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Sneak Peek — My New Book
I’ve got writing news for you... Poems. An entire collection of them. Pre-order details coming soon. For now, enjoy this snapshot of the...
Don Rearden
Oct 9, 20201 min read
The Chrysalis Stage
The last words from me, in terms of an update on Annette and our family, were written in haste. I wrote that post on my phone while...
Don Rearden
Sep 18, 20206 min read
Beam Her Up, Scotty!
I write this brief post sitting in the sun on the trunk of our rental car. Annette waits inside the Proton Center for her last blast of...
Don Rearden
Aug 19, 20202 min read
Sleepless in Seattle (and Montana)
Newsflash: Awaiting results of a Covid-19 test is maddening. As if we needed any more stress in our lives, last week there were several...
Don Rearden
Aug 11, 20206 min read
A few words from Annette: Salmonfest, Beaches, and Badges of Honor.
Greetings from Seattle, Don suggested I write the next blog since he is back in Montana for a few days visiting our kids and celebrating...
Don Rearden
Aug 3, 20206 min read
Saddle Up: Wild Rides with Cancer, Covid, and Kids...
To say these are normal times would be about as sane as thinking you could put a saddle on a brown bear and go for ride. I sort of feel...
Don Rearden
Jul 24, 20205 min read
The Last Chemotherapy Dance, a Few Surprises, and More...
Fireworks on the Fourth of July are pretty silly in Alaska, because this is the land of the midnight sun. You hear a pop and are lucky to...
Don Rearden
Jul 13, 20205 min read
Name That Tune!
My apologies for the delay in updates on how I’m dealing with Annette’s cancer treatments. You know Annette is fine, but I realize the...
Don Rearden
Jun 23, 20204 min read
Communion, Cancer, and a Common Cause: Black Lives Matter
Today people across the nation march in protest of the systemic racism in our country and the killing of George Floyd, including right...
Don Rearden
Jun 6, 20206 min read
A Bear, a Little Monkey, and a Mountain
Our neighborhood cinnamon bear came through the yard a few days ago. Our two dogs began raising hell before the bear came out of the...
Don Rearden
May 22, 20205 min read
Still She Climbs...
On Wednesday evening, the night before Annette’s 4th chemotherapy treatment, the two of us joined our good friend for a “social distance”...
Don Rearden
May 8, 20203 min read
First Reading in (Cyber) Space!
In a recent interview, a journalist asked, "Do you consider yourself an Alaska writer?" I said did, but later realized that I've really...
Don Rearden
May 5, 20201 min read
When This is Over...
I’m not sure where March and most of April went, but I’m okay with that (and if you locate those months, no need to return them!)....
Don Rearden
Apr 24, 20203 min read
We Are Stronger Together
Our mountain bunker sits silent, save for the crackling woodstove. Annette rests on the couch, a soft golden ray of evening sun streams...
Don Rearden
Apr 11, 20204 min read
Covid-19 --- It Came From Outer Space
They Came From Outer Space If they came from outer space young and old red state and blue all nations, all religions one and all, all for...
Don Rearden
Apr 9, 20201 min read
Illinois versus Taiwan
[A poem by Annette Rearden ] It took me six weeks to get the nerve to look you in the eye. I purposely avoided reading the notes, x-rays,...
Don Rearden
Apr 8, 20202 min read
Gifts on the Porch
Please Excuse this Poem! I’ve been trying to share an original poem each day in April, for National Poetry Month, and in order to give a...
Don Rearden
Apr 5, 20201 min read
1st Round In the Chair: Tattoos, Chemotherapy, and The Red Devil
On Thursday, as we sat in a small office in the oncology suite, awaiting instruction before Annette’s round of chemotherapy, I looked...
Don Rearden
Mar 29, 20206 min read
Love in the time of Covid-19
I’m at home with my wife Annette beside a crackling fire, the sunset, a blend of pink and orange reflecting off the incoming tide of Cook...
Don Rearden
Mar 25, 20202 min read
The Storm Becomes Us
In this new sort of storm, the doctor told my wife and I that the series of x-rays and scans leading us to the uncomfortable plastic seats a
Don Rearden
Mar 17, 20207 min read
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