Just Go With The Flow of Happiness

It's crazy what makes us happy – or mildly content. For me after two evenings and mornings on my sister's back deck, I was thrilled to capture one hummingbird in action. Though the bird is not in clear focus.

Still... yay!

The focus of the weekend was getting to my sister RoAnn's on Saturday so we could see he granddaughter – my great-niece – Kenlee dance in her recital Sunday.

Let me just say, that was the most awesome experience! You were so good, girl!

In addition to her fans who were there to cheer her on, we all had a late lunch with Sunday. Then, it was a nice relaxing treat at my sister's to just relax by the "fire" in the evenings on the back deck.

Today I headed home and seeing my parents' grave was the only non-detour. Was glad about that. Also it had been pouring rain and it stopped for approximately 8 minutes so I could visit Mom and Dad and then it started within seconds. It was insane. So grateful!

As for the rest of the weekend... I am thrilled to be back home safely (with some parts only $4 per gallon of gas)... and craving to do more for more my nieces and nephews. A project for another day!

Ditto Day with Extra

While today's schedule was pretty similar to yesterday's, I had some extra fun – and sadness – at church today. Today was our last day of "work" for Dave, our choir director of 14+ years. And as a grand finale, we sang Handel's Messiah (aka The Hallelujah Chorus)!

Not to sound like a choir geek, but this has been one of my favorites to sing since I was a freshman in high school which (check history books) was long before some of you were even born! It was a staple in our high school choir Christmas concerts. Then fast forward 30-some years and I learned it was a "grand finale" as well in the Assumption Golden Mass right before Christmas break. I've never joined them on stage, but I know my soprano part to sing from the seats.

This is the You Tube link to the service. Fast forward to 01:24 in the service for our performance. I'm the short one far left in the front row. I was ready to cry by the last 4 notes. I love that song. And we'll all miss our director! We had a nice pot luck brunch after church. 

Then this afternoon we had two graduation parties this afternoon. One found us a Lake Arrowhead and the other was just a mile-plus away. I came home before hubby because I needed to search through 5 years of softball images for a few "particular photos" before playoffs on Tuesday. Found 'em!

Side note! It was summer-like today!! Still 74 degrees at 8 p.m. I'll take it. Tomorrow I'll have time to actually relax and enjoy. Gotta love 3-day weekends no matter the serious reason for them!

Hope you're taking time to relax and convince Mother Nature this is how we launch summer in Wisconsin!

Happy Satur-Dane

I don't know my father's thoughts on Danes. His only remark one time (as a 50/50 Swede and Norwegian) was about "goofy Finlanders."

Today I spent the day in a historic building called Danes Hall in Waupaca. Apparently lots of Danes settled in this town 45 minutes away. First time at the hall. An impressive facility that can accommodate a ceremony and reception on the third floor, an area to relax for appetizers on the second floor, and a popular bar in the bottom floor known as The Cellar. 

Every time I swear off shooting wedding photos, I cave to another request. This time to one of hubby's cousin's kids who lives on the East Coast but wanted something close to the bride's hometown in Waupaca.

Today was sunny and 84 degrees – the warmest day this year – but sun is not always a photographer's friend. So I did take most of the pictures inside the nice venue but took a few dozen outside with the couple. 

Although I am the cheapest photographer around, I still want to prove my worth and deliver good photos.

What I liked about this one is that I framed an angel on their shoulders to represent Grandma Batch, who is my mother-in-law's sister. Both are gone now. For the bride, I think/hope this picture means a lot! I know it will to Uncle Richard, who tearfully hugged me while commenting, "This is so hard to experience without Batch. She'd be so happy."

Sometimes in the chaos of all things weddings, we might forget how much the occasion means beyond the immediate family and friends. It's good to remember the feelings of grandparents who were overjoyed for the first times to be called Grandpa and Grandma. These "young people" are the world to them! 

Just pointing that out since I have several brides planning in 2026 and 2027 and I knew your grandparents who have gone. Also, I know for 99.9% certainty that y'all have better things to do than read my blog! LOL. Well, I did my part!

