Oh Snap!

Broken tree limbs and trunks are a common sight around our neighborhood thanks to that wicked ice and snow blizzard back in February. It's the perfect illustration of what happens when something can only bear so much weight before it snaps.

Humans are the same.

How much weight are you carrying on your shoulders right now? Are you about to snap?

Notice the inside of these trees look perfectly healthy. But they couldn't handle it. Sometimes we can't either. Why do we think that we are super human?

Just like snow falls slowly, our burdens often build up gradually before we start to feel the stress on our "limbs" – at about the time it's too late. Can we prevent this from happening? Sometimes. A lot of stressors are out of our control. But not all of them.

It's taken some 50 years of wisdom to build up for me to realize that some of the "weight" I've been carrying on my shoulders is due to a simple three-letter word: YES. Ironic that NO is an even shorter word, but harder for me to say. I'm getting there.

Tomorrow, for example, I get to pass a torch (and a very hefty binder) to a committee that gradually built up stress over the past six years. I did my two terms and will happily allow someone else to carry it forward. As usual, it "didn't seem like a big deal" when I said "yes" all those years ago. But things don't always turn out that way.

That committee assignment was just one example. I had a very time-consuming freelance client that I recently had to do away with. My free time is far more valuable to me these days. I've worked long and hard to deserve nothing-weighing-on-me free time. That's why I am so grateful to make gradual (very gradual) progress on my de-cluttering. It didn't happen overnight. But baby steps are easing that weight on my limbs. I'll get there eventually. I will!

Today I'm praying hard for a loved one who is so overwhelmed, she is about to snap. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the option to say "no" as often as she'd like. Just praying her limbs hold up until some of the stress melts.

How about you? What's weighing you down these days? Take a close look to see how many snowflakes are quietly landing on your branches. Can you brush some off before they start accumulating?

Try it. It feels so good.

For the Birds

Today was a contest between Sylvester and me to see who had more ambition. It was a close call.

Hubby was gone all day officiating a basketball tournament in Stevens Point. I had a free day to myself. I did have a mission to clean out some more crap from my office. But decided around noon that that was for the birds. Kitty agreed and went to take her third nap. I grabbed my camera and went for a cruise.

I know in the spring there are usually lots of cranes and swans making pit stops in the fields just a mile or so away on County Trunk W. But I also knew it might be too early for them. Today was only in the 30s. Sunny but windy and not spring-like.

Not much luck on the cranes. Just spotted this pair and stalked them for a bit.

Had my super lens with me but that thing weighs 5 pounds itself and gets heavy to hoist. So I didn't spy on them too long.

Decided to make my way down County Trunk Z, which follows the Wisconsin River (somewhat) down to Lake Petenwell. I knew there had been eagle sightings there a few a weeks ago. But I wasn't free that day. And wasn't in need of avoiding housework. Today, most definitely.

There was some herons chilling out so I stopped on a bridge to try to catch them in action. Probably too sunny to take decent pictures, but I gave it a go.

From there I kept going south until I got to The Lure bar and restaurant on Lake Petenwell. I hadn't seen any eagles in trees but suddenly, they were flying right above me.

And I mean more than one. More like 5 but I could only get 4 in a frame.

I was beyond delighted. Of course, I am still pretty inexperienced with my big lens so I wasn't getting great shots (in my opinion) but got some just to prove I saw what I saw!

"No fighting!" 

I could not see where they were landing so decided to head back home.

Spotted one in a tree. Don't ask me how I could see it across the river while driving by, but I have an eagle eye (pun intended) for eagles, thanks to my kayaking adventures.

My camera wanted to focus on all those branches so I didn't get a super crisp picture of him. I was just glad he sat for a few seconds before jetting off.

Always so cool to see!

He was heading back south and I figured I better keep heading north and back to my chores. Sylvester didn't even notice I was gone so I didn't get in trouble with the "boss."

And despite the welcome distraction, I did make some progress today. Felt good to get rid of stuff that I hadn't even looked at in ages. But somehow felt the need to keep. I still think all this decluttering is for the birds, but I'll keep flapping through.

Highly Ill-Logic-al

A package arrived from Amazon the other day. Nothing unusual there except I could not figure out why I was getting a book called Supermarket. Surely there was some mistake. When I saw the author's name was Bobby Hall, it actually started clicking.

Bobby is more commonly known as the rapper Logic. And this was his book – which we pre-ordered for Carter for one of his Christmas presents. Fast forward three months and the book was released Monday and in our mailbox the next day.

I told Carter I was going to read it before delivering it to him next week. He's way jealous.

I, on the other hand, am decidedly not cool or hip enough to be reading this! But that didn't stop me.

I read a little the first night and told Carter that Logic's writing style took a bit to get used to. (I know. I'm too much of an editor and critic!) But he'd go off on a tangent and literally write, "Now where was I going with that? Oh yeah. Back to..." A little too conversational for me, I said. But promised Carter no spoilers.

Didn't back to it until tonight after work. And finished the whole book!

Still a strange story but it had some twists. I think Carter will really like it. So props to Logic. He also dropped a "soundtrack" for the book on the same day. Brilliant marketing move.

I'll need to remember that when I finally do get a book done. Make sure I've got decent recordings of me on the kazoo to go with it.

Now that's illogical.

Perfect Start

José Berríos wins the Opening-Day duel with 10 strikeouts on the way to the first #TwinsWin of the season! Photo courtesy Minnesota Twins

Much like my NCAA bracket, you gotta brag up your teams while they are still perfect. My Twinkies are undefeated! Whoot!

