February Intermission

Last week, we had such a wonderful, though brief, intermission from winters grasp. The many days of fluffy white snow and ice that blanketed the earth, gave way to the silent and gentle persuasion of the sunshine which slowly melted down the big snowbanks of winter. It was a welcome reprieve for those with cabin fever.


After church on Sunday, I discovered Rosevilles Central Park , which is very close to our home. Being new in the area, it was like finding an unexpected treasure for me. I drove in, and saw all of the trails so nicely groomed and hurried home to get my dear companion to come walk with me. The sun was shining warmly, and now and then, in the distance, we could hear the call of a chickadee. Folks were out in numbers, walking dogs, jogging or pushing children in carriages. The joy of glimpsing springs promise, even briefly, brought smiles to the faces of passerbys.

The edge of the small watershed lake in the park, was a nice open area for the ducks to settle and find a haven to swim, fluff their feathers and simply enjoy the sunlight. They too welcomed this small gift given in the midst of a harsh winter.

It seems that we sometimes need to experience some discomforts or unpleasantries to truly appreciate the simple little everyday gifts that are presented to us along the way. Things like seeing the first tulips peeking through the snow in springtime, or the sight of sunlight and a rainbow in the sky, after a storm. They are all earths gifts of promise telling us that all is well, in the circle of life, and no matter what storms may come, hope and healing are not far behind.

I am so happy to live in this part of the country where we can experience a panorama of changing seasons, each with a beauty all its own. Winters white, Springs blossoms and songbirds, summers playground and autumns gold, all are part of the tapestry we call Minnesota. We are happy to be here anticipating each new season.

Old Fashioned Winter

This winter seems to be almost like the old fashioned winters of my youth, when the temperatures dropped to -20 or -30 in the upper peninsula of my Michigan. I remember how we used to go and wait for the school bus, in our "bus shack" and stamping our feet so that they did not freeze as we watched for that big orange school bus. Sometimes, when it was late, we would turn and head towards home only to look back and it was coming, so we made a quick turn around and ran to catch the ride to school.

It hardly seems that it was so long ago and the years have flown by, but thankfully we can conjure up in our minds the wonderful memories of yesteryear, and it seems like yesterday.

Yesterday, we went to the Fairgrounds where many large snow carvings were on display from the Winter Carnival events. They were amazing! There was a large snow maze there which , children of all ages, were wandering through. I remember how , when we we kids, dad would build a big snow igloo from blocks of hard snow that he cut with a shovel. It was really warm inside of those snow houses all protected from wind and cold. When we got older, we would dig our own snow tunnels and forts. There was always something, in the line of fun, to do in winter, that never costed us any money. Snow forts, sledding, ice fishing, snowmen, snowball fights etc. The wonderful realm of imagination thrives in the minds of children, making everyday an adventure.

Aside from the fun of winter sports and play, the best part to me was to be able to go indoors and savor the warmth of a pot belly stove and warm the innards with a cup of hot cocoa topped with a big, puffy white marshmallow, which sat like foam on a chocolate sea.

Those by gone days provide warm memories because we shared them in a close knit family . We were used to the harsh weather and knew how to deal with it because it was part of everyday life. This year, there are more ice and snow storms presenting themselves in places where people have not experienced them and there is nothing fun about it for them. The world has become a different place, in so many ways, yet children will always find ways to have fun and build their own memories for future days to come. With February underway now, and the sun becoming higher in the sky, I am gradually letting thoughts of springtime emerge into my thoughts, like the first crocuses that brighten our days after winter snows start to dwindle into the warming earth. Time to think Spring!!

Celebrating Winter At The Winter Carnival

Saturday we had a wonderful time, though a bit frosty on the fingers and toes,as we joined the crowd wandering about beautiful Rice Park and marvelling at the intricate ice sculpture designs which were scattered about the area.

There was a carved design of a grandfather clock surrounded by carnival button replicas of the past years,which was quite amazing. It was done by two friends who were chefs by trade, which was where they became interested in ice sculpting. They have been at it for the past twenty eight years and still love the art. Also to be seen were large snowflakes of ice, figures, chairs and a long ice wall celebrating the 125 year anniversary of the Winter Carnival, and so many more delicate sculptures.

The tantalizing smell of hot dogs permeated the air making us hungry. Families were sharing family time as the children played in the snow and the family dog was being a happy spectator as he walked along on his leash, curious and playful, at times.

