community

Poet Javier Sicilia leads 150,000 in march against Mexican drug violence

2011-05-10T12:42:00.003-05:00

Poet Javier Sicilia's 24-year-old son is dead. He was found with six others who had apparently died of suffocation after being wrapped with masking tape and left inside a car. The deaths fit the pattern of drug-trade related killings in Mexico — killings designed to send a message to the government to cease its “war on drugs.”

Javier Sicilia silently marched to the Mexican capitol to make a difference. When he reached the capitol, this is what he said: read the translated script here:
http://www.narconews.com/Issue67/article4413.html

His most powerful words apply to us all.

"We have walked and come here like this, in silence, because our pain is so large and so deep, and the horror it brings is so immense, that there are already no words to describe it."

"We are here to tell each other and to tell them that this pain in our souls and our bodies must not turn into hate or more violence, but rather be a lever to help us restore the love, peace, justice, dignity, and bustling democracy that we are losing, to tell each other and them that we think it is possible for the nation to be reborn again ... we still believe that it is possible to rescue and rebuild the social fabric of our towns, neighborhoods and cities. "

"If we don’t do this our children, our boys, our girls, will only inherit a house full of helplessness, of fear, of indolence, of cynicism, of brutality, and of deception,..."

Even though this is a problem occurring in Mexico, people in every country can understand this pain. We all want and need our governments to take the right action to protect its citizens. We all want to end the cruelty of criminals.
I'm so proud of Javier Sicilia and all the people who walked with him.

We're kinder than you are

2010-03-05T08:26:00.002-06:00

Elk River, MN had a contest in which they completed 1,300 acts of kindness. This story was nice to read. I am extremely tired of news stories about random acts of crooks. I know it's not "Christian-like" to tell others of the kind things a person does, but I wonder why we're supposed to keep goodness a secret. By keeping good acts a secret, aren't we promoting a world where our kids only see bad and therefore deduce that good is wrong? I, for one, am excited that others share their stories of inspiration. Tell me more.

http://www.startribune.com/local/north/86457367.html?page=1&c=y

What's the Best that can happen?

2010-01-18T11:02:00.003-06:00

Instead of asking, “What's the worst that can happen?”
Why don't we ask, “What's the Best that can happen?”

What's the Best that can happen...
To you?
To your family?
To your neighborhood?
To your world?

If you want to change your life, you have to change what you think about. I read somewhere that 90% of what we think about today, we already thought about yesterday. I don't know if that stat is accurate or how it was measured. But it kind of makes me want to think some brand new stuff today.

What's the Best that can happen?

Wishes for the Holidays for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue

2009-12-23T18:03:00.004-06:00

If you notice on the right side of my screen, I follow Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. It's a wonderful blog about rescuing animals. It's updated often and the stories of hope are so inspiring. On Saturday, Dec. 19th, the blog sent out a flyer to help raise money for the end of the year. It also mentioned the tireless efforts of Karen Good:

"Times are hard at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. Last year Karen had a leave of absence from her teaching job, but this year she is working three days a week. She also lost the crucial help of Mike who took a job at the new casino. There is simply too much work for Karen to do and not enough hours to do it.
Winter makes everything harder and the circumstances more dire for homeless animals. On top of all that, there has been an outbreak of parvo. Puppies have died and Karen can't accept others until the risk has subsided.
I'm told she is as exhausted physically and emotionally as her friends have ever seen her. Send a donation if you can or send Karen a card to her address below or a comment on the blog. She needs to know how much her dedication to the animals of Red Lake is appreciated.
Karen Good
Red Lake Rosie's Rescue
23880 So. Good Road
Trail, MN 56684 "

If you know someone who lives near Trail, MN and would like to help, here's a wonderful opportunity. Anything you can do is always appreciated.

God Bless you all and may you have a very Merry Christmas!!

CNN Heroes

2009-11-28T22:05:00.001-06:00

One of the best things I’ve watched on TV was the CNN Heroes Awards. If you didn’t get the opportunity to see it and would like a little inspiration, here’s a link:

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2009-11-26T10:01:00.003-06:00

The Brainerd Dispatch printed some essays from children about what they are thankful for. A few titles include:
"Family is greatest treasure" - Abbey Sutton
"A house in which to live" - Tristan Brecht
"Education, clothing and home" - Veronica VonSpreecken
"Have you ever thought how lucky you are?" - Jordan Whitehead

There are several more stories. To read them go to: http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/112609/new_20091126099.shtml

Have a peaceful Thanksgiving!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

2009-11-16T15:14:00.011-06:00

Saturday, I was able to enjoy the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (often abbreviated as TSO). TSO was founded in 1996. The band incorporates progressive rock, symphonic metal, heavy metal, and classical music.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has recorded and performed renditions of traditional Christmas songs, and these have been among their most popular works. They are also known for their elaborate concerts, complete with a full light show and dozens of pyrotechnics that are synchronized with their performance.

The group's name is inspired by the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia, which connects many cultures otherwise isolated, much like music.

I really like the fact that TSO often donates $1 from each ticket sold to a local charity in the city where they are performing. In Minneapolis, the money went to the children's hospital.

Another way they stay involved locally is by having the string section comprised of local musicians.

TSO is an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in poor public schools throughout the USA. The band has donated grants to LKR to help them hold free teacher trainings. They also sit on LKR's Honorary Board of Directors.

TSO contains two touring groups, informally known as TSO East and TSO West, although these descriptions are not entirely literal; before 2008, for example, TSO West historically played in Atlanta and Florida. Both groups have appeared in Midwestern cities such as Chicago and Indianapolis. Two separate touring groups were formed to allow the band to cover more ground in the short holiday timeframe, beginning early November to the first week in January.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Siberian_Orchestra

Carson Williams, an electrical engineer from Mason, Ohio choreographed his outdoor Christmas lights to the song "Wizards in Winter" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

“Wizards in Winter” http://www.trans-siberian.com/multimedia/index.php

A youtube link from West Virginia for you to listen and enjoy a ‘fireshow’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLuvDcZCsWg

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 – Give to the Max Day!

2009-11-14T09:25:00.000-06:00

Have you heard of GiveMN? It’s a new way to donate and raise money online.
Whether you want to donate money, run a fundraiser for your favorite nonprofit, or raise money as a nonprofit, GiveMN offers simple tools to achieve your goals.

It’s easy to use. For those of you interested in giving, just type in the name of the nonprofit you admire and give the amount that feels right to you.

On, “Give to the Max Day”, all donations made through the GiveMN website on Nov. 17 will be matched.

What a great way to do something important!

http://givemn.razoo.com/

Honor for woman who honors vets

2009-11-12T10:01:00.002-06:00

Riverside Elementary School students in Brainerd honored war veterans Wednesday during the school's annual Veterans Day ceremony. In a surprise move, Riverside Principal Cathy Engler took a moment during the ceremony to recognize one of the school's special volunteers who works hard each year to teach students the importance of remembering the veterans within their families.
Rose Robison, or Grandma Rose as students call her, has spent the past 27 years working at Riverside, the first 13 years in the food services department and the last 14 years as a foster grandparent. She volunteers five days a week for most of each school day, spending much of her time helping students learn to read.
Robison has been helping Engler organize the Veterans Day program for the past 17 years, said Engler. And for the past 15 years Robison has spearheaded the Riverside Veterans Wall project. The wall is actually two walls near the Riverside gym filled with paper "bricks" written with the names of students' family members who are veterans. Some feature photographs and news stories about their veterans. Students bring the bricks home and their parents help fill them out.Engler said for two years before the wall was created the school had a tree that featured the names of students' family members who are veterans for Veterans Day, but it became so popular it was difficult to find room for all the names on the tree.
Robison said many of the third- and fourth-graders help her put the bricks on the walls and each brick has a VFW poppy on it. The veterans wall continues to grow each year. Last year there were 554 bricks; this year there are 560 bricks.
"It's my favorite," Robison said of the wall. "The kids are so involved in it. This has always been a project I have always loved to do."Robison has been an active member of the VFW Auxiliary since she was 16. She's also a member of the Brainerd American Legion Auxiliary and her late husband, Robbie, was a World War II veteran. She said the students and staff at Riverside, who say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, have a genuine patriotism that is evident at the school. Both of Engler's parents are veterans so the annual Veterans Day ceremony means a great deal at the school. It means a lot to Robison, too. She participates each year, as does her brother, Matt Gilgenbach, who is a member of the VFW and American Legion Color Guards.
Robison said when community members stopped in to Riverside to vote last week many were amazed by the wall, stopping to read many of the names after they cast their ballots in the school board election in the gym.
"A lot of people don't know about it," said Robison. "It's a school I couldn't be more proud of."A few years ago when gas prices were at an all-time high, Robison decided she could no longer afford to drive five days a week to the school and was going to cut back on her days volunteering at the school. Students and staff took up a collection and bought Robison a gas card to encourage her to stay. Talking about it still brings tears to her eyes.Robison said after her husband died in 1991, she adopted the students and staff at Riverside as her family."I've made this a family for me and they've accepted me," Robison said with a smile. "I say, 'Look at all my kids.'"The Veterans Day presentation included musical performances by students as well as veteran Jim Kounkel, poetry and an informational presentation by Steve Rosenow, former county veterans service officer.
by JODIE TWEED
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/111209/new_20091112033.shtml

Brainerd 9th-grader to be honored

2009-11-03T17:33:00.001-06:00

What a great young lady! I wish we had many, many more of these stories.

It’s been awhile since a story ‘resonated’ (I’ve also been bogged down by home repairs).

Brainerd 9th-grader to be honored
By JENNIFER STOCKINGER Staff Writer
http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/110309/new_20091103008.shtml

When 15-year-old Sarah Fairbanks walked to the Brainerd High School South Campus media center Monday morning, she thought she was in trouble for something.
After all, Fairbanks was called out of her classroom to come down to the office and was told to speak to the counselor. Fairbanks said the teacher then had to do a "walk and talk" with her to the media center that made her even more nervous.
Once Fairbanks opened the door to the media center she figured out that she was not in trouble because she saw her parents, Lynn and Mike, smiling.
The ninth-grader knew something was going on. What was going on was Fairbanks was named the 2009 Youth Volunteer of the Year, which brought tears to her eyes as she hugged her family members.
Fairbanks will be honored at the annual Distinguished Service Awards banquet Dec. 17 at The Lodge in Baxter. The awards program is sponsored by Brainerd Community Action, Brainerd Jaycees and the Brainerd Dispatch.
Nancy Cross, Brainerd Community Action executive director, said there were several nominations for Youth Volunteer of the Year. Cross said Fairbanks was chosen for her well-roundedness in the community and how she had gone above and beyond in her volunteer endeavors. Cross said she is a leader in the community and is deserving of the award.
4-H leader Cindy Terwilliger, nominated Fairbanks for the award. Terwilliger said Fairbanks, who is a 4-H ambassador, has been involved in the Black Bear 4-H Club, a Nisswa area club, since she was 5. Terwilliger said Fairbanks has done a lot of community service and she's enjoyed every minute of it.
Fairbanks is involved in many 4-H activities, including the recent Crow Wing County 4-H Ambassadors' haunted house, she's helped with the 4-H Club's banquet and she takes photographs of 4-H activities throughout the year for a scrapbook.
Fairbanks not only volunteers in the community through 4-H, she also has been involved with the Mounted Eagles Therapeutic Horsemanship program. Fairbanks has been involved with the Mounted Eagles since she was a young child because her brother, Justin, was a rider there.
In Mounted Eagles, Fairbanks raised $2,200 for the "Loose Change Roundup" and through her leadership she created a project called "Giddy Up Games" where she developed and organized games to benefit the Mounted Eagles program and riders.
Fairbanks also volunteered at the Nisswa Children's Library in the reading program and she created a petting zoo program she does at the library and at Nisswa area events. Fairbanks takes her animals from home and shows them to the children.
"We live on a hobby farm and we have a mix of stuff," said Fairbanks. "We have miniature horses, goats, rabbits and ducks."
Fairbanks also volunteers at her church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, where she plays the flute and helps with brat and rummage sales.
Fairbanks also helped plant trees at Fritz Loven Park, cleaned up after parades and planted and cared from the Heritage Garden at Pioneer Village.
"Volunteering makes you feel really good," said Fairbanks. "It doesn't feel like volunteering. It's a part of me, I just do it."

