Siesta Key Beach

Siesta Public Beach, Sarasota, Florida. Siesta Key.

Sunset at Siesta Beach

We arrived in Sarasota at 5:30 pm. After dinner Bill and Linda took us to Siesta Beach to watch the Sunset, which they said is always beautiful to see. It was beautiful. We watched as it went down, and it was spectular over the white sand and water. This picture, of course, doesn't do it justice.

Vacation Thoughts

Back home after a 6 day vacation in Sarasota, FLA. We arrived in Minneapolis at 10 pm on Saturday. We drove home yesterday afternoon from our daughter’s house in Hudson, WI. We had a wonderful vacation and a great time in Florida. We were guests of our friends from Duluth, Bill and Linda, who wintered in Sarasota this winter. Bill mentioned many times how
“it doesn’t get any better than this”, he had such a wonderful winter, and really enjoys Florida. He would also ask us “does it get any better than this?” Our neighbors who winter in Dunedin that we visited on Tuesday, also said the same thing. We talked to many residents in both the swimming pool in our neighbors Dunedin Park and the one at Bill and Linda’s park, who are very happy with their choice to spend the winters there, away from the cold winters of their home states. We visited with people from Mass., Ct., Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. In their park, there are many winter residents from Duluth. It’s the reason Bill and Linda checked that park out, he wanted to see what attracted so many Duluthians to winter there. They found out. They love it. We got a taste of it too, and understand more now, why they love it. We could see how both couples were very comfortable in their winter homes. They have made many friends there, and there are many activities for them to take part in. Bill showed us all around Sarasota and the surrounding towns. We enjoyed seeing the beaches, the gulf waters and on the drive up North to Dunedin we saw a lot of beautiful inland waters that were every bit as beautiful as our Lake Superior. The temperatures were in the mid 80’s every day. There were only two days that the humidity was up, but there was a gulf breeze with it, which made it bearable. We walked every morning, and swam every day. Bob and Bill bicycled all around.

Ruth and Joe have been telling us for years, that they feel younger and healthier when they are there. They do most of their living outdoors and are much more active than they are in Duluth.
I'm sure others would tell us the same. Bill and Linda would add the word relaxing to that thought. I know that Bob and I were sure relaxed!

When we arrived home yesterday it was actually 80 degrees here in Woodland. In fact other than two days of rain, the week we were gone was very nice here. The trees are budding and things are getting green in the twin cities and Hudson areas. Moving North, however, the buds aren’t quite out here, although the snow is all gone! Now today’s temperature was a “different story”! It didn’t reach above 60 today. We got some rain around 4:00, but that’s alright, the rain will green us up.

I took a day of vacation today, to unpack, rest up, etc. Bob and I spent it running around helping our son Rob, with his car problems that he had while we were gone. We think he’s going to have to be in search of a newer car. I went to the Fitness Center with Bob this morning, and took a water aerobics class. We had lunch with our younger son, who we don’t get to see too often. Now, tomorrow, it will be back to “reality”! Back to the job. Well, I'm looking forward to the day I can be retired like my husband! I find I'm not alone in working while hubby is retired. I talked to two women in the hot tub this morning that told me they both worked years beyond their husband's retirement. One worked 5 years longer.

I picked up our photos from the vacation, this afternoon. I will be posting some of them in the next few days.

We thank Bill and Linda and Ruth and Joe for their hospitality and for showing us around the areas that they spend their winters in, and showing us why they love it there!

Friday, Bill asked us “can you see yourselves spending a winter here?” That was a loaded question.

From "The Sunshine State"

Hi everyone!
Greetings from the "Sunshine State of Florida". Bob and I are having a wonderful time with our friends here in Sarasota! Sarasota is a beautiful city, everything we've seen so far is beautiful and green. Water, lots of water all around. Sarasota is on the gulf. Our time is going fast. I can't believe we only have one full day left, (we return home Saturday afternoon). We haven't the time to do all the things we wanted to do, there are two things that we need to eliminate as we only have one day left.

We have had very full days, sight-seeing, swimming, cruising, golfing, etc. On Monday we spent the afternoon at the beautiful Siesta Beach, world known for its pure white sand. We hoped to go back one more time, but won't make it. We drove north one day to Dunedin/Clearwater area. Our neighbors in Duluth winter there, and we visited them and spent the day with them. They showed us around their beautiful city, and we swam in their pool. We walked a beautiful nature trail in one of their state parks near their home. They told me that their mobile home there had more space than their home in Duluth. I couldn't believe it did, until we saw it. They have a lot of space and a beautiful Florida home. Our friends, Bill and Linda have a beautiful home here in Sarasasota too. We can certainly see why both couples are happy with their winter homes away from the north. Both couples will be making their way back North to Duluth in the next few weeks. They will be out of the state before the heat and humidity sets in.

Today we went on a boat that cruised out into the ocean. We left from Maderia, about an hour away. It was a lot of fun, and then we ate at a restuarant there by the water. Yesterday our day was so full that we came home and crashed to bed early!

Our hosts are showing us all around and telling us all about the area and the state. We saw the temperature in Duluth was 53 today, it was 83 here. The temperatures have been in the 80's everyday. AND SUN!

We are walking, biking and swimming in this beautiful weather. Having a wonderful time.
Tomorrow, a trip to a beautiful state park that promises wildlife and to get a sight of what Florida is really like away from the cities.

We thank Linda and Bill for giving us a wonderful visit and a wonderful vacation! Talk to you again, when we reach Duluth.

Until then, we wish you sunny days! - Linda and Bob

EARTH DAY 2007

I took time from getting ready for our vacation tonight, to watch "20/20"on ABC, which was about Earth Day coming up on Sunday. Since I won’t be here on Sunday to post, I thought I would write about Earth Day this evening, to remind you about it.

