Welcome to the Jungle

 Sometime last spring I posted a plea for votes, asking people to actually see what was going on in my parent’s basement.  UGH!  I got everything from sympathy votes to palpable shock & awe – it was a jungle that needed to be cleared.  You spoke (well, so did the photos) and they listened!  I won!

Before - OUCH!

After - Ahhhhhh

70's outdated ceramic shower

Contemporary Clean Stone Shower Retreat

 

Tired laminate vanity

Beautiful granite with custom cabinetry

Say goodbye to wallpaper!

Set the right feel with a proper paint color (hazy sage)

Do it right the 1st time - seal the shower to prevent future problems...

Measure measure measure - make your floor beautiful!

Remember those ugly lighting fixtures and accents?

Replace with clean lines and quality products

Thank you Inspiration Design Center - you made it all possible!

Cliff Lede
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s finally here.  My last Friday night and free weekend before I go back to work.  Not ‘consulting’ work – real work.  The corporate 9-5 grind like most of the working world.  I knew this day would come, and I’ve actually looked forward to this day for years (mostly in times of great crisis!) Yet in the midst of my anticipation and excitement, terrible sadness somehow has crept in.

Where did the years go?  How did my children grow up without me noticing I was getting older too?  10 years!!!  When I quit my job my children were 4, 6 and 8.  Now they are a robust 14, 16 and literally legal – 18 years old!   Maybe I’ve inhaled too many fumes in the car as I chaueffered them from one event to the other, but these 10 years went by WAY too fast.  I’ve tried to be the best Mom possible, but it hasn’t always been easy (duh!)  I never wanted to be that ‘helicopter parent’ that I see and roll my eyes upwards at in judgement – but I will never be a parent that ignores trouble when she sees it coming or puts fun before parenting.

I’m extremely proud of my boys – they are going to be fantastic men, husbands and parents.  But the world is a different place than when I was as a kid and there are constant distractions that can literally lead them down dangerous paths.  I know they feel loved - and each one of them is as different as the next one – but they all have bright futures in their own individual and terrific way.  

As I leave next Monday morning to help contribute to their college funds, will they realize I’m now breaking free for them?  I don’t deny I miss the professional challenge – but at the end of  the day, my working benefits our family.  I hope one day they’ll do the same for their children. 

Last month the oldest boy left for college.  It’s time for him to start his own life – and we can’t be any more thrilled and excited for him!   His bed never got cold though; the eager next-in-line brother quickly moved in to assume his birth-right of the ‘basement apartment’ as a junior and senior in high school (a promise and pact we made in finishing our lower level).  This son has started to visit colleges and just like his older brother, he will be nothing short of outstanding on his own.    The youngest is no slouch either!  He’s made changes to his bedroom to mark this household musical chairs and as we finished buying items for our college-bound son, I started looking in earnest to resume my career…..it was time. 

Looking back, the memories that would never have been possible are sweet reflections of a decision well made.  Trips to the Black Hills, Mexico and countless vacations to Breckenridge – there’s no pricetag on getting to know your children.  Quiet nights at home or trips alone in the car are the times I’ll remember the most.  Making sure that I said ”I love you” every day because I meant it; if it wasn’t always in words, I hope they felt it in what I was willing to do for them. 

But now – 2010…..how do I re-launch my career?  I truly loved my last corporate job, working for Northwest Airlines and wearing a dozen hats while focusing on safety, operational excellence and outstanding customer service.  I coordinated the entire inflight experience for special VIP customers.  From 30+ professional sports teams to the Rolling Stones, I’ve literally seen it at all 35,000 feet!   But since grounding myself in 2000,  I’ve continued to hone my skills by consulting for an array of clients that found me after I left NWA.  Specializing in public relations, marketing and communications,  I’ve been a “Jill of all trades” in exchange for fantastic experiences and a little pocket money.

So what were the chances a job would present itself back within the aviation industry - Especially after the heartbreaking demise of Northwest Airlines?  As luck and timing would have it – the stars were aligned for me….  Come Monday morning, I will become the new Flight Attendant Base Manager for a regional carrier that I have great respect for.  It will be my job to guide and lead hundreds of flight attendants and ensure our customers have an exceptional experience on every flight, every day.  My years of experience have prepared me for this challenge and I truly want to be the kind of leader I would have hoped for 20 years ago.  Compassionate, respectful and willing to hold myself and my staff to high expectations.  Life is too full of people only willing to do the minimum – so why not expect the best out of people – I’m counting on finding it in each person!

So 10 years later (almost to the exact date) I will return to the industry I love.  A decade older and to an industry that’s been wrought with change, I’m a whole lot wiser having raised a family, cared for a dying parent and juggled a household during tough economic times.  Remembering the day I work up unemployed and the tears that followed each morning for well over a month, could I have ever imagined I would be given this opportunity to return?  No way – but then again, I truly believe God had a plan.  I trusted in Him and made my family a higher priority than my own individual aspirations.

In this case, paybacks are a blessing!  Stay seated while the seatbelt sign is alluminated – Buckle up – Here I come!

DRIVING WHILE WHAT?
but first…

White Rock Vineyards Napa Valley Claret
This is an astonishing Bordeaux-style wine from the Napa Valley. Supple and lush with loads of ripe fruit and undertones of leather and tobacco, it’s half-French, half- California in style. White Rock Vineyards was established as early as 1870 and brought back in the late ’70s by the Vandendriessche family. Made from a classic blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot.  Perfect for that great steak or rich braised stew.