#hugyourfamily

Hidden Talents

My first hidden talent today was learning that I am a "good bleeder"... this is after a simple finger prick that turned into a good half hour of "bleeding out" (in my dramatic opinion) and hoping not to faint just to test our cholesterol and all that jazz for a work health program.

Thankfully some old friends had my back and I survived mostly unscathed except for a little down time on a couch in a lactation room (all these things exist in today's corporate America) and some stomach upheaval. 

Still waiting for my gold star for being such a great and generous bleeder!

After work, it was a bee line to Robinson Park for Senior Night for our Lady Royals. Every time I think I'm 100% aging out of this school, I think of the current squad that moves my heart with their hearts of dedication and hard work for Assumption. Congrats, Ari and my R sister. I will miss the heck out of you!

After that, I was able to finally stop at soccer a bit so I could get some pictures to Mr. Yearbook. That was a little bit more affirming that we are getting old and don't know most of these "young kids" anymore. Still, was fun to see.

Then, while I was editing and uploading photos tonight I hear some very young voices and realize we are watching our youngest next-door neighbors for a spell because of a sort of family emergency. Their hidden talents: Endless energy!

I realize we really don't have any toys around here any more. But we may have turned them into zombies by the time they left. Side note: I'd give anything for the energy of a 3-year-old. Wow. 

Good thing I don't have to set an alarm tomorrow! 

We Can All Be Rock Stars

Happy Thursday. The first thing I want to say – especially with any of you with some self-doubt at work – there is always someone on your team who thinks you're a rock star.

It's true!

The other morning when I was in desperate need for caffeine and they had no sugar-free Red Bull left in stock in our work cafeteria, I was sorta forced to try a sugar-free Rock Star for the first time. Not the same. But...

By sheer coincidence, someone on our team had left me a random "you're a rock star" type gift and I had a little uplifting trophy to accompany my energy drink. In a very unplanned way, it made for the best day!

I'm trying to keep that attitude positive this week as I deal with really inconsequential things like how will our church choir sing the Hallelujah Chorus during Memorial Day weekend? How can I take a mental health day on Friday when there is so much urgent work to do? How can I celebrate other people?

I think I found a way. For me this evening (after a ladies' golf league meeting), it was capturing photos of K.C. pitching successfully while at another ballpark his sister A.C. was pitching to their 10-run victory in softball. I adore their parents so this was cool for me.

I want both the baseball and softball teams to embrace that rock star status today. 

But I also hope that any of you who feel "undervalued" at work – to use my words a few weeks ago – to feel like you matter. But mostly, to feel like you're a rock star.

Pretty sure most of us are!

Team Steps Challenge

We're having a companywide steps challenge at work in May. It started Tuesday but I didn't realize until today that my FitBit is no synched up with the new version of the work app. Darn technology.

Hopefully I got everything reset and reconnected so I didn't lose all of yesterday's steps and today's. Our Writers Assembling team needs me! 

This after for what was intended as fun, a small group of us from Marketing took a short walk across the street in Schmeeckle Reserve – this amazing 280-acre conservancy area technically on the campus of UW-Stevens Point.

I say "intended" fun because is turned out to be sunny.... but in the 40s and windy. B-r-r-r-r! (Side note: Hubby wore long underwear to golf league tonight!)

The fun part was coming across a small herd of what I could only call "domesticated city deer." 

I mean this dude (I shouldn't assume a dude just because he was very busy chewing on his snack with his mouth open, sorry) just looked at me and I was 5 feet away. No flinching or need to run away from a crazy camera lady!

And yes, my Up North brothers-in-law and nephews would be ashamed of me not knowing the difference between male and female deer. But this one looked like Rudolph's girlfriend Clarice. I obviously follow a different outdoors learning guide.

Anyway, it made for a fun little jaunt to get steps!

And now I better log off because I still need 145 steps to get to 10,000 today. Can't let the team down!