Many facts from this show to remind us how much we waste, and how much we need to be concerned about global warming, our water, and conserving energy. The show also gave us some ideas what we can do to help.

Some Disturbing Facts:
-- 2 out of every 5 animals on earth are in danger of becoming excinct.
-- 90 per cent of the big fish in the ocean are gone.
-- Australia could be the first to find that clean fresh water could be more valuable than gold!
-- The great barrier reef is at risk.
-- Elephants in Africa have been noticed to be spraying themselves with sand to cool off from the heat, because they can’t find water.
-- The world’s supply of water is shrinking.
-- Our increase of greenhouse gases is mainly due to our use of gasoline.
-- We need to make animals worth more alive than dead. Eco-tourism and private game preserves are helping with this.

Ways each one of us can help:
-- Think every day what we are wasting and try to make changes:
-- Use recycled paper towels. Buy recycled items. Recycle all that you can.
-- Don’t use plastic bags from grocery stores. (I’m guilty of this)* but see below's p.s.
-- When using plastic bags, think “do I really need to use this bag?” Do we want to leave behind plastic bags or trees?
-- Cut down on your shower. If everyone in the US would cut down their shower time by just one minute, there would be enough water to provide the cities of Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles for two months!
-- Turn off the water while brushing our teeth.
-- Replace light bulbs with CSL bulbs. If everyone in US would replace just one bulb in their home with a CSL bulb, it would be like taking one million cars off the road!
-- Drive less, use less gasoline. Buy fuel efficient cars.
-- Press car manufacturers to build more efficient cars. If we could get 35 m/p/gallon with each car, we could end our dependency on foreign oil by 2025 (That’s not that far off!)
-- Set your thermostat down by just 2 degrees.
-- Be aware of the ways you and your family can be more eco/friendly.

The Good News:
-- Conservation works – the Blue Whale is making a come back due to a ban on hunting them. Some of our animals that were on the endangered list, are coming back and being taken off the list.
-- France has the cleanest air in the industrial world because they use much more nuclear power. The US is looking at France.
-- There is a company working on a car that can run on Litium Ion Batteries!
-- More people are aware of and making use of wind power, which is the fastest growing renewable energy. Solar panels use is also on the rise.
-- Remember about my post about bamboo – another renewable energy. More things are being made with bamboo fibers, and there is an effort to get more companies to do so.
-- There is an effort being made by scientists and companies to figure out how to take CO 2 out of our air.
-- According to a report on our local news tonight, there are 150 houses that have recently been built in Duluth that were built eco/friendly, with more to come.
-- Contractors in Duluth are not taking down all the trees on the land when building. (Yeah)
-- People in Duluth are taking advantage of the “Hazardous Wastes” sites to get rid of dangerous chemicals in their homes.
-- "GO GREEN" everywhere you can.
HAPPY EARTH DAY!

PS: Saturday morning - The Duluth Tribune had a feature this morning about bags, plastic, paper, etc. I'm glad to read that if you use plastic bags to bring your groceries home and "recycle" them by using them for garbage bag liners, totes, and all kinds of other ways to reuse them, then it's not so bad to use them. They actually take 91 percent less energy to recycle than paper. I noticed that the Whole Food Co-op Store here in Duluth will give a 5 cent per bag refund to members who bring their own bag. The article lists the pros and cons - you choose. To read the article click on my News Tribune link on this page. Also, here is a web site where reusable bags of canvas or other fabric can be made or purchased, visit:
www.reuseablebags.com

Now, we are off to Hudson, then on to Florida tomorrow. Have a great week!

Congress Pledges Support - President to sign today

President Bush is to sign the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) Reauthorization at a ceremony to be held at the White House.

This program provides free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests for low-income, uninsured and underinsured women. Enacting this legislation reauthorizes this successful program and gives states greater flexibility to reach more women who are eligible and in need. Additionally, the bill increases funding for the program from the current $202 million to $275 million over the next five years, allowing it to serve thousands more women.

Passage of this legislation has been a top priority for American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network (CAN). At the Celebration on the Hill event held last September, ACS CAN brought more than 10,000 cancer advocates – some NBCCEDP beneficiaries – to Washington, D. C., to speak with lawmakers about making cancer a national priority. As a result, more than 345 members of Congress pledged their support for the NBCCEDP.

To date, the NBCCEDP has provided nearly 6.5 million screening tests to 2.7 million women, detecting more than 26,000 breast cancers, 1,700 cervical cancers and 88,000 pre-cancerous cervical lesions. However, the program’s limited funding allows it to serve only 1 out of every 5 eligible women nationwide.

For more information about ACS CAN’s efforts to ensure Congress follows through on its promise to increase funding or to take action, visit www.acscan.org

-- From American Cancer Society’s Employee Newsletter

Life is Good

Today was an exceptional day. I saw my surgeon for my last appointment. We know the surgery was a success. I am back to eating everything and having it stay down and digest properly. I am many pounds lighter, and my blood pressure, oxygen level, pulse, and everything the nurse checked was great. I am once again healthy. I am feeling good, I am feeling healthy, and most important, I am eating healthy and exercising and on my way to healthier lifestyle. The sun was shining brightly today and the temperature almost reached 60. Lake Superior was a beautiful blue, we had a great day here in Duluth weather-wise. The last three weeks at my job have gone well. I finally found a swimming suit (see below). We are getting ready to take a week of vacation south where it will be warm and sunny. When we return, the snow should all be gone, and Duluth will look more like spring. We will see our daughter and two Grandchildren this weekend. Bob’s back is healing and he’s feeling better, all ready to golf!

