The Power of Boundaries- Know Your Limits

Have you ever felt pushed too far — where one small thing sends you over the edge and words fly out that you wish you could take back? That moment might be a sign your boundaries aren’t in place.

Setting boundaries in both your personal and professional life is essential. They help maintain balance, boost productivity, and foster mutual respect with colleagues, friends, and family.

 Start by Defining Your Limits

Ask yourself:

• What am I comfortable with?

• What crosses the line?

Examples might include:

• Working overtime without compensation

• Taking on tasks outside your role

• Having your personal space or time disrespected

Communicate Clearly

Use assertive yet respectful language to express your boundaries. If you don’t communicate them, others won’t know what you’re willing to tolerate.

 Be Consistent

Consistency builds trust. Stick to your boundaries and communicate any changes clearly. Mixed signals can lead to confusion and conflict.

❌ Learn to Say No

Saying “no” isn’t being uncooperative — it’s protecting your time and energy. Practice polite but firm refusals to avoid burnout and overcommitment.

Respect Others’ Boundaries

Healthy relationships thrive in environments of mutual respect. Acknowledge and honor the boundaries of others, whether at work or at home.

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Start Today: What Are Your Non-Negotiables?

Boundaries aren’t barriers — they’re the foundation of professional growth and personal happiness. Define yours, communicate them, and honor them. You’ll be amazed at the clarity and confidence that follows.

The Training Ring offers webinars, training sessions and keynotes that give you tools to set boundaries. Find us at https://brand.site/trainingring

Stepping Into the Ring – A New Chapter Begins

As I turned around to look back on my journey, I saw more than just a career—I saw chapters of growth, moments of joy, and countless lessons that shaped who I am today. Each role, each experience, brought something valuable: a deeper understanding of people, purpose, and potential. Now, as I step into my third career (we’ll overlook the brief but memorable stint as a bartender), I’m thrilled to officially launch The Training Ring.

This isn’t just a new venture—it’s a dream over 20 years in the making.

The Training Ring is the culmination of decades of experience, insights, and passion for helping others grow. It’s a space where individuals and teams can come to learn, reset, and elevate. Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from incredible people who have shared their time, wisdom, and encouragement. Now, it’s my turn to pay it forward.

At The Training Ring, the mission is to empower people and organizations through intentional training, purposeful conversations, and transformative experiences. Whether you’re looking to:

• Strengthen your team through goal-setting, bonding, and development experiences

• Focus on your own career path with individual coaching, boundary-setting, and leadership development

• Reignite momentum in your organization through diagnostic support and strategic guidance

• Or simply need a supportive voice and a fresh perspective

—we’re here for you.

We offer a range of services including workshops, team-building events, keynote speaking, and one-on-one coaching. If something in your team or organization isn’t quite clicking, we’ll take a closer look, provide insights, and help guide you back on track.

The Training Ring is more than a name—it’s a mindset. It’s a place where people step in to challenge themselves, grow, and come out stronger.

If you’re ready to level up, let’s talk. The bell just rang—it’s your time.

I Just Don't Know What to Do! Written December 8th 2020- Posted When the sun is shining and Hope is in the air.

 When this pandemic started I thought, I got this! I can do this. We all did. We didn't think it would reach us. As the weeks and months unfolded and the situation continues to get more dire with no concrete end in site, we are fatigued. 

I need to do something. Today I am choosing Joy. I can be a bit poly-Anish, but not this time. Summer was bearable, fall weather has been ok, but now I am done. I could feel my mental health slipping away over the past few weeks. I am shorter (figuratively) with people. I look forward to bed time more than any other part of the day. I found myself scrolling for like minded people,  certainly they are correct in their thoughts. I found myself spending more time watching TV, sometimes bingeing TV programs for hours. 

Something wasn't right. Covid fatigue. I am sick of it! I am sick of not seeing family, attending events, even happy hours. I am tired of the endless zoom meetings, the email, all of the emails. It is too much. 

I did get Covid, I was a lucky one, mild symptoms, headache, sinus infection feeling and fatigue. Such fatigue. Everyday I see people of my age and younger have died from this disease. It is so much. 