Jane Doe No More Inc.

2009-09-23T10:34:00.004-05:00

This story originally aired 2007 but I didn't see it until a few weeks ago. Because of the countless women I know who have been sexually assaulted, I thought it important to share this information. Most of the women I know, haven't come forward with their stories for various reasons... they don't want to 'be seen as weak and helpless'... or 'this happens to everyone, what's the big deal'... or they may live 'in total fear of telling another living soul'... or...

Whatever the reason, many women suffer in silence and denial. We don't have to. This is a situation where honesty is vital: to heal, to regain our sense of strength. We owe it to ourselves and each other.

"The mission at Jane Doe No More is simple and focused, with one main objective. We will improve the way society responds to victims of sexual assault. We will accomplish the mission through awareness and education about this horrific crime so that all victims of sexual assault will have the chance for a full and healthy recovery; thus shortening the time from crime to healing."
http://janedoenomore.org/about/

To read more on the story go to MSN. Also read the comments section. It will give you just a glimpse of how much this was needed.
http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/171002.aspx

GIVING ANONYMOUSLY

2009-08-26T09:50:00.004-05:00

There are several reasons why I like this concept of giving anonymously.
1. You can help whoever you want.
2. The money goes exactly to who you want it to.
3. It saves you and your recipient the embarrassment of the transaction. I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to accept charity and it's made worse by accepting a handout from someone I know.
4. It keeps you anonymous, so that your recipient won't expect you to continue to give more than you can.

Giving Anonymously began in 2005. Their motto is they aren't the charity, you are. Their books are open to the IRS so be aware of the rules that apply to giving.
http://givinganon.org/

65 years later, female WWII test pilots finally recognized

2009-08-14T13:37:00.005-05:00

What an inspiring bunch of women. Please go to the link for more on the story. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/08/12/wasps/?refid=0

St. Paul, Minn. — When Elizabeth Strohfus looked into the sky above her hometown of Faribault, Minn., during the height of the Great Depression, she saw a future that didn't involve working at the city clerk's office and struggling in poverty. She saw the clouds and the open air, and she wanted to be up there.
"It began as a young gal trying to climb as high as I could," she said. "I had that feeling that I wanted to get higher."
Strohfus went to the bank, and took out $100 to join a local flying club. She left behind her bicycle as collateral, and headed into the air.
After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, she quit her job and signed up for the newly formed Women's Air Force Service Pilots, where she became one of the first women in the United States to fly military planes.
The story of these women, known as WASPs, remains largely unknown. They flew the biggest bomber planes. One of the planes they flew, the Martin B-26 Marauder, was so dangerous that it became known as "The Widowmaker." They even attached a long piece of canvas to the back of their planes to allow men to practice hitting targets -- with live ammunition.
A famous female pilot, Jackie Cochran, spearheaded the effort. The military agreed to create the program in 1942, when they realized it would free up male pilots to go to war. The WASPs flew in the United States, since Congress refused to send them into combat or recognize them as official members of the military.
Last month, President Obama signed a bill to give the WASPs the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award for civilians. President Carter had previously granted the WASPs veteran status.
Strohfus and another Minnesota WASP, Mildred "Micky" Axton, will travel to Washington DC in a few months to receive their medals.
Sixty-seven years ago, Axton and Strohfus loaded up their suitcases, unsure of when they would return, and headed for Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. About 25,000 women applied for the program, and 1,800 were chosen.
Axton, 90, recounted her story on a recent afternoon at her Eden Prairie apartment, her walls covered with framed WASP-era photos, her carpeted floor blanketed with cardboard placards pasted with war memorabilia.
Unlike Strohfus, Axton had graduated from college with degrees in math and science. She vividly remembers her first flight as a licensed pilot in Coffeyville, Kan. Her great-grandmother insisted on being her first passenger.
"She said, 'Tip it over, Micky, so I can see better,'" Axton said, laughing. "I said, 'If I do that, we'll get killed.' That settled that."
When her brother left to fight in the Pacific front, Axton felt like she couldn't stay home. "There was no way to keep me from going," she said.
Axton and Strohfus left for Texas, where they lived in military barracks and wore uniforms discarded by male pilots.
"They were big," Strophus, 89, remembered. "Yank 'em up, roll up 'em, we didn't care. We wanted to fly airplanes."
The heat was sometimes unbearable. One night, Axton and her roommates decided to escape the stuffy barracks and sleep outside, but they quickly returned to the barracks after encountering a rattlesnake.
There were many close calls in the air. The WASPs acted as test pilots for aircraft that had been repaired after being damaged in combat. It was a job that didn't have many male volunteers, but the WASPs agreed to take on any job that allowed them to fly.
Axton told a story of a time she was flying a repaired twin-engine B-25 bomber, with a male co-pilot who sat behind her.
"We took off and it didn't act right," she said. "I knew it was trouble, and I called the tower and told them I had to bring it in."
The engine was quickly failing, and ambulances rushed to the scene. The male pilot started crying. "He thought he was going to get killed," she said.
Axton managed to bring the plane in. "I was a little shook up, but I was tickled to pieces that I brought it in and didn't hurt anything. It was a nice landing."
Her co-pilot did not share Axton's glee. He was removed from the plane by a medical team and carried away in an ambulance, sobbing.
The military knew that the WASPs would fly any plane, but male pilots had preferences. Rumors circulated about the dangers of certain planes, and the military asked the WASPs to shame the men into flying them. If a woman could fly a particular plane, the thinking went, so could a man.
This was how Strohfus ended up flying a "Widowmaker," the B-26. The heavy plane had a short wingspan, which required pilots to land the plane at a dangerously fast speed.
"Taking off or landing it was pretty iffy," Strohfus said. "So you had to be careful. You could crash very easily, but I thought it was great. Once you got it in the sky, it was a great plane to fly."
In between flying, the WASPs cultivated a unique culture, complete with their own mascot named Fifi, a female cartoon character sporting wings and blue flight goggles. On their way to the runway, the WASPs marched through the barracks, singing.
At a recent air show, Strohfus stood behind a booth commemorating her service, and eagerly broke into song, to the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy:
"We are Yankee Doodle Pilots, Yankee Doodle, do or die! Real, live nieces of our Uncle Sam, born with a yearning to fly. Keep in step to all our classes, March to flight line with our pals. Yankee Doodle came to Texas just to fly the PTs! We are those Yankee Doodle Gals."
But the mood was not always so upbeat. One night, Axton stood next to the runway, getting ready to fly, when she looked up into the sky, just in time to see a plane descend rapidly and crash a few hundred feet in front of her.
Several of the WASPs started to cry, but they were ordered to fly that night, or else leave the program.
"We saw it happen," Axton said. "We were right there waiting to fly. Can you imagine?"
The pilot who died that night was one of 38 WASPs killed while flying. Another was Axton's close friend and roommate, Gertrude Tompkins-Silver. She took off in a P-51 fighter and crashed into the Santa Monica Bay in California. Her body was never recovered.
When WASPs died, the military refused to pay to send their bodies home, or provide a military funeral. Instead, the women took up collections for the families to cover the costs.
"They never did get a proper burial," Axton said. "The families had to bury them themselves. That's how those men in Congress were then."
The military disbanded the WASP program in 1944, before the war ended, and sent the women home. Military officials said they had enough pilots, as fewer male pilots had died in combat than expected.
A letter sent to the WASPs said, in part, "You have freed male pilots for other work, but now the war situation has changed and the time has come when your volunteered services are no longer needed."
Axton went on to have a successful career at Boeing, and eventually moved to Minnesota. The news hit Strohfus much harder.
"When I got out, no one wanted a woman pilot," she said. "I went to Northwest Airlines and showed them my credentials. I had sea plane, I had a commercial rating, and I had 1,000 hours of flying time. They were very impressed. They surely would like me in their front office. I told 'em what they could do with their front office."
The rejection stung. "I wanted so badly to be out flying that it kind of broke my heart, but that's OK, because that was the way it was."
After the war, "nobody wanted to hear about women pilots," Strohfus said. "They didn't even know we existed. I had everything in my closet, my uniform, my pictures, my books. I told the kids, 'When I die, put it in my coffin.'"
But when the Air Force allowed female pilots to start training in 1976, Strohfus started going to air shows and schools to tell her story.
When she was 72 years old, she asked the military if she could fly the F-16 as a co-pilot. Her request was granted, and she flew with a male pilot over the skies of Duluth. She took over the controls mid-flight.
"I said, 'I'll just do a gentle turn,'" she said. "I did 6 Gs. He said, 'Take it easy. I don't have a brown bag.' I said, 'You can take mine. I don't need it.'"
Strohfus said she's glad to finally receive recognition for her achievements, but then she paused, grinned, and said, "The award is nice, but heck, I just like to fly airplanes."

PEACE CORPS and UNITED NATIONS

2009-07-31T10:03:00.002-05:00

In a time when ‘the economy’ is in such a mess, jobs are scarce, and money is non-existent for so many of us, I looked for options out of the usual scope of work.

I found two I thought were interesting.
If you love to travel and aren’t tied to your current community
If you are interested in helping people all over the world
If you are tired of feeling trapped where you are
If you really just need to get out and do something instead of stare blankly at all the help wanted sections

These may be exciting options for you.
Why not consider the Peace Corps? http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn
Or the UN? http://www.un.org/en/

The Life You are Meant to Live

2009-07-15T13:01:00.000-05:00

Why are so many of us unable to live the life we dreamed?

If we lived as though our lives were exactly what we wanted, would they become so?

What would that look like?

What holds us back?

In my case, as in most others, I would guess money is the culprit. If I could get paid to write, read, travel, explore the world, help others: that would be living my dream.

Imagine no Ponzi scandals to steal the money of the elderly. No pyramid schemes to steal the cash of family and friends. No e-mails from rich princes to steal gullible people’s cash. No suits and dresses, no corporate ladders that topple. No crabby bosses. No more ruining your health and working yourself to death. No more missing out on precious family moments.

Just you, your loved ones, and your inspirations. Creating the life you were always meant to live.

