Along Life's Road

Fairy Godmother

2012-01-30T17:55:00.009-06:00

I'm addicted to fabrics.

I love their textures, weights and colors.
I love looking at fabrics and dreaming up projects. I've got a zillion in the works, so I've had to discipline myself.

To avoid temptation, I can only enter a fabric store to find materials to FINISH a project.

That's how Noah and I ended up there Sunday afternoon. We found fabric not only to finish one of my projects but also for Noah to begin his own. We refrained from getting a complementary one. I assured Noah my storehouse could provide for that need.

This morning as I dug through multiple 18-gallon plastic-storeage totes, I pulled many selections from which Noah can choose. I also found many vibrant cuts from other dream days.

This inspired me to set aside one day a week - just for sewing!

As I looked for a PJ pattern to fit Noah, I ran across and old favorite that I'd used many times for my own boys as well as their cousins. I even found two pieces of flannel that I used two years ago to create nightgowns for my goddaughter and her sister. The youngest was wearing hers the last time I arrived to visit my parents and her grandparents.

"I can't believe it still fits you," I said in awe. Her sister explained, "It's mine, but Mom said I had to give it up because it didn't fit me anymore. I didn't want to."

Their mom explained how the littlest one wore her own to shreds by wearing it nearly day-in-and-day-out. When the older one out-grew hers, it made sense to hand it down. "She loves her Aunt Wendy jammies!" my sister said with a wink.

At that moment, I made a mental note: Sew new PJs for both girls - when I get time. The trouble is I rarely GET time. I have to MAKE time for the fun of sewing.

Well, today—just moments before finding the flannel and the PJ pattern—I'd already pledged to set aside one day a week to sew!

So - that's what I did.

Needing Noah to choose his complementary fabric as well as fit an adult-sized PJ pattern to him, I ruled out further work on his project. Today I sewed for my nieces.

I love using up fabric to finish projects. (Yep, these two flannels are all gone!) And I especially love playing Fairy Godmother.

On Safari

2012-01-26T13:31:00.008-06:00

I was
on my way
home

when I entered
the birch grove

and noticed

the bracket fungi

consuming

loose bark,

a twig

and

a leaf.

Then I wondered:

"Was I too

being watched

On Safari?"

Isaac and I argued about the last photo and whether the "two curves and corresponding dots" were
"smiling eyes and nostrils" or "eyebrows and eyes."
Click on the photo for a closer look. Any thoughts?

Compliment Day

2012-01-24T14:40:00.002-06:00

Has your mother ever told you: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?"

Today's a great time to exercise this lesson and offer sincere compliments to at least five different folks you know. Be sure the compliments are genuine or you will do more harm than good.

Why? It's Compliment Day!

Thanks to two New Hampshire residents, Kathy Chamberlin, of Hopkinton, and Debby Hoffman, of Concord, this day of positivity began in 1998.

For more every-day celebrations, check out this website: http://www.holidayinsights.com/everyday.htm

Today I let Tickles, Aaron's nine-year-old mama cat, know she's still a kitten at heart by making her a unique chew toy to use while she's holed up here in the house during the deep of winter! Earlier, she was shooting up and down the hall, grabbing ornaments off the tree, biting and flicking them with her rabbit feet and acting crazy. I took two hints: 1. It's time to get out the boxes and pack up Christmas.
2. She needs to something to keep her lioness-like skills sharp. Since my sewing machine was out for mending, I went to work for the Kitten-Within!

Four more compliments for me to go!

How about you?

The Gr. 5 Health Project

2012-01-21T11:37:00.001-06:00

Besides giving Mom a break from cooking, the best part of the meal-making homework project is capturing our youngster's capabilites!

Snapshots of the Day

2012-01-19T15:34:00.037-06:00

"Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær."

I thought about this Norwegian rhyme as I walked the dogs today. I ventured outside at noon when the thermometer read -8°F/-20°C—almost subtropical compared to -22°F/-30°C temperature reading at 8 a.m.

With Norwegian-wool socks warming my feet in my old Sorel boots, snowpants over my insulated wind pants, a hooded sweatshirt and flannel blouse on my upperbody, a fuzzy scarf around my face, gloves covering my hands and a hooded-barncoat zipping in the works, I faced the elements and grasped the Norwegian rhyme which could "very-loosely" translate:

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only an inadequate sweater."

The wind blew. The sun shone.

Even as I walked the Arctic Avenue, I was warm. So warm, in fact, that frost begin to form over my glasses, on my hood and even in my exposed hair.

I held out the camera for a snapshot to see just what kind of havoc this bad weather was wreaking.

I snapped another of wintry way.

At home, I checked my email to find one from my husband who was stationed for the work week in "Sunny Jacksonville." He'd sent me a Florida beach photo.

"Ouch!" we responded in turn.

Me to him. And him to me, after I sent him my two Snapshots of the Day!

Are You Connecting With Your Fifth Grader?

2012-01-18T12:45:00.005-06:00

Noah's a fifth grader this year. When his science teacher assigned the class a biome project, Noah chose to research the tundra. He wrote:

"The tundra is a place with permafrost, which is ground that barely thaws. This biome has a short-growing season which makes life hard on plants and animals."

In his studies, Noah learned the earth has two types of tundra: the arctic and antarctic kind as well as the alpine sort. For images to use with his project, I opened a coffee table book called "Rondane" - a publication about Norway's oldest national park. We found images of reindeer habitat, food and young.

We also opened my treasure trunk and found a lichen-covered "map rock" from Rondane. When I suggested Noah bring the rock and the reindeer skin hanging in our entryway to show along with his project, he said, "YES!!!"

As we carefully removed the nails tacking it to the wall, Noah asked,"Why did you even bring this reindeer skin back from Norway?"

I explained how skiers roll up these skins, attach them to their backpacks and use them to cover the snowbenches they build at lunchtime.

"Before I left Norway, I bought cross-country skis, boots and poles so I could keep skiing when I came back to Minnesota," I said. "While traveling the west-coast mountains with my host family, we came across a vendor selling reindeer skins at a reasonable price. I bought this one to continue the tradition."

Then I confessed, " Only, I never did take it out on the ski trail. Instead, it's hung every home I've made. It's hung here for 14 years now."

"Oh!" said Noah. "Then maybe it's good we're taking it down— "
"For a dusting!" I interrupted. "Probabably..."

Today while Noah was off at school with his tundra trifold project and visuals, I set out on foot to walk the dogs down our gravel road.

As I crossed the large expanse between the glacial moraines to our north and south, the frigid temperature and wind brought to mind my fifth-grader's biome project.

When I returned home, I made my own tundra trifold project using photos from my morning walk.

"Why?" I asked myself, and answered the question with another:

"Are you connecting with your fifth grader?"

My First Article - Written in Norwegian

2012-01-16T14:39:00.006-06:00

"You're officially part of Eidskog history!"

That's how I started a letter to the ladies from the 2008 NorwayBound trip this weekend. Our photograph - taken back then while picnicing at a lake with my host parents - was featured in the annual norsk Christmas publication, "Jul i Eidskog."

Just after New Year's Day, I received my copy from the book's editor. Not only had he taken the photograph, but he had also convinced me to contribute an article - "a little greeting" explaining my connection to the community located an hour east of Oslo on the Swedish border.

His request came early last fall - while I was up to my ears in projects. I told him if he could wait until October's end, I'd help. He agreed to the deadline. When I emailed a month later asking for a word-count size, he said not to worry, just let the article run its course. He could cut out an article he'd written on the area's last three cowboys to fit in mine.

I sent him my draft of "Julebrev fra Amerika" (Christmas Letter from Amerika) and wrote, "I won't be disappointed if you don't use this and instead focus on real Eidskogingers - also, folks who live there now." He returned my article with "not many" edits and the intended photos, including the lakeside one, another with the boys and me leading a Norwegian Christmas program at our local elementary school, plus our family standing on the snowy hillside behind our north-central Minnesota home.

The editor's decision to use the article gave me a surprise gift for my host families. The publication came out well before Christmas. In his holiday greetings, my host dad wrote, "Many people have read your article with the fine photo at Hesbølsjøen. Another host mom explained how the thread that binds us is strong indeed. To increase its strength, she sent a framed version of Eidskog's lumberjack poet Hans Børli's

Road to Eternity and a pair of house nisses.

When my copy finally arrived, I was happy to see "The Last Three Cowboys" didn't get cut. Instead the book grew to 128 pages. I showed my article with the photos to my husband and sons. They said, "Now we're a lasting part of Eidskog history too!"

To the editor, I wrote:

"You Norwegians are clever to help others widen their horizons. Now I've published my first article written in Norwegian!"

Not too bad after nearly 30-years exposure to the language.

(Click on individual photos for closeup view, including the English translation to the left.)

"Were You Santa?"

2012-01-15T15:08:00.001-06:00

she asked me

following the costumed visit

for the Extended-Family Talent Show

on Christmas Day.

Dressed then in regular clothes, I replied,

"That was the Julenisse who visited!"

Knowingly, she smiled,

"Well,

if it was YOU,

'THANKS!'"

Who knew that

pieces of fruit

dressed up

in brightly-colored

tissue paper

could make

such festive hit?

Still Wrapping Up Seasonal Memories

Along Life's Road

Wrappin' Up Christmas

2012-01-14T09:42:00.017-06:00

Before I

can take

down

the

Christmas

tree,

I've

got

a few

(Click for textile angel post.)

tasks

complete.

Here's to the patience of those thank-you and gift recipients. It's in the mail - for you now!

A Buggy Ride

2012-01-10T11:43:00.000-06:00

Just when I wondered

about what I'd post today,

I spotted

our neighbors

out for

a Buggy Ride.