The King Boreas parade presented itself at 2 o'clock and hosted fire trucks and whistles, police cars, and colorful Klondike Kate with her ladies, who were bursting with song. There were a few colorful floats but due to the economy, the parade was much smaller than usual, they said.

All in all, it was fun to be amidst a joyful group of people celebrating the simple things in life. It is always good to get into new surroundings , especially if it is a once in awhile happening, because it is so easy to get into a rut doing only familiar things. Looking around at the crowd, I told my companion that we were the only seniors to be seen and we got quite a good laugh to think we braved the cold along with the the younger folks.

The feeling that I carried away with me from our day, was one of warmth, laughter, friendship and the happiness that comes from sharing an event with a loved one. It was one of the early pages in our memory log which is just being built.

A New Year and New Beginnings

Here it is, a brand new year once again and a time for new beginnings, fresh and bright, like the first few pages of a promising new book. January is always an exciting time for me because, with another birthday in a just few days, I look forward to all the wonderful things that the year could bring. First of all, in January the sun seems to be brighter in the sky and I gather thoughts of springtime which will come after winter slips away. Looking to the bright side, with joy in my heart, energizes my spirit, so that each new day holds a promise of life's continuity.

This past year has brought about many changes for me and I now find myself travelling a new path, on the road of life. I have closed the door on events that shattered my very being and rediscovered the person that God created me to be, happy, optimistic, loving and willing to make changes that will enrich my life and the life of others. It is such a good and peaceful feeling to know that I am on a road that leads to a brighter tomorrow where love and healing permanently reside.

It is sometimes difficult to adapt to changes in one's life, when it means uprooting the predictable and secure present, and moving onward to entirely new surroundings and lifestyle, but when love comes calling, as did happen to me, it is easy. Slowly, day by day, I have come to know that my choice to move on and take a chance on following my heart, is the right way to venture.

There will be many opportunities to grow as a person, make new friends, while keeping the old who are dear to me, and share my life with another person who loves me, as we see new places and find harmony in our daily life. We will live side by side, yet not in each other's shadow, and know the warm feeling of being needed and loved. Love is the greatest gift and I wish that each life may be blessed with peace and love.

When Love Comes Calling Follow Your Heart

Any season of the year is a season when finding love is always a reason to give thanks and be happy. With the Christmas season upon us, it is especially a season to find and share love. This is a glimpse of my story and taking a chance on love .

I am not a spring chicken, by any means, but at 77 years old, I feel young at heart and full of enthusiasm for life. I always have followed my heart in matters of love, though sometimes, I have made poor choices. For the past four years, I have been in a period of transition since the death of my husband, and it has taken a long time for me to come out of my shell and reclaim the joyful young woman that I used to be. I am kind of like Julia Roberts, in Eat, Pray, Love, in that sense, only I did not have to travel the world, as she did. So recently, I went to a dating site, Plenty of Fish.com, with the intention to meet people, mainly for exposure to new friendships. I did not really expect to find anything .

In the meantime, a thoughtful young man put his grandfather on the same dating site, just to see what was out there, but grandpa did not expect any results. Lo and behold, three weeks ago, we met for a three hour lunch, with unending conversation, because we had so much in common, including the fact that we both had a son named Bruce and a daughter named Donna. From then on , it was like a flower unfolding it's petals to being a blossom in full bloom.

I had always thought that I would be content living alone in my condo and doing my volunteering at the Clinic , caring for loved ones and doing my artwork. But recently, I have seen and talked to many people who wished that they had a different sort of life, but they did nothing about changing it. I believe that change in our lives is good and it keeps our minds active and helps us to be more interesting when wconnect with other people and grow in our relationships. It is too easy to settle into routine when one is alone and I did not want that for myself, so I spread my wings in a leap of faith, that God would guide my path. We both feel that God has directed our feet unto this path and given us a the gift of Love and granted us time to share our remaining years sharing together, sharing love, laughter and whatever else may come. We know that we have been given another chance at happiness as a compatible twosome, because we are willing to take a chance and follow our heart.

It is a small miracle and if our story rekindles love in at least one person's life, it will have accomplished it's purpose.

A Visit To Como Conservatory and Zoo

Last Friday, my friend and I took a brief escape from the ice and snow of early winter, and whiled away some peaceful hours at Como Conservatory. It is one of my favorite places to visit and has been since 1962 when we lived in Roseville, and my little ones and I would spend hours in that area at the zoo, doing rides for the children and feeding the ducks over on the pond by that beautiful pavillion. Bruce and Donna and I loved to ride the paddle boats there and watch the ducks swimming along side of us.