Philanthropists in our own backyard

2009-07-01T15:05:00.001-05:00

Mike O’Rourke from the Brainerd Dispatch brought forth this story. On July 9, 2009, Mr. and Mrs. Arnie Johnson from Brainerd, MN are receiving an award for their giving. Mrs. Jo Ann Johnson wondered why that was worth an award. “Everybody should be doing something,” she said. The Johnson’s have been married for more than 50 years and that’s a wonderful story by itself. Some of the organizations the Johnson’s give to include Project Haiti, a mission in Uganda, Teen Challenge, PORT, Bridges of Hope, Youth Investment, Timber Bay, the women's shelter, and Timberwood Church of Nisswa. They both find it hard to understand people who are blessed with wealth and who don't feel compelled to share it.

The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF) is honoring the Johnson’s. The award is BLACF’s way of saying thank-you. The award has been bestowed upon community members such as Bruce and Kathy Buxton, Bernie and Linda Roberts, John Sullivan, and Fran and Clarence Holden.
The Foundation was established in 1998 to link donors with the needs of our community.

Read more here:
http://www.communitygiving.org/AboutUs/BrainerdLakesAreaCommunityFoundation/HistoryandMission/tabid/197/Default.aspx

And:
http://www.brainerddispatch.com
Dated June 27th, 2009

A Greater Love

2009-07-01T15:03:00.000-05:00

I watched a movie recently, which left me questioning humanity and our lack of progress. Perhaps I haven’t seen enough multi-media or war to become desensitized to violence.

I like my movies to have heroes and Clint Eastwood has always been an icon of one of those rough and tumble, imperfect, movie heroes. “Gran Torino” is one of Mr. Eastwood’s latest. The movie is filled with racism, sexism, and language that made me cringe (especially because it reminded me of the way my step-dad used to talk).

The biggest thing I walked away from the movie with was anger. Anger so deep it left me momentarily motionless. How could anyone watch what happened to Sue, Walt, or Thao and not want to grab an arsenal of weapons and destroy that gang?

But one of the points in the movie was to show there had to be a different way. I knew Walt was smart and had guts, so I knew he wasn’t going to load up his gun and shoot up the town. But I felt a kick in the gut when the best thing the movie writers could come up with was Walt sacrificing himself, especially when the desired outcome was not guaranteed.

Come on people! There has got to be a better way!

I know the verse, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

But one more death doesn’t seem to be the answer. Humans have been on this earth for thousands of years. We continue to destroy each other as well as the planet that sustains us. My brain just hurts realizing that after all this time, this is what we do. We haven’t outgrown our childish need to belittle the other guy. Can we ever learn how to preserve and defend ourselves without the playground bully antics of coming back with bigger weapons and more henchmen?

It bothers me that there are people out there with more intelligence, more education, more resources than I and yet we can’t master self-control, a fearless peace, or grant all people an honorable dignity.

The moment is long overdue for us to become moral and worthy ancestors. Peter G. Peterson

2009-06-16T12:26:00.001-05:00

I will not be advocating Mr. Peterson’s foundation only because I haven’t investigated it thoroughly.

However, I am advocating his statement that “the moment is long overdue for us to become moral and worthy ancestors.”

Peter G. Peterson cofounded the Blackstone Group and at age 81 became an instant billionaire.

He didn’t want to sit on his butt and throw his money away on silly things like yachts. He wanted to do good like the philanthropists he admired. He wondered, “But to which worthy cause would I direct my money?”

Mr. Peterson decided to commit $1 billion to the Peter G. Peterson foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to bring awareness to economic challenges threatening America. The goal is to bring Americans “together to find sensible, sustainable solutions that transcend age, party lines and ideological divides in order to achieve real results.”

Read more here: http://www.pgpf.org/

Mr. Peterson had this to say about our broken political system, “Our representatives, unlike our Founding Fathers, see politics as a career. As a result, they are focused not on the next generation, but on the next election….Too often, our political leaders are just enablers, co-conspirators in a disingenuous and greedy silence. Our children are unrepresented. The future is unrepresented. The moment is long overdue for us to become moral and worthy ancestors. So I decided to set up a different kind of foundation, one that would focus on America's key fiscal-sustainability challenges. The fact is, for most of these challenges, there are workable solutions. Our problem is not a lack of such options. It is a lack of will to do something about them.”

More from his Newsweek article here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/200075

You have to admire the goal of getting our country out of debt and preserving a future for our children.

If you want to be successful, it's just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing. Will Rogers

2009-06-12T12:26:00.001-05:00

Will Rogers was a comedian and entertainer. And as with all great comics, his words had much deeper implications.

In light of Will’s quote and my current pursuit of “success”, I’ve been reading everything I can borrow from the library.

My most recent book is entitled, “What Should I Do with My Life? The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question” by Po Bronson. I’m only on chapter 11 of this 54 chapter book. My brain and emotions are set on fire, reading of other ‘crazy, daydreaming, slackers’ who know they only have one life to live and they wanna get it right. They are relentlessly pursued by their struggle to find their passion, only to be made fun of by people who are either born knowing their passion, or by others who don’t care if they ever get it, or by people who think the pursuit is childish and live in ‘the real world’.

My life is in the ‘begin again’ phase. My one and only child has graduated and left home. So my days aren’t filled with continuous parental worry. I recently recovered from a long physical illness and a car accident. My health is now better than it has been in over 10 years. I have a Bachelor’s in Education with minors in Early Childhood, Psychology, and Library Media. My plan was to spend 10-20 years in each area: teaching, counseling, and retiring as a librarian. I ran the entire length of my plan in 15 years – having worked in childcare, preschool, as a school crisis interventionist, and assistant librarian. I already did all I was determined to do (as well as worked in many other career-related and non-career-related jobs). I will always love kids, books, and helping people. But I need something new.

My confidence has been shaken more than a few times. I’m apprehensive about riding my motorcycle since my car wreck. I’ve spent more than a few nights rehashing some of my work related choices: I should’ve handled some things differently, I should’ve listened more, I should’ve known what that child, parent, person was struggling through, I should’ve seen the signs. I should have…

Now what?

Every single day, I search through the help wanted sections of all the local papers. I search through the Job Service site. I search online for jobs. Only to see headlines like this: “300 applicants for 8.5 teaching jobs” Are you kidding me?

Go back to college? The idea is exciting to me but the debt is not. The first time I went to college full time, I also worked several part-time jobs. It was exhausting.

Start my own business? Doing what? “Do what you love,” they say. Aside from loving all the people in my life, I love this - writing! I love writing about ideals and values. I love sharing them with others. I love spreading around stories about volunteers, great organizations, philanthropists, and super-heroes. I love honoring the good guys. I keep hoping it will help people feel validated and give more people a sense of purpose. With our over-crowded jails, our insane government debt and current economy, our entire world fighting terrorism, and after hearing one senseless heart-wrecking story after another, I just need to do this.

IDEALIST.ORG

2009-05-27T09:19:00.000-05:00

I’m always on the hunt for people or groups who are trying to benefit the world we live in. One of my Google searches led me to this site.

Idealist.org

“Our Vision
We would like to live in a world where:
All people can lead free and dignified lives.
Every person who wants to help another has the ability to do so.
No opportunities for action or collaboration are missed or wasted.

Our Mission
Action Without Borders connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives.
AWB is independent of any government, political ideology, or religious creed. Our work is guided by the common desire of our members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect.”

http://www.idealist.org/en/about/mission.html

Would you like to live in a world like this?

MAD DADS

2009-05-14T17:21:00.001-05:00

One of our relative’s is getting treatment for cancer in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He has a site on CaringBridge. One of the journal entries told us about how in between treatments last month, he and his wife took in a Twin’s game (the Twin’s won). They took the city bus to the game. A group called, “Mad dads” was on the bus, protecting everyone from violence. That prompted me to do a little research.

MADDADS is an Acronym: Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder.

MAD DADS, Inc. was founded in May 1989 by a group of concerned Omaha Nebraska African-American men and parents who were fed up with gang violence and the flow of illegal drugs in their community. These men understood that they could not hold any one responsible for this but themselves, because they had allowed this to happen. They presented themselves as positive role models and concerned loving parents who were a visible presence in communities against the negative forces destroying children, families and neighborhoods.

The Minneapolis Chapter of MAD DADS was created in 1998 and adopted the goals of its National Chapter. MAD DADS has, at the request of law enforcement representatives, expanded services to some suburban areas.

A key ingredient to the program’s success is visible and vocal presence in neighborhoods and area schools. MAD DADS is an agency that enlists other community-based assets, including law enforcement representatives; judicial members and others who want to provide a positive environment for children, families and cities.

http://minneapolismaddads.org/index.htm

Wish upon a Hero

2009-04-24T15:48:00.002-05:00

“Everyone has a wish. Anyone can be a hero.”

www.wishuponahero.com

Wish Upon A Hero was founded by Dave Girgenti in September 2007. The mantra became “No wish too large and no hero too small.”

This is a one of a kind service designed to connect those in need with people that can truly change their lives

Cast a wish
Wish Upon A Hero is completely free to its users, allowing everyone who registers the opportunity to cast up to three wishes at a time. Because Wish Upon A Hero is designed to help everyone, wishes can be big or small, elaborate or simple, based on financial need or just asking for a simple favor.

Be a hero

Wish Upon A Hero is a unique venue for any individual, organization, or company looking to make a difference in someone’s life, or the lives of countless people. Heroes come in all ages and from all walks of life. All of us, from our nation’s most powerful corporations to individual philanthropists, and those with limited financial means, can be someone’s hero:
*A man who buys uniforms for his town’s little league team.
*A plastic surgeon brings his skill to the aid of an uninsured breast cancer survivor.
*A national appliance retailer that donates a refrigerator to a single mom with a newborn.
*A groundskeeper at Yankee stadium who helps a woman fulfill her father’s lifelong dream of throwing a single pitch across home plate.
*A group of 8th graders that rally behind a fellow student whose home was lost in a fire.
*A woman who writes to a man in Seattle to say, “I think I’m the sister you’ve been looking for since we were separated 21 years ago.”
*A female soldier stationed in Iraq who says, “yes, I will.”

Once a wish is granted, the hero can choose to remain anonymous, or be formally recognized on the Wish Upon A Hero website.

Sign up and post a Wish or become a Hero today. Everyone can help anyone.

Project New Hope

2009-04-15T21:36:00.001-05:00

Project New Hope offers Retreats for Veterans and their families with many services to assist in managing their lives after wartime service.

The Military Family Retreats are FREE to ALL combat veterans, whether they served in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever they were needed.

Retreat locations are in the quiet, pristine, woodlands.

There are many ways to help this program continue to be a success.

Please contact Bruce Billington at info@projectnewhope.net if you or someone you know may be interested in participating in a retreat.

Bruce Billington is a Crosslake resident, and one of a group of people who helped organize Project New Hope for war-weary veterans. Mr. Billington is a U.S. Navy Persian Gulf War Veteran.

http://www.projectnewhope.net/index.htm

NCAA Division II national championship

2009-04-01T14:38:00.001-05:00

Pete Mohs and I must have been sharing a brain when it came to writing about the NCAA Division II national championship. http://www.pineandlakes.com/stories/040109/sports_20090401104.shtml
I intended to start my story off with a line similar to ‘getting second chances’, but Pete beat me to it.

