Irene Kramer Parsons, author and daughter of late American folk artist Arnold Kramer, conducted a reading from her self-published book, The Seaforth Connection for the fifth grade class at Bert Raney Elementary School in Granite Falls, MN on February 22nd. 

Irene is in the center of the above photo

The memior recorded the author's personal experiences growing up in the Kramer family during the early 1900's.

The fifth graders, under the guidance of Mrs. Cynthia Lavin, prepared extensively for a writing project utilizing the above Kramer painting and by studying the work of Grandma Moses, a New England artist who Kramer's work is often compared to, the history of pioneers, and by studying a book about school houses in Minnesota.

Parsons brought with her a picture her father painted of the school she attended near Seaforth in southwestern Minnesota.  Her reading included a chapter about an experiment conducted by curious farm kids wanting to know how chickens react when given beer to quench their thirst. 

According to Parsons, they ended up with a yard full of chickens who slept on their backs with their feet in the air.  Parsons said anyone who knows chickens, knows this isn't typical chicken behavior.  No formal scientific paper was published recording their findings.

A press release from the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, dated November 13, 2007, recently announced the theater will be debuting a new musical based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  According to the release, the world premiere is slated for summer 2008.

I recently had the opportunity to tour the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in Walnut Grove,  located along the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway 14 in southwestern Minnesota, and I was very impressed with its growth. 

The gift shop carries a wonderful array of local hand-crafted products.  The most popular items are from a line of pioneer clothing similar to that worn by Laura.

A new addition to the complex is a building from the Alec Nelson homestead, mentioned in Laura's book, On the Banks of Plum Creek.

When you visit Walnut Grove the kids will be able to see a replica of a sod house, visit Grandma's house with hand-on activities, and if you travel a few miles north of Walnut Grove, you can still see the wild plum thicket where the Ingalls original dugout originally stood.  Check here for museum and gift shop dates and hours.

I visited my parent's farm this weekend and on the way home, while driving through the Minnesota River Valley near Morton, Minnesota, I came across this herd of cows.  I'd seen them before when I was passing through, but never had a chance to stop and photograph them.

Cows are wonderful.  They show great interest in passing strangers, staring unabashedly.  I thought they were adorable, but I can't say if they felt the same way about me. 

 They watched me for a little while, discussing me among themselves, then they all turned and walked away.  That part was a little rude.

Somewhere along the line, I got the idea that Minnesota is a sort of petri dish for untested and eyebrow-raising ideas.  And after meeting Dr. Dale Anderson, a retired M.D. and author from Saint Paul, Minnesota, I believe it is true. 

I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Anderson talk about the first time he prescribed laughter for a chronic pain sufferer he calls Tork Torkelson.  Tork was a big stoic guy who probably knew how to work hard, but not play hard.  (I worked in long-term care for ten years, and it was the people who knew how to enjoy life who fared the best) Although Tork was willing to try the prescription of a good belly-laugh once a day, his first thought was, "I don't tink dat will work too well."  But as I understand it, old Tork was wrong.  He felt better and he finally had an office visit that was worth the copay.

Dr. Anderson's message, delivered with endearing, self-effacing humor and anecdotes, was not only funny, it was important!  He explained how an actress he called Mary Smith came to him for chronic pain, and when they couldn't find the root of her problem, it occurred to her that she might be living the character she was playing on stage.  A light-bulb went on over their heads. Mary Smith was acting sick.  She had absorbed the character she portrayed on stage into her own life.  When the part ended and she started playing a new, youthful role, the pain ebbed.  It begged the question, if we can feel sick because we act sick, can we then feel well if we act well?

Dr. Anderson pointed out that we are now able to observe the chemical reaction of happiness through scientific measures.  We can influence our own health and happiness through our own willingness and behavior.  I heard Dr. Anderson's message loud and clear and I intend to study it some more.  Minnesota is plumb full of crazy ideas isn't it?  Oh Ya, you betcha.