DRIVING WHILE WHAT?

It seems to me that I become obsessed with information when I’m faced with buying big ticket items.  I needed a new roof  and *POOF* I threw myself into research on Certainteed shingles vs. cedar shakes.  I wanted a new patio  and *SHAZAM*  I launched into a study of exposed aggregate, brick pavers, bluestone and an array of stamped concretes.  I think it’s fun to shop for just about anything until I have to lay down a signature or commit so much cash…

So when I started looking at cars, I had my notebook, #2 pencil and camera at the ready.  Aestetics are just as important as reliability – so first I jotted down the cars that looked great on the road.  What started off as a study on the outside of the car, quickly became astonishment at what was going on inside the car.  I mean really – people in this country have turned their vehicles into offices, mini restaurants, salons and god forbid even daycare centers.  They do just about everything while driving….Let’s take a look:

I CALL THESE - OVER THE ROAD *PRIMPING*

Roaving Stubble Removal

Ya ever seen one of these wands jammed in an eyeball?

What next, his back?

Ladies ~ just when you were blaming the guys for hair removal

Smile…

Curl up and Die

NEXT WE MOVE ON TO *AUTO MUNCHING*

Drive Thru Diva

Soup on the Go

A Little Help from your Friends

A Supersized Moron

MULTI-TASKING WOMEN

Getting caught up on the Soaps

Quiet Time with the Baby

Peek a Boo!

Catching the Headlines with Lipstick

Mommy Dearest

The Daydream or the Contorsionist – You Decide

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES


The Cleaner

The Jock

The Singer

The Bargain Hunter

The Student

The Musician

The Dieter

Curbside Biffy – otherwise known as The Squatter

The Smoker

The Napper

The Dreamer

Animal Rights Activist

Auto Cramming

The Avid Reader

The Frat Boy

The Sorority Princess

The Final Ride

It’s official.  We do way too many things in car.  We sing, eat, primp, talk and even deliver babies in cars.  Well… some of those babies started out there now didn’t they?

With the world of technology and our need to be mobile ever spinning out of control, can we all just slow down a bit and concentrate on DRIVING!

 ** No animals were harmed in creating this blog and many pictures were 
      donated by other users.

JACOB, WHERE ARE YOU?


Jacob Wetterling – 11 years old in 1989
STILL MISSING

There are moments in every person’s life that literally shape who they are and who they’re going to be. While sometimes wonderful, those moments can often be tragic and heart wrenching.  But those often are moments of opportunity.  A time of  reflection and a chance to steer the direction of your own journey.  Those moments become etched in our minds and branded on our hearts forever.  Twenty years ago tomorrow, I had one of those moments.

On October 22, 1989, Jacob Wetterling was abducted.  Jacob was only 11 years old when he was kidnapped by his home in St. Joseph, MN (just west of St. Cloud by a 10 minute drive). Jacob, his brother Trevor and a friend were bicycling home from a convenience store (out to rent a movie) when a masked gunman came out of  nowhere and ordered the boys to throw their bikes into a ditch and lie down on the ground. The gunman asked each boy his age. Jacob’s brother and friend were told to run toward a nearby wooded area and not look back or else he would shoot them. After a short run, both boys did look back and saw the gunman grab Jacob and walk away. As of today, the whereabouts of Jacob and the gunman are unknown.

Twenty years ago.  A tragic moment in time created an opportunity for our state and its citizens to question how we value children.  Jacob’s disappearance became a noteable loss of innocence for Minnesota. Our state, long considered middle-America with a deep sense of family and community, if it could happen in St. Joseph, MN, it could happen anywhere.

Jacob playing one of the sports he loves – hockey
STILL MISSING

I’m haunted by the loss of Jacob Wetterling. I can’t believe there hasn’t been a crack in the case or an answer for his family. People throw around the phrase “life isn’t fair” sometimes to explain bad things that happen to good people.  But I cannot imagine the depths of injustice for this child and the ache in the hearts of the Wetterling family every day now….for 20 years.

I know the Wetterling family. Jacob was someone I had seen on several occasions as a small boy during my college years. Having suffered an injury at a frat party (not a proud moment to be sure) I wound up at the St. Cloud hospital with a concussion and sprained neck.  The doctor suggested I receive physical therapy and the following Monday, I met chiropractor Jerry Wetterling at his home office.  Until I graduated, when I came for my appointments, a little boy often greeted me on a big wheel and I watched him (or heard him) playing in the yard or in the house.  That boy was Jacob.

Fast forward to October 22, 1989: I was pulling into my driveway after work when I heard the news reports of a missing child. Why was the name of the little boy so familiar?  Then it hit me. It was Dr. Wetterling’s son.  The boy who was kidnapped was the sweet little boy I remembered fondly, with a devilish smile and boundless energy.  It was horrifying!

Like serendipity, I received a phone call at work a day or two later. I was working in the HR offices of Northwest Airlines and a caller introduced himself as a friend of the Wetterlings.  Could NWA help distribute flyers of Jacob to destinations across the country?  I walked down the hall to the Director of Security and spoke to him personally about the request.  I told him I knew this family and they were good people;  I thought they deserved any and all the help we could provide and without hesitation, he agreed. That’s how it all started.

