voice

To plan, or not to plan, that is the question

As the weather warms and summer fast approaches, calendars can fill quickly, and a schedule is often the glue that holds it all together. Summer can be tricky, and having a plan can come in handy. I’m not a big fan of over-scheduling. It’s nice to have time to relax on a warm sunny day. On the...

Green space

April is Earth Month, with Earth Day officially recognized on the 22nd. When I think of Earth Day, the color green comes to mind. I’m pretty certain it has something to do with the emergence of spring and the renewal of the vegetation surrounding us. While looking into the significance of Earth...

Truth in Taxation

Another April 15 has come and gone. There are two things in life that are certain, death and taxes, as the saying goes. Once per year, society forces us all to become amateur accountants, whether we want to or not. We sit around the kitchen table or in the midst of our home office, combing over...

They’re here

Some folks believe the universe communicates through signs and symbols, offering guidance and navigation through life’s many trials and tribulations. Perhaps, I saw, or should I say, heard, these signs when the song “Ticks,” by Brad Paisley, came across the radio, and the rhythmic “ticking” of the...

Easter ham

Turkey rules Thanksgiving. Burgers and hotdogs rule Independence Day. Ham rules Easter. As families gather for dinner on Sunday, I’m guessing that the centerpiece of a majority of those meals will be the Easter ham, often glazed and served alongside potatoes, vegetables, and some type of baked...

Love for the underdog

This year’s NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments have had their fair share of thrills. As we enter the weekend of the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, I assume we’ll be in for a few more. NCAA tourneys are widely popular, even for those who don’t normally follow college basketball. It’s a chance...

Art or vandalism, you be the judge

I was driving through Buffalo a few weeks ago and got stopped at the 5th Street NE Railroad Crossing while a rather lengthy train rolled through town. I was the first car in line next to the crossing gate, so all I could do was put my vehicle in park and wait. I’m guessing quite a few of you have...

Ides of March

As the month of March marches on, the dreaded Ides of March will soon be upon us. I’m guessing most have heard the phrase “Beware of the Ides of March.” I don’t recall the first time I heard that particular phrase, possibly from a TV program or some pop culture reference. To be honest, I never...

The Busyness of March

I usually take a deep breath when the calendar turns, and “March” appears at the top of the page. Minnesotans know we’re not quite out of the woods yet, but we can feel the change coming. The bitter cold and long dark nights of winter begin to loosen their grip. There’s a subtle shift in the...

Spring Training

As we move through February, it makes me happy to know that MLB Spring Training games are underway, with the first official games played last Friday. Spring Training is, well, a sign of spring, and that is a good thing. Early outlooks and season predictions look a bit mixed for the Twins, but a...