7/3/09
Happy Birthday America.

That's what my silly friend has been going around saying to everyone all weekend.  It's the truth, but it sounds funny when she says it.   It's 4th of July weekend, Independence Day, the high point of summer.   Whatever you want to call it, it's one of my favorite weekends of the year, but it comes with mixed emotions. 

On the very superficial side, it's the weekend we celebrate all that is summer; barbecues, boating, swimming, sunburns and fireworks.   But it also marks the middle of the season we all seem to love here in Minnesota.   Like it or not, we're going to be seeing summer clearance sales, and fall preview catalogues arriving in the mail soon.   Maybe even back-to-school sales.   What's up with that?!  Don't ruin my party with the thought that summer could already be winding down.  It hasn't even really gotten started.    It makes me mad because I don't want to think about anything but flip flops and tank tops and warm summer evenings right now, okay?   Especially since I think there have been maybe two nights that you could comfortably sit outside with the summer attire on so far.  See what I mean?  Mixed emotions.

Then there's the angst that comes with the history behind the holiday.    Independence, and the price paid for it.  We will light fireworks, eat and drink too much, and do it all in the name of the price our forefathers paid for the right to do so.   And I'm all for it.  But I can't help but think about the men and women still paying; the ones who would love to feel the chill of a Minnesota summer evening about now, as they swelter in the heat of the desert.   And the families who will do their best to continue the 4th of July traditions this weekend, while dealing with the void of someone missing from the celebration.   It's hard enough knowing their loved one is in a war zone...even harder for those who know their loved one isn't anymore, and yet, still won't be coming home.   Like I said, mixed emotions.

So, while I'm bummed the weather isn't exactly cooperating with my weekend plans on the lake, it's really not a big deal in the whole scheme of things.   It's 4th of July weekend, and there is plenty to feel lighthearted and happy about.   I just hope everyone takes a moment or several throughout the weekend to honor the mixed emotions that come with this summer holiday.   I'm off to buy hot dogs for the grill and ice for the cooler.

Happy Birthday America.   Happy 4th of July weekend my friends!

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Movies Under the Stars Thursday, August 26th, 2010. It's my dad's birthday, so first let me send him my love and gratitude to hime today.   He's taught me a lot over the years, and his common sense about life has helped me through a lot of bumps along my journey.  (If you want to check out some of his words of wisdom, check out the blog I wrote about it last year by clicking here.  Read More Runaway Trucks on Central Coast Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 We reported on a tragic story in Santa Barbara today.   A Runaway truck killed three people  in Santa Barbara today.   The truck was coming down Highway 154 and lost it's breaks.   It flew threw town and finally stopped as it crashed into a home where the three victims lived.   It's something you don't hear about happening very much anymore.   But I remember hearing stories from my Dad growing up about runaway trucks that used to have me scared every time we traveled a mountain pass on our cross-country vacation trips. Read More Birth-day Monday, August 23, 2010 Boy do I feel like a rich woman.   That's kind of a funny statement given some of the financial issues I've faced in the last couple of weeks, but truly....   If the wealth of a man (or woman) can be measured by the love and support of friends, I ought to be on some sort of Forbes list.  Read More Day by Day Thursday, August 19th, 2010 My apologies for the late posting tonight.   It's been one of those days.   I will be adding a couple of things this weekend but if you are looking for some options, check out my Events Calendar now by clicking here.    Also, if you haven't ever explored the coastline of Shell/Pismo Beach on a kayak, you should check out this week's No Place Like Home by clicking here.   The folks at Central Coast Kayaks do a great job of gearing you up and getting you ready to explore the caves of Dinosaur park, and surrounding bluffs.   No matter how much you've kayaked, they'll hook you up for a great adventure. Read More New Weekend Fun Thursday, August 12, 2010 I paid a visit to Montana de Oro in this week's No Place Like Home, and if you haven't recently, you should.  The variety of outdoor activities available there always amazes me.   Seriously, people travel from all over to spend a few days in that state park, and it's right in our own backyard.  And unlike many other parks, it's free to get in.   