Through phone calls back and forth to the ‘command center’ in St. Joe, I coordinated efforts on behalf of NWA and tried my best to be instrumental in assisting their efforts.  At some point I met with Patty and Jerry and offered my personal support. They were so very appreciative.  Through my position at work, I was allowed to solicit help from other interested employees and within a few months, I had formed a group called “Jacob’s Wings”.  What I didn’t know at first was that Jacob also had family working at NWA.  That’s when I first met Jacob’s aunt and uncle – appreciative, wonderful, family people.  Over time our organization flew to different cities around the country and handed out information about Jacob and other missing children.  Our group’s mission was HOPE.  Hope we could help find missing children, Hope to prevent children from being transported by airplane when abducted, and Hope to educate the public on the issues surrounding non-family child abduction.

Jacob’s 1st Age Enhanced Photo – What he may look like at 19 -
STILL MISSING
courtesy of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

NWA’s organization grew and we were able to create events that helped families both locally and nationally. Along with Patty Wetterling (who I’d gotten to know quite well by this point) a core group of us were invited to visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington D.C.  We met with Ernie Allen, the Director of the NCMEC and together with an FBI specialist, we were presented with invaluable information and trained on the complex issues of child abduction and vulnerable youth.  We were also granted a private tour of the FBI crime labs and educated on the issue of child abduction from a national perspective.  We met with a FBI artist who, through cutting edge technology, had begun creating age-enhanced images of children (like Jacob) and what they may look like in present-terms.   

As time went on, I continued to work with Jacob’s Wings and I was appointed to the board of directors for the Jacob Wetterling Foundation (serving as board president for several years). I’m proud of these accomplishments, yet I know so much work is still needed to keep children safe….and Jacob still isn’t home.

Remember – when Jacob was abducted there were no home computers, home faxes, cell phone, or Ipods. Kid’s couldn’t call for help on a cell phone, let alone text for help or have GPS systems locate them.  The world is a very different place today, much of it good.  But we have to continue to strive to stay one step ahead of people that are out there with the time, resources and opportunities to hurt children.

Jacob’s age enhancement – 30 years of age
STILL MISSING
courtesy of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Twenty years ago. That moment shaped who I became as a person in many ways.  Jacob’s story touched my heart in a way I could not anticipate – and his status as still missing is as unacceptable today as it was back then.  I was a young, newly married girl with no children.  I couldn’t fully appreciate the depth of loss I can now understand as a mother today. Yet through the eyes of Patty & Jerry (people I knew for a brief period in my life) I felt driven to help. And because I got involved, my life has always been richer.  But Jacob – where are you?

My life has changed a lot since then. I’m the mother of 3 busy boys with never-ending chaotic schedules. I’ve stepped back from the leadership roles I once had with the JWF because as Patty showed me, family should always come first. But I’ve carried the experience with me and I continue to support the work of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center (the foundation’s current name). My three sons are now 17, 15 and 13.  The youngest being about the same age Jacob was when he was abducted. I look into my children’s eyes and I can’t imagine them “out there”.  I can’t fathom not knowing where they are or what’s become of them.  I would always ache to know the truth.

Patty Wetterling – Jacob’s Mom
Mother * Child Advocate * National Hero

I can’t imagine the strength, the power and the ability to stay focused that Patty Wetterling still has, in spite of her personal grief, on behalf of all children. She is a hero; a hero for our community, our state and our nation. Despite her gut wrenching tragedy, she chose a very public path and continues to be brave on behalf of all missing children and their families. She has been brave enough to ask the tough questions and shine a light on the issues of missing children. She’s made real changes for the benefit of all families in this country and her legacy as an advocate for missing children will forever be a gold standard by which many will follow, but few will succeed with such passion and clarity.

Twenty years ago. I still can’t believe it. It’s a moment frozen in time for me forever. I thought today’s blog was worth shining the light back on Jacob. I pray for an answer ~ for Jacob, for the Wetterlings and for everyone touched by a missing child.

Today, the organization founded in Jacob’s name is known as “The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center (JWRC). It is an authorized provider of prevention education and incident assistance in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). As one of the founding task force members that worked to launch the A.M.B.E.R Plan in Minnesota in 2002, JWRC continues to provide advocacy and expertise to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension through the A.M.B.E.R. Task Force, which continues to operate. JWRC is also a founding member of A.M.E.C.O. (the Association of Missing & Exploited Children) and is a longstanding member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

For more information, you can contact:

http://www.jwrc.org

Jacob Wetterling Resource Center
2314 University Ave W., Suite 14
Saint Paul, MN 55114

651-714-4673 (office)
651-714-9098 (fax)
1-800-325-HOPE (toll free)

I’ll say it again -
Jacob, where are you?  We pray for you to come home.

People have asked for a truly GOOD, yet reasonably priced wine.
Here it is!

For cabernet lovers like me, this claret is a wonderful alternative.  A medium-bodied wine that is an “easy drinker”, not too tannic and reasonably smooth.   A wonderful everyday red.  Take a deep sniff before your first sip, you’ll find blackberries abound, along with plum and other dark fruit.   First sip will gently coat your tongue  and as you continue, you’ll be left with a a soft and gentle finish.   

DREAM JOBS

Is there any such thing as a dream job?  After all, at the end of the day it’s still work isn’t it.  I’ve been going over my Myers Briggs Jung  Typology Test, I continue to be a firm ENFJ.  That means I’m an idealist – well duh.  While I didn’t have any earth shaking revelations re-taking this test, you may find the personal inventory helpful.  You can find it on the web, with all it’s detailed explanations, at http://www.humanmetrics.com.