I almost feel guilty saying this because so many people have so many troubles in this world, but this evening I have a truly grateful heart. Life really is good, Praise the Lord!

In Season

Check out Heidi’s.

Did you hear that Bob and I are going to Florida for a vacation? We will be visiting friends that winter down there. We are looking forward to the sun, the warmer temps, no snow and visiting with our friends. Bob is especially looking forward to GOLFING with Bill every day! I'm sure us girls will find "something" to do while they golf, ha ha.

The time is getting short for me to find a swimming suit to take along to Florida. I was really desperate this week and went shopping last evening. No success! But, I did find some other hot weather bargains, and was delighted that the capri pants I bought could be bought two size smaller than I would have purchased a year ago. Yeah!

If you remember, last fall on September 24th I posted about looking for a swimming suit. “Out of Season” (click on the archives for September). To quote my post: “There were no swimming suits to be found anywhere….I guess I should have known, why would there be swimming suits in the fall in Duluth? I should have been looking last month, or earlier this month. I guess I will have to look in a catalog, but hate to buy through the mail, in case it doesn’t fit and I hate returning things!” Since then, off and on and most diligently the last few months, I have been looking, looking, looking for a decent suit that I'm not embarrassed to be seen in! The stores do have them out now, however, I haven’t been able to find one that looks good on a heavier set woman. Why do the companies make suits out of large floral, or polka dots, or other such dumb looking material, why can’t I find any that are SOLID colors? The black ones I find, are made so weird, that they don’t fit correctly anyone beyond a size 10! I’ve been frustrated.

Today, my co/worker who is our Patient Service person and works with the local Mastocomy shop here in town, told me to look there (Heidi’s). I would never have thought to look there. I walked in and found not only a large selection of many kinds of suits, but a good selection of “solid color” suits! Also, even better, a large rack of suits on sale for $25, and they were good, well made suits too, the kind made with the material that’s very good for chlorine pools! I was so delighted. I bought a solid color one, with a white v neck trim. That one was regular priced. (but reasonable). I also found a solid black with two colors of trim on the top on the $25 sale rack. Now, these are flattering suits, the kind meant for women above size 2 or 6! I came home with both of them. I was so happy to find them. Now, I’m set for clothing for hot weather, sandals, sun screen, sun hat, camera, swimming suit. I am ready to pack! (If’s often expensive to get ready for vacation isn’t it!?!)

AND, if YOU are in a market for a swimming suit, be sure to check out Heidi’s, at 701 N. 6th Avenue East in Duluth. It’s not just a “speciality shop”! The sales clerks there were very helpful and friendly too.

No Words

I'm awake early enough to post this morning before going to work. However, I don't have anything in mind to write about. I'd write about the Virginia Tech incident, although after reading some other blogs about it, including our pastor's (Click on Michelle Hargrave's link to the left), I believe they've said it all. I'm just at a loss of what to say about it, except that I feel very badly, and the students, families and victims are all in my prayers. It was a sad thing, that will leave every student in the US at every school and college feel even more vulerable than they probably already feel. Very sad, when our generation was in school we had no such fears (except in elementary school when we had nuclear attack drills...now that was scary, however by Jr. and Sr. High School there wasn't anything said any more about that threat).

I'm busy at work this week getting work done and things ready for me to be gone for a week of vacation.

P.S. photo above...we are looking forward to this scene. Our snow is gradually melting over the hill here. Each day is a little warmer. Spring is here.

CANCER RESEARCH

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - RESEARCH FACTS:

As the largest source of private, not-for-profit cancer research funds in the United States, the American Cancer Society dedicates almost $120 million each year to research and health professional training. Since 1946, when the Society awarded its first research grants, we’ve invested more than $2.5 billion in research. Our overall investment has paid rich dividends: the 5-year survival rate has almost tripled since 1946, and the new case rate and death rate from cancer have declined every year since 1990.
Impact of Our Research Program
Scientists supported by the American Cancer Society have made great contributions.
For example, they:

· Established the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer.
· Demonstrated the effectiveness of the Pap smear in detecting cervical cancer at an early stage.
· Dramatically increased the cure rate for childhood leukemia.
· Showed that tamoxifen reduces risk of breast cancer in high-risk women.
· Showed that a genetically engineered monoclonal antibody, HerceptinÔ, improves survival of women
with advanced breast cancer.
· Proved the safety and effectiveness of mammograms.
· Developed the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer.
· Defined the structure of DNA.
· Discovered cancer-causing genes and tumor suppressor genes.
· Discovered genes for inherited forms of breast and colon cancer.Demonstrated that GleevecÔ
specifically targets leukemia cells.

The American Cancer Society Services to Duluth

WHO IS THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY?
The American Cancer Society is the largest private, nonprofit source of cancer research funding, second only to the federal government in total dollars spent, and has funded 38 Nobel Prize laureates. The Mission of the American Cancer Society is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.

Here in Duluth,
· The American Cancer Society Patient Navigator is available in the Duluth office 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday to provide information and referral, wigs & prosthesis, and to connect people with American Cancer Society services. Services are also available by calling 1-800-ACS-2345 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Information is available by logging onto http://www.cancer.org/. There is no cost for these services. During the last year, the ACS Patient Navigator arranged for 25 Duluth residents to have 43 pieces of durable medical equipment delivered to their home. If the patient was uninsured or if the service was not covered by the patient’s insurance, ACS paid for the equipment.

· Nine volunteers in the Duluth Road to Recovery Program provide cancer patients with rides to treatment at no cost.

· A dozen breast cancer survivors in the Duluth Reach to Recovery Program are available to act as role models and information resources to women diagnosed with breast cancer. In addition, ACS provides an information packet that hospital social workers distribute to breast cancer patients.