Today I decided I can do better. I need to go beyond just being grateful, I need to do more for my mental health. Today that means movement. I am not sure what tomorrow will be, but today, I intend to limit the social media, the news and the TV. I do my job and between meetings get some steps in. 

Tonight I will pick up a book, get lost in someone's story. At least for a time. I have heard we can all do hard things for a time; as long as we know how we have to endure. We have had no idea on this one.  

Find the Joy!

A few years back, maybe more than a few years ago, I had two granddaughters that started to come to our house every summer for a long weekend. Mariah and Naomi are now in their early 20’s, they called it Camp Grandma, a term I got from my kids going to their Grandma Rings. Camp Grandma was a way of connecting with grandkids when they didn’t live very close to us. We would spend some time playing games, doing things they didn’t have access to in the small towns they were from. We would go out for one fancy dinner, when we had a house with a pool in the backyard, we spent most of Camp Grandma poolside. Each year we would get different colored T-shirts with the kids’ names on the back. It was always fun, no matter how many kids could attend. I think the record was 9 kids at a time. Yes, Grandma was one tired chick after that one.

Suddenly there was an explosion of kids, lots of grandkids, we are up to 18 now. Seems there might be a few more in our future. (wink, wink, hopefully) Slowly with everyone's busy schedules Camp Grandma ended. Also, have you ever tried to keep up with 5 eleven and twelve-year-old girls in one weekend??? I will tell you it’s overwhelming. Grandma needed a vacation after that one! 

Camp Grandma was always a great way to connect with our grandkids that lived at least a few hours away. We would still skype occasionally, one of our grandson’s called me TV drama. Unable to say his g’s he knew me as the grandma that was on the TV, that is how they viewed their skype. I have always been grateful for the technology; we would have had a difficult time staying connected with these kids without it. My grandparents were so important in my life, I wanted my grandkids to at least know who I was. I couldn’t offer the comforting lap, the delicious pancakes my grandmothers delivered, I needed to do something, and Skype offered that something. 

Now in this time of pandemic I feel like I need these little humans in my life more than ever. We have created Sunday story time, it started with Mark and I reading to the kids, now the kids are doing some of the reading. It is delightful to hear their squealing, excited to have some screen time maybe, but time to see their cousins, aunts and uncles and of course Grammy and Bumpa. These times are hard, we need to look for the silver lining, story time is just that. Just this morning I spent some time with Mataya, age 7 doing a zoom meeting as we explored the Minneapolis Institute of Art. We made a list of things we want to see when she comes to Grandma’s house next time. Hopefully, this summer. 

When times are tough, and these are tough times for us extroverts that are missing our families, we must find new things that bring us joy. We are in this together and on the other side of it hopefully we will have stronger families because of it. 

#findthejoy in everyday

Leap Day

This is the day that I wrap up my winter, officially. I believe March is the gateway to spring. This is my last, oh woe is me, I live in the cold day. No more bundling from this day forward. This doesn’t mean it won’t be cold, this just means the bitter sub zero temps should be gone until hopefully, hopefully December.  

In March the sun stays in the sky a few minutes longer. The high and low temps rise a bit. The birds start to come back. The birds coming back is a good sign. It’s as if they know just when it’s safe to start hanging out again. I am going to take a cue from the birds. It’s time to get outside again. 

I am calling my March my get down to business month. It’s the month I will hit my stride for the year. My intentions are to move forward with my 20 for 20 goals. I will complete my first road race of the year this month. I restarted a water color painting class to get my creative mojo going. I am sure there will be hiccups this month, but the intention is to stay on track. Seems I need an intention to make things happen.

Today is our bonus day. Leap day gets our calendar back in order. Let’s use it to get ourselves back on track. This is also a great day to think about the bonuses we have in our life, call them blessing, call them your joy. February 29th is the perfect time to count them, feel them and live them. I am using this day to say we survived another cold winter. So much to be thankful for, so much joy in our lives. 