Pre-Dawn Light

2012-01-08T07:48:00.071-06:00

No one

was ready

but me.

I drove

alone

to start

the new

day.

Chocolate, Caramel and Vanilla

2012-01-07T14:08:00.002-06:00

I
went

for
a
walk

with

Chocolate,

Caramel

and Vanilla.

maybe,

was

they

who

walked

me?

The Road to Eternity

2012-01-06T13:00:00.004-06:00

"The road to eternity
crosses the farmstead for home.
A well-worn trail
with dewy grass in the middle
is guide enough for the seeing."

Hans Børli
Norwegian lumberjack and poet

There's something gratifying in solving puzzles, especially when it comes to translating the work of the man from my norsk "hometown."

With the report
on the Twelfth Day of Christmas!

January Jingle

2012-01-05T13:35:00.001-06:00

On the 11th day
of Christmas,

my true love
gave to me:

One Sign
of SPRING!

Celebrating today's
48°F/+8°C weather
Along Life's Road.

Fish Fry

2012-01-04T22:31:00.001-06:00

It's that time

of year again...

...for a
Fish Fry!

Tasting Minnesota Winter!

Lessons from The Family Tree

2012-01-03T23:05:00.001-06:00

Last night, I helped my son draft his family tree for a history assignment. Family heritage books revealed up to ten generations of ancestors from Norway on his father's side.

U.S. Census surveys disclosed new information about his mother's side. A great-great-great grandmother born in Ireland. A great-great grandfather from Prussia; his wife from Bavaria. And another great-great-great grandmother with a Dutch-family heritage stemming from a 1640 settlement in New York.

This morning I reflected on immigration stories recorded.

Atlantic storms nearly cap-sizing the ship carrying an entire family from Norway. The captain begging God's mercy and falling to his knees in thanskgiving when the crew was able to reattach the pin to render the rudder useable against the high seas.

Arriving in Canada, with a son struck by typhoid fever. Leaving the son behind when hospital staff declared "no hope" for his recovery. Striking out for Decorah, Iowa, having other family members develop and die from typhoid fever soon after arrival. Being found in Decorah by the son left-for-dead-in-Canada after his miraculous recovery. Traveling with this son and other family survivors to Ottertail County, Minnesota - where tangible elements of their rooting-down remains.

Pondering our immigrant heritage,
I challenged myself to a similar journey.

They took with them only what they needed and left behind things unnecessary.

How can I clear away unnecessary elements and travel lighter on the journey?

How can I keep the homefire burning?

How often do I kneel in thanksgiving?

Lessons from The Family Tree

Winter Has Arrived

2012-01-02T16:49:00.042-06:00

Ice on the windshield.

A white dog in the snow.

Old Sorels on the feet.

Winter has arrived late in Minnesota.

A Warm Exchange

2012-01-01T21:58:00.052-06:00

She knit her first pair of socks EVER.
She sent them to me.
She handwrote me a letter.

In it, she explained:

"Mom taught you to knit socks.
We never got around to that lesson.
I want you to have my first pair.
I hope they fit."

Not only did her wool socks fit,
but they matched one of the last gifts
her mom ever sent me.
I sent photos to explain -
The Warm Exchange.

Sometimes it takes special people
to STRETCH our imaginations,
ambitions and dreams.

Sometimes those people
help us remember:

who we are,
about what we are passionate
and how we can live with ZEST!

Through them, we are blessed.

Tusen takk, Else-mor!

Wendy's Day

2011-10-08T02:23:00.001-05:00

Wednesday was Wendy’s day – one might say.

The outdoor conditions were unseasonably perfect: sunny, dry, warm with a light breeze. My mental conditions were good too: no errands to run, no appointments to attend, no articles to write, no lessons to plan, no dinners to host, no kids’ sporting events to make. The day was MINE. I had one goal: to finish staining the garage siding.

I’d done the west and south sides on different afternoons and planned to take on the east side next. The north side still needed a couple rows of cedar shakes. My husband, who begrudgingly plays carpenter in his spare time, had picked up another bundle but not yet found time to install the final pieces. He surprised me Tuesday evening. Arriving home from his day job, Dan parked his motorcycle, went straight to the bedroom, changed into work clothes and headed outside to finish putting the cedar shakes in place. The sun was setting, so I took his hunting dog for an evening walk. Dusk set in as I returned Moose to his kennel. I walked up the slope to our house and heard Dan say, “I’m done!”

With that, the stage was set for my finish too. I rose early Wednesday morning, saw the boys and Dan off to school and work and set to my own. Having worn out all our foam brushes, I found an old grout sponge and cut it into strips. This would be my coloring tool. I thought: What a blessing to stay focused and improvise rather than give into the distraction of “running into town” for supplies. Even in a pinch, God provides. And as it turned out, this tool was far superior to anything I’d ever used!

With the sponge, I transferred the honey-gold stain from the bucket to the wood. Shake by shake. Log by log. I began to see the wall as a coloring book page, taking on a hue and matching the surrounding landscape in its autumn dress. As my bucket emptied, I thought of the paint-department salesman from whom I’d bought the stain last fall. While I debated whether to purchase one or two buckets for the sale price, he convinced me of two by saying, “Them law-ogs is thir-stay.” He was right. The wood demanded a double coat to bring forth a deep, waxy sheen. It was beautiful. Just like the day.

I had to pinch myself. It’d been a long, long, LONG time since I’d had a whole day to spend outdoors in beautiful weather to do exactly what I wanted to do, with no distractions and no guilt. Today, I decided, I could LET myself be happy. I could enjoy this moment of transformation – the moment I’d waited many years to come – the moment when our place would look complete, at least from the outside. The rooftops would all be red. The trim would all be white. And, the walls of the house and the garage would all be gold. Our place would have a Scandinavian flair. No more run-down, ramshackle hillbilly look.

Shortly before 5 p.m., the moment arrived. I gave the east side the final lookover, wiped away drips, spots and other imperfections, covered the stain bucket, put away tools, threw out two pairs of holey-plastic gloves and closed the garage door. Time was ticking. Reality returned. Noah was home from school. Isaac and Aaron soon would come from cross-country and football practice. I made mini pizzas for supper, walked Moose, showered, grabbed Dan’s “Men Sing” choir folder and two bottles of water, hurried to meet him at church-choir practice, stayed afterwards to make Sunday School plans with the pastor, went home, helped Noah with spelling words, had Isaac pick up Aaron from his friend’s house, and then listened to Isaac unwind about PSEO classes before dropping off to sleep before Dan got home from his second singing session which ended with a cool one at a tavern.

It wasn’t until early Thursday morning that I finally got a first “real look” at our place. As I rolled the garbage can back from the end of our driveway the sun was coming up. Looking ahead at our place, I noticed the red rooftops, the white trim and the golden walls glowed.

Deep down inside, I did too!

Munching Monarch

2011-08-10T22:28:00.001-05:00

I was hanging laundry out
on the clothesline today
when I spied
a monarch caterpillar
at work
on a milkweed plant.

This
caterpillar
was
very
hungry

very
large

and
very
busy!

(Yes-those are droppings!)

Can you say: "Corn cob?"

Champion

2011-06-03T11:21:00.001-05:00

How does one define a "champion?

Last night, our high-school boys' track-and-field team brought home the State Sectional Meet Team trophy. Fire trucks escorted their charter bus; people lined the town streets; fireworks exploded; and fellow students formed a "London Bridge" arm tunnel to welcome home the first crew in 26 years to qualify numerous top competitors who - together - earned the most team points.

For many, this win was bitter sweet. Individuals and relay teams - that previously performed top-notch - met their match in Moorhead. High winds and miserable weather contributed to the challenge. And for the first time this season, their coach - a teacher/citizen soldier - was unable to secure leave from his National Guard duties which will soon take him to the Middle East.

As the team exited the bus in front of the school, rain showered them as well as congratulations on their team accomplishment. Of their group, two individuals - a pole vaulter and 400 meter runner - and one relay team - the 4x400 meter runners - will advance to the state meet in St. Paul on June 11th.

For me, the most inspiring moment of the evening happened hours later when I tried uploading the video below to my Facebook page. As I waited (and failed) to upload and post the documentary, I scrolled through recent posts, taking in one written by the team's triple jumper:

Section Champs! Firetruck escort into the town, crowds of people lining the streets, first section championship in 26 years, and a sweep of true team, conference, sub-sections, and sections... Overall, I would say a pretty good season, and can't wait to repeat it all next year!

And another by the team's 110 meter hurdler who competed at last year's state meet and until this meet was undefeated this season:

Dang what a season. Conference, true team section, sub section, and section champs! Boy I can't wait till next year! And congrats to Wesley Delong, Cory VanHal, and the 4x4 on going to state! :D

The words - courage, grace, and humility - sprung to my mind. All marks of a True Team CHAMPION!

Congratulations guys!

From the mom of the lead runner of the 4x800 meter team

Like your coach, YOU DO US PROUD!

Lunching with Loons

2011-05-05T15:44:00.005-05:00

Noah forgot his lunch today.
I took it to school too late.
Rather than hurry home again,
I took his lunch to the lake.

There I sat inside the car,
listening as vehicles sped by.
But every now -
and again -
I'd hear a mysterious loon cry.

That mournful, haunting
soulful sound echoed
across the water -
between the honks of
Canada geese,
song-bird chirps
and cheeps of chipmunks.

I closed my eyes,
listening to the loon,
and when I opened them I saw -
the mystic bird of black and white -
floating in front of me.

We gazed -
one upon the other -
mere moments and then he dove,
under the water,
gone from view,
appearing and diving thrice more.