Flecia Foster and Teresa Parker are two basketball players from Pequot Lakes. They were seniors when they helped take their high school team to state in 2005. They lost the state game back then.

But on March 27th, 2009, they had another opportunity to win ‘the big game’. The Minnesota State University of Mankato Maverick’s beat Franklin Pierce’s Raven’s to win the NCAA Division II National Championship!

I watched this game on TV. It was a great fast-paced, close-scoring, high-point game. The Maverick’s won with a score of 103-94. The Mavericks and Ravens combined points were a championship record of 197 points.

I wish the best to Flecia Foster and Teresa Parker and I’m proud of them.

Finally!!

2009-03-26T14:57:00.001-05:00

I needed a story that didn’t involve such overwhelming pain and loss. And here it is: Real Life Super Heroes. KSTP presented a story on real life Twin Cities super heroes. Thank-you Chris O’Connell for reporting the story.
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S849976.shtml?cat=1

What’s most amazing about these superheroes is their volunteer work. They bring food for the hungry, walk to raise money for cures, protect abused women and children. We regular folks can do that, too.

I’ve been looking for these people for a long time. I’ve searched the internet, read the papers, and wrote stories prayerfully waiting for them to appear. If I had any skills I would be one of them. But this is as close as I can get to making my own little difference in the world. Please accept this meager gift, it’s the best I have for now.

If you need a super hero, here are a few places you can search.

WORLD SUPERHERO REGISTRY:
http://worldsuperheroregistry.com/world_superhero_registry_gallery.htm

and;
HEROES NETWORK
http://www.heroesnetwork.net/aboutus.htm

and if you want your heroes from the Minnesota/Wisconsin area, try the
GREAT LAKES HEROES GUILD
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=425854596

March is Women’s History Month

2009-03-19T11:08:00.001-05:00

Do some of you wonder why we need a Women’s History Month?

Let me give you an example of why we need Women’s History Month. Can you answer any of the following questions?
1. How many women explorers/adventurers can you name?
2. Who was the first woman to run for President of the United States?
3. Who wrote the first version of the Equal Rights Amendment, in 1923?
4. What leading suffragist was arrested and convicted of attempting to vote in the 1872 election?
5. Who was the first Black woman elected to Congress?
6. What woman was turned down by 29 medical schools before being accepted as a student, graduated at the head of her class, and became the first licensed woman doctor in the U.S.?
7. Who drove a stagecoach across the roughest part of the West without anyone knowing until she died that she was a woman?
8. Who was the first Hispanic woman to serve as U.S. Treasurer?

I’m not giving you the answers to any of these questions. You’re mission is to go find the answers yourself.

If you would like to read a book about strong, courageous women; I recommend “How to be Like Women of Influence: Life Lessons From 20 of the Greatest", by Pat and Ruth Williams. The values in these women’s life stories are remarkably motivating. If you need a little kick in the pants to reach your dreams, I suggest reading the discussion questions in the back of the book. And answer those questions! How do you carry on in the face of adversity? How do you make a stand for what you believe? Are you waiting for someone else’s permission to get started in things important to you? What are your excuses?

Book Talk

2009-03-11T15:47:00.003-05:00

Mike Holst was the guest speaker at the Crosslake Area Library Book Talk this past Monday.

Mr. Holst is a local author and columnist for the Northland Press. I read his first published novel, "A Long Way Back”. I liked the believability of the story. There’s a plane crash, a family's strong will to survive, and unexpected help from the wilderness. It was a good, action-packed story written for adults without the constant barrage of vulgarness often found in adult books.

His second novel, "Nothing to Lose," is the story of a Minneapolis police detective who is killed in the line of duty and his wife's attempt to find his murderer.

The new book, "No Clues in the Ashes," is a novel that takes place in Minneapolis and is about a fire department. It draws on Mike’s experiences during his years as a fireman in the Minneapolis metro area.

Reading Mr. Holst’s book and columns in the Northland Press made me feel as if he were a friend I hadn’t gotten to visit with often enough. He is the kind of person you feel lucky to know. Mr. Holst’s presentation was comfortable, often making people smile and laugh. His love for his wife, Kitty is deeply admirable and sweet. Kitty is sometimes the target of some of his funny stories, but she was also given credit for the tremendous support she gives her husband as he writes. I also wonder if Kitty isn’t the basis for the strong female characters Mike has in his books?

Mike Holst’s books are available at local libraries, book stores, and numerous online sites. If you want to read some good Minnesota based fiction, check out these stories.

The Pay It Forward Tour

2009-03-08T12:26:00.001-05:00

The goal of the Pay It Forward Tour is a simple one: to change the world.

About 30 students left Bemidji, MN Friday afternoon on the weeklong tour, which is sponsored by Students Today Leaders Forever, a nonprofit organization that originated at the University of Minnesota in 2004. The STLF mission is to reveal leadership through service, relationships and actions.

The term “pay it forward” means to give to someone who in turns gives to someone else, rather than paying back.

The Tour will take the students through the central United States, from Wisconsin to Texas, as they help people through service projects. Most of the participants are BSU students, but a few are high school students. The first stop is Spooner, Wis., where students will do a recycling project and help a family in need move.
In Rockford, Ill., they will help at a nursing home and visit with residents.
They will help build a river trail and fix up a baseball field in Hannibal, Mo., and work with mentally disabled adults in Katy, Texas.
The tour will end in San Antonio, Texas, where the service project will be determined by the national STLF organization, Meehlhause said.
The students will stay at churches, a community center and a YMCA before staying in a hotel in San Antonio. They will return to Bemidji March 14.

To follow the tour, read their blog here.
http://stlf.weebly.com/blog.html

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=22028&section=News

March is Minnesota Food Shelf month

2009-03-06T22:30:00.001-06:00

Don’t let your neighbors go hungry.

Food donations to the Brainerd Salvation Army may be dropped off at 208 S. Fifth St. in Brainerd. Monetary donations may be made to Salvation Army, P.O. Box 385, Brainerd, MN 56401 and note March Food Share. U.S. Bank also is a drop-off location.

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/archive.shtml

MS Awareness Week March 2 to 8, 2009

2009-03-01T12:47:00.000-06:00

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter will observe MS Awareness Week March 2 to 8 as part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness about a chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects more than 9,000 people in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The week will be marked by the first ever federal MS Awareness Week Resolution in Congress, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee of California. Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to visit www.mssociety.org , which features an online toolkit with tools, resources and information.
MS Awareness Week follows a recent research breakthrough regarding the potential link between vitamin D and the risk of developing MS, which may help explain why prevalence of MS is higher in places with less sunlight, like Minnesota.

More info here: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/MNM/index.aspx

I Feel Broken

2009-02-27T16:47:00.002-06:00

I’ve been in a hard spot this week. In the midst of many family lay-offs, non-stop winter, and my one and only child gambling with his future, I feel broken.
I’m disgusted by the high profile of ‘me-ism’, ‘where’s my part of the stimulus’, and tight-lipped fear.
I’m revolted by the lack of honor, ingenuity, and common sense.
And I feel old when I say this but what is with all these young adults living at home, not working, and not making plans for their future? I see so many parents working so hard, loving their kids more than their very own life, and what do they get in return – lazy kids who expect ‘more’! If you know of any kids that understand what hard work and honor are, please let me know because I am sorely disappointed.
I apologize to all of you good kids out there. I gotta believe you’re just not getting noticed for all that you do. Sometimes that happens, the bad gets center attention and the good gets dumped on the side of the road. I beg you, please don’t give up.
I’ll just have to try harder to find you. I’ve been in some amazing 2 nd grade classrooms, where I met conscientious, hardworking children. I would love to meet some older people who put forth the same conscientious effort to figure out right from wrong.
I’m determined not to continue feeling broken. Reinforcements are on their way. Some of these young people will figure things out.
After all, the world is at stake here.
All of us have our giant egos in play;
whether we suffer from delusions of grandeur and believe everything we do is perfect;
or suffer from severe inadequacy where we feel we do nothing good;
or swing drastically between the two.
If we don’t stand up and do the universally right thing, who will? And what direction does that send humanity?

Good Sportsmanship

2009-02-23T14:39:00.000-06:00

Just when you think high school sports are getting disgustingly out of control – the screaming parents, the spoiled kids, the win-at-any-cost coaches - here comes a story to change your mind.

Milwaukee Madison senior, Johntell Franklin lost his mother to cancer and planned to sit out in the game against DeKalb. He went to cheer on his team but then changed his mind and wanted to play. His coach put him in the game. Mr. Franklin’s name wasn’t on the roster and by the rules this was a technical.

The refs had no choice but to call the technical, which meant the other team had to shoot two free throws. DeKalb told the refs they didn’t want to. Finally, DeKalb senior, Darius McNeal went to the line and on purposely missed both of his shots.

“I did it for the guys who lost his mom. It was the right thing to do.” McNeal reportedly said.

http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketball/boys/news/story?campaign=rss&id=3914375&source=ESPNHeadlines

Other ways to help the world.

2009-02-18T19:28:00.000-06:00

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1 – Each click gives food, sponsors mammograms, pays for children’s healthcare, pays for books, protects habitat, and helps rescue animals.

http://www.ripple.org/ - Each click gives 6 days access to clean water, helps a village feed itself, gives 2 days access to education, and helps finance a loan.

http://www.freerice.com/ - Play a game with English vocabulary words, for every word you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.

http://www.freepoverty.com/ - Your mission here is to locate the place given to you [e.g. Rome, Italy], if your answer is correct, they donate 10 cups water, they donate less water, the less accurate your answer is.

http://www.goodsearch.com/ - They give to the charity of your choice when you search through this search engine.

Brave People

2009-02-18T11:53:00.000-06:00

I am exceptionally fortunate to know countless inspiring, brave people who put their lives on the line to make this world a better place. I just had to write about a few of them.

We have many friends and family members in the military. They have all done brave things. Some have finished their military duty and chose jobs protecting us here in America. Some have brought home purple hearts, and still chose to re-enlist. Here’s a glimpse of one of the people we know:
http://www.nwatch.com/index.php?id=8730&task=view&option=com_content

http://www.nwatch.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8753&Itemid=27

Alongside these brave military people, we know people who go on mission trips. They go to help the homeless and hungry. They go to other countries to help them with visual and dental needs. They go to teach English. They go to help, wherever they are needed, no matter what kind of dangerous adversity they may face.

We know people who despite tremendous physical, mental, and emotional challenges manage to work their hardest to make a real positive difference everyday. We know people who became mentors, foster parents, and adoptive parents. We know people who donate to the Food shelf, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Women’s shelters, and many other places. We know people who volunteer their time at many different school, social service, and civic organizations.

Wow! How did I get so lucky to know so many great people?

What does Freedom mean to you?