Do the jobs we have shape our future?  Just what have I done to to prepare me for what’s next?  Let’s see:

First Job: Selling Hot Dogs at the Met Stadium…..
I loved it and quickly moved to the Steak Sandwich stand by 1st base!

Second Job: Selling jerseys & sports gear at Pro Central in Bloomington
(can you tell I came from a pro-sports family???)

Then came stints at:

The Rainbow Balloon Shop (50th & France & SouthDale)
We were the ‘cool’ shop, when rainbows were worn by everyone and personalized items & funny cards were totally in vogue.

The Pannekoekan Huis (I was hostess – and I loved the get-up!)
Who can forget ’Pannekokan Right!’ being screamed as the waitron ran thru  the dining room with those pancakes as big as a frizbees!

Hotel Sofitel’s Chez Collette (Asst. Mgr.  what great experience)
Favorite saying I learned there: Avec des si, on mettrait Paris en bouteille
This experience geared me up for a year studying overseas….that rocked!

Trader N Trapper Bar, St. Cloud  - I could carry 4 pitchers at a time!
(hmmm this picture is as fuzzy as my memory of  the place…could it be because we ‘drank’ all our mistakes!)  A bunch of us quit in protest when mgmt introduced mud wrestling! We could have raked in the cash from the stupid frat boys & drunk creepsters that showed up!  Oh well…it led me to:

Clinique Cosmetics Advisor via Dayton’s

Ahhhhhh – R.I.P. DAYTONS

My last college job was selling Clinique cosmetics at Dayton’s.  Dayton’s oh how I miss you!!  I was either the top seller or in the top 3 for the region for 4 years straight!  I loved the white clinical coat and all things glamorous…..plus free skin care and makeup was HUGE to a college gal!

Then Came This:

Which Equalled This:

And so….off I went seeking higher employment with even higher expectations.  My first job lasted just a couple of months.  It was a social service position where they weren’t quite honest about the salary they offered me (hmmmm did they mention I would only be working 3/4 time of the full time rate?).  HA!  I learned quickly.  But then, free flights & the sky’s limits came calling……

Northwest Airlines – 1986 – 2000
From Accounting to HR, Engineering to Inflight VIP Coordinator -
I trained hundreds of employees, responded to emergencies large and small, took calls 24/7 from a myriad of clients and took advantage of every PR event I could be involved with!  I literally feel like I grew up at Northwest Airlines and to me, each and every employee was a part of my professional family.  Yes at times we were a dysfunctional family to be sure, but looking back I loved almost every minute of it!

The Motherhood Years – 2000 – 2009
PR, Marketing & Communications Consultant
Balancing 3 Sons with Freelance Consulting ~ Multi-task Mama!

Was proud to say I worked on this guy’s campaign:

but not so proud to say I worked for companies involved with this guy:

I’ve worked in the political arena, on developing restaurant menus, branding new airline services and re-defining the needs of a major hotel.  Needless to say, it’s been a fun-filled 9 years.  Years where I’ve learned more about myself and who I am, while taking stock in my professional abilities.  What was my funniest job or my greatest accomplishment?  After nearly 45 years on this earth, that would be a great question to ponder…..but working for the NBA and the Rolling Stones, boy do I have stories!

Why are these flight attendants touching my customer?????
And worse – why are they selling their watches on board again?

Below you will see Principle #1, followed by Principle #3 and Principle #4
This is how I was asked to refer to the boys on every email, fax or by phone – one never knows who is watching – HAHAHA!

So here I am looking for that next opportunity…

How does one parlay a lifetime of experience towards the next fulfilling job?   Only time will tell…..but it definitely makes me appreciate the journey!

This has a gorgeously rich berry nose to it. Pure blackberries and cherries juiced into a hot sauce pan, then cooked into a reduction that you linger over with eyes closed. On the palate it’s incredibly silky smooth. Black currant flavors, dark chocolate and a good bit of spice, finished off with a sheen of lavender.  What a juice bomb!

Angel’s Landing is now available during the 
Surdyks Wine Sale (while supplies last).  
$ 24.00 per bottle 
Evidence you can still find a Stags Leap District wine
at a reasonable price!

Job Hunting

There was a time that I actually thought being a ‘consultant’ sounded lofty. To consult on important matters; to think heady thoughts and regurgitate them to an audience of admiring professionals – professionals that will actually pay for it!  Dumb huh? Perhaps a better term is naive, but how did the label of ‘consultant’ become code for being out of work?  Yesterday when I interviewed with a corporate human resource member, they asked me how long I had been out of work consulting!  Yikes – sign of the times….

It’s been nine years since I was employed in the corporate environment.  Do I miss it?  Sure; I was interacting daily with professional athletes, rock stars, the White House and a handful of celebrities and government dignataries.  Every day was a ‘who’s gonna call me’ day.  Coordinating their travel experience took a huge staff – and those people, my vendors and corporate clients – are the ones I really miss.  I miss having them count on me to care enough to provide them with a flawless experience.  I miss the adreneline rush of unexpected emergencies and juggling those dozen balls in the air at one time.  I was damn good at what I did….so why did I leave?

I Traded This:

(an actual poster that hung in my office!)

For This:

My 3 Sons
At the time I quit my job….ages 3, 5 and 7

In 2000,  I realized that I would never get the opportunity to know my children in the way I desired if I didn’t quit my job.  Emergencies like sports stars leaving left their cell phones on planes couldn’t compare to my sons who were left motherless during pivotal childhood milestones.  The love and chaos of me being a great career professional was getting in the way of me being a great Mom.  It was a no-brainer and I knew what needed to be done, yet it was hard.  Quite frankly, I was one of the rare lucky ones, someone who could afford to quit their job.  Most women can’t afford to do that.   So right or wrong, I jumped corporate ship and I’ve never looked back.

Becoming a “Mom” overnight was scary because believe it or not, my world became really quiet.   No emergencies, no pager (remember, this was 2000) and no hundreds of emails a day.  I went into withdrawl and literally cried at my office desk for a week.  Then, about a week after I turned in my ID badge and gave up my free first class flights, I got a call that turned my life in to a string of really interesting consulting projects.  Projects I could juggle into my  family’s schedule.   It started with an old boss having me fly to different cities and conducting training (training I had been doing for years while on the payroll).  It was coffee money I justified.  A way to stay professionally connected through the hours of laundry, homework and trips to hockey rinks throughout the state.  I  knew I had done the right thing when I kissed my oldest son goodbye and told him I’d be going to Detroit for the day and he replied, “That’s all right Mom, you never use to be home.  Go have fun with the adults”.  Seven.  How do they make ‘em that wise at seven?

Over the past decade, I’ve LOVED being a Mom.  I’ve worked in the classroom, volunteered with team sports, made real meals for my family every night of the week and slipped on my ‘consulting’ cap when it’s been convenient.  One by one past clients started calling me for side projects; the word had gotten out.  I’ve been lucky to have worked on a number of independent feature films and I’ve successfully consulted on a number of PR, marketing and communication projects over the last decade.  It’s been an amazing ride….. So why do I want to go back to work full-time now?

It’s Time

It doesn’t matter that the economic timing stinks, it’s time for me to re-launch myself and get a job again.  After all, college starts next year and priorities are now shifting again.     It’s time to re-apply my skills and jump-start my career in a focused manner.  It’s time to support the success of a company or organization with 110% of my abilities, applying my knowledge in a clear and measureable way.  My boys are looking for autonomy as they age….but do they really know how to make dinner on their own or even make a bed?  

It’s time for them to learn.

Facing a tougher than normal economic climate, I count myself lucky that I’ve interviewed for just about every position I’ve applied for  – even though it’s not many.  Still, yesterday’s snarky comment about my consulting status gave me reason to pause.  Is this why I haven’t been the selected candidate?  Do they not value the power of juggling motherhood & consulting?  I’ve juggled PTA meetings, home made lunches and a pretty complex chauffeaur service for 3 active boys, maintaining successfully a variety of projects for restaurants, airlines, movie productions and other corporate clients.  Try that sassy pants HR lady!   The priority of my children will never be regretted, but life stepped in and made my skills even more valuable having accomplished this….so you tell me, doesn’t ‘consultant and mother’ mean a whole lot more than out of work. 

I’d love to hear the creative war stories on re-launching yourself with a professional career.  Give me the highs and  the lows; the unapologetic truth.

Because here I go…

I regret nothing, yet look forward to those things
yet unaccomplished in my life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Together with my husband and 13 year old son, I attended the Minneapolis screening of “Capitalism: A Love Story”, written and directed by famous Michigan documentarian and social activist Michael Moore.  Moore attended the screening and graciously did a 30 minute Q & A session immediately following the credits.

The movie itself was shot in Moore’s classic style.  Chaulked with sarcastic humor and ugly truths about greed in America, it was a perfect narrative on the evils of capitalism gone amuck in this country.  Moore once again hooks the heart of his audience by interviewing real Americans that have been screwed by the system, left to twist in the wind while someone benefits from their misery.  Exposing backdoor deals between Wall Streeet and our elected officials, the movie perfectly illustrates what’s been lost in this country.  True and ethical democracy. 

Moore does a brilliant job connecting the dirty dots of the greedy top 1% to the rest of us average Americans.  He exposes schemes like corporate Dead Peasant insurance policies, includes never-before-seen footage regarding a 2nd Bill of Rights authoried by FDR,  and provides us with a bone-chilling re-cap of last year’s free-fall of the financial systems.   Think you’ve heard enough about AIG, Goldman Sachs and the leaders of numerous financial institutions?  Well think again.    Listening to how we’ve been duped into believing our government has everyone’s best interest in mind is kind of like eating that warm chicken salad at the Sunday picnic.  You hope it doesn’t make you sick, but just like that, your stomach starts churning.  Somehow, the hope you had seemed noble at the time. 

Moore drives his point home with a corporate memo authored by Citibank, defining what is known as ’Plutonomy’.  If you didn’t know it was a bonafide document, you’d think someone wrote it for an Orwellian novel or movie.    Here it is for you to read and absorb.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/6674229/Citigroup-Mar-5-2006-Plutonomy-Report-Part-2

The 30 minute visit with the Director was merely a discussion among the choir.  Topical thank you’s were extended and all the expected questions were asked.  The Q & A time seemed more about ramping up excitement for the film’s opening, rather than rallying the troops into action.  So what really is Moore’s point - selling tickets or starting a dialogue that creates a real social change?

