Chocolate, Caramel and Vanilla

I
went

for
a
walk

with

Chocolate, 

Caramel

and Vanilla.

Or

maybe,

it

was

they

who

walked

me?

The Road to Eternity

"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

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

It's that time

of year again...

...for a
Fish Fry!

Tasting Minnesota Winter!

Lessons from The Family Tree

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

A Warm Exchange

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!