thank you so much, Harmony. ❤️

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Marcia Meara link
10/2/2023 06:46:41

Welcome home, Gwen! Sorry about the Covid thing, but very glad you all came through it okay. I know you enjoyed visiting Alaska, with all its grandeur and beauty. I don't remember if I ever mentioned this, but I lived there for six months the winter I was 12. Had my 13th birthday there. My father was stationed at Whittier which was a military base back then. It was prized for the fact that the harbor never froze, so was always open to ships. I will never forget that experience, believe me. (From our apartment window, we could see whales passing by, and an enormous turquoise glacier loomed over us from the back of the complex. I'd love to visit there again, but at this point, can't imagine that happening.

Love the picture, and again, I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip! 😊❤️

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 09:19:30

What wonderful memories, Marcia. Alaska is an amazing place for sure. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

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Jill Weatherholt link
10/2/2023 07:19:47

I'm sorry to hear about the Covid, Gwen. Hopefully everyone is on the road to recovery. What a great trip! I'm happy you had a nice time. Your photo is gorgeous! I have your book on preorder. I finished Mae's story over the weekend. It was fantastic! xo

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 09:21:14

It's a trip we'll be talking about for years. Thank you, dear Jill. I totally enjoyed Mae's story as well. She's a remarkable writer. ❤️

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Pete Springer link
10/2/2023 08:37:24

I'm sorry to hear about your bout with Covid, Gwen, but glad to hear you're on the mend. That 's a wonderful photo of you, your brother, and your spouses.

We went to Alaska the year before Covid, and one of the lasting memories was being near glaciers, such as the one in your photograph.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 09:22:40

The scenery is stunning, isn't it, Pete? So beautiful. 😊

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Joan Hall link
10/2/2023 09:15:08

Welcome home, Gwen. I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Alaska is a beautiful place. Sorry about the rough seas. We only had one day of that on the return trip to Seattle. Our first night on land, felt so still I was waiting for the ship to rock me to sleep.

Hope you and Larry are feeling better.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 09:24:28

Thank you, Joan. We're gradually feeling better. 😊

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John Howell link
10/2/2023 09:17:47

Welcome back. Sorry to hear about the COVID but glad you have fresh memories.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 17:39:23

Thank you, John. It was wonderful visiting with my sibs. 😊

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Vera Day link
10/2/2023 11:35:53

So glad you're feeling better.

An emotion, hmm, hope?

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 17:40:18

Slowly but surely. Thank you, Vera. 😊

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Mae Clair link
10/2/2023 12:42:10

Welcome back, Gwen! I have never been to Alaska, but have heard it's positively breathtaking. I'm not sure how I'd manage with those waves, though. It sounds like you had some rough seas.

The pictures are wonderful. You and your husband look like you had a great time with your brother and his wife.

I hope you recover quickly from COVID. So thankful it hit after you were home!

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 17:42:14

I'm grateful as well, Mae. It was a blessing being with sibs, an experience not to miss. 😊

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Tim Dittmer link
10/2/2023 15:13:14

Wonderful, Gwen. Too bad about the COVID, but glad you all came through it okay. It's definitely part of our life now, and we have to deal with it.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 17:43:53

Thank you, Tim. My sons (living in NYC area) have had Covid multiple times and like you, they see it as part of life. My old bones protest mightily, but the worst is over. 😊

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Yvette M Calleiro link
10/2/2023 16:29:22

I had 12' waves on my Hawaiian cruise back in 2003, and it was miserable. I'm sorry you had to deal with that and getting COVID. Hope you and your family's symptoms are mild. Sending healing energy your way.

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 17:44:45

Thanks so much, Yvette. Healing energy sounds wonderful. ❤️

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Elizabeth Gauffreau link
10/2/2023 16:52:25

I'm so sorry to hear that you ended up with Covid. I hope you and the others who succumbed are well on the road to recovery. It was good that you were able to spend some quality time with your siblings in a beautiful place.

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Gwen M. Plano
10/2/2023 17:45:47

You are so right, Liz. Quality time with sibs is a blessing. 😊

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