2009-02-16T14:20:00.000-06:00

The Brainerd Elks Lodge Americanism essay contest "What Freedom Means To Me" was recently held in area fifth through eighth grades.
Below is the website where you can find other essays. I posted Miss Iverson’s essay here. http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/021109/nei_20090211001.shtml
By Abigail Iverson Grade 8, Forestview Middle School
"For the land of the free and the home of the brave." The words of our national anthem describe America as only our founding fathers could. But do we know what freedom really means? America is known around the world as a safe haven against famine, persecution, suffering. The Statue of Liberty greeted our ancestors as they neared their future, reminding them of the promise I freedom.
Freedom means the ability to make decisions. In America, we have the freedom to choose our leaders, jobs, education, lifestyle, future, and it doesn't stop there. Simple day-to-day decisions we don't even think about are refused to others around the world. Freedom to run, laugh, play. Freedom to live.
Freedom means not only being able to dream, but having the ability to turn your dreams into reality. In America we have the privilege to follow our dreams and do the impossible. In less than 100 years, our country has gone from segregation to our first African American president. One man's dreams have become a symbol of change and hope for many.
America is truly the land of the free. The spirit of freedom wrote our Constitution, set us free from the British and shaped our country into the democracy it is today. Freedom is the heart of America. It makes us who we are. I am proud to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. Freedom for one and all, for the sick, hurt, suffering, hopeful I freedom.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

2009-02-09T12:55:00.000-06:00

If like me you're interested to read what’s in the 778 pages of the latest $827 billion economic stimulus package, here you go:
http://www.politico.com/static/PPM110_stimulus_bill.html

Crosslake Winterfest

2009-02-08T19:01:00.000-06:00

Crosslake Winterfest was this past weekend. We were able to take a helicopter ride and get a picture of our home. Wow it looks different from the air. It's not really impressive unless you live there. Click on the photo to get a "little" better view. I circled our house.

Lakes Area Restorative Justice

2009-01-30T21:32:00.000-06:00

Have you heard about this opportunity?
It’s a program intended to make kids who commit minor crimes accountable and show them how they harmed others. Over 90% of kids who complete this program do not commit another offense.
If you would like to keep kids out of juvenile and help them turn their life around, this may be a volunteer opportunity for you.
Here is the homepage:
http://www.lakesarearestorativejustice.org/index.html
If you’re interested, just click on the volunteer section and see if you qualify.

Step children

2009-01-30T21:28:00.000-06:00

I am/was a step child. My step dad passed away quite some time ago. I remember one day when I was a young girl about 9 years old. My step dad got a visit from a friend he hadn’t seen in a long time. As this friend was about to leave, he turned to me and said, “You better get on your knees and thank this man for taking you in, most men won’t take in other men’s bas***d’s.”
I was often referred to as “one of her brats”.
I never heard or saw that in other families. I have witnessed families where step children are blended in so seamlessly; the outside world would not know who was biological and who was not. So it surprised me to grow up and notice the negative things people still do to step children. Saying things like, “You’re just a step kid so you don’t really count.” Or taking actions such as removing step children from pictures because they “aren’t part of the blood line.”
I wonder if God sees it that way. From what I read in the Bible, we are all His children. We are all welcome in His house. We all have a seat at His table. I wonder if Joseph ever said to Jesus, “you don’t count because you’re just a step child.”
Mother Theresa said, “The worst hunger is for love. The worst sickness is feeling that no one wants you.”
In a day when gangs are prevalent, when kids need love and guidance more than ever, how can we look at any child and say, “you don’t belong.”

Have you been listening to our politicians lately?

2009-01-17T22:45:00.000-06:00

Our Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s State of the State Address, the confirmation hearings, President George Bush’s Farewell Speech, and President-elect Barack Obama’s speeches leading up to his inauguration this coming week – all are so inspiring, so hopeful, so positive, and gracious. I am motivated by these events.
At the same time, I refuse to be blindly led down a path of fluffy pretentiousness. I expect my politicians to be honorable and accountable. Some may say that’s a ridiculous expectation. But it’s our job to keep them accountable. If they’re not doing what they’re supposed to be doing, it’s in large part, our fault.
For instance, concerning the extremely immeasurable “Bail Out”, ask questions. Where’s the money coming from? Where is it going? Ask your city, county, and state politicians. Is it going to your local lending institution, automobile manufacturer, or neighbors business? You have a right to know. We need to know how much our children and grandchildren will be forced to repay. You have a right to know how the folks getting the bailout money are using it. Write a letter, make a phone call, send an e-mail – to anyone getting the money, to anyone giving the money, to anyone who knows where the money’s coming from and where it’s going. Find out what’s going on.
And don’t let the bailout be the only subject that you seek answers for. This is a big world and we need to educate ourselves on what’s happening around us. Ask, and keep asking until the answers are clear to you.

Think Globally Act Locally

2009-01-14T19:50:00.000-06:00

These four words continue to become increasingly important. Think about everything you eat, everything you wear, everything you drive, everything you buy, and everything you throw away.
Read a few headlines from the local news and think about how they affect you. Think about the neighbor lady in Brainerd who never left her home and never had visitors until emergency people had to shovel a path through her home to help her. Where were you? Think about the man who plans to only buy things from people he knows. Either he will go without a lot of things or he will need to get to know “a lot” of people. Think about the West Point cadets and their new educational training. What did they learn before, what are they learning now, and what does that mean to you? Think about Millennium foreign policy, Global Initiatives, Free and Fair Trade. What are they, who funds them, how are they connected? Look up a list of the World’s countries. Think about how their families are similar and different compared to yours. What do they eat, wear, drive, buy, throw away? The news tells me 1/3 of Americans are obese. In a world where so many hunger, isn’t this as extremely ludicrous as throwing away food?
Think Globally Act Locally.

"This I Believe"

2008-12-20T09:51:00.000-06:00

A wonderful book. Based on the NPR series. Helps you examine your own beliefs. "Reveals the American spirit at its best."

This collection of essays came into my possession just in time. This Christmas season, many people are not spending exorbitant amounts of money. They instead are searching for the true meaning of the season. There isn't a specific story in this collection that speaks of Christmas, but the altruism, the "light" of sacrifice, honor, and love shines through in many stories.

Fireproof

2008-12-19T17:23:00.000-06:00

I saw a movie I enjoyed and would like to recommend. The movie is Christian-based. The action in the movie comes from the experiences of a firefighter captain. Two relevant messages I recieved:
1. Never leave your partner behind.
2. What would you do for love?
http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

"From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success!"

2008-12-17T20:39:00.000-06:00

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang/The Roses of Success

Plato

2008-12-09T21:27:00.000-06:00

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Plato

“No man should bring children into the world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nature and education.” - Plato

“People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.” Plato

“If a man neglects education, he walks lame to the end of his life.” Plato

“Death is not the worst that can happen to men.” Plato

“Any man may easily do harm, but not every man can do good to another.” Plato

“A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.” Plato

Here are some of my favorite Plato quotes. These phrases can not be said any more effectively. The truth resounds in the center of my brain.

‘Verbalicious’

2008-10-30T09:41:00.000-05:00

My son and I thought we invented the word but apparently it’s been around a long time and is used in other genre’s.
The following words brought out my need to do some research. What fabulous ‘verbalicious’ words!

Asemic
Scriptorium
Orthography
Gonzo journalism
Graphonomics
Decipherment of rongorongo
Boustrophedon
Codex Seraphinianus
Kishōtenketsu

Community Internet Project Needs Your Assistance

2008-10-30T09:31:00.000-05:00

KAXE has received a nine month grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to do an exciting new experiment in community journalism. As part of the project, we are looking for a managing editor either as an intern or on a contract basis from December 2008 to August 2009. There is a full job description at http://www.northerncommunityinternet.org/classifieds.php?classifiedid=352. We need your help in finding candidates to fill the position. If you know of someone you think might be qualified please pass along this message and the link.

We are also looking for people with established community relationships to do community outreach in Hibbing, Brainerd and Grand Rapids. These are contract positions at $500 per month. You can find a partial job description at http://www.northerncommunityinternet.org/classifieds.php?classifiedid=354

We plan to have stable community sites in four communities beginning in January. They will be found at the same site as the current "beta" version, www.northerncommunityinternet.org.

http://www.northerncommunityinternet.org/weblinks.php?currentcommunityid=3

“I am a lucky man.” Christopher Reeves

2008-10-17T15:05:00.000-05:00

Like many people, I’m a ‘quote collector’. I collect the most inspirational words ever written or spoken.

Christopher Reeves’ words set me on fire to be a better, stronger person. After all, if the man who portrayed Superman and then suffered a terrible accident that broke his body, can say he is lucky, who am I to say my life is otherwise?

After observing Christopher and Dana Reeves’ heroic love and their fight to maintain hope, there is no room for the rest of us to bemoan our circumstances. Both Christopher and Dana have left this world behind. So it’s up to us to keep fighting, to keep hoping, and to keep loving.

Life rarely goes as planned. Some days are really hard and the pity party is in the peripherals. Fortunately for me, before I ever get swallowed up by suffering, I get reminded of just how lucky I really am.

Superheroes

2008-09-30T16:37:00.000-05:00

I love superheroes. I wish I were one. My favorite superheroes are Warbird and Batman.

Why do I like them so much? It could be the strong moral code, the honor they portray, the willingness to do incredible deeds without any reward. It could be that they get to keep a secret identity so they can get away from the crazy crowds of expectations. It could be the physical and mental strength they exemplify. It could be the supercool friends they have. It could be that they ALWAYS win.

Do you know who I love as much as superheroes? Everyday heroes. The folks that get up, go to work, take care of their families, and do the right thing - day in and day out - without any extra incentives. They fulfill their sense of duty, integrity, accountability, and they do it without any special powers or expensive gadgets. I love those heroes. Thank God for them!

2008-09-11T10:07:00.000-05:00

Have you considered volunteering at your school? If you are concerned about your child in school or if you are concerned about the state of the educational system, volunteer.
For some, this may sound like a fun, simple, and delightful idea. To that I say, “Wonderful, take full advantage of the joy.”
For others it may be a daunting mission. Too many work hours, a difficult disability, no transportation, little education, or a frightening school environment may try to keep you from sticking your neck out. In that case, I admire you for even considering it.
Here are a few tips for volunteering. Remember when dealing with others; keep a calm, assertive demeanor. Relax and focus on what needs to be accomplished. Add a bit of enthusiasm and believe what you do matters. Be there when you say you will. Be positive and solution-driven. Anyone that’s lived very long knows that when you treat others negatively, that’s how you will be treated.
Know yourself and know your school. What can you do? Before signing up for a specific committee or project, think carefully about your talents, interests, and schedule. Whatever your skill, you are likely to be needed somewhere.
What does the school need? To find out what’s needed, visit the school website, or give them a call, or send a letter. Or stop in at the classroom or the office and ask. Here’s a short list of opportunities but there’s infinitely more so don’t stop looking:

• Educational needs (reading, writing, and math)
• Social/emotional needs (how to make friends, conflict resolution, character development).
• Make posters, signs, charts
• Decorate for special events
• Do office work, photocopies, word processing
• Set up audio/video equipment, like VCR’s and TV’s
• Set up or test computer equipment
• Lend a hand in the nurse’s office
• Help the Library, shelving, organizing
• School events, ticket-taking, concessions
• Fundraising
• Book sales
• Photographer, newsletters, mailings
• Theater, speech, music, art events
• Give a presentation on your special skill
• Child care, teen centers
• Sports, coaching
• Cafeteria, recess
Volunteering should be fun. Don’t become a Grumpy Glenda. Sometimes it’s ok to just say ‘no’. Everyone needs to take some healthy breaks to empty our brains of ridiculous demands. We need to make sure we spend time with our families creating those soft quiet moments that will sparkle in their memory. But if you have free time and are looking for a place to do something productive, here’s one starting point. Do this for yourself, do it for your kids, for your school.

