The wisdom of the seasons

The leaves on the tree outside my window are gently falling as I write.


The chrysanthemums and marigolds are in full bloom. Front porches on my street are decorated with pumpkins, gourds and bales of hay. A basket of sweet honey crisp apples adorns my kitchen counter.

It is autumn. In all its splendor.

The seasons are wise. Either they follow the signals of our bodies, or we follow them. Whichever the case, there is harmony in honoring each season.

For example, we seem to come alive in the springtime. The sun warms the earth, and the days grow longer. Flowers bloom, trees bud, there is color everywhere, and love is in the air. We are energized.

Summer brings a combination of adventure and a bit of laziness. Lounging on beaches, sipping lemonade, planning vacations or weekend get-aways. Parades, town festivals, barbecue grilling and dining on outdoor patios, S'mores at dusk, fireworks.

Winter is often dreaded where I live in Minnesota. Icy roads cause treacherous driving conditions, and our entire wardrobes are based on layers of sweaters, coats, boots, scarves, mittens.

But the beauty of freshly fallen snow, frosty window panes, and snow settled on evergreen branches is magnificent. It's time for fireplaces, cocoa, marshmallows, afghans. There isn't a better time for knitting or scrapbooking, stitching, or curling up with a good book.

Since I am a spring and summer lover, I always looked at autumn as the end of things; a signal that winter was approaching. In Minnesota, it can be a very long winter. For ski lovers and snowmobilers, it is most welcome. But not for me.

Then a friend very poetically told me that the real beauty of autumn, aside from its glorious colors of red, oranges and yellows, lies in the earth's ability to rest. And to know rest is needed. Like every living thing. Like everybody.

Now, when I see the leaves gently falling from the trees, I look at the bare branches and think: rest, o weary one. You have endured wind, rain and sun to provide shade. You've provided birds a place to nest, squirrels a place to climb, and a place for them to get nutrients to sustain life. And you have shared with us the beauty of your greenery.

And it gives me permission to rest. To wind down a bit. To prepare myself for yet another year of seasons. To start over again.

All of the seasons are refreshing and new each time they come around in their cycle. I think it is a marvel.

Wherever you are in this world, whatever your season: pause and enjoy. Each season. Each day.

The Twins

In case you haven't heard, it's been a great year for our Minnesota Twins ball team. We have a good chance of seeing them play the World Series this year.

But the twins I speak of here are my sisters. Formally, Edith and Judith. To us, Edie and Judy.


Like many twins, they were competitive as they were growing up. Vying for each others' friends and their own popularity, they would sometimes deny that they were twins; and if it could be believed, even sisters.

Edie was outgoing and assertive; Judy introverted and passive. Edie, the leader. Judy, the follower.

In this photo, Judy (right) had been crying while Edie (left) had been smiling.

My mother says by the time they got Judy settled and got a smile out of her, Edie got bored and quit smiling. Guess you can't win.

But you should see them today.

Bonded like glue. Joined at the hip. Sharing the same heart and spirit. Sharing love as I think only twins can. It is really amazing and touching to see.

Judy has had many health problems over the past year. Colon resections, blood clots, the loss of a foot and leg below the kneecap. Colonoscopies, dilations of the colon, blood thinners, blood tests, mesh inserted in her neck to filter the blood, physical therapy, prosthetic fittings, wheelchairs and walkers.

Edie has been with her every step of the way.

A registered nurse, living in Ohio, she has been by Judy's side, taking family medical leave without pay, taking a second job to pay for airline tickets. Holding Judy's hand; making her laugh like nobody else can. She is Judy's best medicine and most effective therapy.

Edie arrived home today, in time for Judy's colon repair and colostomy surgery tomorrow. She is with her now, keeping her upbeat, not allowing her to feel discouraged or frightened. Playing Scrabble; telling jokes and funny stories.

Of course, we are all praying for a successful outcome for Judy. And as we pray our petition, we add a prayer of thanks that Edie is home. Judy will be okay because Edie is here.

My twin sisters. Love, strength and blessings to both.

Corner drugstore

There may be a CVS or Walgreen's pharmacy on your corner. Or in your town.

But that is not the corner drugstore I refer to here.

I'm afraid the corner drugstore of my memory is just that: a memory. And something this present generation will know nothing about.

When I was growing up, there were drugstores on many street corners. All were individually owned, most often by the pharmacist himself.

Some drugstores recollected from my past include Lacher Drug on Grand and Fairview, Towey's on Snelling and Selby, and King Pharmacy on Cleveland and St. Clair. I tried to get a photo of one of them to post by calling the Grand Gazette and looking at the Minnesota Historical Society online database. No luck.

But all of those corner drugstores, and most others, had soda fountains. You could get a sandwich, an ice cream cone, a cup of coffee, a sweet roll or pie. You could put a quarter in the juke box to hear Elvis or Pat Boone, or the Everly Brothers. Connie Francis, Frankie Avalon, the Platters.

Best of all, for ten cents, you could get a cherry Coke. Or a lime Coke. Or a phosphate.

I wonder what would happen if I went to a restaurant today and ordered a cherry vanilla phosphate? I think I would get (after a bewildered look) an Italian soda for six dollars.

But you could also get a comic book from the revolving stand: Little Lotto, Archie and Jughead, Superman. Or the latest 'Teen magazine. Or hair curlers, and beauty supplies like Pond's cold cream or Jean Nate cologne. If it was a gift, they would happily gift wrap it for you. Free, of course.