It's why it's one of my picks of fun things to do on the central coast this weekend. Read More Holy Moly Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 My heart goes out to my pals in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota tonight.  I've seen pictures they've posted on Facebook, and they're getting slammed with rain and floods.   It's always different seeing news coverage of disasters somewhere when you know the landmarks.   To see Hilton Coliseum flooded in Ames on the KCCI Website, and the rest of the town underwater makes me realize how bad it is.  In Colfax, some 200 homes are under water. Read More Thanks for Having Me Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 It's funny how things play out.   I first must, again, thank those of you who take the time to read my blog, for taking the time to send me nice notes of support and encouragement.  It has made a difference in my days of late.  I see that I have picked up many friends along my journey down the Yellow Brick Road.   Read More You asked for it Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 Okay,m so really?  Do you want really want to hear what I've been up to?  It's a weird thing in some ways, putting yourself out there in a blog, and it's been cathartic for me in other ways.  But at some point, I guess it just starts feeling weird.   Especially the way my life has been to a certain degree of late. Read More Toast the Coast Thursday, August 5th, 2010 Hello Friends. First off all, let me say a sincere thanks to all of you who have e-mailed, commented here on the blog and sent facebook messages of encouragement.  I so appreciate your support and kindness.   I guess I won't quit writing, just because I'm not in the best mood anymore.    Read More Falling Down Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 I got the message.   Some of you have kind of skirted around the issue, others have just gotten right to the point: "You used to share much more about JT, and now you blog is nothing but station promotion."   It's true.  I put this blog together when I was out of work, and it was a way for me to stay connected with people, and enjoy doing what I love to do: write.   Read More Weekend fun Thursday, July 29th, 2010 It's been a busy week for ol'  JT in the KSBY Newsroom.  Richard has been off, so I've been on my own for the week.  (With Dave and Andrew's help, though.)   So I'm ready for the weekend and as usual, I'm already marking up the calendar with some good possibilities for entertainment. I re-discovered another gem this week on the Central Coast.  Read More Happy Friday Friday, July 23rd, 2010 Happy Friday Everyone.   As promised I wanted to post the stories I did on the Mid State Fair Cattle Drive.  Just click on the little video icon on the top of the page to watch the video.    And you can do the same to watch the story on Teale and Tara Twisselman.    Read More Fair Time Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 Some things just make your heart smile.  My day yesterday did.   I started it off riding in the Mid State Fair Cattle Drive. It was grand fun to see some old friends and ride through town celebrating the heritage of this area.  We really do have a lot of the Wild Wild West left on the Central Coast.   You can check out the story at ksby.com. Read More Hot fun in the Summertime Thursday, July 15th, 2010 If you are a fan of classical music at all, you need to check out Festival Mozaic.  Even if you aren't, some of the venues for these performances are worth the price of admission.   There are ten days of concerts performed all over San Luis Obispo County.   Tickets are sold out to some of them, but there are plenty still available.  So check it out.  Read More Cold Spring Tavern Thursday, July 8th, 2010 I love the subject of this week's No Place Like Home.   We pay a visit to the Cold Spring Tavern.   It's a great little get-away off highway 154, about half way over the San Marcos Pass on your way to or from Santa Barbara. It's been around for 124 years and there's history and stories in every corner.   Sundays are a big day at the Tavern, so that's one of my picks for a great thing to do this weekend.   For more information, just click here. Read More 4th of July fun Thursday, June 30th, 2010 This week's No Place Like Home is on the Avila Beach Fish and Farmers' Market.  I've recommended checking it out before, but since a lot of folks will have out of town company this weekend, I'll bring it up again.   It's a great way to wind down from the work week, stock up on fresh supplies for your weekend and soak up all the beauty of the Avila Beach.  (And you can check out the story on the link above.) Read More JT's Weekend Picks Thursday, June 24th, 2010 I can't believe it's already Thursday.  I hate when time flies, but it's always fun when the weekend nears.  Since it's been a pretty foggy week at the beach, it's good timing to enjoy some events in Northern San Luis Obispo County this weekend. Read More No Place Like Home This weekend Thursday, June 17th, 2010 The last time I was at the Cass House in Cayucos, it was was stripped down to the framing and a young couple had taken on the task of restoring the old place to the magnificence it deserved for it's place in Cayucos history.  