2008-08-27T21:42:00.000-05:00

Dearest most loved son:
They say an ordinary man learns from his own mistakes while a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.
I say you are a wise man. Do not roll your eyes at me. I know these things. I have been with you since before you were born.
I remember the tiny 6-pounder I held after 12 hours and 44 minutes of labor.
I remember not being able to sleep when you slept for fear you would stop breathing.
I loved sitting on the floor, at the end of your crib listening to your imaginary conversations with your angels, your laughter was absolutely adorable.
Those little yellow footie jammies were so snuggly, I just wanted to keep you in my arms forever.
Your first birthday was such a hoot – the chocolate cake was everywhere!
Do you remember watching sports with Uncle Wade, you laughed so hard you fell off the couch?
How about the itchy chicken pox you got with Ricky and Joel, poor Ricky was so miserable and you were so sweet and gentle with him?
When you were 3, your preschool friend was crying because she lost the flower she was going to give her mom, you gave her yours and you picked lots more flowers for me on our walk home.
Do you remember the entertainment you provided in Valley City, Captain Underpants?
I love the image I have of Will holding you close, teaching you how to play a game. Later, you both drew bunny rabbits on the chalk board. You precisely copied what he did and it turned out perfect. You were so content, so proud. Your art continues to astound me.
The ribbons, the trophies, from every sport you participated in, you’re just naturally good at stuff.
10th grade B honor roll, track star – breaking a school record. Wow that was a great year!
I could go on forever about all these wonderful things, 19 years of super memories. The places we’ve been, the things we learned, the sites we saw –some amazing stuff.
In every picture I have of you, there are smiles. ‘Smile’ could have been your middle name; you smile so easily, so sweetly, so contagiously.
You are the reason I changed my life, went to college, became more determined to do right, to be happy.
Can you imagine how great your future is going to be?
These are just glimpses into your character. And generally character does not change. People can change their actions, their choices, and lots of other things. But character is hard to change. I hope you know you were raised to be a strong, independent, honorable, hardworking, loving person. I keep praying that I did right by you. I keep praying that you understand: that somehow you realize how much I love you and how much I want you to be happy and to be able to take care of yourself, I won’t be here forever. Do not let anyone else’s negativity cripple you. You have never bought into stupidity or cynicism before. Do not start now. Learn from the mistakes of others instead of creating your own mistakes and taking the long, miserable path to where you want to be.
My dearest 19 year old son, I don’t know what you are meant to do with your life or what path you need to be on. I don’t know every detail of every challenge you face, every decision you must make, every wish, hope, dream, or nightmare. But here’s a short list of what I do know:
1. You are strong.
2. You are healthy.
3. You can run fast.
4. You are athletic.
5. You are artistic, you can draw – cars, cartoon people, places. You draw in such a way, it looks as if you have no plan and when you’re done it’s amazing.
6. You are good-hearted.
7. You’re a loyal friend.
8. You work hard to accomplish what you want.
9. You love to have fun.
10. You have a great sense of humor.
11. You are almost always smiling.
12. You love to ‘debate’.
13. You like to explore.
14. You like to swim.
15. You like to hang out with your friends.
16. You like to play games – guitar hero, 12 sky, need for speed, strategic war games…
17. You like to cook new things.
18. You like to make people happy.
19. You’re adventurous, courageous.
20. You’re always willing to help others.
21. You have a good personality.
22. You wanted to be everything when “you grow up”.
23. You motivate others.
24. You have high energy – go, go, go.
25. You always have new ideas.
26. You’re intelligent, capable.
27. You have lots of interests.
28. You don’t stay angry long.
29. You’re always optimistic.
30. You think outside the box.
31. You like to be the best at everything.
32. You have compassion for people.
33. As a baby you were ‘easy’, sleeping through the night at 3 weeks, only cried when hungry or needed changing.
34. As a toddler, you were famous for saying, “I do it myself!”
35. You were either a snuggle-bunny or on the go, you never just sat and did nothing. We had to go to the park, or build stuff, or create something, or color, or draw. We didn’t watch much TV, a few shows over the years included Batman, TMNT, Power Rangers – You were always the hero!

2008-08-26T13:36:00.000-05:00

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

I love Dr. Seuss. His simple children’s books have some profound thoughts in them.

Here’s something you can do to make things better and it only takes a touch of your finger. Copy and paste the following in your browser:

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1&link=ctg_ths_home_from_ars_home_sitenav

The Hunger Site allows you to help starving people and you don’t have to be rich or run yourself ragged to do it. Take a tour of the site. It explains how the program works. Sign up for the reminder, so you won’t forget to do your part every day.

The site also gives you opportunities to fight breast cancer, help children receive healthcare, give free books, protect the habitat, and help animals. Just think of the difference you can make in one day.

Isn’t it amazing how easy some special people have made it for us armchair heroes to save the world? If ever you’re inclined to give up on our sorry species of materialists, jump on your computer and find a way to help someone. Yes, I know it would be far braver to walk down your street and help your neighbor or take a trip to an undeveloped country. But some of us can’t do that. At least this way, we can do something.

2008-08-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

Quite awhile ago, I read something by Rick Warren concerning a radical commitment. I can’t find the exact words or text anywhere. On January 2, 2008, I created my own. I taped to my desk so that I don’t forget my commitment.

"I will open a ‘can’ of fabulous and pour it all over everything this year.
Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling, and I'm finished with wavering. I've made my choice; the verdict is in; and my decision is irrevocable. There's no turning back!

I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. It is my honor to protect and defend truth.

I will live the rest of my life letting my contagious optimism, strength, and determination conquer doom and gloom. I will choose love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. No occasion justifies hatred. I refuse to be cynical (the tool of a lazy thinker). I refuse to see people as anything less than human beings. I will go without a dollar rather than take a dishonest one. I will keep my word, pay my debts, and make it so my spouse and child will never question my love. I will reflect a sense of gratitude for my life and those involved by showing humility, forgiveness, and charity.

I will value honor over wealth, “we” over “me,” character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for today.

I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by anyone. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me.

When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward. I'm purpose-driven and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

Whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes!
On that final day I want to hear it be said, "Well done!"

Taken in part from Rick Warren author of “The Purpose Driven Life”

2008-07-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

If you’ve listened to any media lately, you might believe that this nation has become full of obese, lazy, whiners who can’t hold a job or balance a checkbook. These bums insist on wasting all of our time and precious resources trying to make illegal stuff legal. They like to show how thuggin’ tough they are by stabbing 90 year old ladies, raping children, and taking advantage of the disabled. A positive word couldn’t come out of these pessimistic mouths even if their life depended on it. You can see all this on any news channel you watch. And you can believe it when they tell you the world is only getting worse.

UP UNTIL NOW. UP UNTIL NOW.

Bad things happen every second of every day. And bad things have been happening since the beginning of time. In the USA alone we have had our share of horrifying heartbreaks created by our own human hands – slavery, loss of Native culture, the Civil war, unfair treatment based on by race, gender, belief, or social status, The Great Depression, World Wars…

Some things are better today than they used to be and some things are worse. What are you going to do about the bad? Complain? Cry? Get discouraged? Instead, why don’t you let it motivate you? Get rightfully angry. Make yourself a better, stronger person. Ask yourself if there’s anything you can do? Then do it!

Secondly, surround yourself with good people. Most people are decent. It’s the small nice deeds that often go unnoticed. Usually there’s at least one wonderful attribute you can copy from nearly anyone. Everyone has something positive in their character. Pick it up and emulate it. My neighbor lost her husband 8 years ago. She’s had numerous surgeries. But there she goes out on her bicycle, smiling and encouraging everyone she meets. She’s not a rare find. There are tons of them out there. And before you mistakenly say, “well it’s easy to be happy and good if you’re born into a trouble-free life.” Most decent people I know have suffered some horrendous tragedies. You would never know unless you spent a lot of time with them.

Thirdly, start supporting the good stuff you see instead of complaining about the bad. We can get into the age old debate about whether or not we should make a big deal out of people doing what they’re supposed to be doing. Here’s the skinny, we are bombarded with so much ‘badness’, most of us wonder ‘why bother?’ The more time you spend acknowledging the good, the less time you waste on the bad. Be strong in your determination to notice what’s right. Don’t let naysayers beat you down.

Humans have a miraculous ability to overcome challenges. Unfortunately, we are all heading towards death and maybe one day the world will crash into a dark oblivion. But while we’re here why don’t we make it the best world we can.

2008-07-02T11:28:00.000-05:00

What do Bishop Desmond Tutu, Bill Gates, and forwarded e-mail have in common? They have all turned up in my e-mail lately and they are all advocates of change.

Bishop Desmond Tutu has been quoted as saying, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu is considered a powerful force for peace. He stands for human rights, compassion, and morality. His writings, speeches, and sermons are numerous. “We will discover, I hope soon, that we can survive, only together. We can prosper only together. And I think people are beginning to realize this…” Oct. 2007. He has received many prizes including the Nobel Peace Prize.

Bill Gates is the third richest man. He and Paul Allen started Microsoft, the computer company that changed the world. Bill along with his wife, Melinda, run the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest charity foundations. Bill recently stepped down from running the day to day operations of Microsoft, so he could begin a fulltime career in charity. The Foundation aims to globally enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty. In the United States, it expands educational opportunities and access to information technology. As a matter of fact, your public library’s computer may have came from this Foundation.

What does e-mail forwards have to do with these two men? You may think this is a stretch but forwarded e-mails change the people that read them. Consider the massive amounts of e-mail waiting to be read on any given day. I have three e-mail accounts. One of them receives as much as 30-40 spam e-mails each day. Some of the forwarded e-mail I get, I really enjoy. It makes me laugh, cry, think, learn something, thank God for such good friends. But I recently received one claiming a false verse from the Koran. It made me sad to think that someone would read this and believe it to be true, thereby fueling hatred.

As a librarian, educator, parent, and sibling in an extremely large family: I learned to verify before repeating. Verify, verify, verify. Snopes.com is a great place to verify forwards. For instance Snopes can tell you those forwarded cash and prizes are a hoax, and so are those e-mail petitions. E-mail tracking systems don’t exist yet.

Verify your forwards. Don’t spread hate. Remember your compassion and “do your bit of good…” Support your troops. Victory should always be won by truth, justice, and honor. Not raw emotions and well-spun lies.

2008-06-19T19:32:00.000-05:00

If you live in the Brainerd Lakes area and are lonely, or suffering, or have a desire to help someone, or simply want be a part of something; here’s three lists taken from the Brainerd Dispatch, Wed. June 18th, 2008. There are numerous clubs, volunteer organizations, and support groups available.