Then ripples
and shadows
of the lake
hid him along
the northern shore.

Peanut-buttered
and jellied bread,
pudding in a cup,
a cheese stick
and a juice pouch
never satisfied so much.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail's

2011-04-23T18:48:00.001-05:00

Eggstraordinary

Artists!

(Click photo for a closer look)

Practicing the tradition

of dying eggs

as we await the glory

of Easter morning!

Back in the Saddle

2011-04-19T13:09:00.000-05:00

In spite of winter's persistence
here in north-central Minnesota,

spring has sprung - at the very least -
in the minds of a couple men in our household.

Sunday afternoon, after changing the oil in his motorcycle, Dan took his pride and joy for a spin, dropped our middle son off at a friend's house, and zoomed out on the season's first run.

From here on out, I shouldn't have wake my husband. As the quote goes:

"The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome."

He's Back in the Saddle.

This One's for You

2011-03-02T18:26:00.002-06:00

Two-and-a-half years ago, I posted an entry called Take Care to Wonder featuring music I thought was lost but discovered was in my possession all along. Every week, that entry receives numerous hits. A few days ago, a reader posted a comment asking me to record and upload the song - one she vaguely remembered - so she could hear it again.

So for all the parochial school children of the 1960s and 70s, This One's for You!

February Meltdown

2011-02-15T17:49:00.017-06:00

It was that time

when
the
sun
would
set,

the
moon
would
rise,

and
a
child
would
run
and
play.

Celebrating the February Meltdown here Along Life's Road.

Valentine Vignette

2011-02-14T21:11:00.004-06:00

He
brought
her
a
rose.

She
drew
him
a
doodle.

Each wrote the other a verse of valentine affection.

Invigorate:

2011-02-08T15:27:00.001-06:00

to
impart
vigor,

strength

or
vitality;

animate.

Defining
winter's

arctic
blast.

Wall of Fame

2011-01-22T21:02:00.001-06:00

On our stairwell wall hangs a large boat paddle painted with the words: Fish Stories Told Here.

Granny T's fishing hat, Grandpa Curt's first rod and reel, and Grandpa Roy's 17-pound northern pike all hang there too as conversation pieces in our family history.

Our bassmaster has long aspired to making his mark on this wall too.

While working at the elementary basketball tournament this morning, Aaron told his buddy, "Today I'm gonna spear my biggest one yet."

This afternoon, he did.

With this 38-inch
northern pike
in his grip,

Aaron joins
the family
Wall of Fame.

(Weight estimated between 13-14 pounds)
(96.5 cm and roughly 6 kg)

Grandparent Gifts

2011-01-21T13:57:00.003-06:00

Some of us are blessed by grandparents touching our lives. As a child, I spent hours playing cribbage with my Granny T.

"I'm gonna take those points!" she'd threaten if I missed counting a 15 for two, a pair, run or a go. When I countered, "Yeah, Mom says: You play for blood!" Granny would pipe up, "No, I don't play for blood. I play to win!"

That gift of competiveness stuck. As an adult, I've taught all four of my men - from my husband to my three sons - to play cribbage to win. The long winter nights provide a perfect opportunity to exercise Granny's gift.

However, my son Aaron would argue that the cold winter days provide a greater opportunity to exercise his grandpas' gifts.

During the summer, Paka Al helped Aaron remodel Dan's old fishhouse into a spearhouse.

On those days, when young ALJ can convince his dad or the elder ALJ to spend time on the frozen lake,

he's off lighting
the fire
in the milk can stove,

chiseling
through
the ice,

dropping
the
Christmas
decoy
from
Paka Al

and poising
the birthday
present spear
built by
Grandpa Curt

to
lance
lunkers.

If I am so blessed,
I wonder what legacy
I'll leave my grandkids?

JOY

2011-01-19T15:02:00.003-06:00

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

I know. My husband knows. We both benefitted from attending parochial schools while growing up in our Christian families.

This morning,
I returned to
St. Francis Church
for the
all-school Mass.

Listening to classes of elementary students
extend greetings, sing songs,
read scripture, answer questions
and offer petitions in God's house
reminded me why I serve
the youngsters in my own church
and desire to offer similar
leadership opportunities to our youth.

The sound of children learning truly gives JOY.

Returning home and
walking with our dog,
I noticed the earth seemed
to resound that JOY too!

Finding Peace

2011-01-17T14:16:00.014-06:00

Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me bring your love;
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord;
And where there's doubt true faith in you.

It was late Sunday evening. Sunday morning was a long way off. How I longed to meet the Lord, hear his living word and listen to a reflection for the day.

I am no stranger to God's house. In fact, I serve there regularly. But rather than feed those around me, I longed to be fed. I longed to know that the path I am traveling is the one in His will. I needed to separate myself from my regular surroundings as I searched for the the answer.

That's when I realized: I am blessed. I live in an area abounding in spiritual opportunities. A quick web search revealed a Monday morning worship service held in a church not too far away.

My husband agreed to see our boys off to school while I left to make the 8 a.m. service at a church I'd never visited but was of my childhood denomination.

As I walked through two sets of tall wooden doors, entered the nave, took a back row seat and pulled down a kneeler to pray, I smiled as memories flooded back to me. I thanked God for the opportunity to meet Him in this place of quietude.

That ambiance continued throughout the service - void of all instruments and sung in A capella. The short homily focused on the day's psalm: "You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek."

Our young priest informed us that by virtue of our baptism and belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are all priests - not in the same way that he and his superior were ordained ministers - but rather in the sense that we all have the ability to serve the Lord by making offerings to Him. He encouraged us to take our struggles and pain and offer them up to the Lord with fasting and prayer.

That surprising message - coming from a Roman Catholic priest to this struggling Lutheran Sunday School teacher - was the exact reassurance I needed during an unrestful moment in my life and life of the congregation where I serve.

I walked out of the service giving thanks

that, for those who seek Him, God truly provides -sometimes in places and ways we never imagined;
for grasping that no matter where the path leads, I will trust God to light my way;
and mostly for Finding Peace.

Thank You St. Francis for providing hope on Monday, coincidentally, the Feast of St. Anthony!
(Click to read more about this amazing saint.)

Walking

2011-01-12T16:45:00.001-06:00

His

presence.

The Labyrinth

2011-01-05T17:42:00.000-06:00

There
are
times

when I fight
my inherent nature

and try to be

something

I am not.

In those times,
I find myself
wrestling questions

and

exhausting
my energy

on matters

beyond
my control.

When
I finally
let go

and

reassert
myself

in ways
befitting

who I am,

I

find

peace.

A
writer
writes.

A
photographer
makes
images.

Wendy
wanders...

The
Labyrinth

called

Along
Life's
Road.

Happy New Year! May you find peace too.

Hey! You're NOT Santa!

2010-12-23T20:18:00.000-06:00

"That's right," Isaac told a group of elementary boys filing into the restroom during a break between classes. "I'm the nisse!"

As a high school junior with an open hour Wednesday morning, Isaac agreed to dress up as the Scandinavian farm gnome to help me teach Noah's fourth-grade class about Norwegian Christmas. We met in the school office a few minutes early. When I suggested he change clothes in the office restroom, Isaac shook his head, "I'm NOT walking through the school like that! I'll change in the bathroom by Noah's room."

And he did - in the nick of time. When I came to let Isaac know he could hang outside the room for a few minutes before appearing for my presentation, I saw him leaning against the bathroom stall talking to the boys waiting in line as though he really was Santa!

Which of course, they knew he was not. My 6'2" son said, even with his face hidden behind the beard and under the cap, a couple of the boys were perceptive enough to say, "You're not Santa. You're Isaac - the basketball player!"

My Christmas Present

2010-12-22T12:08:00.077-06:00

I got my Christmas present today.

It came from Noah's class
of fourth graders. Their teacher welcomed me into the classroom to speak about Norwegian Christmas.

Dressed in my bunad-inspired frock and jewelry, I entered carrying an 18-gallon tote filled with props and supplies to demonstrate the recipe for a GOD JUL. (Pronounced: goo yule and meaning "good yule.")

Together, we decorated a tree with garlands of tiny norsk flags, straw stars and woven-paper heart baskets, learned about the history of Norway's julenisse (Santa), met the visiting nisse (my eldest son, Isaac, in costume), listened to the nisse song while we danced around the tree together and ate buttered lefse sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.

Each student received
three symbolic ornaments -

a heart basket,
a nisse
and straw star

- to remember the recipe
for a Merry Christmas
consists of
love, joy and peace.

What made this moment a gift
happened at the end
of the 45-minute session.

As the students began to
thank me for everything,
I said, "If you'd like
to bring joy to my heart
with your thanks,
try saying 'Tusen takk!'

It means 'a thousand thanks.'"

And with that
final lesson,

their joy
became

My Christmas
Present.

Christmas Around the World

2010-12-19T21:52:00.012-06:00

It's
Christmas
time.

All
around
the
world,

Christians
gather at
the manger
to celebrate
Jesus' birth.

From
Australia

to
Germany

to
Ethiopia

and
Tanzania,

Jesus
loves
the
little
children,

all the
children
of the
world.

From north to south
and east to west,

they
are
precious.

They
are
blessed.

Jesus loves
the little children
of the world.

Fröhliche Weihnachten!
Melkin Yelidet Beaal!
Kuwa na Krismasi njema!
Merry Christmas!

Celebrating today's Sunday School
performance of
Christmas Around the World!

Flat Tyler Update

2010-11-02T15:31:00.000-05:00

Flat Tyler joined us
at the high school
band concert
last night.

He sat with Cousin Noah...