Fast forward 15 years, and they pulled it off.   I got a chance to see how much so when photographer Kelly Teel and I drove up the coast to do a story on the house for this week's No Place Like Home.   It's a beautiful bed and breakfast now, and Gary and Nancy Bagnall's labor of love is worth checking out.   They managed to preserve the past, and make it a comfortable and convenient place for a wonderful four-course meal, and a great weekend getaway.    For more information, click here.  Read More S-S-S-Summertime Monday, June 7th, 2010 I must be living right.   At least that's how I felt this weekend.   I know I shouldn't, but I love being in the sun.  And there was plenty of it this weekend.    I had a half dozen moments this past weekend where I thought "I am so lucky to be where I am".   That's saying somethin' because it's not like it's been the easiest year for me.   But I literally felt so much gratitude at various moments over the weekend it brought tears to my eyes.  Read More No Place Like Home This weekend Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 I had a chance to do one of those "I need to check that place out someday" detours this week on my series No Place Like Home.   We checked out the Najoqui Falls near Gaviota.   It's a really quick detour off 101 and just beautiful.   I highly recommend checking it out.    Less than 5 minutes off 101 and a 5 minute 1/4 mile walk to the falls.  Beautiful. Dave Hovde says it's going to be a great weekend to be outdoors...if you like summertime heat.   Well there's no shortage of fun events happening where you can soak up some of that sunshine, as well as some good food and wine. Read More Reason to Toast Cheers!   I must have heard it and said it a dozen or so times over the weekend.   And there was good reason to cheer. I had a weekend of reconnecting with a few of the things that make this place (the Central Coast) special...to me personally, and just in general. Read More The Enchanted Hill May 6th, 2010 William Randolph Hearst used to call Hearst Castle in San Simeon and the beautiful land on which it's built "La Cuesta Encantada", or the Enchanted Hill..   I got a reminder of just how appropriate that was this week.  If you've never been to Hearst Castle, it's worth a visit...even if you are reading this in another state.   The castle is magnificent and as they say in real estate: location, location, location.  George Hearst really nailed that when he bought a 250 acre plot of real estate along this particular stretch of California Coast.  Read More Paris to Prairie Monday, April 19th, 2010 Talk about a culture shock.   One day I'm dining in the Eiffel Tower and sleeping under it's lights in a nice hotel, two nights later I'm in a sleeping bag in the back of my Photographer's car outside of Pozo.    Read More Au Revoir Paris Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 It's our last full day in Paris.   It went so fast.   I can't believe we have to pack it up tonight.   We spent yesterday at Versailles.  It was kind of like Hearst Castle on steroids.   I now understand where William Randolf got his inspiration for some of the magnificence he brought to the Enchanted Hill.   I also can see how Parisians could have been pretty miffed by the fact they were starving while their kind and queen were hanging up on the hill behind gold fences.  The term "Let them eat cake" has new meaning to me after seeing the place.  Read More Thank God I'm a Country Girl Monday, April 12th, 2010 I didn't get off to the greatest start today.   I overslept.   I didn't realize there may not be clocks in my hotel room, so I have relied on the front desk to provide me with wake up calls.   Rookie move.  They apparently forgot this morning, and my wake-up call came from my mentor Mike, rather than the front desk.  He wasn't wanting to chat about the day ahead, but to ask me where they hell I was.   The bus was loaded and we were officially late for taking off for Giverny and Monet's Garden.   Read More Getting With the Program Sunday, April 11th, 2010 I didn't want to get up this morning.   I really didn't.  There just couldn't be anything that incredible on the agenda today that wouldn't be just as fantastic a few hours from now.   In fact, I'm betting it would be all the more impressive, because I wouldn't feel like I've just been hit by bus, which is about how I feel as I wake up.    But I kind of am "on the clock" on this trip.    I'm learning the ropes of being a tour guide and it would definitely be bad form to take a pass on my first full day of instruction. Read More American in Paris Saturday, April 10th, 2010 Well I'm here.   It's Saturday morning when we land.   My body clock tells me I should be getting ready for the 11pm news.   I'm wide awake, even though I didn't sleep a wink on the flight over.   