· A total of 50 women, most from Duluth, participated in Look Good . . . Feel Better, a free two-hour workshop offered by licensed cosmetologists. The workshop is offered once a month in Duluth (site alternates between St. Luke’s Cancer Center and the Duluth Clinic). Participants received a free gift of 20 – 25 name brand cosmetics.

· The ACS Advocacy Division works to protect citizens from second hand smoke, increase access to cancer screening and care for the uninsured and underinsured, and strengthen physical education requirements in schools.

· A Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative with representatives from ACS, the Duluth Clinic, St. Luke’s Hospital, Northland Gastroenterology, Arrowhead Parish Nurses, Northern Waters Parish Nurses, Douglas County Public Health and other organizations has been meeting since Fall 2003 to increase awareness of colorectal cancer screening in the community and among providers.

The American Cancer Society, YWCA, Minnesota Department of Health, Center for American Indian Resources, Arrowhead Parish Nurses and other community partners have been working to promote breast screening among underserved, often uninsured women, by enrolling them in the MN Dept of Health SAGE Program which offers free mammograms and cervical cancer screenings to women meeting income guidelines.

Bamboo

Did you know that bamboo is nature’s most renewable resource? It can grow as much as 18” overnight and in the plant kingdom it holds the record for the fastest growing plant.

One of my friends recently vacationed in Palm Springs, CA and she came across a street vendor selling products made from bamboo. The fabrics were so soft, she brought back some wash clothes, and she gave me one. She bought her son and her husband shirts, and they both love them. Clothing made from bamboo breathe more than cotton, dry fast and are cling free and order free. Since it is a sustainable resource, it is something that should be considered when trying to be more eco-friendly. I like my washcloth. I went on the web site and ordered one of the shirts. I haven’t received it yet, but my friend saw them and said they were soft and lovely and would be really comfortable.

Here is the web site. Please check it out: www.bambooEcowear.com

About the company:
"Bamboo Ecowear is an ecologically conscious company that manufactures and sells clothing made from bamboo fibers. Our clothing is designed to meet the lifestyle requirements of those seeking classic style and the ultimate in comfort.
About BAMBOO:
Bamboo is Nature's most renewable resource

Bamboo is a sustainable resource that thrives naturally without the use of pesticides or the need for fertilizer. It is inherently ORGANIC.

Bamboo can grow as much as 18" overnight and in the plant kingdom holds the record for the fastest growing plant.

"The bamboo utilized in the production of our clothing is plantation raised. That means that the Panda Bears still have their food; while we enjoy the softness and comfort of bamboo clothing. We will continue to add product and company information to this site on a regular basis so if you don't find what you're looking for please check back often or you can call us at 760-702-0909.

Weighty Matters

Since my surgery, I am determined to EAT HEALTHY, and to use the weight I lost through my medical condition the last 6 months as a springboard toward losing more weight. I have lost 25 lb since October, and another 5 lb last week. I am ecstatic, to say the least! The last time I was at the weight I am at today was 25 years ago, before I was pregnant with our youngest. And, that weight, was NOT my ideal weight, but it was less than I had been after our second child.

I was a skinny girl all my life, I never really “filled out as a woman” until I hit the age of 19 and 20. I figure that I had about 6 – 7 years where I looked perfect, as far as my figure went. Those were the few short years where I was satisfied with myself. Since then I have not looked like a model, and for many years I have been very upset with my weight. The weight starting creeping up on me very gradually after I turned 25. I think it came on me faster, because I never had to worry about what I ate, with being thin all my life. Weight has a way of creeping up on you, and then all at once, wow, reality hits you and you have to realize that you are over-weight. That’s what happened to me. It was very hard for me to accept that I was a heavy woman, because of being so thin all my life, I kept looking at myself as being thin, so that made it even easier for the weight to come on, little by little. One day I had to accept it and do something about it. Then I started working on trying to lose and lost a good amount after our second child was born. But, something happened after the third child. The diets I used before, all at once, didn’t work anymore. Then, began the years of yo-yo dieting; up and down, trying to keep it off. The worst was hitting plateaus where I would reach a weight where I absolutely couldn't get under it. That’s what happened to me the last time I really lost weight, I think that was the year of 1998. Since then I’ve tried many times, and then couldn’t even reach the plateau weight that I was in ’98! It was down hill from there. I got frustrated and the scales went up from there! I’ve learned over the years though, that people love me, no matter what weight I’m at, and I’ve learned to accept myself. But what is bad now, about my weight is not how I look, but how it affects and can affect me in the future, my health as I get older. And, with the medical history I have in our family, I’m at great risk for diabetes and heart disease. Of course, I watched what my Mother and Uncle went through with diabetes, and I’ve been saying for years that I must get my weight under control so I don’t get diabetes. It is what put my Mother in the nursing home after losing both of her legs.

I have talked a lot about it in the last few years, now it's time to once again give it another try,
for health reasons. Do it for health. Also, I want to live to see my Grandchildren grown and my Great Grandchildren. The side benefit will be that I will feel good about myself when I look in the mirror!

I think this is my last really big chance to get this weight off, since I have a 25 pound head start! It’s the perfect time to keep going. So, I AM going to do it this time, I am determined to get BELOW that plateau weight and keep going DOWN, with a 10 lb - at a time goal.

I’m not thinking way ahead to 20 or 30 pounds, I’m going to think in terms of 5 or 10 at a time. (eat an elephant one bite at a time). They say the slower you lose, the better chance one has of keeping it off. They also say that the key is to change your lifestyle and change how you look at food. I must stop looking at food as a way to comfort me, but rather I must look at it as a way to keep my body healthy, and to (as the saying goes) eat to live, NOT live to eat! Moderation. Balance. Eating healthy.