... in a fourth row seat,
and got a peek at
Cousin Isaac
playing clarinet
and
Cousin Aaron on flute.

Following the concert,
Flat Tyler joined
Cousin Drew in line
for the ice cream social
served by
the band members.

Cousin Stephie
helped Flat Tyler
with a taste offered
by Cousin Isaac.

This morning Flat Tyler
accompanied Uncle Dan
to the voting polls.

From there, they headed to the Minneapolis airport. The two will "do Dallas, Texas" while Uncle Dan takes a business trip and Flat Tyler waits for confirmation on his travel itinerary.

So far Flat Tyler has clearance for travel to Singapore, Atlanta and Seattle on his incredible journey!

Flat Tyler

2010-11-01T12:14:00.000-05:00

I am a budding travel agent. At least, my sister thinks so.

Last weekend, she handed me a big manilla envelope and a request to help launch her seven-year-old son on an incredible journey via the postal service.

Inside the envelope I found a flat, laminated version of Tyler folded up along with a travel journal and instructions.

Tyler and his second-grade classmates have each made cartoon portraits of themselves to mirror the silly children's story called "Flat Stanley," about a boy who is flattened by a giant chalkboard.

Like Flat Stanley, each student hopes his/her Flat Self will travel many places for visits with family and friends. There, hosts will date the journal, write a bit about themselves, their place of residence, and the stay with them.

I love a good story, travel and kids. So, I agreed to play along.

Last Tuesday, as the storm of the century began to brew,
Flat Tyler went to the hair salon with Aunt Wendy.

"Flat Stanley!"

exclaimed a stylist
when I pulled him out
for a quick picture.

I grinned,

"Actually,
this is my nephew,
Flat Tyler!"

Later at the Brainerd Lakes
Area Chamber of Commerce,
the receptionist said,

"We get a lot of Flat Stanleys here.
Take him outside
for a photo with Paul Bunyan.
But you'll have to
hang onto him in this wind!"

All night long,
the hurricane-like winds roared,

whipping trees,
flicking the power on and off,
and finally delivering the year's first snow.

For this photo,
I capped "Flat Tyler" against the cold!

By Halloween,
conditions were fine enough

for Flat Tyler
to stand outside

next to Noah's pumpkin
for a portrait.

Time is ticking. Flat Tyler is due to travel soon.

Today I'm working on
his 11-stop travel itinerary
by contacting family and friends.

We'd like to launch him
across the states
and maybe even over the seas
during his October-March journey.

Who knows? Flat Tyler may visit you too!

Granny T's Molasses Cookies

2010-10-15T10:13:00.016-05:00

When I was a kindergartner, bus kids teasingly called me, "Wendy the Witch," in reference to Casper the Friendly Ghost's sidekick. The red-caped, wand-waving gal was of the good and friendly sort. Her knack for magic-making came in handy during their cartoon adventures.

I'd forgotten about that nickname until this week when I began my own magical adventure, attempting to resurrect my Granny T's Molasses Cookies from a more-than-a-century-old tradition.

What enabled this experiment was my recent procurement of a key component from a neighbor. First, I learned to process this component into very special sort of butter. The 20-cup yield inspired me to use one cup toward the cookie recipe.

What bewildered me about the project's timing was how I woke that morning with my voice having been transformed into a raspy hoarseness - very similar to Granny T's at her life's end. Call it: In-tu-WITCH-in???

I pulled out Granny T's long, white cookie-storage box. It held her glass measuring cup which I used to level out portions of molasses and sugar. I added an egg, melted and stirred in the special butter. Next, I took one cup of flour and mixed in soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger. I sifted this dry-ingredient mixture into the batter, alternating with splashes of sour milk. Then I added just enough flour to gain a consistency that could be handled.

I patted a handful of dough into a 1/4-inch-thick circle and used a tumbler, 4-inches diameter, to cut the cookie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (Sorry, Granny! No excess flour on these cookie bottoms.) Finally, I sprinkled sugar on each of the seven cookies that fit on the pan.

As prescribed, I'd preheated the oven to 325°F. Now Granny T claimed her oven baked these cookies in eight minutes. But I discovered 15 minutes as the perfect time to gain a spring-back effect with the finger-tip test.

More than a decade had passed since I last tasted one of Granny T's Molasses Cookies. Who could resist a fresh one from the oven? Not I! But, I should have. Ugh!

The pasty taste caused me to phone my mother - Granny T's daughter-in-law - who'd initiated this cookie-resurrection attempt one year ago and failed. I explained my process this far and Mom provided the final enlightenment to Granny's methods.

"I remember she always set her cookies out on a dish towel on the counter overnight," Mom said. "Then she would put them in that Tupperware container and share them to eat."

Ah-ha!

The aging process allowed all the ingredients to seep together into an unforgettable taste -

one that came rushing back to me the following afternoon when I performed the day-old taste taste.

Here in this cookie shape, I'd recaptured not only the flaky flavor of gingerbread from years past but also many memories:

Moments sitting by Granny's dining-room table breaking the cookie in parts and dunking it in a tiny, blue-plastic cup filled with a splash of coffee, topped with milk and sweetened with a spoonful of sugar; Time stolen from lawn mowing by sneaking into Granny's house, lifting the long white lid, grabbing a cookie and rushing out the back door to fill my grumbling tummy with satisfying goodness.

"Hunny! Where are you?" Granny would come looking for her absent grandchild sitting behind the peony bushes and find her with brown crumbs around her mouth's corners. Granny would smile knowingly. "Why are you out here? How 'bout a glass of lemonade to wash down the crumbs?"

Having taken
that first bite,
I called
my mother
and hoarsely
announced:

"We've unlocked the secret!
I hold in my hand a true
Granny T Molasses Cookie!"

Now, I wonder: "How long will Granny's raspy voice linger with me?"

Sharing the magic here Along Life's Road with Wendy the (Good Little) Witch!

The ONE Thing

2010-10-06T13:43:00.002-05:00

It's easy to say: "Be good at ONE thing, and let go of the rest." But quite another task to implement that philosophy. As household coordinators, moms especially suffer this plight. Allow me to elaborate:

"Ah - Wendy. The checkbook is overdrawn!"

"Mom! I need pit stick - can you find the

green Twist-Up kind?"

"Lip balm! Mine are sore and cracked!"

"Game in Hackensack Saturday. Just scheduled."

"You put my sweatshirt in the dryer, didn't you? It shrunk. Can you get me a new one?"

Yes! Those "Oh, crap!" moments to which this mom rides the wave and replies:

"I've done the research and found the bank is still taking out $227.47 each month for a car loan that's been paid off since July. Now do you see why I was hesitant about an automatic with-drawl loan? I'll handle it..."

"Sure, I'll spend 10 minutes in the hygiene aisle ruling out the new Twist-Up body spray, gel and roll-on (all in deodorant form) until I finally locate the solid antiperspirant!"

"Ah, you lost the three lip balms I bought you last winter? Well... the local market carries a beeswax kind with the school logo on it for $2. What? You don't have two bucks? Well... I'll see what I can do when I run in to mail the seven bills I have to send out."

"Flag football THIS Saturday morning in a town an hour away?! That's NOT happenin'! Dad signed up the WHOLE family to work at the church Scandinavian supper all day!"

"Sweatshirt? Yes... I suppose I did put it in the dryer. Sorry. I only do five laundry loads a day, and with five people, it's hard to remember who's what gets dried and who's gets hung up. You'll have to hang on with the replacement, I just spent $30 getting you non-fishing-logo T-shirts last week to stop your friends' teasing."

Sigh... One might say: I've suffered plenty when it comes to being good at ONE thing. In fact, those T-shirts I mentioned are ones I - just now - pulled out of the DRYER. I can hardly wait until Aaron gets home so I can say, "Sorry, honey. I shrunk your clothes again!"

If there's ONE Thing these lessons are teaching me, it's FORGIVENESS - of myself, my family and others!

Today I fully forgive my own mother for an "oops" moment that until this very moment I never understood. She washed, dried and shrunk the off-white virgin-wool v-neck sweater which I'd chosen after winning a gift certificate from a clothing store that offered the prize to the county 4-H member with the best conservation records. I wore the $30 sweater - maybe twice - before it became felted to toddler size.

I got over the loss but couldn't fathom why someone would stick a wool sweater in the dryer. Today,
I GET IT! (I'm constantly shrinking my kids' clothes.) We are all human and make mistakes.

My own mother suffered from multi-tasking for a family with four active children. Well...
Dan and I have just three!

I am hopeful.

Today I understand The ONE Thing I can work to be good at is FORGIVENESS, something that - by its very nature -
requires LETTING GO!

The Sorting

2010-10-04T15:13:00.002-05:00

Saturday we sorted roads, restaurants, activities, words and ways.
Today we sort memories to hold until we meet again.

Our Norway Bound Tour 2008 ladies met up in Fargo with our Eidskog guide who was on a two-week bus tour from Minneapolis across South Dakota to the Black Hills, out to Montana's Yellowstone Park, and returned through North Dakota via Minot's Høstfest, Fargo-Moorhead, Watertown S.D. and back to Minneapolis to fly out today.

This photo shows Sverre lunching with five women at Fargo's Ruby Tuesday's where his fellow Norwegian tourist was lunching with his own party. After taking our group photo, he told Sverre, "See you back in Norway," to hint that we just might kidnap him.

Following lunch,
we drove to

the Dakota
Carriage
Company

for
a
horse-dawn
ride

to
the

pumpkin
patch.