Everyone else in my tour group seems like they are deep in REM sleep, even though they're walking.   Our tour director reminds us that it's best to force yourself to stay up today rather than go right to the hotel and to bed if we hope to have any real chance of overcoming jet lag during our week here.   So we're touring the city. Read More Trip of a Lifetime Thursday, April 8th, 2010 I guess I'm one of the lucky people of the world.   I'm taking another trip of a lifetime.   I suppose you can have more than one, but it seems redundant to have four or five trips of a lifetime.   I wasn't exposed to a lot of international travel until later in life.   So the first time I booked a trip to Australia and Tonga ten years ago, that was my trip of a lifetime.   But it wouldn't be my last.   Read More Beachcombers and Cowboys April 5th, 2010 I have enjoyed the fringe benefits of taking a job in your home town the past couple of weekends.   I have put off a lot of personal chores (like taxes) and household chores and spent the last two Saturday's catching up.   By Saturday evening I have been ready to enjoy the sunset at the beach.    It's my favorite part of the day.   I love that I can walk down and see Mother Nature's seaside playground and all the activities that go on there as the sun bids its adieu.  Read More Status Check Thursday, April 1st, 2010 Okay, today is the day I start to get my....life together.   I have moved enough to know that for the first three months, it's just chaotic.  It takes that long to begin to feel like you're settled in.  I was hoping because I was coming home, that maybe that rule wouldn't apply this time around.   Wrong. Read More Bad Days March 30th, 2010 Sometimes you just have to give in to them.   Bad days, that is.  I'm having one.  Or was having one.  Nothing dramatic, but I just seemed to wake up the wrong side of something today because it was one mishap after another.  It's the kind of day I wish I could go get a do-over on.   Or view from the safety of my bed with the covers pulled up tight and some cheesy lifetime movie on.   They people in those movies always have such drama going on in their lives, it always make me feel better about my life.   Read More A Walt Disney Production? March 29th, 2010 WOW.   That's all my dad kept saying as we wound our way along highway 58 on Sunday checking out the wild flowers.   My mom, dad, and I had all seen them the week prior, but when I paid them a visit this weekend we decided to take another quick spin to see what new colors that had bloomed since our last visit.  150 miles, and a few hours later, we felt like we had been to Oz.    Read More A California Contribution Monday, March 22nd, 2010 We ran a story tonight about the loss of a man who made his mark on the Central Coast.   He made a mark on the state of California..in a big way. Maynard Potter was the General Manager of the Mid State Fair in Paso Robles for 25 years.   He handed things over to a new boss in 1994.    Now I haven't been to the Mid-State Fair in a few years, but I'm sure it has continued to grow and prosper.    But it was Maynard who put it on the map.   Read More Easier Said Than Done Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 I've spent the last couple of days going through pictures and videos of my pal Darcy, who I lost last week.   She died in her sleep last Thursday night.  It's still sinking in, and it's been difficult to be away from all the people who knew and loved her.   My folks did for sure.   They called her their "other daughter" and Darcy called my them her "other parents".    And they understand the magnitude of the loss of Darcy.   But it's hard coming to work and when people ask how you are, being honest.   And how can I explain how incredible she was in passing?   "One of my best friends died this week" just doesn't seem to do it. Read More Not Fair March 5th, 2010 My phone started wringing in the early hours this morning.   The first time I assumed it might be a friend out too late who wanted to leave me a funny message of some sort.   But then the calls kept coming, I knew something was wrong.   I was right.  I just didn't expect this. One of my best friends died in her sleep last night.  She was 47.   It's not fair.  Nothing was fair in my book about Darcy's life, and now her death has left me feeling the same way.  I'm still in shock.  I don't really believe it yet.     Read More Try Try Again Wednesdy, February 24th, 2010 Sometimes when you take on a big project, you don't always succeed in seeing it to the finish.   It's kind of how I felt when I left Iowa to take a job in Minneapolis without getting legislation passed there to crack down on Puppy Mills.  I started a foundation with a friend and attorney there where we had a tip line people could call with information on suspected mills.  We would pay an investigator to go out and look into it.   But when I left Iowa, the foundation, and my efforts in that state kind of went by the wayside.     