This kind of attire would have helped me figure things out quicker.
When I moved in to my new neighborhood last fall, the weather already had a winter bite to it. Once the snow arrived, the neighbors went in to hibernation. I did meet the woman next door to the north: a pleasant English professor who moved here from Germany. The gentleman to the east is a DIY project guy who works in finance for his day job. I like to call him “Wilson,” as he tends to have good advice. Both neighbors made me feel good about choosing the home and neighborhood.
The neighbor to the south remained a mystery. I observed from a distance and saw a cute little old lady coming and going. Her petite frame carried groceries from the garage to her backdoor in a quick beeline, not paying any attention to my barking dog. I could see her little brunette head over the hedge; it bobbed as she walked.
“That’s a big house just for her,” I thought. She often wore skirts and was just adorable.
Then I saw a second woman, very different looking from the first. A wooden cane helped support her tall stature and her hair nearly glimmered in a snow-white tone. She dressed comfortably, often in white collared shirts and khaki pants. View Full Article »
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
In one of my favorite flashbacks to childhood, I am at my Great-Grandma Tillie Brown’s house on a corner lot in Bathgate, N.D. I remember standing in the kitchen, near the counter, which I could not see over. I must have been about four years old.
I remember Grandma Brown reaching for a red Foldgers coffee can – her cookie jar. I can still hear the sound of the plastic lid separating from the tin can and I remember the smell of the oatmeal raisin cookies so clearly that I can almost taste them.
When I reached for a cookie, I could hear the crinkling of wax paper inside the can. Once I chose a cookie, I noticed it was bigger than my hand. Sugar fell from the top of the cookie on to the linoleum floor, but there was still plenty left on top. I devoured that afternoon snack not knowing at the time that it was attached to a secret recipe.
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The scene of the road rage incident.
Even though my driver’s license road test score in the mid-90s was a disappointment, I have grown up to become a fantastic driver. The DMV should be proud that I am now able to parallel park on a one-way, while listening to the radio, talking on my cell phone and unwrapping a cheeseburger.
I find that other drivers are not so talented. They struggle with basic things, such as stopping at red lights. In thirty minutes worth of errands, drivers cut me off, some budged in line at a four-way stop and a delivery truck ran a very red light and almost t-boned my vehicle. I used my horn a few times during that drive, not out of rage but as a gentle reminder to people not to hit my car.
No one is perfect and I admit that sometimes I make driving mistakes, but I always meet the road raged drivers with a little wave, a quick shrug and mouth the words “I’m sorry,” trying to diffuse the situation quickly. If I’m wrong, I’ll say I’m wrong. But if I’m right, then I’m right. View Full Article »
Photo courtesy: Valley News Live
Before the days of reality television ruling the airwaves, game shows staked a hefty claim and many have held on. Matt Erbstein of Phoenix, Ariz. has experience working with both types of shows. He used his creativity to create challenges for reality shows such as “Apprentice” and Ashton Kutcher’s success, “Beauty and the Geek.”
“We’re the people who think it would be fun to see a three-legged grape stomping competition,” Erbstein says.
But comparing reality shows with game shows is like comparing apples to oranges.
Reality shows attract strong competitive personalities and typically people who want recognition. Erbstein says game shows usually bring out fun people looking for a little excitement and the opportunity to go home with cash and prizes.
Nowadays Erbstein serves as the tour manager for the Wheelmobile. It’s a grassroots version of popular game show “Wheel of Fortune,” which first aired in the mid-70s. Pat Sajak and Vanna White have hosted it since 1981. View Full Article »
Terry's meal with three forms of potatoes.
I will never forget the first meal I ever prepared for my now fiancé. Terry and I had been out on a few dates and this particular night I made tacos. I had everything ready: spicy taco meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream and salsa. I took a deep breath – I was proud of myself.
Terry walked in the kitchen, his eyes scanning the countertop. I could see his wheels turning.
Finally he looked at me and said, “This all looks great,” he paused. “But where are the potatoes?”
What do you mean where are the potatoes? It’s taco night. Potatoes are a natural at many meals, but with tacos?
Terry’s obsession with potatoes has continued throughout our relationship. Potatoes are present at every meal. When we had dinner at a restaurant with his parents, he had cheese fries as an appetizer and when it came time to choose two sides with his meal he ordered mashed potatoes and a baked potato. Count ‘em folks – that’s three potato options in just one meal. View Full Article »
Lunds Valley, N.D. - used by permission from Ghosts of North Dakota
North Dakota has many ghosts that reside on its prairie and in its hills. They aren’t the supernatural kind of ghosts, but ghosts of the past and memories of the towns that have been officially wiped off the map. Though many are not officially recognized, these towns still have stories to tell. A partnership that started nearly seven years ago leads two Fargo men to follow the ghosts and document them through photography.
Troy Larson and Terry Hinnenkamp, a.k.a Rat, started with an interest in history, two cameras and a weekend road trip. They photographed “ghost towns” in eastern North Dakota and uploaded the images to their website, www.GhostsofNorthDakota.com.
They were hooked.
“I take the trips and the photos because it’s fun, it’s peaceful,” Larson says. “The website is something we do to share what we see, and to make sure that when these places are gone, we’ll still have a record.”
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