I choose one larger than a basketball to fit the specifications of my fourth-grader. Noah will use the pumpkin for a class assignment on weighing, counting seeds, graphing and decoratively carving a jack-o-lantern. Sverre played along picking his own pumpkin. Too heavy to haul home to Norway, he generously loaded his beast into my car's trunk for our family carving party.

Next,

our
group

headed
into

the
corn
field

for
a
hike

through
the

corn
maze

and
back

to
the spider's

pumpkin
patch

to
load

onto
the

horse-drawn
wagon

for
a
lift

back
to

the
farm

where we shared
Norwegian MILK
chocolate bars

-thanks to Sverre-

and drank
hot cocoa.

We drove Sverre
back to his hotel,

parted ways
and headed home.

Half-way through my trek, I stopped by a lakeside to rest. During the commute from the hotel to the farm and back, Sverre had let loose a load of ideas. The combination of navigating unfamiliar roads and communicating in Norwegian had taken its toll. I used a half hour to sort thoughts.

One stood out. As a retired education professional, Sverre explained he recently returned to the classroom to teach - very part-time - one English course to an upper-elementary class. "Back on the stage!" he smiled, clearly enjoying his choice.

He stressed how we all are responsible for our own choices. And even more than teaching his students their subject matter, he hoped to help them understand how to sort out what is important and to let go of the rest.

Hmmm... Let The Sorting begin!

It's Here!

2010-10-01T15:17:00.006-05:00

Autumn

has

arrived

in

its

full

color

glory!

First Place

2010-09-30T09:32:00.001-05:00

Saturday Dan ran his first-ever race.

In June, he started running daily while exercising his hunting dog. That habit spurred him to sign up for our local homecoming 5 km (3.2-mile) run/walk.

During the last month, Dan worked to shave time. He ran the race route several times for training. His goal became to finish under 27 minutes.

Not only did he make that goal with a time of 26:43 minutes, but in his age category, Dan finished in First Place!

Great Race!

Seasonal Change

2010-09-29T23:37:00.000-05:00

‎

"I don't get it,

why all the fuss?"

asked my son.

I smiled, "Exactly!

Now you're starting

to understand!"

Celebrating
Seasonal Change
here Along Life's Road.

Remembering Roots

2010-09-16T21:37:00.001-05:00

This weekend
Dan and I mark
18 years of marriage.

Last weekend
we celebrated
the fact.

We drove to his ancestral
stomping grounds to attend
a family burial
Saturday morning
followed by a
fellowship lunch
at the family lake cabin.

Then we seized
the afternoon

to explore
his family roots
further.

We started at
the threshing reunion
in the town of Dalton.

There
on the grounds

we visited

the childhood home
of Dan's mom's mom

as well as

the
Little
Red
Schoolhouse

where his
dad's cousins

studied during
their elementary
years.

In
the
schoolhouse
entry,

Dan
spotted
antiques

similar to
one his dad

used in
to carry
lunch in
his youth.

From
Dalton,
we
traveled
the road
to
Great
Grandma
Lena's
house;

stopped by the
Leaf Mountain
cemetery

(in honor of
Grandpa Roy's
Sept. 11th
birthday)

and church
where
we married;
(see first photo)

and drove

the
back
road

leading up

to
Inspiration
Peak

for a peek

atop

the peak.

Mid-afternoon, Aaron called Dan's cell phone to ask permission for Isaac to drive all three of our sons over to Aunt Sheila's at her spontaneous invitation to dinner and a bonfire. Dad agreed. Mom worried. "Is it wise," I asked my husband, "allowing a teenage licensed driver of just two weeks, to transport his two brothers 18 miles (30 km) across town?" Dan said, "I look at it this way: Either he can drive, or he can't."

With the boys covered under Aunt Sheila's cooking, we - the anniversary couple - stopped at the foot of Inspiration Peak to dine at our groom's dinner spot - The Peak Supper Club - and opened yet another new chapter of married life by
Remembering Roots.

More Heart Warmers

2010-09-10T11:48:00.000-05:00

Fear
less

Hope
more

Eat
less

Chew
more

Whine
less

Breathe
more

Talk
less

Say
more

Hate
less

Love
more

And all
good things
are yours.

Swedish proverb

I woke this morning and turned the page on my 1986 daily devotional calendar to this entry. The words spoke truth and fit well with photos I captured on a morning walk a week ago when summer activities kept me far too busy to share them in that moment. Here's hoping all good things become yours.

Mud Fun Run

2010-09-09T17:01:00.127-05:00

Check out this video to see if you can spot Isaac - or if you're a local - someone else you know!

More than 100 runners
turned out Sunday afternoon
for our town's first annual
Mud Run Fun event.

Isaac was among our
high-school's ten teens
to attempt the 6-km course,

which
included

three
water/mud
pits

for
sliding,

wading,

t
u
b
i
n
g,

and

crawling.

Pig medallions
were handed out
to top 50(?) finishers.

Prizes were awarded
to the fastest individuals
and team as well as
those with the best
costumes.

Isaac's buddy recruited him to compete on Team Half and Half: two varsity football players and two varsity cross-country runners.

The foursome finished in first place with individual rankings of third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

The
finish
line
sign
congratulated
one
and
all!

Wendy's Flashback

2010-09-07T15:11:00.006-05:00

I met myself for lunch today. What an odd surprise.

On this first day of school, I’d planned to celebrate a quiet house after a whirlwind summer. But as the boys packed last night for school’s start, they began with their last-minute requests.

“Mom, I still need:

· Washable markers – the smelly ones, ple-e-ease;

· Three plastic folders – the paper ones just rip;

· More no-show socks – Isaac keeps taking mine;

· A new memory stick – my old one’s full;

· Three colored folders – small enough for my trapper keeper. Make it six. I’ll need three more second semester.”

The list grew so long that I was still shopping near noon. I’d just left Walgreens, pleased that I’d finally found heavy-plastic folders and elated when they rang up on sale. “Really?” I asked the clerk. “Hold on. I’ll take three more.”

I still had to grocery shop, but decided to lunch first. Wendy’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers was close. No sons whined, “Drive-through! Let’s just go home.” Today I was alone. I went inside for my old standby.

At a small table by the window, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, exhaled and gave thanks: “Oh, for this moment’s peace.” Then, I mashed my baked potato, squeezed in sour cream, scooped on chili, cut off small portions and savored every bite. With the last spoonful, I looked across the room and noticed a young mom eating with three small children. She called to the oldest, “Isaac, will you pick that up, please?”

Isaac? Hearing my oldest son’s name made me see. This mom had three boys: Isaac, the oldest, was about six years old; the middle one was about four; and youngest wasn’t yet a year. The baby and his oldest brother were very blond. The middle son was a darker blond. Mom was a brunette.

“Is it really 2010?” I whispered. Then I thought, “Could this be 2001? Am I glimpsing myself with my own three sons at those ages?”

The family soon left, but their presence lingered. I recalled a moment sitting at that table in front of the elevated TV screen. In between helping the boys with their meals, I'd wondered about the future – when Isaac would have his driver’s license, Aaron would start high school and my baby would be well into grade school. Back then, I thought: “Don’t wish time away.”

Here now today, Isaac – a licensed driver of one week – hopped into the car with Aaron and drove away for early-morning high-school band. Noah – at nearly 10-years-old and just shy of five-feet-tall – started fourth grade. And, how weird that I – Wendy – am sitting in Wendy’s having this flashback when I’d planned to celebrate a quiet house. Forget the whirlwind summer. What is this Wendy’s Flashback? “Reverse” Déjà Vu?

Be careful what you wonder. Be careful about long shopping lists. Be careful about old haunts. They might haunt you too.

Five Bwa-ucks!

2010-08-21T15:04:00.006-05:00

Summer has nearly flown the coop and so has this hen with her rambunctious bunch.

This week was especially taxing, taxiing kids to and from school for activities at 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. with a final pickup at 1:00 p.m.

Thursday afternoon as I waited to make a left-hand turn toward school, I spied a pair of lime green chairs sitting on the sidewalk outside the corner thrift store. I seldom shop such sales because my luck with "finds" is next to nil. And based on our current home "collection," I should probably be holding such a sale rather than attending one.

However, I have a fetish for old chairs. And when they POP out on the street and catch my eye, I find myself pulling over for a look. On this day, I checked my wallet and found a single $5 bill in my possession. I laughed thinking that sum wouldn't amount to a purchase. But I needed a break from the weekly grind. And this sale was IT!

Most items on the sidewalk sale had price tags attached. The chairs did not. I went inside the store to browse, made the full round, checked the bookshelves for Essie Summers novels and finding none, proceeded to the checkout for small talk and an inquiry.

"What are you asking for those two lime green chairs sitting out on the sidewalk?" I asked. The man smiled and replied, "I was thinking $3 a piece or two for $5."

I raised my eyebrows, handed him my lone $5 bill and said, "I'll take them."

"They're pretty old," he said. I nodded, "But they're sturdy, right?"

He nodded, led me outside and pointed to the cracks in the vinyl creases.

"That's okay," I said, "They'll be perfect for my porch."

He helped me load them into the car to take home.

After I washed and disinfected the pair, I set them on the back step wondering what could make the grouping cozier.

To my surprise, the colorful indoor/outdoor rooster rug, that I'd found last week while waiting at Fleet Farm for our car's leaky tire to get patched, accented the chairs wonderfully.

Next I pulled the rooster "Welcome" sign (made years ago by my grandparents) from the screen porch, cleaned it up and switched it out with the "Velkommen" pig.

Presto!

Our back entrance
became almost
more enticing
than our
front entrance.

(Note: There's now trim on the new storage unit under the three-season porch!)

Best of all:

Now this hen can fly the coop
and relax in peace
on her back step
when while her roosters crow!