Read More If You Only Knew Wednesday, February 22nd, 2010 I like to think if people really knew what their passion for trendy pets leads to, they'd head to the local shelter instead of the local paper or their computers to find their dogs. Last week the Hollywood City Council adopted an ordinance to prohibit the sale of dogs in pet stores.  It's a move that comes with controversy, but unfortunately, restrictions like this can be needed in some communities to keep pet retailers honest.    History has shown too many have chosen to get their supply of dogs from "breeders" who run less-than-ethical operations. How do I know this?  Read More Pismo Beach Therapy Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  If that's true, and I was to share all the images I carry with me from this past Saturday afternoon, this is going to be one long blog.    I'll try to widdle it down. Read More Now I Know February 15, 2010 About a month.  Now I know.  If you read my blog a month ago  I was wondering as I entered back into the work-a-day-world how long it would take for me to lose the balance I had seemed to find during my soul searching of the previous few months.  I lost my balance immediately as far as I tried to get a footing in a new job, with new co-workers, new duties, and new ways of doing just about everything.   But I'm talking about a different kind of balance.   The kind that keeps you sane.   Read More Small World Thursday, February 11th, 2010 So I'm kind of fired up about the Olympics starting tomorrow.  Especially because I work for an NBC affiliate now, so I can kind of get paid to watch them.  I'm looking forward to the opening ceremonies tomorrow night.  And while I don't have any real local ties (well any ties really) to any of the athletes, I'm still excited I'm going to have some friends there for all the pomp and circumstance.  Read More Rediscovery Friday, January 5, 2010 Phew, it's been a week.  But it's been full of good.   Just a little busy.    I moved.  Again.   I had been in temporary housing and made the move Monday to a less-short-term place.   I still don't know where I'll be living long-term, until I know if my house back in Minneapolis will sell.    But at least I can settle in a bit and that's nice.  Read More With a Little Help From my Friends Tuesday, January 26, 2010 Okay, I'm feeling better today.   I'm starting to get over the Vikings painful loss over the weekend.  It helps I guess that all my colleagues are loving bringing it up over and over...to the point it gets funny.   And then I have these wonderful viewers who can't resist the jokes going around.  Jim Eaton sent me one I couldn't resist passing on today.   I'm doing so with love and respect for my friends back in Minne-SOH-tah:   Part of my heart will always be there.  You betcha.  Read More One of Those Days Monday, January 25th, 2010 Sometimes the best of intentions can't overcome a day that just wasn't meant to go down as a one of your best. I tried this morning.  But it wasn't easy when the first thing I thought of when I woke up was last night's Viking's game.  It wasn't a dream.  Dammit.  It was more of a nightmare...at least in the final seconds of the 4th quarter. It's not that I am against the Saint's going to the Superbowl, it's just that I really wanted it to be the Vikings. Read More Be Gone With You Thursday, January 21, 2010 I'm over it.  I'm seriously over it.  No, I'm not talking about the weather.  Of course I'm eager for sunshine and 70's again.   But you have to remember, I've been living in places where that wouldn't happen for months yet.  So I can wait a few weeks while these storms pass.   Read More Weathering the Storm Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 Whoever said it never rains in California didn't spent much time here during El Nino years.   Much of the state is getting hit with a series of storms this week and the Central Coast is no exception.    When I got up this morning, there wasn't much time for coffee.   I could hear the winds blowing the patio furniture around on my roof, so up I went in my pajamas in the hopes of beating the rain to batten down the hatches. (I'm guessing my neighbors are getting used to me wandering outside in my jammies after my morning sunrise runs and this morning's antics.)   Read More Haiti Help Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 If you are like me and feeling helpless watching all the devestation in Haiti, and wishing you could do more, I have an easy one for you.   The power of a lot of people doing just a little is evident in the Red Cross's texting campaign. Anyone with a mobile phone and an account with a major wireless carrier can text the phrase “Haiti” to the number 90999 and donate $10 to the Red Cross. That amount is charged to the donor’s cellphone bill.  And according to New York Times bloggers, the campaign has already raised $1.2 million dollars!   It's nice to have a story like this to report on when the news coming out of Haiti is so sad.  Read More Catchin' Up Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Hi Friends.   