Let's get to work, time to get focused and use March as the “spring” board to a successful and joy filled 2020!

20 for 20

Inspiration comes in many ways. Some would ask why are you looking for inspiration? Why can’t you just live? Do you really need a list? The short answer is yes, I need a list and if I want to live my best life, I need to be inspired.  

Let’s face it January is when we get serious about resolutions. We clean up our act or at least make a list of desires for a good outcome this year. I think it’s safe to say most people don’t stick to their resolutions. That doesn't stop people from declaring a plan for the upcoming year.

It is popular to find a word or a phrase of the year. I like this idea, something that can guide you or pull you back on course as you get further away from your goals or from what you want your life to look like. 

I typically feel compelled to come up with some ideas at the beginning of the year that I intend to follow. A guideline to a successful year, or my intentions. I may just be trying to avoid the term resolution.  This year I will choose joyful, that may have been last years word, but then again the word might have been focus, we all know how that went. I love the word joy and joyful feels like it is doable. If allowed a secondary word, I am going with determined. I am determined to be joyful.

I follow many podcasts, one of my favorites is Happier with Gretchen Rubin. You may be familiar with her Four Tendencies or the Happiness project. The Happier podcast with her sister includes a yearly plan of intentions,  18 for 18, 19 for 19, etc. I like the different ideas they come up with all intended to make them happier throughout the year. They review them at the end of the year, honestly reporting how they did with their list. 

I find that when I try to live with intention, I do the things that I really want to do, the things I maybe should be doing (cleaning out the storage room) get left behind. There is joy in a neat and organized storage room, but the task seems daunting. I have two options, two days of taking everything out, throwing, giving away and reorganizing the things I need to keep. Or muddle through another year of trying to get organized. I have not decided on which method will fall into my joyful year but organizing the storage room is back on my list.

The entire 20 for 20 list is set. There are some lofty intentions, but I am ready for the challenge.  I am sure there are a few things that will remain on the list undone. That’s fine, it doesn’t have to be 100%. I will give it my best effort.

I hope to find joy by sticking to my plan. The clean closet, the writing I will get done. The simple pleasures are just what make up the moments of life.  At the end of 2020, I hope I can reflect back and be pleased with my progress. Excited about living for the day, using the list as a guideline but removing the stress of feeling like things are not completed. I am ready to dive in for a joyful year. January will be the reset. Let’s do this. Happy 2020!

For more on the 20 for 20 listen to the Podcast Unpredictable, you can find it on ITunes, Stitcher and SoundCloud.

My Dad Was in a Gang!

When I was growing up on the family farm in South Dakota there was a gang. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my Dad was a part of that gang. This group consisted of other farmers in the area. Men, who worked hard, enjoyed life and talking cattle and all things farming. I am sure there are many tales I don’t know, maybe they weren’t all for the greater good, but the stories I remember were very special. 

When one of the gang members needed a hand, the rest of the gang showed up. A simple phone call started the chain. I recall my Dad making some calls, “Yes, we’ll get started at 9”. Quickly hanging up without saying goodbye, my Dad never said goodbye. Making the next call and soon the gang was informed and ready to meet the next day to take on whatever was needed. 

In the summer Saturday night picnics with the gang included croquet, volleyball and those dangerous jarts. In the winter it was card games and laughter. The women always brought quite a spread. Food, games, laughter, it is what the pleasant memories of my childhood are made of, I cherish them.

I loved my Dad’s gang, the kids of these gang members were my best friends growing up. We played together, learned to drive, and yes, occasionally got into trouble together. We remain friends today. Maybe not seeing each other often, but we all share the love from that time of our lives. 

As this group of men aged the included their grandkids in on some of their fun. They took up golfing on the Gary golf course, enjoying a supper club meal recounting their week, the golf game and of course what was happening on the farm. Their wives fast friends enjoyed the fun, always having the best laughs especially during their birthday celebrations.

The friendships this gang started lasted their lifetime. One by one they have started to leave this earth, beginning with my Dad over 12 years ago. Every one of these guys holds a special place in my heart. I learned we lost another member of the gang. I am a little weepy about this loss. I am grateful for the legacy they left and for the friendships I have because of the gang’s friendship. 