Not to forget the main reason for their existence: drugs and prescription medicine. If you were ill, they simply delivered your medication to your home. No charge.

They knew you by name. They probably knew me by the length of time it took me to select a candy bar or gum: Milky Way or Three Musketeers? Teaberry or Clove?

Oh, what I would give for a corner drugstore back again. One with no aisles instead of one with twenty-five.

We have such a drugstore in Center City, the next town over, two miles away. It's called Gordy's. No soda fountain, but friendly pharmacists who know your name, advise you on your prescription, even deliver if you're ill.

Although Target or Wal Mart may sometimes be more convenient, my husband and I refuse to change. As long as Gordy's is around, we'll continue to go there.

After all, Gordy's allows us escape the fast pace of the CVS's and return to our past just a bit. And relive warm memories of bygone days.

Why you haven't heard from me

Cough, hack hack, cough cough cough, hack, cough, hack hack hack, cough cough cough. Hack hack hack, cough cough cough, hack, cough, hack hack hack, cough cough cough.

Hack hack hack, cough cough cough, hack, cough, hack hack hack, cough cough cough.

Well, that's how my days have been filled for the past week.

But I'll be back soon with more musings, memories and moments to share.

I promise.

Happy Birthday, Alexis

Our little Lexie (our great-granddaughter) is now four years old.

She wanted a "Dora Princess" party. She talked about little else for weeks, telling us excitedly all about it.

Well, a "Dora Princess party" is exactly what her Mommy and Daddy delivered for her.

The sun was shining in the beautiful Marthaler Park on a cool, crisp autumn day. Sarah had hot cider with lemon and cinnamon sticks waiting for her guests.

And, of course, Princess hats and balloons.

The children were blindfolded as they played Pin the bracelet on Dora. Of course, the highlight was the Princess crown piñata.


Again, the children were blindfolded as they attempted to break into the piñata, spilling out all the candy treats.
Lexie didn't like her blindfold, but continued to keep her eyes closed.

When, at last, the crown was broken, each child was given a princess bag to collect the goodies.


We feasted on many varieties of piping hot pizzas. And Princess Punch, made by Grandma Kristie.

And, of course, what else but a special Dora birthday cake...homemade by Mommy.

A perfect way to celebrate, don't you agree?

Lexie thanks Mommy with a kiss!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALEXIS LYNN.

Use caution when wishing

A few evenings ago, I remarked to my husband that I wished for one, quiet, uninterrupted day, just for me. I would sit and stitch, knit, and read my book.

Preferably with him gone fishing. Or at least, with the house to myself.

Well, here I am. And not by choice.

George is headed 90 miles down the road to New Prague (Minnesota) for their annual Dožínky festival. Dožínky is Czech for harvest, and it is a lively festival with Czech singers and dancers, Czech food, pivo (beer), and plenty of friends and family from his hometown.

We usually go together, but I've been looking for a weekend day to go to Minnetonka, about an hour's drive, to Stitchville for fabric and beads for my newest project, African Women With Quilts.


Then a little pre-Christmas shopping at the Country Store. After that, destination West St. Paul for my great-granddaughter Alexis's fourth birthday party. She has been telling me all about the plans for her party, complete with a Dora Princess theme and a piñata.

Somehow, in the middle of the night, gremlins sneaked into my bed and scratched at my throat. So I woke up with a sore throat and what feels like a golf ball when I try to swallow.

Looks like I got my wish for a quiet day. Minnetonka will have to wait. If I am really lucky, with some rest and chicken soup, the situation won't get worse, and I can take in the birthday party, at least for a little while, with no hugs or kisses to spread my germs.

So where have I heard the expression, "Be careful what you wish for?"

My naivete

I have, what is now, an amusing postscript to my last post: An unusual beginning.

While in New York for the conference I mentioned, in 1998, my sister, Christine, drove in from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where she lived, to see me.

She picked me up at the conference hotel in Gramercy Park, we spent the day together driving to Long Island, and she was then to drop me off at my new, online friend, Shelly's, in Rego Park, Queens, at day's end. I was excited to finally meet Shelly.

When Christine learned I was staying with a person I had met online, but didn't really know, she was flabbergasted at my nerve. Or naivete (a polite word for stupidity), as she probably viewed it.

So we worked out a plan. She would drive me there to "check out the place" and meet Shelly, allowing me to stay only if she approved and felt I was safe. I reluctantly agreed, but trusted her judgment. It wasn't the first time her intuition was right on.

We developed a signal. She would call me after she pulled away, but hadn't gone too far. She would ask if I felt okay to stay, or should she return to get me? If I didn't answer her questions, she was turning the car around to head back. If all was well, I would thank her again for spending the day with me.

Moments after I was dropped off, and we had both met Shelly, the phone rang, as promised.

"Thanks again for spending the day with me," I said, on cue. I happily assured my sister I was fine. Shelly had prepared a wonderful dinner for me, and we were busy making plans for our next few days together.

Later, I thanked her for her loving concern. She was there for me if the situation had turned out different.

No matter how smart and assured we think we are sometimes, it is always good to have someone watching out for you when your thinking is clear only to you.

My sister, Christine, the marathon runner

If that happens to be your sister, you are so blessed!