Last fall I watched a gorgeous movie titled A Hidden Life about Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer and devout Catholic who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. Franz, his wife, Fani, and their three young daughters lived outside the small village of St. Radegund and were important members of the tight-knit rural community. In 1943, he and other able-bodied were called up to fight for Germany. […]
The other day my husband and I looked at each other across the table and said “good riddance” to 2019. It was a difficult year filled with almost insurmountable heartbreak. Sadly, we had to go back to 2006 to find a year we were sad to see end. Still, we never completely gave up hope. Each of those years also brought joys beyond measure. We’re grandparents four times over. We […]
On my way into town I often take a shortcut through the countryside. On the south side of the road stood three trees, strong and proud, and oh so beautiful. The other day I drove past the property again and found this heartbreaking sight. I had to pull over to the side of the road because my tears were obstructing my vision. This fallen tree reminded me of my own brokenness. […]
This morning I woke up in my usual fibromyalgia fog and stumbled down the stairs to brew some java and get ready for a long day of writing. My first task is always to let out Fitzy for his morning tinkle. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the entryway and the front door was WIDE open. I was pretty freaked out. We moved out to the country for the […]
Five years ago we met this little cutie at an Underdog Rescue adoption event. We were going through a painful season in our life and needed a pick-me-up, so we thought it would be fun to snuggle with some puppies. Well, let me tell you, the event was like a three-ring circus – literally! There were three enclosures containing various breeds of dogs: One for the retriever types, one for […]
Back in the 70s and 80s I was a huge KISS fan. I mean, who didn’t like to play air guitar to “Rock and Roll All Night” or slow dance to “Beth?” Not only did I love their music, but their vibe and costumes were awesome! When I was a freshman at a small Lutheran school in Northern Minnesota where nothing unsavory was allowed, my besties and I dressed […]
I have long been an animal advocate. At Sunny Hollow Elementary school back in the 60s, my friend Carrie and I performed our own rendition of “Born Free” at the annual talent show, she playing the piano and me positioned on top of said piano. The introduction was especially moving. While she tinkled the ivories, I pled my case to the audience: There are animals living in zoos and they […]
We adopted our little Fitzgerald a few months ago from Underdog Rescue, a nonprofit pet rescue, rehabilitation, and placement organization. He is one of the best things that ever happened to me (more on that in a subsequent post). We are together pretty much 24×7. I don’t know what it is about him, but he is a real tick magnet – even with preventative meds from our vet. Maybe it has […]
The human voice is the organ of the soul~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow On my six-hour drive down to visit my daughter and her family, I listened to a wonderful documentary on Minnesota Public Radio: The Vietnam Tapes: Letters from a Willmar Soldier (http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/30/mpr_news_presents). Dan Kleven and his family from Willmar, Minnesota sent cassette tapes back and forth while he was deployed during the war. He drew vivid word pictures about […]
Nope, I’m not kidding. the Kindle version of Facing the Dragon: How a Desperate Act Pulled One Addict out of Methamphetamine Hell is FREE from May 28 – June 3. (If you don’t have a Kindle, you can still take advantage of this offer. There is a free Kindle app available for smartphones, tablets, and PCs.) In Facing the Dragon, you will witness the slow, agonizing metamorphosis of a good-looking […]