Alaska Bound

In a few days I pack my bags and head north for another season in Alaska working aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. The past couple months at home have been beneficial and productive which is all I can ask. I've spent some time recording music and working on a hymn project of old hymns I've rewritten. (If you want a taste of that rough project, check out www.myspace.com/paulranheim). Anyways, the reason why I write is to say if you are coming to Alaska (perhaps on a cruise), be sure to swing by the little town of Skagway and say hello.

That's all for now from my neck of the woods. Cheers!

The Nephew

Some of you have been asking to see more pictures of my little nephew. My brother does a good job of posting pics every few weeks on his site. Check it out.

http://southernnorwegian.spaces.live.com/

The Newest Ranheim

Well, it's sad news to anyone who knew her. She was a good friend, very faithful and dependable, through rain or sunshine, she persevered. Perhaps you remember her. Maybe you came with us and enjoyed the countless hours of driving across the country, or listening to tunes on the way up to the slopes, or just enjoying the stillness of a conversation in the driveway. Well my friends, those days are over. She was old, but she didn't die from old age. She was just a little fragile. It all came to pass while we were in rush hour traffic about a week ago when we ended up in the midst of an accident. We were only traveling about 5mph so I didn't get hurt at all, but she took a hard hit. It was merely a flesh wound, but at her age it proved to be serious. When word finally came back about her condition, they only said: "There's nothing we can do. She's just too old." My heart sank. What will I do? I loved her... maybe. I can't go anywhere without her.

It's true. She has passed on to another place. That's right my friend, my subaru has died. And although we know she can never truly be replaced, well, she's already been replaced. I know, it looks bad; she dies and almost instantly she's replaced by a younger, prettier, more attractive blond. It's not that way, but it is.... Anyways. Let me introduce to you the newest member of my family: