Jack celebrates his NICU graduation

St. Cloud Hospital NICU

celebrated 20 years this past June.

Dr. Norman Virnig and Jack (June 2008)
Jack says hi every body Jack is cool signed ruth!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a past graduate, Jack was invited to the celebration at Molitor's Trout Farm. This September will be 10 years since Jack was whisked out of my sight and taken to the NICU. The 17 day ordeal was totally unexpected (I was having a very healthy pregnancy) and much longer than we expected. We are so happy to have our healthy, happy, silly, funky boy. He's a fine example of very dedicated doctors and nurses who work to help our babies when they take an unexpected turn. Way back when Jack was patient, Dr. Norman Virnig and Dr. Fredricks were the only NICU doctors at the St. Cloud Hospital. Dr. Virnig set up the NICU and was there to greet all the graduates.

Dr. Virnig or Dr. Fredricks are no longer neonatoligists at the St. Cloud Hospital, but I owe them everything for taking care of my first little boy!

Winnipeg Folk Fest

I just got back from the Winnipeg Folk Fest on Monday- what a time!
This was my second WFF and the most interesting (even for many long-time WFF attendees). The weather was crazy! Lightening like mad the first night (I thought for sure we'd all die). Rain and winds all day long on Saturday-sustained 40mph winds. Did I mention that it was all day long? Tense familial storms that I weathered with my 3 sisters Ann, Mary and Diane. Four sisters, one Toyota Prius and lots of issues. Add to that mix the worst weather I've ever been in, much less camping 5 days through it all. Ah, but the music. The sweet, sweet music.
I was really excited to see Nanci Griffith- her music and voice have been part of my growing for the better part of 2 decades. I can't believe that I waited so long to see her. I loved that the whole group sitting out in the windswept rains of Saturday sang together as she led us in Pete Seeger's "If I Had A Hammer"!She's a gem.What more can I say?
Lots of world music and folk fest faves. It was hard to see it all (well, actually impossible). Some of my favorite sounds came from the klezmer, middle Eastern, Brazilian/Latin sounds. Michael Franti and Eliza Gilkyson were great. Though my husband was right about seeing Michael Franti two years in a row- not as special or groovin' (though that could have been the family tension of the first night there, yikes).
The big surprise there for me was Justin Townes Earle. Though I knew I wanted to see him. I just haven't had time to explore his music and I'm glad I didn't listen to his album first. His stripped down two piece stage show at the folk fest was super. I now have the CD "The Good Life" (signed, thank you Justin for taking the time) and I really enjoy the pedal steel, fiddle and B3 organ sounds great. But, I truly enjoyed the troubadour charisma that he led on stage. Just him and Cory Younts on harp, mando and the right complimenting backup vocals. Earle hits the showmanship styling right on- old time country, mountain or storytelling with a soul beyond his years. He has an old soul, but also a tenderness of a young man growing up in these troubled times. I look forward to seeing him grow whether he sticks with his troubadour styling or moves on down new roads. I can hear his dad at times, but if you told me his name was Justin Smith I'd still be amazed at his heart filled, soulful lyrics and voice. He's got history behind him, and history in front of him and he's a good one.

So another music experience well worth it. Love the feeling of getting away and letting music control my life for a while. Back to reality, kids and work. But music is never far off in my life. Always the background of what we do around here. And, a funny thing happened at the library yesterday. A woman came in wondering about a request she made. She's an older woman, definitely not what I'd call Red Hot Chili Peppers material at first glance. When I looked up the bio she had on her list I said, "oh, an Anthony Kiedis bio, I didn't know he had written a book." She looked at me and said, "Wow, I'm impressed you knew who that was". I guess I don't look like RHCP fan material either, ha-ha-ha! ~Yep, I get out of my "librarian" box a lot!
Pictures to follow, at some point ;)

Little Blessings

I came across this picture and note in my emails (from over 2 years ago, I really need to clean out the files). But, this is why I save stuff I guess. The email was from my sister Mary and it was entitled "Little Blessings".

"Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you this morning. Though are lives are sometimes complicated and frustrating, it helps to find peace in the little blessings of the day--like a freshly peeled orange, fresh brewed coffee, the warm winter sun, chocolate covered booger kisses, good music, the love of a sister...etc.....
Hope things start to look up for you soon---follow your heart--you were meant for Something More! (another good book to read). I'll bring it along with Simple Abundance(by the same author) on Sunday. Hope to catch up with you at Mom's.
Peace,
Mary"

I was going through some tough times, a mid-life crisis of sorts. Coming up on 15years at the St. Cloud Hospital pharmacy (20+ years in pharmacy life) and not happy, fulfilled or monetarily benefiting from it either, really. Mary, always the optimist and looking out for the soul, spirituality and mentality of others sent me this simple and precious, yet poignant photo that she had taken before her morning breakfast.

Within 3 months I was hired at the Great River Regional Library and on my way to a new career and happier times!