A couple of weeks after school got out, I started babysitting my cousin Miranda while her mother Theresa Shorty worked at the clinic. I babysat her from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon, and then from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. from Monday through Friday. I babysat for two and a half weeks, then Theresa had to take my grandma to Anchorage for surgery. They were there for about a month.

During that time, I went to fish camp with my family. Our fish camp is at the mouth of Polty's Slough. At fish camp I helped my mom and Andrea cut salmon to store for the winter. I went for canoe rides with my sister, and I also went out hunting for beaver with my dad. Since many days were hot and boring, I just read books, either that, or we'd play cards. I stayed at camp for a couple of weeks, then I came back home to babysit again.

I babysat Miranda for quite a while, then Theresa had to go to Bethel for some training. While she was gone I helped my auntie Anna babysit Miranda. After two weeks passed, Miranda and I went to Bethel to visit her mom. We went shopping for groceries, some clothes and other stuff. While we were shopping, I saw Elena Evan and her baby. I hung out with them and once we chartered a cab. Miranda and I were in Bethel for a week, then we came back home.

When I came back to Marshall Anna told me I could have a break. So I took a week and a half off. Then I had to help her babysit again. I would sleep by Miranda at night and Anna would watch her during the day.

After I was done babysitting, I went to St. Mary's for the Fiddling Festival. While I was there I hung out with my cousin Gloria. We went to the teen dance and had a lot of fun.

The next day I had to come back home, and that was about all I did during my summer.

By: Paula Shorty