When I was home on medical leave I got a lot of my “diet” books out and looked through them again. As with many overweight women, I have a ton of these books around our house. I gleaned the best from each book. I am not eating as much (recovering from surgery helped me with that) I am paying attention to my portions. I am only eating healthy stuff, no junk. Since my body had been cleansed of sugar, it’s been easier to stay away from them, and I’m continuing on with that. I went from 2 percent milk to skim, from any sugar to Splenda, and I haven’t had a drink of pop or sweetened drink since before surgery. From yogurt to the lowest fat yogurt, and all the other “tools” that help with weight control. For Easter dinner, I even made my favorite rice dish that my Mother always made, with splenda and skim milk instead of sugar and whole milk (and it was good!) I am also drinking lots and lots of WATER. I have always known all the tools, I just must use them!

I am also getting back to excerise, which is instrumental to weight loss. I have been walking every day since my 3rd day of recovery, and have kept it up, even with being back at work. There is a treadmill in an excerise room in our building. Its free for us to use, how silly we've been there for almost 10 years, and I have never used it. Well, I do now, every day at lunch time. I'm up to 25 minutes. When the weather gets nicer, I will walk on my lunch break.
When I get clearance from my Dr. at next week's appointment, I'm going back to water aerobics class at the fitness center.

So now that I’ve told all my readers, I have another reason to keep going, because those of you that know me will be watching to see how I do, and watching to keep me accountable. That’s alright, you can do that, I’m in the right frame of mind now to allow it. I’ve made up my mind. This time it’s going to work!

PS the photo is my wedding engagement photo. Didn't know it would show up so big...gee...

Yeah, No Snow

We are all thankful in Duluth today. We didn’t wake up to snow, and it hasn’t snowed all day. It missed us, and went south. Our office in Milwaukee closed at 1:00 due to bad weather, so they got hit. I believe they had snow in Minneapolis-St. Paul (south of us), though I didn't hear tonight's weather.

On the way home from work I stopped at the Whole Foods Co-op store. It is only the second time I have been there. They opened a new place, probably a few years ago, that is larger and I have always meant to go there, but never did. I finally checked it out my last week of medical leave. They have some neat things there, and very healthy things. I came home with some interesting food items. I am trying to eat healthy these days. My husband asked as I came through the door, “did you stop at the skinny people’s store?” Boy, what a stereotype that is! I quickly corrected him. My next post is going to be titled: “Weighty Matters”.

Mission Moments

MISSION MOMENTS - From The American Cancer Society

DID YOU KNOW? Forty researchers, who were funded by the American Cancer Society early in their careers, have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.

IMPACT: Because beginning investigators often have a difficult time obtaining funding, the American Cancer Society works to fund researchers early in their careers, whose research toward a cure would have been lost otherwise.

TAKE ACTION: Become a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and help raise much-needed funds to continue investing in today’s new investigators and making tomorrow’s breakthroughs possible, call 1-800-ACS-2345.

DID YOU KNOW? Obesity significantly increases one’s risk of dying from cancer.

IMPACT: Society researchers published a landmark study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluding that being overweight increases the risk of cancer and that obesity may account for as many as 14 percent of cancer deaths in men and 20 percent of cancer deaths in women.

TAKE ACTION: Beating obesity isn’t just about losing weight. It’s about adopting a healthy lifestyle. By eating well, being active, and maintaining a healthy weight throughout life, you can lower your risk for serious illnesses, including cancer. To find out more, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the Great American campaign at www.cancer.org.

Cancer Deaths in U.S. Decline for Second Consecutive Year.
Cancer deaths in the United States have dropped for the second year in a row, according to the American Cancer Society. Elizabeth Ward, director of surveillance research for the Society, says the numbers reflect welcome progress in the battle against cancer. "This is very notable, because each year for 70 years the number of cancer deaths had gone up." Over the last two years the drop in the cancer death rates has outpaced the growth and aging of the U.S. population. Ward credits the shift to declines in smoking, successful education campaigns and more effective cancer screening programs. "For breast cancer these tests can detect the disease early, when it is still highly treatable. For colorectal cancer, the screening can not only detect the disease early, but it can actually prevent it through the removal of precursor lesions called polyps in the colon." But Ward adds that only half those who should get screened for colorectal cancer actually do. Still Ward is optimistic that cancer deaths can drop even further, but she fears that possible cuts in federal cancer research could slow such progress.

Oh No, More Snow!

We had a record low this morning, 6 degrees. It did warm up to the 30’s. The weather report this morning brought more news we didn’t want to hear. A storm watch for tomorrow, it’s to start snowing tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday, and we may get 6 inches. Lately, when they tell us the amount of snow we are to get, we’ve been getting twice that! Our News 6 weatherman, George, commented that it’s the “spring that won’t quit”, I’m thinking it’s more the “winter that won’t quit!”

Tonight I received two e mails from southern climates, telling me how unusually cold it's been for them. My friend from Louisiana wrote that they had snow, they never get snow. She got off the street as soon as she could, as she said the drivers there have no idea how to drive in the snow (she grew up in Erie, PA)! My cousin also wrote me from South Carolina. All the azeleas were in bloom, and they had hard frost the last few mornings and it ruined the azelea blooms.

I guess it's crazy weather everywhere. Back home in PA, they too, had beautiful warm weather in March, only to be followed by severe cold the end of March and this past week.