Yes, my dad was in a gang. A gang of farmers, they were the good guys.

Taking a moment

Watching the sun rise over the city on a Monday after a the 4th of July holiday makes me take a moment to enjoy the beauty of it. Doesn’t matter if I see the beauty in the farm field across from the farmhouse, the park across the street or the city scape. I am reminded to take a moment to find the peace and tranquility in the moment. 

This past weekend we enjoyed some family time, some time to get a few things done

and even time for a nap. It was perfect. I always think I can do more and be more, it’s a running theme with me. I will say it is nice to take a break from it all and just watch the sun rise. Not worry about the meetings this week, the deadlines, and the stress that comes with getting it all done. For today I will try to remember to enjoy this day, have a grateful heart and thank the good Lord for the abundance in my life.

What does it matter what others think?

I am working on a big project; it will put myself out in my world in a big way. Yesterday as I walked down 12th street to the nearest grocery store to get some bread, which at times seems to be the very staple of life, I let the doubt creep into my mind.

What would others think of my project? Would I be good enough? Can I really pull this off or am I just trying to work on another pipe dream that I won't stay with to completion? This seems to be a pattern I get into. Where would this idea go?

As I walked the second block I started to wonder if others had these thoughts. Trying a new job? Moving somewhere new? How do they push their fears aside and just keep moving forward? Ten more steps and it came to me that you just have to walk through those fears; you have to not care what anyone else thinks. I would have to revert to the saying that I would often tell my children, "What is the worst thing that could happen?" I am rejected? It is all for naught?

Ten more steps helped me decide it doesn't matter if I fail, it doesn't matter if the world isn't in sync with my idea. Ten more steps and I couldn't wait to get home to get to work on it.

I recently heard on a podcast, what others think of me is none of my business. Through the years of told others, I don't care what people say behind my back, talk away. Just don't ever let me know and we are good. If that is how I have truly felt then it's time to move forward. What is the worst thing that can happen anyway? I write and no one reads? I find joy in writing; it is my happy creative place.

I will keep moving forward; pushing the negative Nelly thoughts aside when they creep in. It's time to create and challenge.

Here's to all of the people who take the extra steps to make their lives what they want them to be! Take on the world! I will stay in step with you along the way.

A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation

The end of February is very near. This morning I sit at the dining room table, a beautiful pink carnation still in full bloom from my Valentines day bouquet hangs over my computer screen. It reminds me there is always time to bloom, in the dead of winter, just when you are bracing yourself for another snowstorm, another deep freeze. Typically with the end of February we are starting to see the hope of spring, the baseball players have arrived in their respective spring training cities. The thermometer inches up a few more degrees daily. And if you are lucky you might get a garden seed catalog by now.
But not this year.
This has been a cold snowy winter, the snowiest on record in the state of Minnesota. Embrace winter they say, do all the winter things, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, mall walking, all very popular, once or twice in the winter. This year seems especially long.
Yet this pink carnation continues to bloom, it almost inserts itself into my morning view to remind me that there is beauty everywhere. Reminding me that even when there seems to be no hope there is a chance to bloom. A chance to grow and hang onto beauty.
This pink beauty reminds me to look for the good in all things, even when it doesn’t seem it is anywhere near. Sometimes it is right in front of you.
I am grateful for flowers in the winter, phone calls from grand kids
and weeks when there are no night meetings to take me away from home. Sometimes it's the little things that bring us back to purpose and intention. It is what makes our days bright.

As I am writing this the song a pink carnation pops into my head. A song we heard over and over as children. It was not a happy song, one of being alone in romance, but Marty Robbins sings it in perfect tune. I will use that as my joy today, not for the lyrics (they are quite sad) but as a touchstone of a happy childhood; a song, a flower and focus on living a life with purpose and meaning.
I wish for you kindness and joy when it feels like there isn’t much of that around. I wish you a white sport coat and a pink carnation; a feeling of joy today.