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/061808/nei_20080618009.shtml
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/061808/nei_20080618010.shtml
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/061808/nei_20080618011.shtml

You are not alone is what you seek. Your path is only slightly different than your neighbor.

2008-06-14T09:53:00.000-05:00

"Study hard, laugh often and keep your honor." I pray that I've taught him
to make good decisions and given him strong moral grounding to do the right
thing. Because, ever since August 22, 1985, at 7:11 p.m., I've known that when
my life is over, there's nothing more I'll be judged on than what kind of father
I was." Tim Russert's advice to his son Luke

2008-06-09T17:18:00.000-05:00

My hardest days are not the ones filled with intense pain and exhaustion. My hardest days are the ones where I temporarily lose hope, direction, and the fire of determination to keep fighting.

2008-06-09T13:26:00.000-05:00

I was interested in how some of our local charities began and how they help people. Here’s a list of three major social service/disaster relief organizations and a brief run-down, followed by local Brainerd area links.

The Red Cross is mainly known for blood donations. The American Red Cross was established on May 21, 1881 by Clara Barton. Clara (1821-1912) was a a teacher and federal bureaucrat when the Civil War broke out. (She started teaching around the age of 15 or 16.) After the civil war, on advice of her doctors, in 1869, she went to Europe for a vacation. There she became involved in the work of the International Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War, and was determined to bring the organization home to America. Each year, the American Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters, including fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters. American Red Cross focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency needs. The Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services. A major misconception is that the American Red Cross provides medical facilities, search and rescue operations, or deploys ambulances to disaster areas. The American Red Cross does not engage in these first responder activities.

Local Red Cross Website: http://northstar-redcross.org/contactus.php

The United Way of America, is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and is a non-profit organization that works with over 1,300 local United Way offices throughout the country. The focus of United Way is identifying and resolving community issues, as well as making changes in the communities through partnerships with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and others. The issues United Way focuses on are determined locally because of the diversity of the communities served. United Ways identify and build on community strengths and assets, help individuals and groups with specific community interests find ways to contribute their time and talents, support direct-service programs and community-change efforts, and advocate public policy changes.

Local United Way Website: http://www.unitedwaynow.org/

The Salvation Army is a Christian charity and church that is internally organized like a military service. It’s most recognized during the Christmas season with volunteers who stand outside of businesses ringing bells to inspire passersby to place donations inside red kettles. Its founders William and Catherine Booth sought to bring Christian salvation to the poor, destitute, and hungry by meeting both their physical and spiritual needs. The Salvation Army was founded in London's East End in the year 1865 by Methodist minister William Booth. Originally, Booth named the organization the Christian Mission, but in 1878 Booth reorganized the mission along military lines when his son Bramwell objected to being called a volunteer. The name became The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is well-known for its network of Thrift Stores or Charity Shops, which raise money for its activities by selling donated used items such as clothing, housewares, and toys. The Salvation Army has a history of free rehabilitation from alcohol and drug abuse. Thrift stores provide the revenue to run the Adult Rehabilitation Centers known as ARCs.

Local Salvation Army Website: http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/usc/www_usc_brainerd.nsf/

Information taken in part from Wikipedia.

2008-06-05T13:21:00.001-05:00

Why do some people thrive in situations that others can’t tolerate?

2008-05-14T12:18:00.000-05:00

My intentions for this blog:
• Write about the positives in the Brainerd Lakes area, such as: good books, great people, and wonderful organizations.
• Encourage volunteerism.
• Point out items I think are important but haven’t achieved a place in the “big news”.
• Create a sense of idealism. http://www.advisorteam.org/the_four-temperaments/temp_idealist.html ; http://www.idealist.org/ ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idealist .
• Get people to act on their on their highest morals and values.

Theodore Roosevelt wrote a letter to Henry Sprague Jan. 26th, 1900. In it Mr. Roosevelt said, he was fond of the African proverb: “Speak softly and carry a big stick…”
He goes on to say that “if I had yelled and blustered as Parkhurst and the similar dishonest lunatics desired, I would not have had ten votes.”
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/at0052as.jpg

We know screaming at people labels you a lunatic. We know yelling and blustering did not serve Howard Dean well. As parents, we know our kids don’t even “hear” our yelling.

Mr. Roosevelt seems to infer in his letter that having a sense of humor, keeping cool, and refusing to listen to anything that isn’t thoroughly upright are the tactics that will be crowned with success.

Armed with Mr. Roosevelt’s tactics, what can you change? In your brokenness, how can you succeed? What kind of world would be ideal to you? You know what’s right. Don’t let any one or any thing stop you from creating it.

2008-05-12T16:55:00.000-05:00

IT’S FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY!!
The Minnesota Senate recognizes May 12th, 2008 as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
S.R. No. 206, as introduced: 85th Legislative Session (2007-2008) Posted on May 12, 2008.
1.1A senate resolution
1.2recognizing May 12, 2008, as National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
1.3WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is a significant illness affecting more than six million Americans;
1.4and
1.5WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is six times more prevalent than muscular dystrophy, cystic
1.6fibrosis, leukemia, and multiple sclerosis combined; and
1.7WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is a chronic condition affecting women, men, and children of all
1.8ages and races for which there is no known cause or cure; and
1.9WHEREAS, fibromyalgia patients are sometimes misunderstood by family members,
1.10friends, employers, and physicians as having a mental health disorder due to inadequate
1.11knowledge of fibromyalgia; and
1.12WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is costly to the state: an estimated $1 billion in medical expenses,
1.13lost wages, and associated economic costs can be attributed nationwide to the disease, and the
1.14costs are multiplied because the average fibromyalgia patient sees at least three physicians over
1.15the course of one-and-a-half years prior to being diagnosed with fibromyalgia; and
1.16WHEREAS, studies indicate that the incidences of fibromyalgia may be rapidly increasing;
1.17NOW, THEREFORE,
1.18BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it joins with fibromyalgia
1.19support organizations in promoting awareness; encouraging improved education, diagnosis,
1.20research, and treatment; and recognizing National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12, 2008.
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/resolutions/ls85/0/SR0206.htm

2008-04-28T10:01:00.000-05:00

National Volunteerism Week is April 27-May 3

If you know a volunteer, thank them for taking time from their busy lives to make what they do a priority.

Want to volunteer? Start here?
http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/

Or go here.
http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/seasons/nvw/

Please check out the full page list of volunteer opportunities published every month in the Brainerd Dispatch.
http://lakesarea.brainerddispatch.com/default.aspx

2008-04-21T12:51:00.000-05:00

"LOOKING FOR THE HELP ONLY YOU CAN GIVE"

Like most households, your budget is probably being crunched by the high gas prices and food costs. You look for the cheapest gas. You’ve cut back on going out to eat. “Money Saving Tips” and “Pinching Pennies” are daily discussions at your place.

And like you, your favorite charities are financially challenged. Local food shelves are helping more and more people. The food shelves were created to help poor and homeless people. Currently there are people with jobs, asking for food for their families, some very embarrassed to do so. It’s a difficult time for everyone.

One thing we all need to remember, is that we all suffer. We need to help each other pull ourselves up by our boot straps. Our loved ones, our neighbors, and those we don’t know, need a helping hand, not a hand-out.

We all know that “throwing money at problems” doesn’t make them disappear. So I challenge you to figure out ways you can help – yourself and someone else. For most of us this challenge ain’t gonna be easy. With our limited mobility, limited income, limited transportation, limited time, and difficulty taking care of ourselves, what can we do? I bet you can think of something.

Even though we live in the “Snark Ages” (an aptly coined phrase from the media), we can conquer the cynicism, irony, and hopelessness we see daily. We all can do things to help children, ill, elderly, animals, education systems, etc. I believe we can make our world better if we choose to. If you have good ideas for helping others, e-mail me:
bluesabre73@yahoo.com
I’d love to post them. I won’t reveal sources without permission. Don’t let the “Snarkyness” of your buddies keep you from sending a real heartfelt e-mail. Let your honor and compassion shine through, despite how “ill” it will make the rest of society. Be imaginative, inspired, and resourceful!

2008-04-10T09:39:00.000-05:00

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month!

Parenting is one of the toughest jobs ever! It takes more skills than the average human being possesses to succeed at this career. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, chauffeuring, educating, disciplining, socializing, juggling schedules, paying bills, obsessively worrying about how good a parent you are… the list of your required competencies are insanely endless.

Unfortunately, you will receive no formal training for this job. You will probably be criticized no matter how well you do. There is no such thing as a perfect parent.

But there are good parents. Good parents are aware – of their weaknesses, of their children’s abilities, and of places they can go to get help if needed. Good parents are willing to learn a better way.

Parents are not the only people that might abuse a child. All of us have the responsibility to do something to prevent children from being hurt.

If you’re interested in reading a story about child abuse, try reading Dave Pelzer’s ‘A Child Called “It”’. It’s a horrendous account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. I was fortunate enough to attend Mr. Pelzer’s presentation in Brainerd several years ago. Unforgettable! So many of us listened to this man’s story and sobbed at his trauma. Mr. Pelzer is a stranger to us. An ironic thing is we often have children being abused somewhere close to us and we choose to not see it. We squint our eyes and pray someone else does something.

To learn more about Child Abuse Prevention Month check out these sites:

http://www.preventchildabusemn.org/index.php

http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/

http://www.cyfernet.org/hottopic/childabuse.html

http://cdf.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=Programs_Cradle_Abuse_Neglect

http://womenscenteronline.org/alex.html

2008-03-23T19:29:00.000-05:00

Jon Hassler passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2008.

This past summer, my son and I read Mr. Hassler’s young adult book “Four Miles to Pinecone”. The novel was about a teenage boy dealing with what all teens have to deal with – grades, friends, part-time jobs, and big moral decisions. Quite awhile ago, I had read “Good People”. It was a warm-hearted book about the people in Jon’s life that impressed him with their kindness. His writing made me feel as though I knew him. Actually, I met him only once - briefly. I worked for his daughter at Book World several years ago. He came to visit her. I immediately wanted to absorb through osmosis whatever it was that made his writing so good.

He will be missed. As many noted or alluded to on his guest book page, he was a good man. http://www.legacy.com/startribune/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=106078960

“Jon showed us that we do have choices, and that they are important, no matter how restricted our realm.” http://www.csbsju.edu/news/2008/03/sju/hassler.htm

“Beloved author and teacher Jon Hassler, whose unconquerable will to write became as much admired as his novels steeped in small-town Minnesota, died early Thursday of a Parkinson's-like disease. He was 74.” http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/16853741.html

“One of his most famous fans was Hillary Rodham Clinton. Hassler met her at the White House when she was first lady.” http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=14630&section=News&freebie_check&CFID=17751766&CFTOKEN=94938853&jsessionid=8830c533fe716a283469

“And with his loving heart, discerning eye and keen sense of humor, Jon made us laugh while we absorb these serious lessons,” Reinhart said. http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080320/NEWS01/103200062/1009

2008-03-14T08:57:00.000-05:00

Dear Community:
Do you suffer from chronic health conditions? Do you have pain, fatigue, and frustration medicine can’t relieve?

Did you choose to make the best of this day despite how bad it could be? Did you choose to take good care of yourself?
Thank-you. I cherish and value your determination.