The photo I’ve posted was taken by Jonathan Lund. This house is downhill from us. We had a lot more snow than this over the hill. This homeowner here in Duluth, is well known for his snow sculptures. He has done many, most are Christmas themes, but he has also done King Kong, animals, presidents, to name a few. This year, with the snow at Easter time, he did a big bunny. Maybe by Wednesday he’ll be able to make a basket to go with it!

He Is Not Here *

HE IS NOT HERE - HE HAS RISEN!

AllELUIA!

Christ is ALIVE today.

Overcoming evil with good.

Have you met him?

Are you living in Easter or in the tomb?

"Goodness is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate;

light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death;

victory is ours

through Jesus Christ who loved us."

(This is the truth of Easter, that we celebrate today)

*Read Pastor Hargrave's (Hope UMC) Easter Message this morning posted on her web site:

http://www.livingtexts.blogspot.com/

April?

April 4 - downtown after what we hope will be our last snow! Doesn't look like spring does it?

Photo by: Jonathan Lund

Is This April?

This is April? Are we paying for having warm weather in January? The last few days have been like January. A cruel joke for all of us, especially when we were in the midst of getting out our spring and summer wardrobes and putting away our gloves, boots and winter coats, but then, I guess we should have known better. After all we do live in the Northland!
We all look forward to spring. We had a taste of it here in Duluth a few weeks ago for about a week. The April Fool's snow storm on Tuesday and Wednesday of this past week that brought us over 10 inches of wet, heavy snow, followed by very cold temps the rest of the week, so the snow and ice aren't going anywhere anytime too fast! It has seemed strange, with this very cold weather, for it to be light outside until 7 at night. The early daylight savings time has seemed odd to most of us. It’s great though, we suffer with darkness early in the morning. Guess we can’t have it all.

It will be a cold Easter Sunday. I learned a long time ago, not to think I would wear a spring outfit to church. Most Easter hunts for the children are done inside here in Duluth. When I was a kid, in PA, we hunted for eggs after church on our church lawn. We usually always had very nice weather, at least not any snow! It was always so much fun. Somehow, I think it’s more fun outside than in the church, or in your home. When our kids were small, I did hide them around the house. I miss not having children around to color Easter eggs for. It doesn’t seem worth doing them, when there aren’t any children here to enjoy them. I can’t really color them and ship them to Madelyn in Hudson. I have such great memories of coloring the eggs with all three of our children. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I always did. I never missed a year! I may hard boil some eggs today though, so I can relive the memory of eating hard boiled eggs at Easter!

We will have a quiet Easter, just Bob, Rob and I. Dawn and family will be spending Easter with her husband's family in Hudson, and Scott with Sarah's family. However, I did buy 1/2 ham to bake tomorrow, because HAM is my favorite meat, and I haven't been able to eat any for many months ... but now I should be able to, as most everything I try so far is going and staying well. I still haven't eaten any steak or pork chops yet, but most everything else. Tomorrow Ham... I can't wait! Yesterday I tried raw vegetables, and all was well! I have eaten PIZZA twice in the last week, last Saturday, one without meat on it, then last night I wanted a SAMMY’S pizza. We got our favorite, ground beef and pepperoni. It has a lot of ground beef on it, and the last 6 months I couldn’t eat it, due to the ground beef, but last evening I ate it, ground beef and all. Oh, my, did it taste good! So thankful for the recovery, again, thank you to Dr. Hampton!

Flat Madelyn Returns to Hudson

Ohhh...did Grandma have a lot of fun the last three days with Flat Madelyn's visit! (See post below). Remember, she arrived from my Granddaughter in Hudson, WI. I was to show her around and have "adventures" with her, and then after three days, send her back to Madelyn's school, with a "report" on what she saw in Duluth. She went to work with me and we had a slippery drive down Duluth hills to downtown, on icy and snow covered roads, following a 10 inch snowfall the day below, and 8 degrees temperature. I showed her around my office, and the office building. In the three days, we "visited" Duluth sites, and I told her about the things that are special about Duluth, the lake, the bridge, the North Shore, the Aquarium, the museums, etc. On Thursday night she went to the beauty shop with me, to church service for Maundy Thursday, and a quick stop at the grocery store on the way home. A photo was taken of her at the grocery store and the beauty shop, also at work, and with one of our wigs from the "Wig Room". Yesterday she spent time with Grandpa, running errands with him. I wrote about it all, and bought poster board and put the writings along with photos and post cards on the poster board, along with shrinked copies of "Flat Madelyn" on each display board, and on some of the post cards. I even made a display board of Duluth summer photos and post cards, to entice her and her classmates to come to Duluth in the summer. I spent all last evening working on putting the display together. I ran out of poster board, and sent a pile of post cards along with. I put everything in a priority mail box and took it the post office this morning. Flat Madelyn and her display should arrive to her teacher on Monday, or by the latest, Tuesday. I'm excited to hear from Madelyn how she likes what I put together. I called her this morning and told her it was on it's way, but I didn't tell her about the pictures, or display boards. My daughter wondered if anyone else will do what I did. I told her if Madelyn gets graded on it, she should get an "A". Last evening when I was working on it, I kept coming up with more ideas, and ideas of what I could have done if I had Flat Madelyn for more than three days. I ran into someone in the office building, when I was showing her, that told me he and his wife had a Flat Stanley come to them from Ohio, from their Grandson. They were able to have him for a MONTH. He told me they took lots of photos and enlarged them and did all kinds of things. (I had already thought of the photos, so when he told me they took photos, I knew I wasn't so crazy to think about doing that!) Oh, if I could have had her visit for a month!

This summer we are planning to have Madelyn stay with us for a week, so we will then be able to show our Granddaughter all the things here in Duluth that Flat Madelyn saw and heard about. We are looking forward to that!

