{"product_id":"alaskas-firy-tough-times-tougher-people-9781736670606","title":"Alaska's Firy: Tough Times Tougher People","description":"\u003cp\u003eGlaphira (Firy) Oskolkoff buried the confusion of her biracial heritage - Russian, Yupik, possibly white. Firy didn't fit in a segregated Sitka, Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChildhood losses and pain caused her to seek a safe, uneventful life. Her desire for predictable, peaceful times was doomed. Still, she tried to live by Mama's words, \"Love Bozhe and do what's right.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe black and white Movietonews reports shown at the local theater made the war in Europe and even the South Pacific seem far away, unreal. Then the enemy invaded Alaska. It was thought the Japanese Navy would cross the Gulf of Alaska and attack Sitka. To Firy, the more immediate danger was the thousands of American servicemen pouring into Sitka. She must protect her sisters and herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmid her fears and anxieties about the war, Firy had other concerns. Ever since Papa Bill had married Mama, he and his cronies from the Sitka Café decided they had the right to interfere in her life. They thought they were doing the right thing. Crazy old coots. She could take care of herself, thank you very much.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCoapstick, Cheryle:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - My beginning: I was born in my auntie's house on Biorka Street in Sitka, Alaska when it was still a territory. The doctor was hunting on the other side of the island and my father was a few blocks away pitching for the town's American Legion baseball team. It took 36 hours for me to arrive. I was placed in a laundry basket on the floor next to the bed. Unfortunately, my 18-month-old cousin tipped it over then tried to pick me up. The rest they say is history! Alaska is like nowhere else, the place and its people are what I like to write about. This book was inspired by the stories my mother told me. There were many gaps, much information lost, and family secrets undiscovered. I wasn't sure how to fill in those gaps. An author friend advised me to write what I know and let my heart fill in the rest. This I have tried to do while staying true to the flavor of my mother's life and times. I now live in Washington state; a wife of one, mother of four, grandmother of five, and caretaker to nine chickens. A small dog and a large cat round out the household.","brand":"Biorka Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50533681856786,"sku":"9781736670606","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_6474135e-0cf4-4908-b680-1480def7981f.jpg?v=1731409174","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/alaskas-firy-tough-times-tougher-people-9781736670606","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}