P.S. You know me. I am NOT at all competitive!

The Staying Power of Sisterhood

As a very amateur photographer, I sometimes wonder what draws me to the amazing young women participating in high school sports.

I am really starting to get it now.

1. I have 6 sisters so I'm keenly aware of the power of supportive sisterhood.
2. My high school was too small to offer all of the girls' sports opportunities.
3. I'm a boy mom and there was never an opportunity/option to raise a girl in this atmosphere.
4. As I age, I realize that once we "outgrow" the instinctively "catty years," many of us sisters end up supporting each other.

Why does this matter today? Well, first, I took the picture at a softball game tonight that was not going our way and I love how our catcher went out to calm down our pitcher and assure her she has this and she's doing great.

And .... This was following a crap day at work and (sorry Mom in heaven) a recent shit-show of several weeks at work.

The negative things I have discovered (and bear with this 50+ lady) is that after surviving the first decade of my career as a newspaper reporter and talked down to by city and county officials as "sweetheart" as if "bless you for trying." Then into the bigger publishing world where a female publisher had to act extra tough and aggressive to match her male counterparts – and us worker bees suffering as a result. And now (as a female obviously and at that special age) feeling undervalued and fighting for what I desire and, more importantly deserve, it's been a ... crap spring.

While hubby and I should be looking forward to retirement on the horizon... his way closer than mine... I am in a negative mindset. So negative with recent things at work. (Though I still absolutely love the company and its benefits.)

But the positive, as always since forever, is that there is this random network of sisters at work who get it and are willing to give me a hug and try to convince me to not feel "undervalued," but recognize how valued I am!

I'm sharing because I want high school girls to latch onto this. Don't be a "Mean Girl." Extend the support to your "sisters" (on a sports team or wherever) and they'll extend it back.

College girls, same thing but also stand firm that you've learned things and deserve a job.

Early career girls... prove your worth through your work quality first before getting cocky. 

And the rest of us... if you are a great sister (aka supporter), I think you'll find women who return the favor.

Not to say men can't do this ... because a male co-worker took me lunch today to talk me off the ledge... but just lean into the opportunity to support (and hopefully enjoy) the potential staying power of sisterhood.

End note: I'll be OK. I just have things to think about. And I did get a few of the best hugs this week!

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!

Chilling Out Not What It's Cracked Up To Be

No April Foolin', the darn weather dudes were right. We were in the heart of a wicked ice storm. I took this picture at 8 a.m. and realized it doesn't matter how little ice it seems to be, most of us were not driving to the office.

Especially since it just kept accumulating all day.

I fired up the laptop and was able to work for 3 hours. The lights had flickered a few times and then, at 10:44 a.m., they went out. Without electricity, our wi-fi router wouldn't work, so not more work for me. I shut down my laptop to conserve power. Our lovely cellphone provider wasn't providing great signals all day either. Add to that, no running water or use of indoor plumbing.

I forgot what it was like to live like Laura Ingalls!

Most of the day I kept an eye on our bunny ear trees, which normally stand pretty straight up. This was early in the morning before even more ice accumulated.

At their lowest point, this was how close it looked like at least the right one would break.

But then the ice stopped coming and it warmed up just enough for us to witness an ice rain as the ice broke up and fell from all the trees. At the end of the day, the trees hadn't parted ways but they put some distant between themselves like fighting siblings.

Throughout the day we could just hear the snap, crackle, pop as tree branches (mostly pines) were falling everywhere – in the woods around us, in the neighbor's yard, a few in our yard, and all the way down the street.

This is typical of the destruction everywhere in that darn targeted purple area. No surprise about the power outages. In the early evening, many of us on our street were notified that power was restored. We're all like, "No, it's not." So we all had to resubmit our outage reports. And think that put us to the back of the line – of thousands of customers without power.

When we went to bed in our dark, chilly houses last night, the last we heard was that our power would be restored by SATURDAY afternoon. Ugh! 

