Icewind's Ramblings

Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes.   Sometimes again and again, which I guess is called growth.  I had started to settle into this nice place called Gresham, Oregon which still has a small town feel about it.  My friends here and the new friends I have made since arriving gave me a since of extended family and support during a time where it was a welcome change for me. A few days ago my childhood friend, brother-in-law, brother, and all around great guy passed into the night going on ahead to scout for the rest of us remaining on this earth.  It was a moment several thousand miles away which still impacted me to the core of my soul.  Family is a funny thing, no matter how far away or how infrequent you may see them when something happens it is a time to drop everything, pack up and head to them to comfort, support, and be there in times of need. Such is my life this week, stopping what I had going on, packing and planning an...

Ode to Doug Coker by my friend Russ As many of you know, on my journey from Alaska south I stopped for about ten days to visit with my friend Russ who lives in Campbell River British Columbia.  We have been best friends for almost fifteen years now and have shared many of our lives events over the years.  We met through a gaming community and one of the things he does was write obituaries for our game characters that are lost in battle.  Over the years he has personally written obits for several of my dogs, a friend’s sister passing and others.  This latest one he has written for my brother in law Doug who I have known since we were toddlers and married my sister Judy.  He has been a best friend to us all and this sudden lost leaves me now trying to write my own words but for now here are some from my friend Russ. Ode to Doug Coker –July 4, 2016 A Georgia man whom I knew not… best friend of my friend D, The husband of D’s sister he… he d...