Foreign Exchange

Today a new participant brought her Norwegian exchange student to class. What a joy to hear about a different culture and lifestyle.

Embrace diversity! Isn't it amazing!

That's Right, Charles

I consider myself a survivor. Maybe even Darwin would have noted my resolve when facing adversity.

Glenn and I have embraced the motto, Revise and Compromise. It's our way to roll with life's punches.

So, for today, I say, "Bring it on!" My feet are firmly planted.

Colorful Dots

Today is the start of the Westside Liquor Dot Sale. Time to stock up on wine for the winter. It used to be we chose mostly reds, no matter the season. Lately, producers have listened to those of us in the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) club and started making more un-oaked bottles.

It will be like kindergarten today. Find the yellow or blue dots for the most savings and discover who has learned their ABC's.

Running On Empty

Glenn and I went to town this morning to look for hunting pants for him, more food storage ideas for the freezer and a few groceries. Luckily we picked up a U-bake pizza as there were tomatoes to dehydrate, apples to peel and freeze, not to metion a Vikings football game to watch. Yawn!

I shouldn't have sat down because now all my motivation to do more chores is gone. Can you say nap?

Pioneer Spirit

How did frontier women do it? Brave the unknown to settle in primitive settlements. Raise crops, livestock and chickens to maturity. Suffer loneliness, sickness and birthing with little comfort.

I was beat after canning tomatoes yesterday in a modern kitchen and I had help. Yikes!

Growing up, I read lots of pioneer books and felt that I had once lived in that era. Clearly, that was a fantasy.

Seeing Red

Today's accomplishment.

Fear of Falling

Today is supposed to be the last nice day for awhile. Before they have a chance to change colors, the wind and rain may strip the leaves off the trees.

I hope you hold on tight to your dreams and don't let go until you show your true colors.

Last Gasp

I am taking my Minnesota minute outside so I can enjoy the last sunny warm day before the cold and wet arrive.

Due to the severe drought, the trees are not turning colors or are dropping leaves prematurely. Our woods will look bare before you know it and next year's growth is in doubt. The chainsaw may get a workout in the spring. Such a shame.

Never Satisfied

"The pool is too cold, the pool is too warm, the exercises are too intense or hard on the body, the exercises are not aerobic enough..." OMG.

It wouldn't bother me but the comments are always from the same person who spends most of his time doing little exercising, just visiting.

AARRGH!!!!!

I Feel Free

Unless work requires that I carry a CPR certification card, I am able to take a refresher course for free online. Would someone ask to see my card before or after I helped save their life?

Ch-ch-ch-Changes

David Bowie sang

"I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same"

Today feels a little different. A family member has died, the weather is changing and my hormones are all over the place.

"Just gonna have to be a different (wo)man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time"

Into The Mystic

Tonight at about 6:30 p.m. , Glenn's uncle Leo passed away after 5 years battling Alzheimer's.

Some of my best memories of him involve crisp fall days watching him instruct his nephew run the saw mill and evenings with his family at their home in Evansville.

Goodbye, Uncle Leo.

Just What The Doctor Ordered

An apple a day is supposed to keep the doctor away, but not today. A road trip to pick apples, drink cider, eat pie, admire the fall colors and maybe a sip a few during a brewery tour is just the medicine I need.

Can you say road trip?

Get A Grip

Lesson I learned from a tenacious tree:

Find your niche.

Hold on tight.

Leave room for some magic.

Was it just me or did you see an elf scurry by with some cookies?

Excess

There is a Dave Matthew's song called Too Much that include the lyrics:

I eat too much
I drink too much
I want too much
Too much

We had planned to either go out last night to celebrate our "other" anniversary or Glenn was going to bring home a pizza. But, I couldn't justify that after organizing food into the two freezers in the garage and the one in the kitchen.

For just two people, we have an excessively large amount of food.

And Counting

Twenty-nine years ago today, a Greyhound bus delivered me to the man I would end up living with the rest of my life. For the most part, it has been a smooth ride with only a few bumps or detours. My desire is to keep enjoying the rest of the trip.

Beautiful

We went on a walk close to dusk last night. The county road was sandwiched between fields of corn and beans with just a few houses to break the monotony. Just as the sun was setting, two packs of coyotes started "talking" to each other. Eerie and thrilling but definitely not coyote ugly.

Really?