Somehow managed to get a little sleep – even without my electric mattress pad. First World problems, I know. But dang. We do take a lot for granted! This morning, I went to the office to be warm and productive since yesterday was a lost cause.

Suddenly I was getting texts that there were Alliant trucks in the neighborhood. Would I dare get up my hopes?? Jim texted my a picture of our dining room lights on at 11:50 a.m. (25 hours without power). So I raced home and showered and made it on time to church for 1 p.m. Good Friday service. I guess God really does answer our prayers on His time.

Here a few "cool" shots from yesterday...

Poor birds falling victim to fake spring and looking for anything to eat. Icicles weren't doing it!

I hope this didn't kill off any of our budding trees!

And how safe our these power lines in our yard?

I was happy to learn, though, that there are things you can do when it's a daytime power outage.

Mind out of the gutter! I meant practically completing a whole baby blanket! 💗

Want to send a special shout out to all those offering up generators, water for our toilets, and a place to stay. We have the best people in our lives. Take care of your friends and loved ones, too! 

And we've potentially got more of that freezing rain coming tonight. Be smart and be careful out there, friends!

Another Round of March Gladness

Driving all the way to Black River Falls for boys hoops was worth every mile.

For the first time in at least 8 years, our Royals were in the sectional semi-finals. Up against the higher seeded Cochran Fountain City. They played in BRF because it was a neutral site and much larger gymnasium.

And both sides were packed.

And both teams were playing their hearts out and driven to win. So close and so tense!

In the end, we had our happy ending! Just one more win and we're statebound! Sectional final will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Westby – scheduling it earlier in the day beat the blizzard or whatever.

Speaking of non-spring... Took forever to get home because there was a whole line of Royals fan vehicles heading back to Rapids in wet and snowy conditions – driving slowly and cautiously. 

So it's past bedtime and I have to set an alarm because it's not Friday night after all. So picture editing will have to wait.

Congrats, Royals!

Spring Chickens and Other Random Commute Photos

 If you ever saw the Disney movie Up, you know that dogs can have a single train of thought until "Squirrel!" That is me. Of course, I've said previously that my "spirit animal" is an eagle or a fox. But now I'm thinking... squirrel. I offer my commute photos from the first part of this week as evidence...

Coming home from Stevens Point on Monday, I saw a plume of smoke and drove 10 miles out of my way to follow it. The old newspaper reporter in me never dies. Took this from the Prairie Chicken Viewing/Counting Area on County Trunk F (if you know, you know). But does anyone know what was going on south of there Monday? Gas prices are rising so I didn't go any further.

And here is what I am calling a spring chicken in the neighbor's yard. Mainly, since this was taken on that fake spring day Monday, I was attempting to coax it to make spring a little more permanent. Let the record reflect that that effort failed.

I was, however, successfully treated to a glorious sunrise. I will always tap the brakes for these!

PHOTO CREDIT: JIMMY AUSTIN

My photographic failure is that hubby captured a photo of this pale guy in our front yard and I've had my camera – with mega zoom lens – on the kitchen table all week to get a nice, crisp photo of him. And he (ooops, maybe SHE) hasn't reappeared since I've been at the ready. Multiple neighbors keep on seeing IT so hopefully IT will come back.

Also I assured Jim he'd get a photo credit.

So, yeah, there's a peak inside my hamster cage (or squirrel cage) of a brain! Enjoy your perfectly NORMAL selves for the second half of the week!

We're All Seniors at Some Point

Tonight was Senior Night for our Lady Royals basketball squad. They've been fun to watch in various sports over the years and a few of them, I took their senior pictures.

So after I took pictures of them tonight introduced with their parents tonight, one of them came over to me with flowers. FOR ME!

I was so surprised and touched. And when I got home, I realized the "thank you" card was signed by all 5 seniors. That really touched my heart. I mean I love taking pictures, but I never know in this digital age how much it matters to this generation.

And technically, I am a SENIOR but not in the way I like to acknowledge. So yay, Senior Night!