Granted today was the season opener, but still. It's always good to be able to say that at least once. Hopefully I can repeat it a few more times.

Also hoping I can get to more than one game this year. This was taken in June of 2017. Last year I swear I only got to one game. Gotta up my game to see some games this season. I won't have my cuties – Joe Mauer and Paul Molitor – to look at, but I do have to see if our new manager Rocco is rocking it. It's my responsibility as a loyal fan.

Now as for the long moment of silence on my bracket... I'm slipping. Slowly. We'll see how this weekend plays out. But I was smart to brag early on my perfect start.

Hope the bragging on my Twinkies proves to be much more positive. Play ball!

Guess What Day It Is

Forget the camel commercials talking about Hump Day, today is officially one week until I go see my baby!

That's what the countdown app on my phone says, anyway. Starting tomorrow I can say "less than a week." Time sure flies when you buy your ticket at the last minute. Ha.

Although I should be reporting it was the warmest day of the year so far, my mind is obviously on other things. Finally starting to realize I need to get a few details in order before leaving the country.  Am mostly set – except for packing. Don't need much for a long weekend when the weather is going to be about the same as here. Just have to figure out how not to look "too American." Maybe wear my Sweden sweatshirt?

Details, details... 7 days 13 hours and 25 minutes now!

Not Your Grandmother's Symphony

I sort of glossed over the cool show we saw on Friday night. It was awesome to see our friend Kathy perform but it was pretty amazing to experience a rock "symphony."

What is a rock symphony? Well this particular show featured the band Vic Ferrari and two dozen classical and pop musicians from the Midwest. So yes, there are violins, brass, drums, and even an accordion. And yes, they rocked all kinds of classics from different genres and performers: the Beach Boys, Earth, Wind and Fire, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Styx, the Beatles, the Who, Foreigner, Journey, and many more.

Take a look and try to imagine a rock sound...

I have a soft spot in my heart for brass!

They just don't build violinists like they used to!

A little Elton John bringing some Bennie and the Jets.

Nope. Not a polka. Not even close.

The light show was reminiscent of Tran-Siberian Orchestra.

Who let the dog out?

"Radioactive" with interesting accompaniment.

Playing in the crowd to the crowd. Beyond funky.

There was serious energy and serious fun. They have one more Symphony on the Rocks in May before they switch to all their band-only gigs for the summer. We have our fingers crossed our friend gets invited back to join them. We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, keep rockin' that air guitar, air harmonica... you name it!

But the Book Was Better

I've been an avid reader since I got a copy of my first Laura Ingalls Wilder book in my hands. After conquering Little House in the Big Woods, I read my way through the entire series and didn't look back.

Many times over the years, I'd swap books with like-minded friends as we kept the power of the written word alive. Then, with the advent of the Kindle and other e-readers, it suddenly became super easy to access books that were difficult to find in a brick-and-mortar store or that piqued our interest based on a friend's recommendation or the making of a book-based movie.

When my friend Christine and I ran out of copies of our Stephanie Plum novels to share, we decided to start a book club to expand our horizons and share the love. That was five years ago this month!

We started out with a handful of friends and, even though she moved away, much of the core group of 6-8 has continued to meet monthly ever since. We pick a book on a rotating basis and the "hostess" leads discussion at the designated local coffee house. I love it and I love these ladies! They're definitely my soul sisters!

A few times we manage to add a Girls Night Out to the mix when one of the books we read was playing on the big screen (book is always better) – or the movies is simply called Book Club. That was a hoot!

Tonight two of us went to see a free showing at the library of The Hate U Give, a book we read last November. As usual, the movie was good, but the book was better. Still, it does help to know the story so we can fill in the gaps if needed.

And it's always good to have a Girls Night, no matter what!

Still, this theory of book first, movie second, might not always work.

I recently purchased tickets to finally see the musical Hamilton this fall. So, so excited!! On a whim, I thought maybe I should read the book that the creation of the show was based on. So I ordered Alexander Hamilton on Amazon and this is what came in the mail...

I guess the listed page count (800!) escaped me. And it's small print!

I'm sure I'll plow through it at some point – maybe with Mr. Deck Chair's help this summer – but I can guarantee that come October, the show will be much better than the book!

Keep the word alive, my friends.

Grandma and Grand-Paw

Got to watch the visiting grand-pup today! Rey Rae is a sweetie. She pretty much calls the couch her home base but ventures off once in awhile – like every time she hears a sound from either of us. Anywhere in the house.

Casey was running errands all afternoon so I took advantage of the nice day and took Rey for a walk.

Still enough snow on the sides of the roads for goofy dogs like our girl to find. But where the snow had melted, it revealed a lot of dog poop. So much dog poop.

Her conversations with Grandma sounded something like this: "Rey. No, Rey. Reyyyy. No. Ladies don't eat poop!"

When we got home Sylvester – who had sequestered herself in hubby's closet – thought the coast was clear and ventured out. She just stopped in the hall and hissed. Rey just stared back. It was like a Princess Showdown on Blue Jay Drive. Or just a staring contest! This happened a few times with Sylvester going back to her castle to wait it out.

I'm not sure she likes us anymore.

I don't know if Rey does either. Even though grandparents are supposed to spoiled their grand kids and grand pets, she was not getting anywhere begging Cheeto's off Jim!

And it didn't help I was baking March Monster Madness cookies. The house smelled good and no one was giving treats! What kind of place is this?!

She survived, though. And it was fun. They'll head back to the Cities tomorrow – with fresh-baked treats for Casey anyway.