To those of you who love people with chronic health conditions, we appreciate you. Thank-you for your empathy and support. You have no idea how much you mean to us.

More

Do I hold you back?

Do I keep this world behind?

Does my illness make everyone around me ‘less than’ they could be?

If I were healthier, would I challenge them more?

If I were more competitive, would they be stronger?

If I were more, could they be more too?

Or does it not depend on me?

They do not decide who I choose to be.

Perhaps, who they are is up to them?

2008-03-12T13:37:00.000-05:00

Here's a few characters that traipse through my community:

2008-03-10T13:41:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading Craig Nagel’s book, “A Place Called Home: Moments from an Ordinary Life”. What a good book! I closed the book feeling as though someone just opened the window on a sunny day. The book I read was borrowed from the library but I definitely need to buy my own copy.

I first ‘discovered’ Mr. Nagel in 2005. He writes for our local paper, the "Lake Country Echo". His column is entitled the ‘Cracker Barrel’. In September of 2005, Mr. Nagel’s column was about Sally Carrighar's books and her philosophy of nature’s morality. I have been collecting the columns I liked the most since then. I thought of Mr. Nagel as an imaginary friend: someone who was very smart because he shared my deepest truths. Funny how all the smart people you know believe what you believe?

“A Place Called Home” is a culmination of the ‘Cracker Barrel’ columns. The stories range from funny – ‘Letting Out the Cat’… to heart wrenching – ‘Kia’… to just plain, good, old-fashioned, common sense – ‘Two Rules’…

It really shouldn’t surprise me how much I liked this book. I have met/read several authors here in the North Country. Their written work has been astonishing. Here’s a short list of a few writers I have met (there are many, many authors I have yet to meet):

Don Dabill
Jon Hassler
Terry Mejdrich
Ted Lundrigan
Mike Holst
John Collins
Doris Bergstrom

2008-03-05T09:53:00.000-06:00

I was skimming my latest edition of the Northland Press, when I noticed a rectangular box. I often see it, with its bold headline Child In Need. I usually read what the box encloses.

I read Kinship Partner boxes to see if there is a child who might like me. As of yet, I haven’t discovered a match.

One of the things I have learned when it comes to volunteering is never force things to happen. You can’t bend life to your will and make it perfect. Don’t make things harder than they are. And don’t blame yourself for not being able to fix the entire world.

Just keep your eyes open. Be ready to do what’s needed. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Yes, that’s an old cliché. But it’s a good one.

Kinship Partners have a really nice website with lots of information to answer nearly any question you have. http://www.kinshippartners.org/

I explored around there a bit. I found out they have been around in Crow Wing County since 1986. They also have profiles of kids in need. If any one of them fits with your lifestyle, let Kinship know you’re interested. They have all the forms you need to fill out on their website.

2008-03-05T09:49:00.001-06:00

Enjoy your blind-folded life

Didn’t you see the silver-haired lady in her wheelchair, asking timidly, for your help getting items from the top grocery store shelf?

Didn’t you see the cold, raggedly clothed man on the side of the road thumbing for a ride?

Didn’t you see the trash covering acres and acres of what was once a beautiful country?

Didn’t you see the teenager with deep depression and apathy in his eyes, silently pleading for hope?

Didn’t you see the abandoned, crumbling homes of lives past?

Didn’t you see the fast-moving, peculiarly dressed woman, muttering aggressively to herself?

Didn’t you see the dreary-eyed mom with a drink in one hand and a smoke in the other, screaming at her terrified kid?

Didn’t you see the commercial on TV, with the hollow-eyed naked child, saying ‘for the price of coffee you can feed me’?

Didn’t you see the news reports of the atrocities of terror, rape, murder, and destruction being committed on behalf of a ‘benevolent’ dictator?

You didn’t see that?

Maybe you did but thought, someone else will take care of it.

Someone else who has more time, who knows what to do, who has more money, who has more brains, who has better health, who isn’t as busy as you…

Sorry.

There is no one better than you.

NO ONE’S BETTER THAN YOU.

2008-03-03T09:59:00.000-06:00

This is not a local community Brainerd Lakes or surrounding area story. But it's inspiring nonetheless:

"On a rare vacation in Nepal in 1998, a chance encounter between Microsoft
executive John Wood and a Nepalese teacher changed the businessman’s life.
The teacher introduced Wood to a world where books are a hot commodity,
taking him to a school where books were considered so valuable that the teachers
wouldn’t even allow the students to touch them without the protection of plastic
sheets. The revelation led Wood to make a promise to the children: One day he
would return with books.
“When I made a decent amount of money at
Microsoft at a young age I felt with the Microsoft stock I just got lucky,” Wood
said. “You know, you work hard but who’s to say that you deserve all that money?
I was just trying to figure something out I could do with it – to not turn into
somebody who wanted to retire at a young age and withdraw from society and
instead find a way to engage.”

Go here to read the rest of the story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23188283

2008-02-29T19:47:00.000-06:00

Would you like to go to a place where you are guaranteed to see smiling faces? Spend a little time with the Mounted Eagles riding program. The Mounted Eagles have been providing therapeutic horsemanship to persons with special needs since 1992. They started with one horse and one rider, one instructor and three volunteers. They now have the ability to provide services for up to 150 riders per week with seven horses, four NARHA certified instructors and 50+ volunteers. Their riders range from 3 to 65 years of age.

When people talk about the Mounted Eagles volunteers they often use words like Hero, honor, integrity, commitment, positive, hard-working, etc. Those words don’t only apply to the volunteers. If you met the riders you would know what I mean. This is a short list of what some of the riders deal with: mild to severe Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, MS, Angel’s Syndrome, seizure disorders, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and disorders resulting from exposure to drug and/or physical abuse by family members. There have been instances where doctors told parents not to expect their child to do certain things. With the love of their caregivers and the help of the Mounted Eagles program, some children have been able to push past those pre-set boundaries. Children that weren’t supposed to become verbal have been able to give their horses simple directions! “Go Horsey!”

And if you aren’t already chomping at the bit to meet the volunteers and the riders, let me introduce you to the horses. Who couldn’t fall in love with horses named, Ace, Angel, Rosie, and Wind Dancer? Even if the horses’ names aren’t decorative, it doesn’t mean they are valued any less. Bill is the “Gentle Giant” at the barn; some folks wouldn’t be able to ride without him. http://www.mountedeagles.org/horses.php

How do I know all this information? I was a volunteer. I’ve been chronically unwell and unable to volunteer in the capacity I would like. But I love the program, I love the volunteers, I love the horses, and most of all, I love the riders. I miss them all. There’s nothing more fantastic than going to “the barn”, tacking up the horses, and watching the riders' enthusiasm and see them make progress. I feel fortunate and humble to be involved in this program. I wrote this to share the joy I experienced.

If any of this sounds exciting to you, please contact the Mounted Eagles. They can always use your considerate donations of time, finances, or good horses.

Their website: http://www.mountedeagles.org/contact.php
Or Phone: 1-888-828-9920

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (KJV) Isaiah 40:31

2008-02-22T22:46:00.000-06:00

Imagine dreaming the following poem. The words alive, translucent, shimmering: starkly contrasted by the colors "White, Brown, Yellow, and Red".

I Couldn’t Paint Golden Angels

I Couldn’t Paint Golden Angels.
White, Brown, Yellow, and Red
The common, regular ones
I could.
But not Golden Angels.

I Couldn’t Paint Golden Angels
Their illustrious image eludes me.
They are just out of reach
From my mind’s eye.
The Golden Angels

I Couldn’t Paint Golden Angels
How do you put a price…?
How do you put on paper…?
Something beyond grandness
Of Words or Pictures?
Golden Angels

I Couldn’t Paint Golden Angels
My heart can see them
But my hands can not.
What I wouldn’t give to
Be the One Who could
Paint Golden Angels.

I Couldn’t Paint Golden Angels
But to the One
Who can and does,
Thank-you.
We need them.
Golden Angels

2008-02-20T11:14:00.000-06:00

Free Information

Stop. Think for a moment. Is something missing from your life? Need some mystery, a little romance, or do you long for the challenges of the Wild West? Maybe you’re more of a realist – you just want to be healthy, raise your kids, and learn about the world around you? I know of a place where you can get all this information for FREE.

Libraries have been around since the earliest times of civilization. They continue to be evolving cornerstones in communities. No longer are they just a place for dust covered parchments. Have you seen “The Librarian” movies with Noah Wylie?

I’ve heard, “Who needs libraries when we have the Internet?” The Internet isn’t free. Can you snuggle up with your computer as you would a good book? The Internet has tons of information, oftentimes too much. It can take on a ‘mob mentality’. Have you ever gotten a well-meaning e-mail that sounded so important you forwarded it to all your friends, only to find out it wasn’t true? Another thing libraries offer that the Internet can’t is a live person. A librarian’s job is to try to get you information you need. By asking questions and observing body language, they may find what you are looking for more easily than a search engine on a disinterested computer. Librarians are human beings and sometimes may have a bad day or their brains go on a mental vacation without their permission but the librarians I know, care about getting you the information you requested.

The Pine River Public Library not only provides a tremendous amount of information, they also offer various ways for consumers to retrieve the information. These include, but are not limited to:

Free Internet Access
Wireless Internet Access
Online Catalog
Books, magazines, and newspaper in print
Audio Books on Cassettes and CD
Music on Cassettes and CD
Videos and DVDs

If you search the building and don’t see what you need, just ask. There may be a way to borrow items from other libraries and have them sent to the Pine River Library. The Pine River Public Library is part of the Kitchigami Regional Library System. As part of this system, the library has access to eight other library collections, as well as a mobile library. They also have access to other libraries in Minnesota through MNLink

The Pine River Library has story time for young children. They also have an outreach program for seniors. This is a valuable service for the community and will become more important as our baby boomers (those born from 1946-1964) begin to age. Did you know that in less than four years, our largest generation will begin to turn 65?

All you need to take advantage of these and many other services too numerous to mention, is your FREE library card. Adults need to provide a valid Minnesota I.D. with the current address. Residents will be asked to present the I.D. and complete a library card application. The parent or guardian of minor children (under 15 years of age) will need to sign the library card application. Use your card to check out materials from any Kitchigami Regional Library System branch. With your library card, you can also access the library's databases at http://krls.org/ from your home, office, or school computer.

Our Pine River Public Library is running out of space and in need of a new roof. If you have visited the library on a melting winter day, you have possibly heard the dripping and seen the containers used to catch the water. The Library Foundation board has been raising money through donations, grants, and fundraisers for an addition and a new roof. Anyone wishing to donate may make checks payable to Pine River Library Foundation, P.O. Box 14, Pine River MN 56474. Donations to the Pine River Library are eligible for a tax write-off; the Foundation is a tax exempt non-profit 501 (c)(3). There are many ways of giving to the Library Foundation. In addition to giving your valuable time, donors may give real estate, bequests, endowments, and other gifts.

Please stop in and visit. Don’t forget to say hi to Browser, the library cat. Here’s when the library is open:
Sun
Closed
Mon
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tue
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wed
12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thu
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fri
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sat
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The library wouldn’t be here without people like you who believe in free access to information. Thank-you.