Monthly Archives: October 2002

We had my mother come to our house for dinner last week, prior to her attending a talent show hosted by the Northfield Youth Choirs in which my daughter has sung for many years. Her visit was yet another sign … Continue reading →

I just try to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all that it is cracked up to be. But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises. That … Continue reading →

I’m glad I’m taking this creative non-fiction writing class. Weekly homework, reading assignments, class discussion, critiquing each other’s work, the whole bit. It’s like school should’ve been the first time around. I probably could learn much of this stuff on … Continue reading →

I spent about 9 hours with Kent Nerburn and his family on Monday. (Details to come.) But since I had to get back to St. Paul on Tuesday morning, I left Bemidji at about 9:30 PM and drove an hour/slept … Continue reading →

I’m at the Uptown Cafe in Bemidji, collecting my thoughts before I meet with Kent Nerburn in about an hour. On the drive up here, I’ve kept trying to answer the question that he might ask me. “Why are you … Continue reading →

I’m online from the Amazing Grace coffeehouse and bakery in Canal Park in Duluth. Normally I use Browser’s Internet Cafe to get online when I’m in Duluth but they don’t open till 9 on Sundays. The ancient Acer PC here … Continue reading →

I’m heading to Duluth today for a two-day trial, then to Bemidji on Monday to spend some time with Kent Nerburn. I may be able to get online from Duluth on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world. – Helen Keller And I would never learn to be a better husband if there were only joy in my marriage. AFOG time.

It was two years ago this month that my wife had her acoustic neuroma (non-cancerous brain tumor) radiated in Rhode Island. The last time she had an MRI, the tumor had shrunk slightly and appeared to be dying. But a … Continue reading →

A second reading of Tuesday’s post on romance prompted my wife to elaborate. It wasn’t just the hours we spent walking in the woods, eating dinner at a new restaurant, and watching a movie that put her in a romantic … Continue reading →

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous. – Ingrid Bergman Yeah. Which is maybe why a left-brained (closeted right-brained?) guy like me appreciates them.

I wonder if I’m as left-brained as I’ve always thought? Most people would say that men tend to be left-brained thinkers and women tend to be right-brained thinkers. This misperception can inhibit men’s acceptance of their true nature. I stumbled … Continue reading →

No, not at work. At romance. This Newhouse News article, More men getting in touch with their romantic sides, is a good reminder that romance just doesn’t happen by itself once you’ve been married for a while. “Impulse buying of … Continue reading →

Sad is his lot, who, once at least in his life, has not been a poet. – Alphonse Marie Louis de Prat de Lamartine I used to try to read and write poetry, but not any more. Maybe I’m too … Continue reading →

Pre-peak fall colors (see entire photo gallery) are best, IMHO. And I’ve been taking time to get out and enjoy them with the digital camera I’ve bartered for with Norman Butler at The Contented Cow. Maybe I’m just getting better … Continue reading →

No man is useless who has a friend, and if we are loved we are indispensable. – Robert Louis Stevenson Cool. I’m lucky, then.

This Joyce Mitchard column from last week about women and their weight caught my attention. “But a loving husband should be a real trooper about his wife’s efforts to lose weight.” I’m trying to figure out how to be supportive … Continue reading →

The Arlo & Janis cartoon for today captures some of the still-mysterious interaction between my wife and I when it comes to her clothes. I’d say more but she’s out of town… and our agreement is that we first talk … Continue reading →

Ritual is routine infused with mindfulness. It is habit made holy. – Kent Nerburn That’s taken from the chapter “Of Coffee Mugs and Monks” in his book Small Graces: the Quiet Gifts of Everyday Life. I’ve tried to do his … Continue reading →

Time to initiate a monthly pitch. Maybe even more often. Real Joe needs your financial support. No, it’s not going away if I don’t get it, but it sure as hell helps. You can subscribe or donate. Lots of options … Continue reading →

I’m going to visit Kent Nerburn, one of my favorite authors, at his home in a couple of weeks. His book, Letters to My Son: A Father’s Wisdom on Manhood, Life, and Love, is one that planted the seeds for … Continue reading →

Way last spring, my wife saw a blurb in the newspaper about a contest that a hot tub company was running: Describe in 125 words or less, a factual and significant 25-year milestone in your life and what it means … Continue reading →