The conservatory has expanded over the years and now has added the Tropical Rain Forest, with Chloe, the sloth who always hangs out in her tree, the Fern Room, Bonsaii Room, a very nice gift shop and a good cafeteria. Of all of the rooms, I enjoy the seasonal changing Sunken Garden, with that beautiful statue of a slender maiden poised overlooking the water lily pond. When I walk into the Conservatory, I immediately get a sense of tranquillity as the warm and humid tropical air engulfs me. The sight of a variety of orchids on some of the trees and landscape adds a special rainbow of colors to the lush greenery within. The peaceful flow of water bubbling out of fountains and flowing over rocks awakens and calms the senses as nothing else. At times, I have seen a solitary person simply sitting on a bench, writing or sketching so as to carry their impressions as a constant reminder of a haven to seek when in need.

We walked awhile outside in the sunshine, but the wind was cold and we cut short seeing all of the animals. However, we saw the two large polar bears, who were twin brothers, and happy to be back in their new surroundings with a nice indoor area covered with hay, and two open doorways which led them to the water for swimming or drinking. They looked pretty content in their surroundings.

The baby giraffe was a beauty also, and we were told that , like snowflakes, no two giraffes have the same identical spotted markings. They are a graceful animal with a long neck and such a small head and pretty face perched atop that neck.

In the summertime , we will visit all of the animals as well as walk the many well kept walkways that are spread throughout the park. The butterfly garden, which is across from the conservatory, is also a favorite spot of mine because it attracts so many pretty butterflies. I remember fondly, walking through the tent, that housed a large collection of butterflies which were gathered from around the world. It was like music to the spirit to watch them flutter among the many flowers which attracted them.

The simple joys of ordinary moments spent enjoying nature, or an artistic experience, are like sunshine for the soul and can brighten any cold and wintery day, just by recalling them to the window of our mind. Let us always try to find beauty in the world of nature around us, or in the spirit of loving relationships.

Everyday Miracles

People think of miracles as being some dramatic, eye opening event that changes the course of their life. I do not feel that way because I have had many ordinary miracles happen in my everyday life, in answer to prayers. Back in 1957, when we lived in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, my first one that I recall happened.

I had this wonderful little dog, Susie, that I loved so much. She was the prettiest tan and white fox terrier with the most loving disposition. Susie was so dainty that if I gave her a tiny biscuit, she would take it to a carpet and break it in two before she ate it. She was my baby before my children came along, so she was a special addition to my life.

I always would put Susie outside with her leash attached to a long wire runway so she could get her exercise, unless I would go for a walk with her. One day, however, she somehow got loose and I could not find her anywhere. I cried and called her name but she was nowhere to be found. I tearfully prayed for the return of my beloved dog from wherever she might be. Not long after that, as I searched the big yard for her, I looked up toward the house and there she was standing, just looking at me. To me, that was a miracle and an answer to my prayer.

One other time, we had a large herd of wild cattle that was delivered to us from Montana. They were used to running free on the range. My husband had them unloaded into a large wooded pasture to graze until time came for branding and resale. A team of six men came to gather them in but failed miserably to do the job. My husband was away most of the time so I was left to tend the farm and I was determined to capture those cattle becauase I knew there must be a way. My younger farm helper and I set up a hog wire fence in a oval shape near the woods, and hung corn stalks from the fence to tempt them. We waited while I earnestly prayed that they would come. I know you may not believe me, but after an hour or so, the cattle came slowly walking in a single row over to that handmade corral and went in and stayed there, even though it was only 4 feet high and they could have jumped over it. It was then and now, a miracle in every sense of the word. A simple answer to an earnest prayer.

There have been so many everyday miracles in my life, not just in answer to prayers, but the very fact that each day comes to us bringing miracles all around us and they happen in ordinary ways. The transition of a butterfly from a cocoon or the dainty flowers that lift out of the earth in the springtime to share their beauty and fragrance, are a few of those everday miracles which brighten our lives. In this month of Thanksgiving, and always, let us give thanks for the blessings and small miracles that touch our lives every day of the year. Sharing our stories with one another also will enrich the lives of others who know that anything is possible when we believe in miracles.