Well, I'm beginning to catch my breath.   And I'm beginning the process of catching up.   I've almost caught up with the schedule of news updates, script deadlines, and promo shoots for each day at KSBY.  I still haven't figured out my voice mail at work.  And I'm having trouble with my new company cell phone.  It does more than my computer, and I can't even figure out how to unlock it, so I'm thinking it's going to be awhile until I'm using it much.  I'll have to add reading the instructions to my "to do" list. Read More When Everything Old is New Again January 6th, 2010 I've heard it said, if you're not growing, you're dying...or something like that.  Well at least I know I'm not dying.   I know that because I'm experiencing growing pains.  Again.   You'd think you reach a point in life where they kind of stop, or at least subside some.   Not for me.  Not right now.     Read More School Night January 3rd, 2010 Well it's been a glorious start to the new year.   The weekend was full of sun, sand and relaxation, but I'm dealing with feelings I haven't had in a few months; the feelings that come with the reality of a school night after a great weekend like this one.    And it's bigger than that really.  It's more like the one before the first day of school every fall.  I'm going to be in a whole new classroom, with a new teacher, new classmates...heck I'm even going to a new school.  Okay, it's not really a new school.  I've gone to classes here before but things have changed since then.  It's exciting and a bit anxiety producing as well.  After all, it's been a long summer break for JT.   For instance, I've been dressing casually so long, I realized as I looked through my closet tonight I failed to pack a lot of the things I'm going to be needing in the coming weeks.   Read More Livin' the Dream December 31, 2009 Beware of dreams come true.   You've probably heard that before, but it probably came in the form of "Be careful what you wish for".   We've all experienced the peril of ignoring that warning at some point or another.   We've dreamt about the handsome guy across the office only to discover he's really sort of a nightmare once you get to know him.   Or we've wished for that new fancy car, only to find out it's upkeep costs more than your monthly mortgage payments.  Or how about this one: we've dreamt of more free time to write that book or take that vacation we've thought about so many times, only to find ourselves with a pink slip, or a failed investment.   Suddenly we have too much time on our hands and too little money in our bank accounts to think about anything but our worries and woes.   Like I said, be careful what you wish for.  Beware of dreams come true.  Read More Goodbyes are Never Easy December 22, 2009 It's time. It's time to say so-long. I feel like the last few months have been full of too many good-byes. So I don't want to dwell on it. But I couldn't leave without acknowledging it. I left Minneapolis last Thursday and am in California for the holidays   It still hasn't quite sunk in that I won't be getting on a plane to head back to the mid-west after all the celebrations have ended. As regular readers know (and the rest of you can catch up on by reading back a few blogs) I'm staying here in California to take a job at KSBY-TV and be near family.  Read More Transitions and Time Monday, December 1st, 2009 Game on.  The big move to California is in the works.  I've put the house here in Minneapolis on the market, found temporary housing out west.  I've scheduled some good-bye lunches, brunches and such, and have begun going through my life.    I've moved a lot in the last 20 years.   I did a mental scan today and I counted 15 of them since I headed off to college.     The biggest was probably when I loaded what little possessions I had and headed to Iowa to take my first anchor job.   That began my extended stay in the Midwest.  .  Read More Full Circle  can't believe it's really happening.   It's always been a quiet longing, but now it's really happening.   I'm coming home to the Central Coast of California.  It was hard leaving this place years ago, but the quest for upward movement in my career had me packing my bags, saying tearful goodbyes to family and friends, and heading east.  I learned what mid-west winters where like, and what wonderful mid-west people people are like.   I learned how the presidential race starts at least two (or three!) years beforehand when you live in the city that hosts the first presidential contest in the nation, the Iowa Caucus.   And I learned people really do set up fishing houses on frozen lakes and fish in the dead of winter in Minnesota.   And I learned how fun college football can be to watch when you're sitting a sea of Cyclone, Hawkeye, Gopher, or Badgers fans.  Read More Sentimental Journey My Last Walk with Madelyn Friday, November 6th, 2009 I have this belief.   I have this belief that when someone you love died, there is a moment when they give you a sign they are okay, that they are where they are supposed to be.   