Not bad
for

Five Bwa-ucks!

Parsonage Pursuit

2010-07-29T22:27:00.002-05:00

This
evening,

I noticed
a nest.

Child's play
at its best!

WITH A WATER LILY

2010-07-29T12:51:00.002-05:00

By Henrik Ibsen 1863

SEE, dear, what thy lover brings;
'Tis the flower with the white wings.
Buoyed upon the quiet stream
In the spring it lay adream.

Homelike to bestow this guest,
Lodge it, dear one, in thy breast;
There its leaves the secret keep
Of a wave both still and deep.

Child, beware the tarn-fed stream;
Danger, danger, there to dream!
Though the sprite pretends to sleep,
And above the lilies peep.

Child, thy bosom is the stream;
Danger, danger, there to dream!
Though above the lilies peep,
And the sprite pretends to sleep.

English translation by Fydell Edmund Garrett is reprinted
from the Westminster Gazette of May 6, 1903.

Seeking summer's beauty. Sharing Scandinavian history.

Posting an intertwining of the two here Along Life's Road.

What Kids Do to Bust Summer Boredom

2010-06-30T13:55:00.006-05:00

During summer vacation a generation ago, my sisters and I worked on 4H exhibits
to enter in August's county fair. My Three Sons are not in 4H. Still, I wonder how this
- their cooperative visual arts - "exhibit" would fair. Click on the YouTube entry above,
turn up the volume and Judge for Yourself!

Ah... What Kids Do to Bust Summer Boredom!

Sunday Best

2010-06-27T23:03:00.002-05:00

Out

and

about

Ready

to

Bloom

Waves

of

Grain

Soaking

Up

Sun

Reining

'Em

In

Sharing Sunday's Best Along Life's Road

Midsummer Night's Dream

2010-06-23T22:12:00.012-05:00

Taking

the

bait

to

clear

c
l
a
u
s
t
r
o
p
h
o
b
i
a

in

this

rainy

season

by

living

a

Midsummer

Night's

Dream.

Impressive Launch

2010-06-22T19:41:00.040-05:00

It wasn't just

the view

that was

impressive

nor

Aaron's

fish

photo

nor

his

buddy's

catch

but rather that
these boys were able
to take the boat out all.

Dad was away (in Texas).
Mom volunteered to drive.

In spite of her doubts, she managed to remember all of her semi-trucker father's advice about backing up trailers to hook them up and turn them around - without a hitch - to make this Impressive Launch!

I did it, Dad!

Now Guiding Girls

2010-06-21T22:19:00.011-05:00

"Can you take me fishing?" Aaron asked late today.

"Yes, just give me a minute," I said.

"Can we take her along?" he added.

I paused remembering our first interchange:

"Can I have his hand in marriage?" she'd said.

"He's too young," I scoffed at the joke.

"Arranged marriages," she bantered.

And I rolled my eyes.

Then, the words of his dad came into my head:

"She's not tall enough," Dad warned his son. "You need someone at least 5 foot 8!"

Undaunted, she replied:
"There's always exceptions to the rule."

As his parents, we shook our heads.

He laughed, "She's a character."

We nodded: "You said it."

And so, we agreed to meet for a fishing trip.

As I drove them to the site, I asked:
"So, you want to fish?"

"Ew!" she squirmed at the mention of fish and bait.
She admitted: "I just wanted to come along."

He gave baited the hook and gave her the rod.

She caught a fish. He took it off.

She tried to trade rods.

He smiled at her touch...

Under the moon of
the Summer Solstice,

our Bassmaster
had his first date:

Now Guiding Girls.

Coincidentally, "she" is the gal from "She REIGNS".

Tales Up

2010-06-21T12:33:00.010-05:00

Noah

started

swim

lessons

today.

As I drove my youngster home
from his morning exercises,

we met another mom
leading her youngsters

out and about

for their daily lessons.

We watched each other
for a few frames

before they gave us

the old
"tails up!"

Now with my new
handy dandy camera,

I'm dishing it right back again:

Tales Up!

Sharing twin wonders Along Life's Road.
Happy Summer Solstice!

Curing Curses

2010-06-15T22:47:00.017-05:00

Nearly three years have passed since I began this blog. In my first post, I confessed my resistance to change. Starting over, learning anew, building something up... All these processes take time - valuable time - that I could use for crafting "masterpieces" (Haha) rather than running exercises to gain familiarity.

That premise has not changed for me.

However, I understand there are times when change is essential and even beneficial. Such a dawning occurred this week...

(click on photo for full view)

...when
I
took

my
(two-week-old)
birthday
gift

out

on

the

road

to
test

its
capabilities

with
mine.

The
(back seat)
gift giver
asked:

"So!

What
do
you
think?"

To which I responded (click on sweeping panoramic):

"It certainly lends new perspective Along Life's Road."

For better or worse,
for richer or poorer,
in sickness or health,

I thank thee - O husband of mine - for Curing my Curses.

I'll try to keep this one out of the beach sand.

(Click on photo for full effect)

Ja, vi elsker...

2010-05-17T11:49:00.016-05:00

As parents, Dan and I love to make our sons squirm. With our quirky ways, we celebrate life's fun. "Why be SO serious? Laugh when you can!" is the family motto. Today I took that philosophy on the road.

Grabbing my Norwegian flag, I hopped into the car ready to drive Isaac and Aaron to Zero Hour band at school.
I rolled down my window, stuck out the flag and chanted: "Heia Norge!" (Hooray for Norway)

I drove round the road's corner and said, "Some people fly Vikings' (football team) flags out their (car) windows. They're just wannabes! We fly the true Norwegian flag!"

My flag whipped and snapped in the wind. "It's gonna fly off!" Aaron warned. "You better pull it in."

"You're right!" I said. "Those staples might not hold." As I rolled the stick to secure the fabric around the staples, my son's eyes rolled. I smiled and sang:

Ja, vi elsker dette landet som det stiger frem. Furu, værbitt over vannet med de tusen hjem. Elsker, elsker det og tenker på vår far og mor, og den saganatt som senker drømme på vår jord, og den saganatt som senker, senker drømme på vår jord.

"That's how Norwegians celebrate their Constitution Day - singing their national anthem and waving their flags," I said. "Do you have your flag?"

Isaac reached in his pocket, pulled out a toothpick-sized red-white-and-blue-cross flag, and twirled it around between his fingers. Aaron shook his head, "No way!"

"What?" I chided watching for my middle son's reaction in the rear view mirror. "You're not celebrating your Norwegian roots today? I'll be back with it later today and have the school secretary deliver it to you during class!"

Aaron's eyes bulged. He countered, "Then I'll just have to tell the class about you singing Norway's national anthem and flying the flag out the window on the way to school."

"Yes!" I smiled. "That's the whole point!"

We reached the end of our gravel road and came to the highway intersection, just blocks from school. Isaac pointed to the flag and said, "Aren't you gonna pull that thing in?"

"What?" I teased. "And miss the chance to let everyone know it's 17 Mai! No way!"

The boys squirmed, looking into the cars making left-hand turns toward school and hoping to spot NO familiar faces.

I waved the flag as we drove down main street. The boys crunched down in their seats. As we turned into the school parking lot, Isaac said, "Just let us off at the corner!"

"We're already here," I said. "You can tell them it's your mother's 'shape-ups' causing her to lose sanity."

Aaron jumped out of the car and said, "I'll tell them it's because you FORGOT those kooky shoes."

I laughed, "Have a great day! I'll be by with your flag later, Aaron!"

Ja, vi elsker...to make our kids squirm.

Here's to a joyous 17 Mai. There's krumkake on the way!

Winter Wonderland

2010-05-08T08:29:00.000-05:00

Christmas

was
in
the
air

this
morning.

Icicles
clung

to the
tiny
bell-shaped
flowers

on
our hill's

wild
blueberry
plants.

Snow
framed

the
leaf

of
an aspen
sapling.

A white
blanket

covered the
landscape

in a rare
May snowfall.

It melted, fertilized and greened the earth!

Yesterday's Rainbow

2010-05-06T10:00:00.005-05:00

"Life is short and we never have enough time for gladdening the hearts of those who travel the way with us. Oh, be swift to love. Make haste to be kind." Henri Fredric Amiel

Sharing today's "Heart Warmer" and Yesterday's Rainbow here Along Life's Road.

They're Off!

2010-04-23T08:53:00.005-05:00

Tuesday
evening,

Aaron
pitched

his first

full
baseball
game

in two
years.

Yesterday
evening,

Isaac
rounded
the track's
corner

during
his leg

of the 4x400 relay at a home invitational.

And then,

both Isaac
and Aaron

boarded
a charter bus

carrying
their

school music department on a five-day trip to Tennessee.

The
buses

rolled
out
at
8:45 PM

and

They're Off!

Dan's Dream

2010-04-20T08:18:00.021-05:00

"Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."
Author Unknown

For years, Dan dreamed of motor-
cycling again.

This year, he decided to make his dream come true.

"I'm not getting any younger," he said explaining his decision to spend his year-end bonus on a mid-1990s Kawasaki.

He bought the motorbike early in March, studied for and passed his motorcycle-permit exam and ordered a helmet online.

Easter weekend, Dan hauled a trailer to the dealer and picked up his purchase. Daily motorcycle rides around home ensued - to satisfy his wife's concerns about practice and safety - before he fulfilled his FULL dream of driving the motorbike 35 miles (56 km) to work.

After each of Dan's rides, the boys and I noticed a new habit forming. It started with Dan bumping the car out of our two-stall garage, so the motorcycle would have "full weather protection." Besides parking the motorbike, Dan would linger in the garage for up to 15 minutes. Aaron asked, "What's up with Dad? He just stands there STARING at the motorcycle!" Weekly conversation turned toward his next purchase for the sport. Boots, gloves, leather outerwear...

