Don’t believe it will be long before they’re spreading my ashes here in AK.

Raised in sw MO, wonderful place to grow up.

But AK hit me with her siren song in 1967 when I was age 9.

5 days after high school I was headed here again. Didn’t work out, spent 3 years in Chicago, 1 in Houston and one more in MO, before I got back here again.

Fate it seems will deny me the full burrito of old age, watching my grandkids grow up.

But by god gents I’ve lived. Won the girl of my dreams, hunted from Kodiak to the north slope of the Brooks range, seen things that are hard to believe. Had a successful biz, 3 great kids and now 3 grandchildren.

I’ve got no quarrel with ny maker the 3/4 of the burrito I got to taste was damned delicious. AK is my home and I love her for what she’s given me. No where else for me.

I'm pretty certain when we sing our anthem and mention the land of the free, the original intent didn't mean cell phones, food stamps and birth control.