Back in the late 1990's I worked for this quirky dot.com start up company called ITS, located in Bloomington, MN, which has now morphed into Independent Natural Resources, Inc.  You wouldn't believe the dreams these guys had!  And I have to say, the corporate culture was hard to keep up with, because in the morning you might be greeting investors from the Big Apple, and in the evening watching a team member stop a fan-blade with his tongue.  However, the one constant you could count on was ideas, ideas, ideas. 

Well, the company has matured and become more focused and now those ideas are about to pay off big, not only for those with a vested interest, but mankind as well.  Enter SeaDog.

These guys have created a pump that can create electricty from ocean-waves.  That in itself is great, and I know there are other companies around that have their own version of the pump, but the people at Independent Natural Resources, Inc., based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, will also be able to purify water with SeaDog technology.  And the best part of the whole process is that it will leave no carbon footprint.  None.

The technology is currently being tested in the Gulf of Mexico.  Those of us in the land of opportunity and plenty tend to take our natural resources for granted, but we are beginning to see that, even here in the United States, the concern for usable water sources is increasing. 

It's been exciting watching the INRI's progress and I'm proud that such an innovative company hails from my home state!  Keep up the good work, boys.

I've been following the development of this film for a couple of years now, and I am thrilled to report that At Jesus' Side, an animated film produced by Minnesota movie producer Patrick Wells, is soon to be released -  and dog lovers are going to completely understand the premise of this film.  What if Jesus wasn't alone in the garden of Gethsemane?  What if man's best friend was there to offer comfort?

Don't you just love that idea?

The cast includes Lucas Grabeel, best known for playing Ryan Evans in the movie High School Musical, and Roma Downey who played Monica in the TV series Touched by an Angel. 

Jayvyn and Jojo are going to love this film with it's animal characters and awesome soundtrack.  For more information about it's release, click here.

This blog is dedicated to my best friend from high school, Cindy, who has always judged my boyfriends by the shoes they wear.  Once, when the late love of my life owned a pair of those practical snowboots that fastened with velcro, she asked me if I was sure I wasn't dating a retarded guy.  Yikes. 

Once inside, Cindy would find it hard to leave JL Esso, located on the lower level of the Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota.  I was struck by how beautiful the shoes and the displays were.  The only reason I went to the mall was to pick up some contact lenses, but I had to walk past this store twice, because I had never seen such shoes.

There I stood in my hideous $20 penny loafers imagining what kind of person would shop at JL Esso.  In defense of my hideous shoes, it should be noted they are real leather.  I have my standards.  The prices were lower than I had expected, with men's shoes starting a less than $100 and women's shoes around $65.

The charming proprietor, Lawrence Esso, a native of Cameroon,West Africa advised me that his customers are fashion-forward, trendy, young men and women typically between 20 to 35 years of age who enjoy going to clubs.  OK.  So that leaves me out.  But it didn't stop me from admiring his beautiful wares. 

So here's to you Cindy.  There are more photos in the Twin Cities Shopping photo album.  Enjoy.

Melanie and I have discovered this wonderful cooperative called The Mill House, put together by a group of people in Norwood Young America, southwest of the Twin Cities, to provide their community with an enriching shopping experience.  Anyone one who knows me, knows that means the shop feels cozy and smells good. I'm all about feelings.

We had a great time visiting this beautiful, two story store, but I am personally looking forward to future delectable experiences in the Millstone Pantry!  The shop is full of furniture and gifts, many made in Minnesota, and one corner is packed with gorgeous flower arrangements.

It's easy to miss the Mill House when you're traveling through Norwood Young American on HWY 212, but make the effort to visit it.  One of my favorite things about it's location is that it is in a neighborhood of earthy, agriculture related buildings near a lake.

The proprietors of the Mill House seem to have a wonderful time working in this heart-warming setting, and you'll walk away feeling wonderful.