Every year for the past 20 or so, I’ve taken my winter supply of sockeye salmon with hook and line from the Kenai River. I’ve immensely enjoyed that fishing, but this year was different. This year, all my sockeyes were caught in the dipnet fishery at the mouth of the river.

Some of you are thinking, “Palmer’s getting old.” I won’t argue about that, but I prefer to think that I’ve evolved.

Author’s note: In yet another attempt to teach readers about fish and fishing while they enjoy a steamy romance novel, here’s another chapter in the lives of hunky river ranger Rod and scrumptious Kenai River guide Jenna. — LP

Jenna liked to start her day with an hour of Pilates exercises, which was why she could still get into her high-school cheer-leader outfit. She had just done the Series of Five when her mobile roused her with its “Ride of the Valkyries” ring tone. It was Rod.

“Good mornin’, Good Lookin’,” he said.

Author’s note: This column first appeared in the Clarion on Oct. 18, 2002. My attitude toward tent camping has not changed in the past 10 years. LP

It’s not without good reason that I clearly remember every time I’ve camped in a tent.

Four years ago, when I decided to improve my life by living healthier, I made some important decisions. Instead of a crash or fad diet, I decided to eat nutritious foods that I’d want to eat for the rest of my life. Instead of depriving myself of foods I loved, I chose to continue eating them, but rarely and only in small amounts. I chose walking and bicycling as my main forms of exercise. I’ve been living this way for past four years.