April 27, 2025 I have a confession that will shock no one: uncertainty is very, very difficult for me. Even as several positive transformations have been taking place in my life, I feel concern about the unknowns and the things that are left to do. I could have 98 percent of my day planned butContinue reading “Outcome Unknown”
Category Archives: April
Human, Kind
April 5, 2025 I have often found myself acting as an ambassador for the places I live, work, or frequent. Even before I moved to this tourist town — where we spend the summer eating lunch and drinking coffee with thousands of our closest friends — I had a number of jobs that put meContinue reading “Human, Kind”
Caffeine Routine
April 10, 2023 While I’m more than happy to frequent my local coffee shops, I’ve also spent an inordinate amount of time and money creating my own “coffee station.” Call it a relic of COVID, or an adaptation to working from home. Or maybe I just like to stay in some mornings. All told, theseContinue reading “Caffeine Routine”
Almost
April 6, 2022 People who know such things have told me that the average date of last frost in our Driftless region is April 15. That means spring is almost here (to say nothing of tax refunds). As tortured as our weather seems right now, the temperature is guaranteed to get steadily warmer. Meanwhile, lifeContinue reading “Almost”
Regionalism (something a little different…)
April 20, 2021 Geologists will call this place “Driftless”, But it defies term, time, and space, Driftless. – A death below the ice hath no sting here, Yet all around we find its trace: Driftless. – Knotted oak holding court upon the bluff, Trout stream free of any millrace: Driftless. – Deep spirituality of nationsContinue reading “Regionalism (something a little different…)”
With Green Returning
April 14, 2021 Growing up here in the Midwest, I learned the old adage that corn should be planted when the oak leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear. I can’t say if that still holds true. The oak by my window is boasting new miniature leaves, but I just haven’t looked at enoughContinue reading “With Green Returning”
From the Archives III
Many thanks to the folks who donated to “the Driftless Grace fund” (see previous post)! April 6, 2021 I’m still settling into my new home, but rest assured that inspiration is seeping in from all sides. For now, I thought I’d bring to light this piece that Dad wrote in 1978. It’s every bit asContinue reading “From the Archives III”
Thumbs Up
April 29, 2020 On Monday afternoon, while visiting my mom, I managed to slam my car door onto my thumb. It hurt badly and looked even worse. But when the initial shock had subsided, what I mostly felt was embarrassment. In the midst of a societal slowdown, I could have avoided an injury if I’dContinue reading “Thumbs Up”
Standstill
April 25, 2020 In “things I should be doing” news, today would have been the annual Ice Age Trail conference. What have I done today? Not much. I have a daily routine, but it’s nothing profound — and even that falls by the wayside sometimes. As an illustration, the highlight of my day was makingContinue reading “Standstill”
Mostly Sunny
April 21, 2020 Momentary panic aside, the last week or so has felt like a dream to me. I say “dream” not only in the surreal sense, but in the sense that I’m leading the kind of life I have always hoped for. I’ve gotten used to the rhythms of my new town. I knowContinue reading “Mostly Sunny”
Driftless Grace 