On the flip-side, Dan's enthusiasm for home improvements soared. He tackled troubles with our dishwasher and clothes dryer, began framing and siding a storage space under our three-season porch, performed maintenance on lawn mowers and much more! All done without the usual gloom-and-doom.

Was it the daily freedom of two wheelin?

Last night, Dan came home with his latest purchase: boots and gloves. After supper, he donned his gear and drove until sunset.

"I'm thinking of riding the motorcycle to work," he said as we went to bed. I cocked my eyebrow: "OH?"

"It's supposed to be 70°F (21°C) and sunny," he said.

This morning before I drove the boys to school for Zero Hour band, I asked, "Does the motor-
cycle have a carrier? How are you going to take your computer?" He quipped,"My bag's a backpack!"

"Be careful and SAFE!" I warned. Driving home, I spotted my motorcyclist coming and caught him in action. He stopped for a quick portrait, continued around the corner and out to the highway - living Dan's Dream:

"Work to ride and ride to work." ~Author Unknown

PS. I emailed Dan: "So...How was the motorcycle ride to work?" He replied: "Freezing…but otherwise uneventful."

Ah... 32°F (0°C) Minnesota mornings!

Springing Forth

2010-04-19T16:17:00.013-05:00

I
took
a
drive
this
afternoon.

The
hills

and

the
dales

are
waking

and

Springing
Forth

in
bloom.

The Bedazzled Mystery Quilt

2010-04-19T08:50:00.024-05:00

It was
a mystery
to Wendy

why she bought
and donated

the fabrics.

It was
a mystery

to Ada how

these fabrics

would come
together

in a Mystery-by-the-Month online project.

It was
a mystery

to Milly
how she

would hand-stitch
and bind

the works
together.

Silently,

this
weekend's
auction

will
resolve

another
mystery.

Go
forth.

Bid.

And Bedazzled!

Travel to Cragun's Conference Center in Brainerd, MN this weekend for the Annual Quilt Auction for World Hunger Appeals, 5-9 PM Friday April 23 and 9 AM-4:30 PM Saturday April 24. This quilt and dozens of others will be silently auctioned off with proceeds going to feed the hungry.

Spring's Sunrise

2010-04-17T06:43:00.000-05:00

Breathe in morning's crisp air.
Exhale steamy clouds.

Hear grouse drumming.
Feel gravel crunch under foot.

See leaves sprouting.
Behold Spring's Sunrise.

Happy Easter

2010-04-05T21:11:00.001-05:00

Happy

Spring

Happy

Blossoms

Happy

Birthday

Happy

Everything!

Celebrating seasonal blessings Along Life's Road!

Grasping Good Friday

2010-04-02T21:16:00.001-05:00

We adore you O Christ and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

A rendition of those very words - used as a blessing at the end of tonight's Good Friday service - transported me back more than 30 years. As a child, I attended Stations of the Cross every Friday of Lent with my parochial school classmates. Together, we marked 15 points of Jesus' journey from condemnation to the cross to resurrection. At each point, we recited: "We adore you O Christ..."

Hearing those words tonight, in a church outside of my childhood denomination, I ached to genuflect and celebrate Christ's Passion in a way rooted deeply in my heart. Instead I sat, reflecting and remembering, and at last... grasping King Solomon words:

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

A Certain Sunrise

2010-03-24T07:20:00.006-05:00

“The sunrise never failed us yet." Celia Thaxter

This

morning's

skies

made

that

clear!

Celebrating today's fresh start Along Life's Road.

PS. Thanks, Neighbor, for checking on this photographer parked on the road side... aiming to shoot the sun with her camera.

Day Four in Paradise

2010-03-19T17:01:00.007-05:00

Here's the latest emailing from Dan and the boys who will be leaving San Diego tonight.

Day 4 is nearly out the door and then back to beachless home...

Wisconsin Weekend Part 2

2010-03-19T09:06:00.025-05:00

After days of rain, fog and general overcast - which melted away winter's whiteness -

the
sun

rose
gloriously

on
Sunday
morning.

I
sneaked

outdoors

for
a
few

photos

before

we
headed

into
town

to
give
thanks

in the
church
where
Noah's
godparents
were married
and now
celebrate
their
blessings.

After Sunday service,

Noah went to Sunday School, rang bells with the bell choir

and learned about the Prodigal Son in class.

Back at the family's home,
Noah met grand-
parents
for
lunch
and
jigsaw
puzzling.

He
pitched
baseball
to
his
godfather,

took
a
swing
with
the
bat

and covered outfield as the farm's dog brothers frolicked

in a spring day that foreshadowed summer!

Before heading home to Minnesota's North-
woods, Noah shared a moment with his godparents viewing favorite YouTube selections and planning our next meeting.

Grandpa summed that up best, whispering:
"Next time, don't wait so long!"

Wisconsin Weekend Part 1

2010-03-19T07:51:00.022-05:00

Last weekend, Noah and I took a Spring Break road trip to Wisconsin to visit his godparents for the first time in seven years.

Our Saturday morning drive went smoothly, so we stopped by the University of Wisconsin-
Eau Claire campus first. There I drove Noah past Bridgman Hall where his godmother and I lived and met during our college days.

We drove down The Hill to Lower Campus past many buildings where I studied, parked, walked to The Bookstore, bought souvenirs, and shot a couple outdoor photos. Here's Noah by The Clock. As the Noon Bells chimed, we headed north to his godparents' farm.

After lunch,

Noah's
first
order
of
business

was

meeting
Lindy's

four pygmy goats housed in a pen behind his godparents' home.

Our

youth

hosts

watched

Noah

in action

feeding

grain

to

Steve

and

hay

to

LuLu.

Following their feeding,

we drove
to the city park and zoo
for a look at more animals.

Sitting on
a bear statue,

Noah posed for a photo
with his godparents -

Karen and Jerry.

He also dared to have one taken with a bison.

This animal was most enter-
taining:

charging and butting the fence to discourage (or was it 'encourage'?) us from a closer look at the herd's younger members.

Before our WI trip, Noah asked if he could help with the milk cows like the last time we visited.

Two years ago, the family farm cows were sold. However, Lance continues the tradition working for a neighboring farmer.

He took us on tour of the organic-dairy facility during milking time

and calf-feeding time

so Noah could have a chance to help out.

Day Three in Paradise

2010-03-18T13:10:00.004-05:00

Here comes the third email message

as

The Blues Brothers tour the San Diego Zoo.

This one JUST rolled in as I was making today's post:

Marlin Perkins buys hat, tames giraffe...

Day Two in Paradise

2010-03-17T21:00:00.003-05:00

That's Dan's second email message with this photo from their San Diego trip.

I just got off the telephone with the guys. They went out on a launch from 8AM to 2PM today and caught these "rock fish" in Mexican waters. They each got one fishing line with three hooks; baited the hooks with squid or sardines; and dropped the line down 500 feet with a one-pound weight.

Success for all three guys.

Day One in Eden

2010-03-16T16:08:00.004-05:00

I just received this email message and photo from Dan and the boys who arrived in San Diego around midnight.

Looks like they've rolled out to enjoy Day One in Eden.

Thunder Rumbles...

2010-03-11T13:15:00.004-06:00

Lightning flickers.

Rain

pours.

Hail

pelts.

Spring arrives...

washing

away

winter.

Celebrating the year's first thunderstorm - Along Life's Road!

On Willow Drive

2010-03-09T10:33:00.003-06:00

Before
the days
of 911
street
and
avenue
grids,

we used
to live

On

Willow

Drive.

See

why?

Celebrating

Signs
of
Spring
2010

here

Along
Life's
Road!

Winking at Me

2010-03-04T07:17:00.000-06:00

I
think
I
caught
Him...

Winking

at

Me!

Some People Paint...

2010-03-03T11:04:00.010-06:00

I make images.

Nightfall

Evening
Forage

Solarized
Sunrise

Pastel
Prelude

Leap
of
Faith

Sometimes a parent sees
what a privilege taxiing kids - to and from events - can be!

Taking Inventory

2010-03-01T15:40:00.008-06:00

A U.S. Census worker

stopped by

our house today.

He handed me an official form to list and count the residents in our dwelling. He asked me to mail the completed information in the envelope provided, wished me well and went on his way.

As I opened the two-sided, tri-folded document and began to ink in information, I remembered the first time I filled out such a document.

The year was 1990. I was living alone in an apartment in southern Minnesota while working at my first job out of college.

A decade later in the year 2000, I filled out such a document for the second time. Now married, I was living in north-central Minnesota and caring full-time for our two children and expecting number three at the year's end.

Today in 2010, I fill in a census document for the third time.

I am still living in the same place with my husband. Two of our children are nearing adulthood. Our youngest child, at age nine, will be officially tallied for the first time.

I'm wondering what the year 2020 will hold.

Clear Vision?

By the next census, my husband and I could be empty nesters.
How time flies...

Taking Inventory

every now and then

makes sense...

if for no other reason

than to recognize

the present

as a gift.

WINTER

2010-02-24T09:20:00.010-06:00

When

the
air

is

so
cold

and

still

that

tree

branches

S
N
A
P

for

no

a
p
p
a
r
e
n
t

r
e
a
s
o
n

then

- truly -

it

is

WINTER.

Cringing on this morning's walk Along Life's Road.

Out of the Blue

2010-02-17T17:24:00.003-06:00

"Oh Honey! I don't want to start any more projects. That'll just mean one more for someone else to finish."