GOOD FRIDAY

WALLS

I’m writing this on my lunch hour, since I didn’t have time to write it last night. I feel that the Spirit is prompting me to share a meditation that I read this week from our Bishop. This week I’ve been talking about getting back to work, and showing Flat Madelyn around town, but that’s not all that has been on my mind. I also want to talk about the fact that for us Christians, this is a special week. It is Holy Week; it’s the week during Lent that leads up to Good Friday and Easter. It is an important and special week for us. Today is Maundy Thursday, we remember when Jesus had his Last Supper with his disciples. I will be attending church this evening for Maundy Thursday Service. Tomorrow is Good Friday, and Sunday is Easter, the day we rejoice that Jesus was not in the tomb when his friends came on that Sunday morning. (Our pastor’s message on Sunday will be “He is Not Here”)

A friend sent me an article that our United Methodist’s Bishop Sally Dyck wrote about this week. It’s titled “But Not So With You”. She talks about walls, and how we build walls that separate us from each other. Her article was a good “Holy Week Reflection”, and was good to meditate on. I received permission from her to quote her thoughts on walls, she had been to Israel/Palestine in February and saw the wall that is being built there to cut off the Palestinians.

This from our Bishop Sally Dyck's Reflection:
“Walls just don't seem like the answer to the problems that keep people from peace. It was just a decade or two ago when we celebrated the tearing down of the Berlin wall. What makes another wall the answer? As far as I could see, the Wall only made people more hostile and angry. How they act out on that hostility and anger remains to be seen.

We build walls, too. They separate us from each other in many ways. The Wall is a visual reminder of how ugly and insulting walls can be. No one likes being pushed out or trapped in by walls. Walls are controlling and excluding, not peacemaking or community-building. Walls defy loving, forgiving, caring for and praying for one another--or even seeing each other as human beings.

In this Holy Week I am reminded of the various ways Jesus responded to people who, we might say, were "walling" other people. Even on the night in which Jesus was arrested, the disciples came into the Passover celebration fighting with each other. They were arguing about who would be the greatest among them. As the Gospels of Matthew and Mark say, they were wondering who would be at Jesus' left and right hands when he came into his kingdom. They were imagining a kingdom of power, like that of Rome, and not a kingdom of love and grace. They were walling themselves in and others out. Jesus says to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them . . . but not so with you" (Luke 22:25-26a, emphasis mine). Jesus tells them that the greatest must be as the youngest and the leader as one who serves. "Walling" reflects the desire to control or lord over others; to solve disputes in angry ways. "But not so with you," Jesus said. Let it not be so in the ways in which you treat each other.

But not so with you. I keep thinking of those words of Jesus. Holy Week moves from a way of life that "lords it over us" to making the Lord our way of life. Easter comes--no matter what the calendar says or the weather is--when walls come tumbling down. As Paul later writes, "For [Christ] is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us" (Eph. 2:14).

Jesus expects us to live a different way than to build walls between ourselves and others. He expects us to receive forgiveness and grace, which comes to us through the cross, so that we can surprise the world (and ourselves as well) with loving, gracious, new ways of dealing with old conflict, anger, and hostility."

"Christ the Lord is risen indeed . . . and the walls come a-tumblin' down! Are they coming down where you are?”

Bishop Sally Dyck
Minnesota Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church122 W. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404
bishop@mumac.orgRead Bishop Dyck's column online and see her photographs of the Wall by
visiting www.minnesotaumc.org and clicking on "Bishop's Corner."

Flat Madelyn goes Downtown

"Flat Madelyn" rode with me to work yesterday. (See yesterday’s post below) We ended up with 10 inches of snow over the hill where we live. The roads were very snow covered and icy, and it’s downhill the whole way for me until I hit the freeway and Lake Superior. Flat Madelyn was worried that we would go in a ditch on the slippery roads, but she soon realized I was a seasoned Duluth winter driver, turning off over drive and using low gear, my car has anti-lock brakes, and going very slowly, we made it. I showed her the lake. It was very murky, gray and dreary looking. I told her that usually it is blue and very beautiful. On the way home, it looked oh, so much more blue and beautiful. I showed her around downtown, and the building I work in, and our office and my co/workers. She thoroughly enjoyed the day. At lunch time I took her with me on a walk in one of our skywalks. On the skywalk we crossed I-35, and she could see the DECC. There is no excuse for those that work downtown, not to walk. We have a great set of skywalks that gives us the opportunity to walk even on the coldest, snowiest days! We walked with a co/worker who walks that route every day, so she quickly left us in the dust. But, that was o.k., the thing is that we did walk!

Last evening, my Granddaughter Madelyn called me to ask how “Flat Madelyn’s” day went. She wanted to be sure that I was taking good care of her. She told me to be sure that I tucked her into bed at night. Yes, Madelyn, I’m taking good care of your “Flat Madelyn”. She’ll have more adventures today.

Photos by Jonathan Lund

Flat Madelyn Visits

We received a thick envelope in our mail today. It was addressed to Grandma and Grandpa. It was exciting to see what was inside. Our Granddaughter Madelyn sent us a cute note she wrote herself, she is in first grade. Along with her note was a “Flat Madelyn”. Her class read a story about "Flat Stanley", a boy who was flattened by a board. Because he was so flat he could slip under doors, be flown as a kite and take trips in an envelope. Madelyn and her classmates made a “Flat Stanley” (with a photo of their face, instead of Stanley’s) and their teacher asked them to send it somewhere in the world for a visit. Madelyn chose Grandma and Grandpa in Duluth. We are to show “Flat Madelyn” around Duluth, have her experience life here for three days. Then we are to send her back to Hudson with a letter telling what “Flat Madelyn” experienced.