It occurred to me that Michael Moore, no matter how right he is about the social pitfalls of America, is still just a talented filmmaker trying to sell a movie.  I don’t look down on him for that, but it would have been more inspiring to see him take a nod from one of the film’s positive role models, Jonas Salk, the altruistic inventor of a polio vaccine.  Like Salk, why didn’t Moore find a way to share his information with the masses for free?  Knowledge is power right?  Heck, why not screen the film via Facebook or YouTube?   Other filmmakers with far less notoriety (let alone financial success) have provided free access to their craft, sharing their vision for a greater purpose than profit.  If you want a revolution and real change, then why not go all the way?

Moore was repeatedly self-deprecating during the final 10 minutes of his Q & A.  He shared with the audience how republicans and right wing conservatives feel hatred and contempt for him, yet he chuckled the idea away by labeling himself as ”just a simple filmmaker”.  I didn’t buy that for a minute.  Moore knows he’s been lifted to icon status among his audience and he clearly loves challenging the system.   The irony that Moore is marketing his film to the battered and bruised American public, an audience who desperately craves entertainment and to escape the harsh realities of their lives, was not lost on me.  He has a tremendous amount of good to say and yet I was left thinking:

…no matter how you wrap it up, we’re all still driven by capitalism.

Check out the Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkTkYQkG13w

2005 OPUS ONE
Napa Valley Cabernet
$159.00 a bottle
Why not celebrate Wine Month in California with one of  the Best!

The result of a partnership between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild to create a Bordeaux style blend in Napa Valley.  It is elegant; it is art; it is simply delicious. 

 * Tasting Notes *
A voluptuous garnet, the 2005 Opus One offers concentrated aromas of blueberry, rose petals, white truffle, licorice and nutmeg. Flavors of cassis, black olives, raspberry and dark chocolate.  A classic Bordeaux style blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec.

THE BRIDLE AND THE BIT

The Bridle and the Bit on a Beautiful Thoroughbred

When you think of it, much of life can be compared to a simple horseback ride.  Horses are one of the most beautiful creatures on earth.  Wild or broken, watching the unbridled joy of a thousand pounds of bucking strength and grace, it humbles and reminds me of my own place in the universe.  But how is the world like riding a horse?  Let me explain.

Horses – Wild & Majestic

When you see something as majestic as a horse in the wild, it’s easy to understand man’s desire to control it.  For over 5000 years, we’ve been bridling horses for service in war, assistance in farming and labor, to travel miles greater than our own abilities and yes, for the simple pleasure and tranquility of a ride.  The bridle becomes the leather roadmap around which the equine’s face will be held and controlled by a variety of bits (depending on the horse).  With complicated straps and buckles, all perfectly fitting around the horse’s head, the control resides with the rider on top his steed. 

 
Horses used in Battle

Our world reminds me of the horse.  It’s wild, often times uncontrollable, and yet beautiful in infinite ways.  As for the bridle?  I see it as the systems at work throughout the vast regions of the world.  Never quite perfect, they are the laws and cultural mores that guide people to conform to their governments, behaving in ways often times viewed mystical to those outside their system.  To me, the ‘bit’ is the immediacy of change, laws that are evolving and guiding people in new directions.  Depending on the bit, one can either be driven safely with purpose and understanding, or in some cases, driven wildly into uncharted directions with fear and often times resentment.

Horses at work in Ancient Times

Horses Farming in early America

 
Horses still at work Today

And the reigns ~ it’s debatable what they represent.  Do you hold the reigns to the horse individually or are you a part of the collective along for the ride?  Do you surrender to the power of the horse or the collective system of the bridle?  Can you envision bridling the wild animal?  Do you have the strength, the vision and the patience to tame it?  Are you the bit that evokes the change or the reigns that hold the direction steady - or are you simply lost within the straps of the complicated system around the horse, not realizing your full purpose or potential? 

Strength and Grace in Action

Stop and think about it.  It’s all about your relationship to the horse.  Do you see its wonder and its beauty?  Do  you respect it and contribute to its health and well-being – or do you find yourself cleaning up the crap on the other end, stumbling down life’s trail?  Are you grateful to be given a chance to work in concert with its strength and grace?  If you think about it – is the horse your master or are you the master of the horse?

For me, its simple. 
Think about the horse and what it represents….. and then ride it!

Me with my 1st Love ~ Jack Flash

The 9/11 attacks on our country have provided all of us with the opportunity to  change and evolve in ways we couldn’t have imagined on September 10th of 2001.  Have you ever took the time to reflect on how the events of 9/11 changed you?  Did it?

By reflecting on our past eight years, we further our opportunities to make a positive difference at  home, in our schools and workplaces and also within our communities.   But to change, we must own up to our shortfalls and find ways to improve ourselves with purpose and commitment.  As my Swedish grandmother use to say, You can poo-poo all this, but aren’t you just short-changing yourself?    Think about it – I have.  As we learned on 9/11, it only takes a split second to have everything change.

Tom Burnett
May 29, 1963 – September 11, 2001

I knew Tom Burnett, one of the men dubbed a “Citizen Soldier” who died on flight 93 in Shankesville, PA.  He and I grew up in Bloomington, we attended college together for a few years and shared a few rides home.  Traveling by bus, we had one crazy spring break together with our friends in Daytona Beach and then moved on, forging different paths in life where we never saw one another again.  When I learned Tom died on that plane, it really rattled me.  I started asking myself, if I were to die today, what would my legacy be? 