He spends so easily after I have saved so carefully. What gives?

Bye Bye Love

Time to say goodbye to wearing Dr. Scholls sandals. Since junior high they have been my summer footwear choice. Lately, I've noticed that after a long day of walking, the wood base make my soles ache.

Then there are my stinky tennis shoes. Cheap and with little support, but embedded with stories about the walks they have taken.

Sleepless in Garfield

Why did I decide to cook up marinara sauce and chili base after a full day of work, appointments, errands, grocery shopping, dinner, fishing and putting away our CSA for the week? Midnight came and went and I was in bed but internally racing. Unable to fall asleep, I put the dog and cat out and ultimately/alternately let them back in during the wee hours.

Then there were the bathroom trips by Glenn, his 4:30 a.m. alarm and did I mention letting the cat back inside!?!

Everyone's A Critic

The day is almost over and I am just now sitting down for a minute.

It's probably a good thing that it's been a busy day. There was less time to reflect on a critical comment from a retired doctor in one of my classes. He and I seem to rub each other the wrong way. There is usually something he feels that he needs to vocalize in front of the entire class.

Some days, the water is too cold. Other days, the exercises are too challenging. Today, he felt that I was recommending an unsafe muscle movement. Not one to back down and just accept his criticism, I tried explaining my position. What was I thinking? It is the first time I have literally walked away so more words couldn't escape my mouth.

Bee Leave

The name of our boat was meant to be a puny "mantra." Little did we know how serious the ability to produce food would be if all the bees were to leave. It can amount to one in three mouthfuls of food. Prices have gone up 83 percent in three years, according to the World Bank. The most likely candidates for this decline are; a virus, a fungus or a pesticide.

That is why I enjoy seeing neighbors putting out hives each year and tend my organic garden with care to avoid their sting.

Train Wreck

This a photo of how I feel today. Enough said.

Blessing Or Burden

There is a saying that our life's purpose is to be a blessing and not a burden. Somedays, that is easier said than done.

Glenn and his brother have been muskie fishing most of the weekend. It is hard to tell if they are having fun as they cast their rods in the water, workmanlike. My mistake was letting Glenn know that I was feeling lonely. OOPS!

Easy Entertaining

With help from Glenn and most of the cooking done the night before, last night's 55th anniversary dinner for the folks was effortless. Whew!

Most entertaining situations make me doubt my cooking, my housekeeping and even my appearance. Some women thrive on being "The Hostess With The Most-est". I am not one of them.

Fantastic Fall

The acorns have been falling in the woods, bringing lots of deer sightings. We even saw a flock of geese flying south the other night. Soon, the weather will be cool enough to add layers of clothing. My wardrobe will alter slightly from shorts and sandals to jeans and hiking boots.

Meanwhile, today is picture perfect.

Why Ask Why

Getting communication wires crossed is a common occurrence. Yesterday, I had hoped to grab a cup of coffee with our new water fitness instructor after work. After sending her an e-mail last week and talking about it face to face, I was surprised that after the first hour, she dried off and left.

There was an off hand comment from a participant after she had gone that disturbed me. She felt that I had not emphasized the instructor's bonus classes for Wednesday and therefore few attended.

Women tend to play these mind games but that is not my style.

Summer's End

After just a handful of warm days, Labor Day weekend looks promising. Sunny and insect free fun awaits.

Hip, hip hurray!

Letting Go

Everyday, there is a reason to practice the art of letting go but actually doing it is hard.

For me, accepting the outcome of my expectations is a challenge. Take for instance last night's letdown. Having agreed to fill in for a friend at a social gathering, I knew going in that feeling like an outsider would be a strong possibility. Some of the people were acquaintances and by outward appearances, I was included in the activity. Yet, no fulfilling connections were made.

From birth, growth, aging and death, our lives are full of ups and downs. How we handle them and what they teach us is the real key.

Got A Minute?

This morning, Glenn forgot to set the alarm early enough so he had barely enough time to walk the dog, eat breakfast, grab his lunch and slather on the sunscreen for another outdoor workday.

We can both end up rushing around right before guests come, scrambling to get in the shower and change before going out to an event or doing that one last stop before an appointment. I have concluded that we are not placing enough importance on what we have scheduled. So, as with any new habit, I will try for 21 days to give myself an extra minute, because being fully present in your own life is important.