Day 4 of the 21 day challenge.

This is where the rubber hits the road, you meet some internal resistance. This is the day that life gets in the way of your plans. This is the day you can pull yourself together and keep moving forward.

Yesterday I spent a few minutes thinking about why I was doing my 21 day challenge and really what is the challenge? I had to go back to remember this is about mindfulness. This is about getting my act together for 21 days. Get the lists made and do the work.

Eating healthier and tracking it.
Exercise everyday, no matter….
Keep myself mindful, daily.

Interesting struggle in the last few days...I love to read and was deep into a book for my book club that meets Wednesday night. I finished it last night, now the slate is clean until I dig into the next. I am calling my reading time my quiet time. We all need that.

Day four is a busy one for me. I will find some steps when I can and purpose when I move through it. Oh, there is time for fun in here too. Tonight’s play at the beautiful Orpheum Theater will be a lovely cap on the day.
Here’s to it!

Day 2 of the Random 21 Day Challenge

It's Sunday Funday. Today for my challenge I will use my fitness pal to record my eating. By the way yesterday I recorded all of my food. If I eat like I did yesterday for the next five weeks I would lose a 1/2 pound. Not ideal, but let's spin it to the positive. I would not gain weight.

I did my own little version of a triathlon. I walk/ran for 25 minutes, used the stationary bike for 20 minutes and then got 15 minutes of swimming laps in. I included my physical therapy exercises in the mix for a nice workout that lasted over an hour. I am calling that a win.

Today I am preparing for an interview I have tomorrow, I have a couple of to do's from my organization list. I will plan my meals for today and tomorrow.

Progress not perfection! Living intentionally really takes some intention!
Have a great day.

21 Day Challenge- February resolutions??? Let's do it!

Its seems a bit odd to to be starting a 21 day challenge on February 16th. It’s a Saturday, who does this? Today, it is me doing it. I have been willy nilly working through the first 6 weeks of the new year with a general idea and general goals but little focus.
By starting this 21 day challenge I intend to be more mindful. Sara, my business and podcast partner,  would appreciate my work on that. My plan may change by the day, but the ultimate goal is to be aware of where I am spending my time and what I am doing with that time. Am I working towards my goal of living a purposeful life?

Here are the areas I will be working on for the 21 days.

Staying mindful of how I am spending my time
Working on writing time
Exercising EVERY day. Some days may be just a slow walk, but I need 21 days to get back into the habit of working out again. -I had a minor setback that seemed to slow my roll and created mental challenges. More on that later.
Clean up my eating habits, allow myself a treat but only if it fits into my weekly plan.
I will use My Fitness Pal to track my food. Do a better job of planning my meals. This is something I am learning from my other business and podcast partner, Katie.
I want to try a few new things, I don’t know what they are, but I am pretty sure skydiving will not be one of them right now.
I have other goals I am working through, but wanted to get started here on the blog.
Follow along on the podcast if you would like. It’s Unpredictable, available on SoundCloud, Stitcher and iTunes.

Here’s to progress, not looking for perfection. I am just working on some better habits in life. Working on some mindfulness and living a joyful life!
Will you join me? What would you like to accomplish in the next 21 days?

Got Goals??? Get them!

When you put your ideas on paper they look real, they look like they could be accomplished. You feel positive, like you have already tackled the problems because you have addressed them. They problems and how to overcome them are now right there on paper. Whew; time to step away; watch a Netflix program for the reward. You tell yourself, that paper, or the document on your computer needs to sit there for a while. You need to feel good about just getting this on the paper.

You walk by it, you maybe look at the folder sitting there just being itself. You go on with your life, occasionally thinking about the things you wrote down on that list. Now you are days and weeks into the New Year, maybe even a month, the list is unchanged. It is time to pick that New Year’s baby up and start nurturing it. Right now, find the list. It’s in the notebook you left on the far corner of the desk. How does it feel now? Are you as excited today as you were last week when you wrote those down? If not maybe we should cross a few things off that list, or move them to a dream list or what I call my list the dump list.