In Tom’s case, that legacy was honor, love of family and love of his country.  I’d say he lived a full (albeit short) life.  But it was a life to be proud of.   One of his last conversations was about ‘doing something’.  He knew his situation was grave, but it was clear he wasn’t going to just sit back and accept the terrible events of that moment, even though it might end his life.  At the time Tom said it, it wasn’t even a foregone conclusion the plane would crash and they would all die - but with little time to think, he showed great courage and resolve to positively change what was happening.  That is the difference between a man of good and a man of great character.

September 11, 2009 – Fort Snelling National Cemetary

Below are the transcripts of the cell phone conversation between Tom and his wife Deena, moments before flight 93 crashed into that field in PA.  Eight years ago today.  Reading it again reminds me of  how life is made in moments and just how quickly those moments can change a life.  It’s also a poignant reminder to never forget to be grateful for life - and to continue to try and live it with greater purpose.

Tom on the bus to  Daytona Beach, FL – 1983
Just a college kid pretending to be stunned by 3 girls with cameras!

Transcript of Tom’s last calls to Deena – September 11, 2001

6:27 a.m.( pacific time) First cell phone call from Tom to Deena

• Deena: Hello
• Tom: Deena
• Deena: Tom, are you O.K.?
• Tom: No, I’m not. I’m on an airplane that has been hijacked.
• Deena: hijacked?
• Tom: Yes, They just knifed a guy.
• Deena: A passenger?
• Tom: Yes.
• Deena: Where are you? Are you in the air?
• Tom: Yes, yes, just listen. Our airplane has been hijacked. It’s United Flight 93 from Newark to San Francisco. We are in the air. The hijackers have already knifed a guy, one of them has a gun, they are telling us there is a bomb on board, please call the authorities. He hung up.

6:31 Deena calls 911

6:34 The phone rang in on call waiting, Tom’s second cell phone call.

• Deena: Hello
• Tom: They’re in the cockpit. The guy they knifed is dead.
• Deena: He’s dead?
• Tom: Yes. I tried to help him, but I couldn’t get a pulse.
• Deena: Tom, they are hijacking planes all up and down the east coast. They are taking them and hitting designated targets. They’ve already hit both towers of the World Trade Center.
• Tom: They’re talking about crashing this plane. (a pause) Oh my God. It’s a suicide mission…(he then tells people sitting around him)
• Deena: Who are you talking to?
• Tom: My seatmate. Do you know which airline is involved?
• Deena: No, they don’t know if they’re commercial airlines or not. The newsreporters are speculating cargo planes, private planes and commercial. No one knows.
• Tom: How many planes are there?
• Deena: They’re not sure, at least three. Maybe more.
• Tom: O.K….O.K….Do you know who is involved?
• Deena: No.
• Tom: We’re turning back toward New York. We’re going back to the World Trade Center. No, wait, we’re turning back the other way. We’re going south.
• Deena: What do you see?
• Tom: Just a minute, I’m looking. I don’t see anything, we’re over a rural area. It’s just fields. I’ve gotta go.
• He hung up.

6:45 a.m. Third cell phone call from Tom to Deena

• Tom: Deena
• Deena: Tom, you’re O.K. (I thought at this point he had just survived the Pentagon plane crash).
• Tom: No, I’m not.
• Deena: They just hit the Pentagon.
• Tom: (tells people sitting around him “They just hit the Pentagon.”)
• Tom: O.K….O.K. What else can you tell me?
• Deena: They think five airplanes have been hijacked. One is still on the ground. They believe all of them are commercial planes. I haven’t heard them say which airline, but all of them have originated on the east coast.
• Tom: Do you know who is involved?
• Deena: No
• Tom: What is the probability of their having a bomb on board? I don’t think they have one. I think they’re just telling us that for crowd control.
• Deena: A plane can survive a bomb if it’s in the right place.
• Tom: Did you call the authorities?
• Deena: Yes, they didn’t know anything about your plane.
• Tom: They’re talking about crashing this plane into the ground. We have to do something. I’m putting a plan together.
• Deena: Who’s helping you?
• Tom: Different people. Several people. There’s a group of us. Don’t worry. I’ll call you back.

6:54 a.m. Fourth cell phone call to Tom to Deena

• Deena: Tom?
• Tom: Hi. Anything new?
• Deena: No
• Tom: Where are the kids?
• Deena: They’re fine. They’re sitting at the table having breakfast. They’re asking to talk to you.
• Tom: Tell them I’ll talk to them later
• Deena: I called your parents. They know your plane has been hijacked.
• Tom: Oh…you shouldn’t have worried them. How are they doing?
• Deena: They’re O.K.. Mary and Martha are with them.
• Tom: Good. (a long quiet pause) We’re waiting until we’re over a rural area. We’re going to take back the airplane.
• Deena: No! Sit down, be still, be quiet, and don’t draw attention to yourself! (The exact words taught to me by Delta Airlines Flight Attendant Training).
• Tom: Deena! If they’re going to crash this plane into the ground, we’re going to have do something!
• Deena: What about the authorities?
• Tom: We can’t wait for the authorities. I don’t know what they could do anyway.
• It’s up to us. I think we can do it.
• Deena: What do you want me to do?
• Tom: Pray, Deena, just pray.
• Deena: (after a long pause) I love you.
• Tom: Don’t worry, we’re going to do something.
• He hung up

The highs and lows of this time of year are palpable.  We mourn the loss of warm gentle breezes, but then again, football games have arrived and the holidays are right around the corner.  Yes, the circle of life is all around us – but  do you stop and take notice of its beauty?   Let’s talk about one of the greatest Minnesota blessings – FALL COLOR!