That they've made it there, crossed over, are resting in peace.   You never know what it's going to be, and maybe not everyone experiences it, but I have had it with every person close to me I've lost.   It's hard to trust that moment will come in the middle of your grief, and it doesn't come immediately.   But at some point, something happens: and you just know.   I believe it's their spirit telling you it's okay.  They're okay.   And you will be okay soon too.   I got that message from Madelyn this week.  Read More Time Flies November 3rd, 2009 Wow, how did that happen?    It's true.  Time flies...when you're having fun, and when you're a bit stressed out.   I feel like I can blame both for the absence of blogs lately.    My apologies to those of you who kindly stop by now and then to see what the heck I'm up to, and my thanks to those who leave me gentle reminders it's been awhile since I've posted.  Read More It Aint Over Until its Over Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 I'm actually been grateful I'm unemployed the last few days.   That's because there's too much fun stuff going on around the Twin Cities to have a JOB to throw into the mix.   I'm talking the Vikings.   I'm talking the Twins.  I'm talking the Wild.   Minnesota sports have given us reason to cheer during what has otherwise been a kind of dreary, cold and wet early Fall.   We've learned how true the saying is: "It ain't over 'till it's over!" Read More Its a Wrap Sunday, October 4th, 2009 Well, there's no doubt about it.   Fall is here.   And it isn't being well-received by Yours Truly.   I went for a run this weekend and was not too excited about having to put gloves on.   I was even less thrilled to figure out about half-way through, I should have been wearing a stocking cap too.   Seriously.   Frozen ears on October 2nd?   I'm just not ready. Thankfully, our professional sports teams are heating things up this week and making the chill of this early fall tolerable.  Read More Mixed Emotions September 27, 2009 I wasn't going to go.  When I heard a few weeks ago I was nominated for an Emmy award for my work at WCCO, I couldn't imagine how being there for the awards ceremony would be a ton of fun.   I mean, it just felt weird for all kinds of reasons.   But after some nudging from a few supportive friends, and the vision of getting together with some of my former colleagues not only from WCCO, but other stations in the Cities and Iowa, I changed my mind.   I'm glad I did.  Read More Winding Down September 24th, 2009 It always happens.   We even got the last blast of summer I was hoping for, and it eased the sting a bit.   But try as we might, the transition is well underway.   Fall is pushing the summer of 09 into the history books.   And as I often do, I'm finding myself feeling melancholy.   I found myself singing the worlds to Don Henley's "Boys of Summer" song as I was trying to soak up one of our recent wonderfully warm mid-September days: Read More Sweet Condolences Tuesday, September 16th, 2009 You are all so wonderful...all of you who have sent me messages of support and empathy through facebook and e-mail regarding the loss of Madelyn.   I assure all of you who have not heard back from me personally I have read every single one.   And while to a certain degree there is nothing that can take away the pain or fill the void right now, your words have support have been soothing.    You need to know they stick with me.   Little things that some of you wrote when I first talked about Madelyn's cancer came to me last week, helping me through the process.   Read More Missing Madelyn Tuesday, September 9th, 2009 I knew the time was coming.  I knew it would be the right thing to do.  I knew it would hurt.   I knew I'd be a mess.  None of that knowledge made this day any easier.   I'm more than a mess.  I'm kind of a wreck and though I know intellectually it will get better, I'm having a hard time believing that in this particular moment.  Read More Give it a Break Wednesday, Sept 2nd, 2009 I can't believe summer is winding down.   I hate this time of year.  I mean, I love it, but it's such melancholy time of year.   Especially this year when summer has been cool and short in Minnesota.   I love fall, but I just haven't had enough of summer.   And even if we had a long hot summer, I think I'd still feel this way.      Read More Words of Wisdom Tuesday, August 26th, 2009 Today is my dad's birthday.  (Happy Birthday Dad!)   He's getting older and loves to talk about that a lot these days.   Actually, he's talked about it for most of my adult life.  He is not a man who has trouble letting go of his youth.   I think, rather, that he's enjoyed the perks that come with age.  It seems with every year he adds to his resume, he feels free to let go of something.     Read More No Place Like Home Saturday, August 15th, 2009 I believe Dorothy had it right.  I really do.  When I get back to California, and I put my feet in the Pacific, it feels like home.  