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!

Wendy's Day

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

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

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

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

Eggstraordinary

Artists!

(Click photo for a closer look)

Practicing the tradition

of dying eggs

as we await the glory

of Easter morning!