What’s jumping out on the page to you. Just what is it that you think you really WANT to work on? I will contend that that is the thing that led you to commit these to paper. That is the real deal, the one thing you need to get started on now.

I want you to start a new document, computer paper, I don’t care. Get your coffee and let’s get started. What needs to be done to get that piece moving? Set your timer for 10 minutes. Start typing or writing, everything you need to do to get that goal needs to show up on the piece of paper. Who do you need to call? Who can help you? What barriers might you run into? Get it all down.

Drink your coffee.

You now are going to put that project into action. Grab your google calendar, your planner, whatever it is that you are using and start setting tasks for you for the next 30 days. Most of these should be 10 minute tasks, some may require more work. You want to find days that you have time to complete those longer pieces of the project.

Now set a weekly review, after carefully selecting the first 7 things you are going to do, add them to your daily to do’s as the one of the A items you are going to do. If you have not heard me talk about it before, my days are set up in A, B and C items. The A’s must be done and there are no more than 3. B’s are the things I would like to do and the C’s are just that dump list or a moving target of to do’s I want on my radar. If I have time I will probably grab one to get it crossed off.

During you weekly review, set the timer to 10 minutes. You are going to focus on the next 7 things. When will you do them. Do you need to break it down even further so you know you will get it done? Get them on the calendar for the next week. This process is going to happen for the next 30 days.

A month in, you will be surprised just how much you have accomplished on this one goal. You may want to pull the next project, or you might want to just stay with this one. This is a personal decision. You might find that you need to spend another 30 days with this one.

One clarification here, this doesn’t mean you don’t tick off a few other things that are on that list. But I want you to have a focus every 30 days. At the end of the 12 months you will be able to look at your work, you should have completed, or have 12 months of new things happening for you. You depending on how difficult your goals are you might have 12 works in progress, or 12 new habits. The goal is to get working now on the piece of paper you spent so much time putting together. The thought needs to move to action and this is one way to get it moving.

Sounds like too much? It’s not, just set a time each day to spend with these goals. Give them 10 minutes; it’s worth it for the lifetime of change isn’t it?

Happy Middle of the first month of the year! Ok, made that up...just have a Happy Day.

Finding Hope for Today

Can you even imagine the joy the family of Jamey Closs might feel?

The details just coming out, it doesn’t matter at this point, because the joy of having her back is more than one can imagine.

We have driven those parts of Wisconsin, heavily wooded, not so far off the main roads, but certainly out of the way. This is a quiet oasis for some, but was an unbelievable hell for this young girl. One cannot imagine what she might have gone through.

Now the recovery begins, I would guess this lasts a lifetime.

For the family and really the rest of us that have followed along since the 15th of October we start to get answers. We start putting the pieces together. For all time this is now a sign of hope. Whenever we feel like all is dire, we can think about the possibility that maybe things will be okay. Maybe we can endure because Jayme did. She somehow escaped. Prayers of her family, friends and frankly anyone who heard the story are answered.

What are you losing hope about? What feels so dire you can’t imagine getting it turned around?

Take a minute to think about what you can do about it. Say a prayer, think positive thoughts, and hold out hope. Because I like a good list, make a list of everything you could possibly do to help the situation, add the people who might help you through this situation.

But know there is always hope, there is always a chance. We might not know what the outcome is, we might not realize why things are happening but we know that prayers are answered; we know that there is light at the end of most tunnels.

I have been told that I have a Pollyannaish type attitude, that I just don’t understand what it is like to be truly depressed. This is true. But no matter what I have been through I have always managed to have hope, I have always managed to be able to pull myself up from my bootstraps (if I had bootstraps) and move on. But as my husband wisely reminds, “you cannot judge your insides by someone else’s outside”. We don’t know how people really feel on the inside.

I make my case here for three things.
One is to be kind to one another. We don’t know what someone else is going though.

Two, we need others, others to lean on when we are down, others to remind us to get help that is out there. (Most employers have EAP programs that can help with professional counseling)

Three, there is always hope. The case of Jayme Closs reminds us that we can never give up. For her family, her community, for anyone who followed the story, we will hope for good days ahead.