I am reminded of a million other times I've waded, ran, sat and surfed in the chilly salty water as it hits the shoreline.   There is a sense of release in the next breath that I exhale.  I'm home.  Everything is alright.   I feel grounded instantly.   No matter how long I've been away, it always feels the same to me.   And for so many years, the feeling I get when I'm here, came with an ache to get back.  I'm realizing this trip, though, there is some confusion in that word....home Read More Ding Dong August 6th, 2009 The Rumors are true.  I have found a new gig.  Don't be turning on the T.V to see where I've landed.   It's not that kind of gig.   It's the kind of gig that prompts a few giggles from a lot of folks I know and love, and I'm sure many I don't know, or do know and don't particularly love.  I've thrown caution to the wind and signed on as an Arbonne consultant.  http://arbonne.com/   Think Avon Lady, the next generation.  If you haven't heard of Arbonne, it's a company that sells botanically based skin care and health and wellness products.  (And since I'm officially a "consultant", if you haven't hear of it, we should probably talk...)  Read More Timing is Everything August 3rd, 2009 We're all learning a lot about timing these days.  We're feeling the pain of not guessing it right...in business, in housing, in job opportunities that are or aren't there all due to the timing.    It seems I'm weighing the timing factor a lot lately.   And it's all stressful because, of course, timing is a guessing game.  It's difficult to know for sure when the timing is right.   And even if we think it might be, are we ready to acknowledge it and make a move?    And what if we're not?     Read More Counting the Losses July 29th, 2009 It's everywhere.  I'm talking about the news reports, and friends telling friends the stories, and first hand accounts of people like me "losing their jobs".   Much of the coverage and talk is about the economic impacts...on those of us who find ourselves out of work, and the economy overall.   If we can't spend or pay our mortgages, well, it has impacts.   So I get why it gets so much attention. Read More Big Brother Monday, July 20th, 2009 I'm not talking about the T.V. show that airs on the network I once worked for.   I'm talking about the real deal.   Big Brother watching your every move.   I know it's the world we live in and technology makes it ever so easy to do, but does that mean we should be?  Read More The Power of Prayer July 17, 2009 I'm about to break a cardinal rule of The Big J (Journalism), and talk about something I likely wouldn't be allowed to if I had a job.  Maybe so, as this is a blog, and viewers/readers are becoming increasing hip the fact journalists are real people with real beliefs, faiths and thoughts.  Even so, I'm not going to go so far as to share all my beliefs with you, but I am going to talk about something I do put a lot of stock in.  I'm talking about prayer. Read More Little voices Monday, July 13th, 2009 I live next to the cutest little family.   The only thing missing is a white picket fence, and maybe a dog.  But they kind of have Madelyn part-time.   Apparently when I thought Madelyn was just stepping off the back porch to do her business on early winter mornings and cold winter nights, I was wrong.   She was slipping down the street, or across the street and saying hi to the neighbors.    It wasn't until this spring that the perfect little family  let me know how often Madelyn just comes and hangs with them.   Most of the time she returned home before I realized she was gone.  Read More Good Question 7/9/09 It's what I've been thinking about a lot lately, and it has nothing to do with Jason DeRusha and Joe Berglove who do the great GQ question on WCCO.   I've been thinking about the question presented to me across the desk of a television executive recently.  Read More Beach Party 7/6/09 You know, there is a heck of a gathering happening on the beach today, and it has nothing to do with the 4th of July, or even summertime.   I knew it was happening, but I had no idea how big of a party it was until I was officially invited.  Trust me, you don't need to feel left out if you haven't received your invitation.   In fact, you probably want to feel pretty grateful about it. Read More Happy Birthday America 7/3/09 That's what my silly friend has been going around saying to everyone all weekend.  It's the truth, but it sounds funny when she says it.   It's 4th of July weekend, Independence Day, the high point of summer.   Whatever you want to call it, it's one of my favorite weekends of the year, but it comes with mixed emotions.  Read More Hello Friends 7/1/09 So, welcome to jeanettetrompeter.com.   I'm not sure what exactly it is, or will be, but we will start with it as a place for me to start blogging again.   I am flattered and appreciative of those of you who have visited my facebook page and let me know you actually read the one I did for WCCO and that you kind of miss it.   Read More