Betty Marie Smith McCluskey

Feminine as a Rusty Fishhook in Alaska's Charm School Betty Marie Smith McCluskey

I was born on a very cold winter night in a crude pioneer log cabin just two months after Dad quickly build it in 1930 on the shore of a big lake in an isolated part of Alaska. Then I grew up in this beautifully rugged, but often difficult, land; and gained that "feminine as a rusty fishhook" reputation by doing many man-type jobs. However, time would show I still did ok with the boys; and this story extends past my early years. It was nice when the lake was frozen over and lots of snow on the ground so we could ice skate and ski; all right there near our home. What fun! But winter also meant using my own dog team and working a trap line starting at age eleven. Summers meant lots more work to help with fishing and freighting; but there was also the fun of boating, swimming, hiking, and all kinds of wild berries to pick. Our family were all fully Bible-based Christians; so Bible-study with prayer gave us comfort and help during many trying times and tragedies. It also made our social life more interesting, and drew many in need of help to our home. It was such a comfort through it all, to know that God was on our side.