By the way, I have a daughter named Hope…I knew in my life I would always need it!

Today, I wish you peace and hope!

Thanksgiving to Remember

Waking up the morning of Thanksgiving changed over the years. As a child, the anticipation of turkey with all of the fixings at my Grandparents house was overwhelming. We drove the 5 miles on the country roads to their farm often singing out of key, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house we go!” The Thanksgiving of my memory has my cousins, aunts and uncles standing in the white and red kitchen waiting for food. I don’t know how many were there but the house always felt full. Maybe that was the love I felt. I am not sure everyone always got along, it might have been good, but if not they faked it well. I am glad for that.

Now as the Grandma I understand the excitement my Grandmother must have felt when the kids were coming over. This has become my favorite holiday, mostly stress free and the food has always remained consistent, comfortable.  No matter the situation I found myself in, I was always grateful for Thanksgiving. Sometimes the times were quite dire, but the turkey and mashed potatoes never disappointed.

Today I take a few minutes early in the morning to be grateful for the memories, and the new ones we will make. We will share our Thanksgiving Day with some of grandkids, kids and Mark’s Mom. The turkey will be good, the yams superb, (because they just are) the lefse bountiful; I hope our grands will reflect on the holiday in 40 years as a good one, a safe and warm place to be, feeling the love of family.

I wish you all a Thanksgiving to remember.

The Apple of my Eye

There are a few places from my childhood that stand out as constants. My grandparents apple orchard is one of those places. Let me clarify first, it wasn’t so much an apple orchard as a row of apple trees on each side of my grandparents’ house on the prairie of South Dakota. So many of my memories take place at that farm. Each spring the trees would bear beautiful white flowers that gave promise to the crop that would come in the fall. Each tree a different type of apple, a different size and certainly a different tasting fruit. The birds and worms loved these trees as much as the grandchildren did.

My grandfather was a large man, well in the eyes of a young girl he felt massive. His voice always loud, heard from anywhere in the house. I recall my grandmother shushing him when babies were sleeping or if you was overstating his opinion, often not the opinion of others in the conversation.

Grandpa was very proud of his apple trees. He took good care of them, watering the young trees, trimming the branches of those overtaken by deadly worm invasions. The webs of these insects were unsightly and spread from tree to tree if not taken care of.

In the fall the crab apples were the first to be ready to eat, we couldn’t wait for the treat when we drove up to the house, grandpa would call to tell us they were ready.

The big green apples were perfect for grandma’s apple pie, the tart red apples went into the apple crisp. We helped her peel and cut up apples for freezing, mushing into applesauce and apple butter. By far my favorite apple treat grandma made was apple bars. They had just the right flaky crust, the perfect blend of apples, sugar and of course the drizzle of frosting on the top. I like to think they were the best, but maybe it was the loving hands that grew the trees, picked the apples and prepared the bars that made them so special. My grandparents were such an important part of who I am today.

Today I am grateful for these two rows of apple trees, the rows probably didn’t qualify as an orchard, but this little slice of apple heaven is a place that my heart and mind can safely wonder to for a respite of the crazy busy life we now lead.

Today’s adventure is to the grocery store, to pick out the perfect apple, just the right amount of crunch and juiciness. A little reminder of the simple days of my childhood.

Top Ten Weather Day

It has not been a lovely fall, typically my favorite time of the year; this year has been a cold and soggy mess. The trees even seem confused on turning colors or just dropping to the ground in defeat.

Our farming families are struggling to get the crops out of the fields, the rain taking away their livelihood late in the season.

Today however, the weather sign on the local TV station is flashing gold, we don’t see this often. It will be a top 10 weather day in Minnesota. Early in the morning, before the sun comes up over downtown Minneapolis I plot my day. Early to the office, a walk at noon, an early exit from work to get one last bicycle ride in. This means I have to log in later to finish my work. It could very well be our last opportunity to get outside before the gales of November come whipping in.

