On the road...between Pepin and Durand

I just had to stop and capture the barn in the foreground and the changing leaves in the background. BEAUTIFUL!

Slowing down in a speeded up world

Beautiful Pepin, WI

This week my work travels took me to Pepin, WI. Nestled next to the Mighty Mississippi just off of Highway 35, this sleepy little town offered me a chance to see what Mark Twain raved about in some of his books. As I waited for the sun to set, I thought about the history of this river and the importance it has played in the states it passes through. I was moved by it's size and power potential.

Painting the town pink

This post is dedicated to all of the women who have looked breast cancer in the face and said, "I will beat you." And to the women who have lost their battle to this disease, you live on in our hearts.

Who's there?

This isn't a post to scare the crap out of you with the thoughts that someone is actually watching your every move. This post was written to make you think about how much Corporate America wants to know about you. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked, at the check out counter, my phone number, zip code, email address and the list goes on and on. Although I work at a retail store and have to ask the same questions of the guests that come into the store, I really wonder when this got way out of control. I mean, does it really matter what my zip code is if I'm getting an oven mitt, an extra pillow case and some gum? Really, is it that important?

This really is a passive aggressive blog posting since I'm the dope that keeps giving my personal information out and then a week later wondering why I get so much junk mail. In the end, is there really a solution besides declining all of the requests for personal information including my favorite one "to save 20% on my purchases by applying for a Target charge card?" I know the information is being used to track my purchases to better help inform the store of my shopping habits and the habits of the hundreds of thousands that shop there.

Until I actually leave the retail world, I guess I'll go on giving my personal information and when I ask a guest that comes in the store I work at hopefully she'll return the favor back to me.

Have you ever thanked a farmer?

Monday, September 15 marked what's classically known as the night of the "Harvest Moon." It gets it's name from the period of fullness that is nearest to the autumnal equinox (thanks Wikipedia). This past summer I had a chance to tour a working dairy/crop farm in Cambridge. I also watched a wonderful documentary called King Corn. Because of my visit and this movie I've been more aware of the plight of farmers and the food I eat.

Being a farmer is a thankless job. How many times have you gone to the store and expected to find all of the foods you've come to expect? What if the food you wanted to pick up wasn't available or was now $5 more expensive than before? I bet that scenario would force you to think more about where it came from. Farmers are the first to get up in the morning and often times one of the last to go to bed. Farming is their life and if you ever meet a farmer they'll tell you they love every minute of it.

So the next time you meet a farmer tell them thanks for producing the foods we eat!

Did someone fart?

Got your attention didn't I? I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. Now that you are, enjoy this picture of a paper mill just outside of Wausau (in Rothschild to be exact).