November 30th

The sun comes up with promise for a great new day. It's the last day of November in 2013. The chill in the air reminds us that winter looms with the flip of the calendar. Thanksgiving is tucked away for another year. Christmas shoppers hit the stores for big Black Friday specials. Today though is for the small businesses. This is the day filled with hope for the small retailers in our communities.

The small business people unlock their doors everyday not sure how many people will walk through their door. Their businesses are not advertised with fancy full color flyers in the local Sunday paper. They probably have bought a few ads on the affordable local radio station inviting the community to shop their store. Many will wonder if this Christmas season will keep them going for another year. But most small business offer something the big box stores never can. A feeling of home that is difficult to explain.

Here's an example; the local hardware store in our town still has the hardwood floors that have welcomed the people of this community for many years. Behind the counter you will find friendly faces and a few people that are ready to find just the right bolt or paint or whatever gadget you might need. Even though I did not grow up here, it feels the same as the old Brandt grocery store once felt some 40 years ago. It reminds me of Kenny standing behind the counter ready to weigh the ground beef or ring up the cracker jacks that you chose for your treat for the week. By the way those cracker jacks were a dime. It also reminds me of a wonderful little jewelry and gift store in downtown Eau Claire. For 25 years Jane has made Christmas shopping easy with the great selection of hard to find unique jewelry. There are stores like this all of the country.

For a baby boomer there is something about that local feel that is comfortable. Something that is worth the little extra you might pay for having the local store around the corner. I am not sure where local business Saturday came from but I think it is something we need to embrace. These local retailers deserve our support. We don't want them to go away...ever. They have supported our local kids; they have had the gallon of milk we needed quickly and they have offered a gift unique for just about any occasion.

Shop local today. Your local businesses deserve it!

The Holiday Rush is ON!

This morning I thought about writing about the holiday madness, the shopping frenzy; even the crazy people that waste their time fight crowds for the best deals on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. But why focus on that; let's talk about the events of the holidays that are memory makers.

There are so many events in every community that can put a smile on your face and give you the opportunity to enjoy the season. It starts with Thanksgiving Day; many communities serve meals to the needy. Then from Rockefeller Center to Robbinsdale Minnesota cities host sing along activities and entertainment with a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. I am pretty sure you can find a local Church that puts together a little Christmas program where you can see the local children put smiles on the faces of their parents. Jingle Bell runs for charity are popular and of course the opportunity to give to a needy family is available through your workplace or church.

This is the season of love and kindness, let's remember that as we fight for the "good" parking spot or as we get annoyed by long lines. Take sometime to make a few other folks load a bit lighter; make this a holiday season to remember, not because you got a great deal, but because you made someone's day.

Happy Holidays!

10 Things I Learned While Living in Wisconsin

10. You can wear purple in the land of green and gold.
9. Beer is acceptable at any occasion
8. "On Wisconsin" is a catchy tune!
7. The rolling hills and streams are beautiful- there are 26,000 miles of rivers and streams
6. A small college in Eau Claire Wisconsin makes incredible Jazz Music
5. Kubb is a real sport, and curling club is like bowling in the summer
4. To ride motorcycle safely
3. Some of my best friends live in Wisconsin
2. Madison is one of the greatest Capital cities in the country
1. Cheese Curds are a food group and are best when squeaky!

Packing Up

For over 5 years we have made our house into a lovely home that seemed just right for us. We moved in and got busy making memories. We hosted several parties by the pool for family and friends. Our home welcomed International Students from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. In the dining room we learned more about China, Malaysia, Mexico, Great Britain, Austria and Germany. Our beautiful children and grandchildren laid their heads to sleep in the bedrooms and got up ready to jump in the pool on summer mornings during Camp Grandma. We held a few card parties for friends from Wisconsin and enjoyed some great laughs when family came to visit. There was a cookie bake or two, a neighborhood Christmas party and trick or treat kids galore.
It is bitter sweet to leave this house. We are anxious to start our new chapter in life in Mark's childhood home. But when we seal the tape on the final box and walk out the door we will leave behind wonderful stories from these walls along with a little piece of our hearts.

Thanks For Paving the Way

The coffee ran out at an early morning training session I attended yesterday. When they finally brought a new pot no one got up to freshen their cup; though many had gone to the empty pot to try to refill. I finally decided I really needed another cup. When I was returning to my seat several other people got up to fill theirs. One woman whispered to me "Thanks for paving the way". Really, I that wasn't my intention, I just really needed another cup of coffee.
But this got me to thinking about the people who have paved the way for us in life. From Joan of Arc who was a fierce fighter centuries ago to women who fought to allow women to vote and Sally Ride the first American woman in space. The contributions these women made shape our world today.
There is a group of women in Saudi Arabia today that are fighting for the right to allow women to drive in that country. This fight is not new; in 1991 the activists began driving in protest. Some were arrested, some have had their lives destroyed because of their fight. It is hard to believe in our modern society people (women) have to fight for this simple right.
I believe someday they will win this battle; but for now I am glad they are paving the way for generations to come. I will forever be grateful for the women who marched for the right to vote. It is hard to believe people don't take advantage of this privilege when others fought so hard to make it happen! I am glad they paved the way.

Hump Day

The rock hit of the early 80's by Loverboy had us all working for the weekend. For 30 years the anthem has reminded us we have to get through the week to get to the fun times; the weekends. A popular television commercial today has a camel walking around the office asking what day it is; Hump Day! Wednesday means we are almost over the hump to the weekend. It is interesting how your prospective changes over the years.

I still look forward to the weekends, who doesn't; of course unless you work on the weekends. But for many of us, the weekends are the time we can kick back, listen to some sweet jazz music and drink coffee until ten in the morning if we wish. Okay, that is what I look forward to on the weekends. I guess it is a sign of aging when we anticipate the weekend ahead and it involves morning coffee drinking instead of late night clubbing.

Very early this morning I was texting with one of our daughters have a nice conversation; I viewed the precious smile of one of our granddaughters on Facebook and I looked at the schedule for the day to see what was ahead. Tonight I will have dinner with another of our daughters. There is so much good in each and every day; sometimes it is easy to find and sometimes we have to dig a bit deeper to find it. Simple pleasures come every day. Enjoy them no matter the day of the week.

Joy Johnson

I didn't know Joy Johnson, but I wish I would have trotted a few steps with her. Today's Star Tribune features a front page story about Joy. She is the 86 year old marathon runner who passed this week after the New York City Marathon. She started running in her mid 50's; which is unusual but not unheard of; the stunner is that she ran her last marathon on Monday at age 86. She had recently talked of cutting back to half marathons! The story tells of her passion, joy and great smile in life.
This morning I pushed myself through a particularly difficult workout. My negative Nelly mindset got a hold of me as I looked around the gym and realized I was the oldest person there, probably by a good 10 years. I wondered why do I do this? It is early and fighting an aging body is a constant battle; the pounds appear and seem to be more stubborn than ever about going away. After the workout I grabbed the paper and found Joy. She inspired me that I am not too old. I am now the age she probably was when she started running. She can be an inspiration to many of us. My excuse of being too old doesn't wash with her.
Guess I will continue to lace up the running shoes and keep pushing through. If I could have run a few steps with Joy I would tell her thanks. Thanks for being an inspiration; she told others running made her feel good about life. We should all be so lucky to find something that makes us feel good about life.