First the rain...

then almost 10 inches of snow...

a black and white scene in a February snow.

Skiing silently along the little river
Wet flakes of snow reflecting in the flash on the camera.

A hole at the base of an ancient tree...

a refuge for tiny woodland critters...

Taking little notice

of our gliding skis

as we quietly cross the trails

of other wandering woodland travelers.

***

Dancing with words!

Taking part in a program at school

encouraging reading for elementary ages...

(Horses was the topic chosen.)

I found it was like a dance.

Sometimes the teacher leads...

and sometimes the kids do.

But you can feel the flow of the rhythm...

Let's Dance!

***

"Street Creds"

Sid has the reputation of being a cranky old man… but that looks like a smile on his face!

Maybe he just didn't want to mess with a “cranky old lady”!

From l-r: Sid Hartman, Rosie and Dave Mona.

Over 30 years ago, when I was working for another city newspaper, I asked to get in the press box at a Viking’s football game to write a feature story. I didn’t think that was asking much. It just looked like a good place to watch the game.

But I was turned down. Word got back to me that it was Sid Hartman’s press box so instead I would be given 50 yard line seats where I could write my story.

Now I figured this was strange – and I wondered what was going on up in the press box – but my husband kept begging me to take the 50 yard line seats!!!

It was fun there too.

So it was with interest that I noted the banquet speakers for the recent Minnesota Newspaper Convention were Sid Hartman and Dave Mona from their weekly WCCO radio show, Sports Huddle. And, because the Beacon editor is an avid Minnesota Twins baseball fan, I thought this would be my chance to impress him.

I didn’t know Sid, but Dave Mona is the “little” brother of my friend Judy who was a bridesmaid in my wedding! That was 46 years ago and it’s been even more years since we were 16 year old girls having a slumber party at the Mona’s. And we haven't seen each other for many years.

Well, after leaving three e-mails to Dave’s office and a phone message at his home and receiving no response whatsoever, I was getting pretty embarrassed!

Finally, right before the convention I received an e-mail from Dave explaining he had been out of town and agreed to meet.

At the banquet, I left the Cannon Falls Beacon staff’s table and threaded my way up to the head table, wondering if Dave would even remember me. To my surprise he got up and gave me one of the warmest hugs I’ve ever received!

I went back to the Beacon table and said, “Did you see? He hugged me!” They nodded and groaned, “Yes... we saw.” (I'm sure they were impressed.)

The friendly bantering between Dave and Sid seems the same off the air as on their show. Dave explained to the crowd, “Sid is one of the best friends I’ve got. We may disagree on certain things… but there is this camaraderie between the two of us.”

He continued, “The way the Sports Huddle works is that in 26 years, Sid thinks it’s a sports show and I think it’s a comedy show!” Basically, on the show you just hear Dave throw questions Sid’s way and after Sid tosses out his opinions it’s up to Dave to pick up the pieces and salve things over with the callers. You get the feeling that Sid looks at things from a pretty basic view…(his of course)… and you’d better not pretend you’re something you aren’t because he’ll tell you just what you really are!

Sid revealed, “One thing I can brag about… I know more people… I have more access to places… I know more about what’s going on than any other guy in sports.”

He added, there’s such a thing as trust in this business and being fair. Sid supports Brad Childress, Vikings coach. He feels so sorry for him… “he’s never been given a chance… but it all boils down to one thing… win…if you win they love you – if you lose it’s no good.”

And to me, Sid and Dave both win.

What really is important...

***

You really get your "priorities" in place when your granddaughters are in the hospital.

One caught the flu that is hitting this area of the country. Already three children have died from it.

The other had surgery to help her breathe better.
They're both back home again and we hope to see them riding soon!

(We'd also like to see some warmer weather soon! This 20 below zero stuff makes it a little too cool for us! You'd think the cold would at least kill off some of these bugs!)

Go Girls!

***

An “Ahhh… moment” - to understand a little bit better.

(Rosie Revision)

I’ve heard folks try to comfort people who have lost someone

by telling them to remember that they still have others.

And that’s true… but one day I was tossing ideas to God

and I explained that I find I’m loving more people all the time.

But that can hurt.

Because the more of them I love -

the more I don’t want to lose!

And the heartfelt thought came back to me,

“I don’t either.”

*

And I understood a little bit more the verses:

…it is not the will of your Father… that even one of these little ones

should perish. Matthew 18:14

…Of those you have given me, I have not lost even one. John 18:9

***

I think I hear a song... kinda!

***

Snowflakes keep fallin' on my head...

but that doesn't bother me

'Cause I know I'll be fed...

Whether rain or shine

I know that I will dine

'Cause I've got my owner trained

I see her comin' down the lane

'Cause she loves me!

(And I make her feel guilty if she's late!

Just watch me look at her with my big brown eyes!)

It's finally stopped snowing.

Several inches on the ground...

a couple inches clinging on my back.

But my feed came on time...

all is well.

***

Another "Mystery of the moment..."

It's still below zero...
and the wind chill is even colder...

The furnace is trying to keep the house warm...
and I'm wearing so many layers I can hardly move!

A fire in the fireplace flickers with enticement
a recollection of a primal urge...
or just the calming feel of warmth...

Some folks might look in the flames for visions...
(I see a reflection of the photographer in the glass door.)

But maybe it's just a quiet reminder
to flow with the movement of the flames
and enjoy the mystery of the moment.

***

It was 19 degrees below zero

and a wind chill of 37 below...

and you want me to go outside to take a picture?

***

Actually, the horses are fed and the "barn" cats were allowed in the house for the night... and it's supposed to get warmer in a couple of days.

“Techie” Overload!

A brand new watch in its original package had been sitting on my desk for months because I couldn't figure out how to get it to work. I figured that its battery would wear out before I even got to wear the thing!

In fact, I bought a new battery for my old watch because although it doesn’t do all the things I originally bought it for, it still tells time. Duh! Could be that’s what a watch is supposed to do!

Three weight lifters at the work-out center have come up to me with advice on newer recorders that I could use instead of the old tape player I hooked onto my waist as I walked on the treadmill. Their concern was so sweet. And I am using their suggestions as to how to use the weights.

But as far as using our new MP3 player... I explained to one of these guys, “ I haven’t figured out how to download the music yet and I had to decide if I was going to try to do that or just put on my old tape player and get out an exercise. I decided to get out and exercise.” He looked at me and nodded, “Wise choice.” (White hair and tennis shoes get nice treatment! Or else they decide, don’t mess with Grandma!)

Last week my husband and I had to get new cell phones. I’m not sure on what planet they wrote the instruction books. For instance, when looking up information Paul suggested I look up “volume”. But it wasn’t listed. “That would have been too easy.” I said. Twice more he gave suggestions …. and I said, too easy… too easy. Of course they wouldn’t write it so I could find it! (Do I sound crabby?)

I’ve heard that some people in this techie society may become so disconnected from real living breathing things that their bodies are negatively affected by this loss. Maybe that’s why we should listen to that inner craving to touch and connect with something that is alive… be it a plant or a dog or even a human being!

Do you think that person could tell me what time it is?