In Minnesota we don’t just talk about the weather, we plan our adventures around it. We worry about planned travel and an impending snowstorm. We relish in shorts as late into October as possible.  We willingly sit in the outdoor seating at the cafes in April to breath in the fresh brisk air of 45 degrees. Many of us complain about the inaccuracies of the weather teams, unable to really let us know how many inches of snow are headed our way. We are a fickle group, but we all know full well the importance of a top 10 weather day in mid-October. Time to get outside to enjoy it! 

Week 2 of 52 Weeks of Adventure #lefse

Thanks to an alignment problem I found my way to south Minneapolis for a chiropractic visit Monday after work. Nearby is the iconic gift and deli/meat all things Norwegian and Swedish and probably Danish store, Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace. It was as if the car knew I needed an adventure for the week. As I pulled into a parking spot I looked down the street to see the Taquaria’s and Supermercados. In this neighborhood full of ethnic diversity sits the establishment of my people. As you step into the gift shop every sense hits you, the smells of the deli, the bright red, blue and yellow colors, the feeling of warmth, or maybe that feeling comes from the big sweaters that will protect the Norske through the coming months.

I head to the deli side of the building, it’s about 15 steps; this is not a large store. I find the lefse and grab two packages. Cash and check only here folks, don’t bring your debit cards to the deli. The place is filled with men and women, clearly from the same place I come from. Some with rosemaling designs on their jean jackets. Two women playfully argue about who is going to get the last peppered salmon and who will get the plain one. The meat counter is filled with Swedish sausage, ham hocks and dried meats, steaks, pork and an assortment of fish.

A women points at the sauerkraut and makes eye contact with me, “I am going home to make sauerkraut this weekend. I am getting the cabbage from Louise; she has the best and biggest cabbage.”
I smile and ask how long it will take, she tells me 12 weeks and goes on about her love for the kraut, reminds her of her mother and grandmother making it.
“Number 42!” the deli counter person yells. That’s me, the sauerkraut lady moves on to the next person in line to tell her of her adventure to come. I pay $15.98 for my two packages of lefse and head out the door.

As I think of my year of 52 weeks of adventure I can’t help but enjoy this little stop at Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace; the wooden floors, the old fashioned butcher case, counter and the feeling of being home. Sometimes an adventure into the past is just what you need to propel you forward, reminding you to step back, relax and enjoy before you move on. Take a moment, smell the sauerkraut, taste the crackers and enjoy the day.

Put it on your list of things to do, you will find it, and my people at 1601 E Lake St. Minneapolis.

By the way, the lefse is good, but not as good as my Mom’s. (That’s tough to beat)

As always, I wish you peace!

Week One of Fifty-two Weeks of Adventure

As I started this week I declared I would find some adventure or discovery, some ah-ha moment each week. This week I expected to find it in Washington DC when I was there for work, somewhere around the beauty of the National monuments or on the National Mall. I did not find it the once again closed Washington Monument, at the Lincoln Monument, or at the National Mall. Instead as I waited for my hotel room to be cleaned I wandered around the neighborhood. As I walked by a protest, and some construction I could see the park in front of the White House, and just across the street on a small corner lot sat a small very old looking Church. The sign out front announced the service that started five minutes ago. I find a seat, not hard considering there were four other people there including the pastor. I learn from the brochure this is St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square, known as “The Church of the Presidents” because beginning with James Madison, every person who has held the office of President of the US has attended a service at the church.

As I listened and observed I thought of the men who have “run” our country and their thoughts as they sat in this same room. What did Abraham Lincoln think about? Did Theodore Roosevelt ponder the state of the country here? Were they here because they were told everyone else was or did George H Bush, Clinton, Reagan and the rest come here to worship? Were they humble, open minded? Did they pray for peace for this nation? Democrats and Republicans, some powerful in their position, some weak all sat in this room at one time over the years.

I am sure without a doubt that all of these men were facing trials; some of them with personal hidden demons. I couldn’t help but think of the quiet inside of this old church and the chaos that was boiling throughout the city and country. It was a respite among the storm.

This adventure reminds me of the need for civility and peace. That is my wish.