Because of the display ads that graced the pages of the Kodiak Daily Mirror from late April to early May, the entire island knew that members of the Clarkston Zoo went on vacation.
For those who noticed, I did not attend Kodiak’s only home wrestling matches of the season. I had an excused absence. I even cleared it with veteran coach Junior Valladolid a few days before his team hosted Wasilla and Palmer.
Pepper Jack was a criminal. That is how the pup ended up a member of the Clarkston Zoo.
I’m a gambling man. That is my sin.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ last trip to the Super Bowl was in 1988.
It’s more than likely that I have told this story before, but since I spent Thursday morning writing about Amy Willis’ fantastic accomplishment, why not do the same thing Thursday evening.
Back in early December, I broke the news of a new employee at the Kodiak Daily Mirror — Marty Mouse.
The Kodiak Daily Mirror has devoted readers.
Did everybody take their shorts out of the dresser this past week? I hope so. Or maybe you are like me and wear shorts year-round. I still haven’t graduated to big boy pants yet.
I hate to be bitter days before Christmas, but Tuesday’s football game between the Seahawks and Rams turned me into a grinch.
During the baseball season, I don’t like to hear excuses from players on why they missed a grounder or why they struck out.
Christmas came early at the Clarkston Zoo.
We have a new co-worker here at the Kodiak Daily Mirror. The dude is quiet, rarely seen and stands guard on the night shift. He leaves his work on our desks in the form of tiny pellets.
With no paper on Thursday, this week’s NFL picks column comes at you a day early.
Since I’ve been paginating the Daily Mirror’s Gift Guide special section this week, I failed to develop an idea for this space.
To some on The Rock, Kodiak’s known as Titletown — Alaska. Mainly to those who run in the cross country/track and swimming and diving circles.
If you attended last Friday’s high school volleyball match between Kodiak and Soldotna, you might have noticed I was wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers sweatshirt.
I see visions of marathon trick-or-treat sessions with my pops in the cold, autumn Washington rain when I think about Halloween.
I first met Luis Mendez in 2007. I had a year of living on The Rock under my belt and still finding my way as a newbie reporter at the Kodiak Daily Mirror.
Growing up in Western Washington, hockey was not part of my childhood. The closest NHL team was in a different country, and the nearest rink was more than an hour’s drive away.
I learned this past week that drinking 80 ounces of Gatorade in one day is not recommended, even if the lovely lady from Public Health told me to stay hydrated.
In my neighborhood, there is a guy who has a recliner on his front porch. Sometimes he occupies that recliner. Often on nice days and sometimes even when it is downpouring.
Holy Wizard of Oz, it was windy Tuesday. The gusty conditions made the morning walk with the pups from the Clarkston Zoo to the newspaper headquarters an entertaining adventure.
Forgive me. My column last week failed to mention dogs. That will not happen again.
In 2001, I was a young pup attending college in Hawaii.
“What are you doing?” I could hear Momma Clarkston say as I tore through my childhood bedroom searching for sports cards.
When I think of Momma Clarkston, I’m reminded of dinners at the dining room table.
The last two weeks have been a blur, mostly because I was out of practice.
Listening to a Seattle sports radio show on Thursday morning, a caller talked about attending Mariners’ Opening Day with her father. It would be the third time since the pandemic they had been together.
If Amy Fogle had not posted on Facebook, I would not have remembered.
I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on college basketball. I only tune in during March Madness or when the Washington Huskies have a decent team, which was not this season.
My nose remembers the raunchy smell that lingered in the local sports card store I frequented as a kid in Washington.
Most ideas come to me while walking the dogs. I’m not sure how that is possible because I’m continually barking their names to control them — mostly Cody’s name.
The sports gods have been on Justin Lawrence’s side for the past six months.
Years ago, I wrote about curling. I used this space to advocate for our local parks and recreation department to organize a curling league. I even did the groundwork and searched for used stones. I was surprised at how costly the sport was. Like all my great ideas, I failed to follow through.
The streak is over.
I hope everybody had an enjoyable Christmas holiday. I certainly did. It’s not often that I get Christmas day entirely off from work, but I did. In fact, since the holiday was on Friday, I got three days off, which resulted in quality time with the pups.
Dear Santa,
Only in 2020 does Lady Human crush me like a grape in fantasy football. CRUSHED. LIKE. A. GRAPE.
Please don’t ask me to hang your outdoor Christmas lights this holiday season. I’m not going to do it. No way, no how. I’m keeping both feet on the ground after an incident this week sent me to the emergency room.
I hope everybody had a turkey-filled Thanksgiving.
Call this the appetizer dish.
A buddy of mine spent last weekend in Las Vegas celebrating his birthday. I’m not sure if he returned home a wealthier man, but he did share an unexpected dinner with a former Super Bowl champion.
Pepper Jack is becoming one stubborn pooch. That is what happens when old age sets in. He is, after all, 91 in human years.
Walking the dogs on Tuesday evening, a car rolled to a stop on Baranof Street. With the air crisp, and my legs bare, and my top only covered with a thin jacket, I was not looking for a conversation. I longed to get back to the heated office as quickly as possible. I could already feel the se…
When reading Kevin Cash’s explanation on why he pulled Blake Snell in the sixth inning of Game 6 of the World Series, it reminded me of former Kodiak baseball coach Rick Langfitt.
The human residents of the Clarkston Zoo have a fondness for crime shows.
Surprises. I’m not sure how I feel about them. If it is a surprise cookie — preferably peanut butter chocolate chip — waiting for me at work, I’m all in. If it is a surprise left by a dog, I’m all out.
Relaxing in the recliner late Wednesday night with Pepper Jack, Lady Human — lounging in the recliner next to me with Cody on her lap — handed me a Kit Kat.
My week started with this text message: “Derek, I think you may want to sit down for a little fantasy advice and player picking with Janet this week!!”
I dropped the ball last week, like New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry fumbling out of the end zone.
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