The Things I Think

hai·ku     / ˈhaɪ ku / Show Spelled [ hahy -koo ]   noun, plural hai·ku for 2. 1. a major form of Japanese verse, written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, and employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons. 2. a poem written in this form. Recently, my 9-year-old son was talking to me about haikus, a topic which he must've covered recently in school, so it is fresh in his spongy little mind.  We were trying to come up with some of our own haikus, and here is one of our masterpieces: There was a hippo Who wanted to do a dance He did the Rumba I think he has a bright future in poetry.

When I was a small child, my family lived in a trailer park in Inver Grove Heights.  It was there, amidst my humble surroundings, that I met my best friend Amy who lived two trailers down from me.  From the age of two, we became inseparable.  Through random photos and a slightly hazy memory, I can recall the two of us playing "whale" in a little pool in my yard.  We spent hours in the sandbox, took trips to the beach with Amy's mom, who served as my daycare provider for a while, and cheered our dads on as they totaled cars in the occasional demolition derby.  We went to our first Sunday School class together, and played in the back of my dad's van (black '70's version).  Life in the trailer park was simple, and so was our friendship.  We shared dolls and other toys and most of all, giggles. Just before Kindergarten, my parents built a new house and we moved to Apple Valley.  Around this same time, Amy's family moved to Cottage Grove.  Though separated by

My husband tossed the idea around for years before we got them, and I was never really sure it was a good idea.  But since I am the ever-supportive wife, a few years ago our back yard became home to a flock of chickens.  I grew up in suburbia and am now a chicken farmer.  I have to admit, though, they have really grown on me.  I pet them and thank them for a job well done when I go to collect the eggs.  I occasionally pick one up and carry it around like a small pet dog.  They really are nice animals to have around and don't require a whole lot of effort to raise.  And the fresh eggs are marvelous. As I've gotten to know my chickens and they have become a part of our family, I am constantly reminded of how much we humans have learned from the chicken.  I like to call it "Chicken Wisdom." "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."  This is a lesson that I can't seem to learn completely, but I keep trying. Sometimes you gotta "rule the ro

I'm on a mission to organize my scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies.  Since I don't have a room I can dedicate to my crafting habit ( addiction ) just yet, my vast collection of albums, papers, stickers, ribbons and other embellishments have taken over every spare corner, nook and cranny in my house.  Until just recently, it occupied my closet, my kids' closets, the linen closet, the basement, the underside of my bed, the walkway that goes between my bedroom and the baby nursery ( future craft room ), and even the laundry room.  My husband, bless his heart, must want to open the nearby window and start whipping stuff out of it every time he steps on some of my supplies on his side of the bedroom.  He never says anything, though.  Either he has faith that one day I will get it cleaned up and feels it best not to stir the pot at this time, or he feels it's a lost cause and feels it best not to stir the pot ever.  Whatever the reason, I appreciate his current silence on t

'Twas the night before Christmas at Himmerick Farm, Where the 4-foot snow drifts had lost their charm. The chickens were nestled all snug in their coop, Though Brent really needed to clean out their poop. Inside the kids were fighting and screaming, And I was soooo wishing I was just dreaming. The decorations were up, the lights sparkly and bright, But I couldn't wait 'til the kids were in bed, tucked in tight. When out in the driveway a great noise started then. Oh, it was just Brent plowing with the 4-wheeler again. I wondered to myself, would it ever stop snowing? The 16-foot pole barn was now barely showing! As I thought about all the presents yet to wrap, I couldn't believe how much I had spent for the crap; All the toys, gift cards, books and clothes I had bought. My gall bladder began to act up at the thought. The cookies were baked, though I'd eaten most anyway. I feared I'd never get the house cleaned before Christmas Day. As I wor

When Brent proposed the idea of renting an RV and driving down to visit his sister in Arkansas, I said, "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea!  We've always wanted to do that with the kids and they have a few days off of school in October for MEA weekend, so why not?"  Famous last words. So I'm going to do a service to all who may be contemplating this form of travel, especially with small children.  I encourage you to use my experience as a learning opportunity, a life lesson if you will, and that is what I've decided to do as well.  Here are the things I learned from our trip in the ol' RV.  Renting an RV does not cost less than purchasing 4 plane tickets.  It was about $2000 for 5 days. An RV is more convenient if you have to travel with baby stuff, because you can just load up what you need and don't have to worry about checking any of it at the airport and possibly arriving at your destination with damaged or lost goods. RV's are nice for tra