As a nursing home resident, Granny longed for a crochet project or something to keep her hands busy. She turned down my supply offer with that phrase and a nod heavenward, hoping The Good Lord would soon call her home.

In her younger years, Granny tinkered with many projects: some finished and others not. Today I was HAPPY for inheriting an unfinished one. It was the only cure for a foul mood that descended upon me late yesterday and would not go away - in spite of a brisk morning walk.

Coming inside from the fresh air and bright sunshine, I still felt on edge. Out of the Blue, I noticed a plastic Ziploc bag holding remnants of Granny's potholder project. I had to smile. Granny never threw out much. A pizza box became her template. Scraps of printed denim became her potholder cover. Swatches of muslin made liners. And an old mattress pad provided heavy fill.

Granny made scores of potholders from recycled materials, stitching seams on her treadle-sewing machine and hand hemming bias-tape edging in place. She gave away her finished products to family members: some who wondered "What's up with Granny?" and others - like my sisters and me - who cherished every loving stitch.

With that love in mind, I picked up the bag, set up my ironing board and sewing machine and went to work finishing something Granny had started more than a decade ago.

In 30 minutes of ironing, stitching, fitting, snipping, hemming, creating... my spirits were lifted Out of the Blue.

Dear Granny,

For unfinished projects,

I thank you

with love and great gratitude!

The Wall

2010-02-08T14:50:00.022-06:00

"Some times people put up walls, not to keep people away. But to see who cares enough to tear those walls down."

I ran across this quote a couple weeks ago. But its truth hit home late last night.

I'd just finished reading a bedtime chapter with Noah, hugged him good night, turned off his light and went to load the washer one more time before going to bed.

Water was running. Suds were forming. I was turning clothes inside out and checking pockets for tissues, gum wrappers and the like, when Noah popped up beside me, looked up into my eyes and said, "Thanks Mom! "He grabbed me in a BIG bear hug and held on tight. I hugged him back and asked, "For what?" He whispered his reply and went back to bed.

Tears ran down my cheeks. This time, they were ones of joy. Hours earlier, I'd shed ones of despair.

Noah had tormented me all weekend long, pushing boundaries to see whether I'd cave into his demands to veg on the couch with the TV remote in hand, play computer games, eat sweet snacks, forego skiing, homework, church services, Sunday School and just about anything else that wasn't HIS idea. This afternoon when his tactics turned toward causing physical damage, I took him down onto the floor in a bear hug to physically restrain the spirited nine-year-old beast within. He lashed out in a struggle reminiscent of ones I had with my youngest sibling in her preteen years.

Oddly enough, that sister (now a successful career woman, wife and mother of two) called me yesterday. Among other things, we discussed those trial-some times. She reminisced, "I remember you (three) girls all got mad when Mom let me do things that you had to wait years to do. You said, I was too young. None of you wanted to do anything with me. SO, I know what Noah is going through... competing for attention with two older brothers."

In short, she understood why Noah was building walls of discontent.

My sister's savior was our mother. When Mom made the conscious decision to take her youngest under wing, things slowly began to turn around - but not without heartaches along the way.

Noah's short retreat to his room gave me time to vent and pray. I was making mini pizzas when he returned for the next go-round. Fortunately, he picked up the bag of Canadian bacon in truce and fixed two pizzas to his own liking. When supper finished, I offered Noah the chance to "earn" Pokemon cards for his collection by helping me put away laundry. "I don't want to," he snapped. "You don't HAVE to," I replied. "But that's how the boys built up their collections - by helping."

"Oh FINE!" Noah said running folded towels, pants, shirts and socks to various closets and dressers throughout the house. "Count Mom. Time me!" And so the game began. With three cards to his credit, Noah hopped in the shower. Then, Isaac offered Noah use of his PC to play the game that started the whole afternoon tantrum. I shook my head, "Noah's still got homework: math and a Valentine's mailbox for his class party.

"Math's not due until Tuesday," Noah quipped. I nodded, "But you need to start your mailbox TODAY - I'll help you." I dug out a shoebox, glue sticks, scissors and wrapping paper. Noah chose shiny red for the outside and penguin print for the inside. He explained how he wanted a regular mailbox door with a paperclip latch and a few penguins for applique. We worked together for two hours to see his vision through.

When it came time to make the door latch, I had to walk away. Noah INSISTED on using Dan's jackknife to make two slits in the door and attempted to spin the paperclip through in key ring fashion. I was certain the cardboard would tear, ruining our painstaking work. "It's the process not the product," I reminded myself as I paced - out of his sight - in the kitchen.

Noah beamed showing off the finished product.

He pointed to the paperclip I'd bent into a U shape.

He'd decided to insert and twist the ends to secure the tab.

"What do you think?" I asked.

He said, "Nobody else is going to have a Valentine's mailbox like THIS one."

Too true. The penguin appliques on the mailbox door wore glasses just like Noah. And he wrote out stickers with his name and "Peek-a-Booo!" to surprise his classmates when they insert their deliveries.

Noah hopped in bed. We read. He held out his arms for not just one but two long hugs. "Thanks for helping me with my box, Mom."

"Thanks for letting me help you," I said. Walking to the washer I thought about Saturday's struggle: tearing the TV remote out of Noah's hand, offering him the option of staying home with his ill dad and playing alone outside all afternoon (No Way!), ordering him to put his foot into the ski boot to check for proper fit, demanding he put on his winter clothes and coaxing him into the truck to come as my trail guide.

Yes! You can ride the chairlift by yourself, come find me on the bunny hill, let me know which runs are in the best shape and lead me to them. I NEED YOU, Noah!"

Oh so, carefully chipping away at the wall... letting it fall...

In that BIG bear hug by the washer, Noah whispered, "Thank you for everything, Mom, especially taking me skiing yesterday."

Tears of joy, love and hope.

My youngest child - on respite. And so, to me returns this quote:

Who cares enough to tear down The Wall?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sign of the Times?

2010-01-19T14:33:00.001-06:00

There's a cat "mrah-EOW"-ing at my door. She wants out. Am I ready for what she wants to bring in?

If I let "Tickles" out,

two months from now,

we'll have a basket of Spring Kittens.

We just finished placing her fall litter one week ago.

Promptly after Thanksgiving, I started advertising. I took advantage of our area newspaper's offer to run a classified Give-Away ad for one week at no charge. The result? Two calls. No shows.

I wondered, "Is this: A Sign of the Times? A struggling economy? Pre-Christmas hustle? No one with energy for a pet? Time to have Tickles fixed?"

Aaron's mama cat is most content raising babies. They're always playful and friendly. And since we started newspaper advertising for "Free Kittens," we've found "Good Homes" for all within the week-long run.

This time I questioned, "What's to be done? I can't keep SEVEN cats!"

"Have you tried Craig's List?" a family friend asked. "Of course, you'll get some responses from freaks."

Kittens Online.

I was skeptical.

My doubts heightened when I registered. Website administrators warned against offering "free" kittens, bunnies or any small pets. They advised: Charge at least a small re-homing fee to guard against abusive people and others who feed "free" critters to their pet snakes.

Cautiously, I wrote and posted:

Five playful kittens, litter-boxed trained, will be two-months-old Christmas Eve and are ready for placement in good homes.

Inquiries slowly rolled in.

Among the first questions was: "Are they FREE?"

As the red flag waved, I replied "Yes, to those offering a good home. We're warned against people using kittens for target practice or snake bait."

Appalled, the inquirers often launched into their personal histories with cats and other animals, sometimes listing the vet clinic they’ve used to keep their pets’ medical records up to date. In return, I told our family’s history with Tickles and her grown, neutered son, Blizzard, who was now convalescing in our house after leg surgery as well as these kittens’ birth story on September 24, 2009.

From that rapport, we found adoptive homes for all five kittens.

Our calico female was a Christmas present to a girl in Wisconsin. Her brother got a gecko. Our first orange male was a house-warming gift for a young man who wanted a pet at home waiting for him. The second orange male was the HIS part of an engaged couple’s HIS and HERS pets. Hers was a poodle pup. The third orange male was part of a family cat-n-dog set. Two weeks after the adoption, Mom wrote that the two now curl up together. And the fourth male – once the timid runt – spent two weeks in our house with Tickles and Blizzard gaining social skills. To our pleasant surprise, a local family whose son is in my Sunday School class, adopted “Tiger” to fill a spot on their MOUSER team.

A Sign of the Times?

If the sign is

Craig's List

and painted

with PATIENCE,

then

YES!

So-o-o-o.... I'm wondering, do I open the door? Marh-EOW!

Point to Ponder

2010-01-06T08:27:00.018-06:00

"Often when we begin to do something difficult or challeng-
ing, we change our old ways a little but before long are back where we started – no change, no improvement in us or our society. I am struck by how in many ways Francis managed to transform Church and society by changing himself."

I read those words of a Franciscan nun this morning

thinking
about
the
challenges
I
have
set
for
myself,

renewing
my
commitment
to
them

and
pondering
the
idea

(click image above)

of adding a few new ones.

I thought again.

Maybe I should focus on adding

just ONE
challenge

and
stick with it, for good.

Happy New Year from Along Life's Road.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T10:44:00.013-06:00

We
woke
this
morning

to
old-fashion,
Christmas-
card
scenery.

Eight inches (20 cm) of fresh snow covered the ground and flocked the trees.

Dressed in shorts and a sweatshirt, Aaron ventured out into the elements.

There he discovered the WARMTH:

34°F (1°C) and sticky, spring-like snow.

He began to make
a Christmas snowman
and an unusual
Minnesota memory!

Merry Christmas from Along Life's Road via WebCam coverage.