What I do promise... is that I'll try my hardest to keep these tulips alive and thriving because, honest to God, it's not every day that people appreciate this little photography skill. I already told hubby he's off the hook for Valentine's Day. He can't top flowers on behalf of 5 people.

Or can he? 💜

Sport Shorts

The last 48 hours have pretty much been all sports. Yes, it was SUPER Sunday yesterday. What that meant was that is was "Souper Sunday" at church with a fundraiser for the food pantry/soup kitchen.

Then, I got home in time to watch legit LIVE Olympics coverage of team figure skating.

The Quad God for the win! I mean, WOW. How fun to watch!

After that, I did pop over to what I believe is like the 44th annual SuperBowl party in our friend Chet's basement! Said hello to all and participated in some "investment opportunities" (which yielded nothing!), then came home to actually watch the game and/or flip with Olympics coverage.

Boring game if you ask me. I like the ones that are super close and down to the last second! But that's just me.

Today was a work from home day that ALMOST had me wishing for a lunch hour with Mr. Deck Chair.

Oooh this high temperature was amazing. Obviously not sit outside for endless hours, but still so refreshing!

After work, I continued on my sports quest with Lady Royals middle school hoops. Turned out we were hosting Stratford – home of all the Austin clan that I'm related to (through marriage). Didn't take me long to recognize their coach as Jim's cousin's daughter. Then, when I talked to her at halftime, she said one of the players belonged to another cousin's daughter... so granddaughter. How fun. I then had players from both teams to shoot pictures of. 

Just got done editing and uploading pictures. And since I know what happened with co-ed curling and ice dancing today, I don't need to watch the delayed Olympic coverage. Or do I?

All the time delays... I just don't know. Go USA! And Royals! And, yes, Stratford!

Run, Rodent, Run!

Happy Groundhog Day! Not so happy really when Phil saw his shadow (again) and declared 6 more weeks of winter, which almost coincides with our calendar anyway. I mean, I'd take 6 more weeks over 7 more anytime!

The Philadelphia airport had this fun picture today with this Facebook post: 

Breaking News: Phil the Groundhog spotted at PHL en route to Cancun

In a brief statement before departure, Phil cited the forecast as the deciding factor, saying, “Six more weeks of winter was simply more than I was prepared to endure.”

I also think (on behalf of the entire Midwest) he may need to run for his safety. Just saying.

I didn't even blog this weekend because I did nothing exciting and was just waiting and hoping our 16 weeks (or maybe 20 weeks??) of January would come to an end!

And trust me, I have it on good authority that Phil has to go as far as Cancun to escape winter. Two of my sisters are on a little cruise from Florida to the Bahamas as we speak and there is a freeze warning for much of the Sunshine State – and highs in the 50s. They could not have predicted that when booking, that's for sure.

Even though we got beach and palm tree pictures texted to us when it was 40 below zero windchills here, I still feel bad for them. Honest!

Speaking of cold... I did have an unusual Sunday afternoon... I mean after the USUAL not winning at BINGO.

I had a senior photo shoot! So different having so much welcome brightness – and snow instead of leaves in the background. But also it was 20 degrees and windy and we went very fast! Three locations, nine different backgrounds. Done in roughly 30 minutes! Super kid. And I did promise to Photoshop out the snowflakes in his hair. Yup. That kind of Wisconsin winter day! And this kid was from Texas. Definitely scored points with me for being a trooper.

So pardon me while I may or may not look into airfare, et. al., to Mexico!

Our Own Happy

Saw this today and I liked it. Because today was my first happy-ish day of 2026. After being sick and then having no energy for a few weeks, I'm finally feeling good.

And that makes me happy. Unfortunately, the other half is battling something, but I hope I don't catch. I'll just pray he recovers and it disappears from our household germs file.

I was also feeling good today because I got a much-overdue deep tissue massage at the end of the day. My neck and upper back were screaming for it. I will have to try to get into my regular guy soon. He knows how tough I am. LOL.