It was explained that Flat Madelyn may not be dressed appropriately, if she’s never traveled here before. I note that she has a dress on, I’m sure my granddaughter isn’t thinking we have snow here in April. The first thing Grandma needs to do is to add a coat, for her trip downtown with Grandma tomorrow, since we have snow.

One thing I’m a little confused about, the letter calls him “Flat Stanley”, but the face is Madelyn’s. She called me tonight to see if I received it, and I told her I received “Flat Stanley”, and she corrected me and said “it’s Flat Madelyn”. So, that’s why I’m referring my cute Flat Stanley, as “Flat Madelyn”. Whether the name is Stanley, or Madelyn, doesn’t matter. I will be taking “Flat Madelyn” to work tomorrow and show her around my work area, and around downtown Duluth. What fun it will be to show her around town. I will refer to my tourist post last week, to be sure I don’t miss any of our city highlights! I guess this means I can slide Flat Madelyn under the door to Glensheen and the Depot, and bypass the entrance fees, right?!

April Snow

We woke up to snow this morning. The drive to work was miserable. It was to snow all day, and it did. The good thing was that the temperature stayed around the low thirties, so the snow was wet, so the drive home wasn't as bad as it could have been. I think we received at least 6 inches or more up here in Woodland. It is not to stop till morning, so we will see what we wake up to tomorrow. Just when I was going to report that most of our snow was gone. April fools, just when we thought spring was here.

Back in the Swing

Several people have asked me how my first day back to work was after being gone for 3 weeks on medical leave. I am happy to report to you that it was great. My volunteers who came in a few times a week did very well, there was no large pile up of work that I needed to dig into, only about a hundred e mails to go through, and mail, but that was acceptable. I had my first of the month duties that kept me busy the last two days, and at the end of today, I'm thrilled that I am caught up. I was glad that I remembered all my many passcodes and user names for everything related to the computer, I didn't have to look them up on my cheat sheet. When I walked into the office, I noticed that nothing was different. My desk and work area was just the way I left it, and though everything seemed strange at first, it didn't take me too long to get back into the swing, just as if I had never left. However, I now felt rested and more healthy.

The best part of returning, was the outpouring of welcome backs that I received from everyone, not just in my office, but the girls upstairs in the bank, the girls in the coffee shop, and all those who I come in contact in the building. Some were surprised that I was back already, one gal at the bank said "has it been 6 weeks already?", I responded no, with laproscopic surgery its three weeks! I felt missed and very loved. What a nice feeling, how nice to know that I was missed and that so many care for me. How fortunate. The gals I work with gave me a hearty return, I work with great staff and my supervisor especially has been so supportive of me through all of this. I was really touched when around 1 pm yesterday, a delivery came for me from a local florist. It was a beautiful begonia plant, from the two Administrative Support gals in our St. Cloud office. How nice is that...wow!

Yes, I am happy to be back, and I feel blessed to work with good people!

Sign of Spring on a Snowy Day

Snow in Duluth today!

Concerning the Daffodils that the American Cancer Society offered for sale in early March, I thought I would give you these photos that I received at work. Have you ever wondered how the daffodils were harvested? These photos came from the farms in Washington state that we purchased the daffodils from. I thought they were interesting, and maybe you will too!

Back to Work!

Today is the day! Back to work after a 3 week medical leave. It will be good to see my co/workers again, I have missed them. I have a lot of "first of the month" duties on my job, so I will be back in time to do them all. Hopefully, there will not be too much work piled up for me to catch up on, I did have some wonderful volunteers come in a few days of each week I was gone, so I shouldn't have. If any of you volunteers are reading this, I want to thank you. I owe each one of you my deepest gratitude. The photos posted are from Jonathan Lund, I enjoy his photos, and hope you will too. These are all downtown photos. The large building with the mirrored looking windows is the building I work in. We are two floors under, in the sub-basement, wonderful place to be if we ever have a tornado! More later on my first day back. I feel like I felt as a kid, going back to school after the summer vacation! The best part, I won't be eating soup for lunch! Thank you Dr. Hampton!

I'm Convinced

Tonight I went to our "Movie Night" that my Hope UM Church has one Sunday evening a month. I have never gone before, but the movie being shown was one that I have wanted to see, and haven't seen yet. There is always discussion after the movie, and I thought that would be interesting. The movie was "An Inconvenient Truth". I'm sure you know about this movie, the documentary that former VP Al Gore made about Global Warming. I really did not need to be convinced that we have global warming going on, just look at the evidence of the changing climate all over the world, and the melting glaciers, and ice cap. But, if I had any doubts, I do not have doubt anymore. He had very good charts and scientific evidence to back up the fact that our earth is warming way too fast, and it's going to cause problems, especially for our children's generation. We must do something. He made a good point at the end of the movie that we do have the knowledge and the tools to make things better, we need to get moving, one family and one person at a time until change is made. We can help make our earth better. Our church is going to be discussing how we can help and what we as a faith community can do to make change. Our pastor reminded us that if we felt dispair after viewing the movie, that we must move on from dispair to hope, there is hope, there are things we can each do. Check out
this website: http://stepitup2007.org
Also: www.InterfaithPowerandLight.org
and www.an-inconvenient-truth.com

Still in the Fog

Another foggy day in Duluth. Ice is still on the lake. The shipping season started on March 16, when the first laker left the Twin Ports, the 1,004 foot Mesabi Miner. It followed the US Coast uard Cutter Biscayne Bay out of the habor and was on its way to Michigan It carried 58,000 tons of coal. Yesterday, two ships, the John G. Munson and the Quebecois reportedly were stuck in the ice outside of the Duluth-Superior Harbor. Photo Credits: Jonathan Lund