…but first – it’s

Cliff Lede Winery -  Stags Leap District
2006 Moon Sympathy

Known in Napa Valley for being unabashedly wild for rock & roll, the
Cliff Lede Winery is one of my favorites.  From the portrait of Marilyn Monroe hanging in the crush room, to vine rows and districts of their winery named after classic rock songs, viticulturalist David Abreu knows how to rock a bottle.  I can’t wait to return!

Tasting Notes: 
A passionately youthful and playful wine, this dual-block offering is both coy and flirtatious. The bouquet presents an unusual concoction of blueberries and tart cherry to grilled meats and fresh lavender. The floral expression persists upon entry, as a bounty of fruit oversees a mouth with edges shaped by plum, perfume, and cocoa. An extension of perfume and plum provide the finish, riding a bridge of soft and elegant tannins.

….Don’t Miss the Best Fall Days – Here Comes the Color!

Stop.  Take a look around you.  What do you see?  If it’s a cube farm or an inside wall, then move quickly to a window or walk outside.  No matter where you are, the Minnesota fall season is about to begin.  Have you seen the recent full harvest moons?  Simply put, they’ve been spectacular.  But… when is the best time to look at the leaves?

MN Fall Color Guide

The answer is right above with the MN guide for peak colors.  One thing’s for sure, you’ll be treated to blasts of reds, yellows and oranges coming from just about every tree or shrub.  So start looking around you and notice the changes.  Mixed with a little rain and a hearty wind gust, the leaves will be like watching the last few minutes of fireworks on the 4th of July……breathtaking, but over quickly.  If we’re lucky, a light breeze will encourage just the right amount of leaves to fall, promising plenty of color for the days ahead.

Looking out over a beautiful MN lake

Up North – Rustic Beauty

I love going to the cabin during the fall.  I think it might be my favorite time of year.  To me, there’s nothing quite like s’mores being roasted over an open bonfire, while sipping one of my favorite cabernet sauvignons.  Who hasn’t found joy in not only allowing, but teaching a child to eat a fire-charred marshmallow without burning themselves – or the tranquility of just sitting back and allowing the flames to mesmerize us with its crackling and deep smokey fragrance.  Words needn’t be spoken, and yet, volumes of what we learn from one another come from around those fires.  It’s the stuff that never leaves our DNA.

Fall Sporting

If you’re blessed with a cabin in Minnesota, you have no right to whine…..even if you have to take a weekend to close it up for the winter!  During the fall, there is a certain sense of joy in being Up North.  People enjoy walking in the woods and fall fishing for walleye, not to mention gathering together at the local watering holes to take in a football game.  And don’t forget that Minnesota is made for hunting.  This is the time of year when hunters young and old get out their camoflauge and dust off their deer stands.  Minnesota is filled with a plethera of game sport; fish, grouse, pheasant, duck and deer, just to name a few.  And from this point on, make sure that if you’re going to be out in the woods, now is the time to wear that signature orange couture!

Minnesota’s Beautiful Walking Trails of Fall

Whether up north or in the city, there are countless walking trails in Minnesota.  Take an afternoon and soak in the beauty.  It’s amazing how calming and reflective it can be.  Take your kids and enjoy our great outdoors before you have to bundle them in layers.  The warm fall sun will keep you comfortable and the area lakes and streams are so inviting.  It’s a great time to teach a child about photography.  They can capture  breathtaking pictures with very little effort or expertise.  You can also do countless art projects with the leaves during this time of year. 

A Fall Walking Trail

Running around Lake Harriet

Fall in the Twin Cities is amazing. There are marathon races to run, trails to bike or walk and no end to outdoor events.  Take in a concert at the Lake Harriet Bandshell or the Lake Normandale Pavillion in Bloomington.  Venture out to beautiful Stillwater or walk along the gorgeous St. Croix.   You don’t need to break the bank at this time of year to find something to do!

Winding South Towards Jordan Minnesota

Fall Bounty

And yes, pretty soon it will be time to gather up the family and head towards a more rural destination.  To places where farmers tend to their crops and bless us each year with their wonderful fruits and vegetables.  Minnesota Harvest in Jordan comes to mind because my boys love to climb their acres of trees in competition for the most perfect harelson apple.   This time of year is perfect to prepare for Halloween’s caramel apples, Thanksgiving’s apple pies or even jars of sweet apple butter for gifts at the holidays.  Yum!

The boys will also bring home pumpkins, wonderful squashes (acorn and butternut are my favorite) and if you don’t love roasting squash with a hint of butter and brown sugar, then use them in baskets with gords for beautiful fall decorating!  Remember, Halloween is just around the corner!

 
Anoka Minnesota – The Flag Says it All!

Yes, fall  is my favorite time of year.  It hints of the holidays to come, perks up my senses and gets me outside to enjoy a multitude of activities.  While it makes me just a little sad that the summer season is over,  fall is here to remind me to count my blessings.  

We are Minnesotans after all! 

Sophie and Me – Just off the trail at Lake Normandale