Tonight I had to get a few groceries and gas on my way home. Still so cold in single digits and the wind took my breath away.

So I only went to a little bit of basketball tonight. Took pictures of the boys JV second half (they beat Stratford) and first half of the varsity game. We had a slight lead at halftime but ended up losing by 2 stinkin' points. That's a heartbreaker. 

I'll mess with my pictures tomorrow. My feet and fingers are still cold. But my bed is warming up and I'm HAPPY about that, too!

Choose your happy this week!

Shout Out to My Spice Girls

I can't love this enough. Or stop laughing. Why did I not think of this clever comeback long ago? So even though it's not pumpkin spice season, I still maintain my Spice Girl status.

Yay, me!

Er, no?

I have been going a little bit extra cra-... mentally spicy lately. Still in this new "different way of doing my job" phase. Just going to take awhile to transition. Not because I'm old or resistant to change. It's just THAT different. We'll get there!

Also frigid weather adds to the spice. I know. We chose to live here in Wisconsin. It's the same thing every year. Maybe we just feel it more in our bones as we age. Didn't know that happened at 40. Bwaahaa. Let me have my moment.

I did venture in to take some girls basketball photos tonight. But the snow was a bit icy coming down on the way in, so I just stayed for the first half. Did not want a slippery drive home. The way it was, there were no tracks to follow. Guess it's supposed to keep snowing for the next 24 hours. 

You know. Wisconsin.

Be careful out there, my fellow Spice Girls!

Shootin' Hoops Again

Christmas break is over for everyone. And that means high school basketball is back in action.

I knew tonight was going to be some tight action because we were playing a very good Auburndale team. My intention was to shoot the second half of the JV game and then all of varsity.

Got through JV game, which we won. But it took too much out of me after standing for the first half of the varsity game. I still don't have my energy completely back after sick.

Anyway, thanks for some good shots by players like Chase above, we had a slight lead at halftime. And are holding onto a lead with less than a minute to go. Crossing fingers. This would be a huge win.

Luckily there's plenty more to the season so I'll eventually catch ALL the action some night. Go Royals!

Back in the Game – Sort Of

 

It was a tough re-entry into the workforce today after a week away from my desk. Mainly because I'm still feeling a bit under the weather with no energy but also because we had to learn a lot of new things before break and I don't know if I remember them all!

Then, with false confidence after work, I thought I could tackle a drive to Stevens Point to take pictures of the Pacelli Co-op Hockey game which includes some Assumption kids. 

Excited to be back with my friend Mr. Zamboni but... I barely lasted through the first period. Just was too weak from this fun ick-ness this week. Felt too hot in a cold hockey rink so that tells you something. Still, I got pictures of 17 minutes of play and will have to make it back.

On the plus side, hubby and I are sneezing / coughing / blowing our noses less. Just need a little more time to shove this gift of "cold" away and embrace the new year. I know several loved ones struggling with similar health issues right now. Maybe the rest of the year is all upward and onward from here!

We can hope!

I Don't Care How Pretty You Are

I know the days are starting to get longer now, but today felt like 3 days' long! And that was without leaving the house!

We woke to about 5 inches of snow and below-zero feels. My hubby the winter hero spent the morning nose-blowing and snowblowing here and at his dad's. And I am about a day and half behind him on the winter cold/cough train. So I had absolutely no energy!

What I did accomplish was starting a trifle cookbook (well not really, but I do have 6 recipes done anyway for friends who got trifle bowls for Christmas). 

Then I switched to scrapbooking mode. It took all afternoon but I found and uploaded all my 2018 photos I want to use at Camp Crop-A-Lot in February – but since there are 392 of them they won't all fit anyway. But.... drum roll please... I ordered the prints!! What? I know. Crazy. Still have lots of prep and organizing to do once I get the photos, but this is a great start.

And for my final accomplishment of the day, I wrote a poem.

Thoughts on Winter

Dear, winter:

I don't care how pretty you are.

I still hate you.

The end.

Be careful out there, my friends!