Thursday, January 6, 2022

Cold Enough For Ya?

Back in Minnesota when the air temperature dropped below zero and the wind chill headed toward 30 below, I didn’t like the cold, but it was fine because I still had metabolism. Now, after seven decades, cold weather hits me in the face like brain freeze.


That’s right. That kind of cold makes your forehead hurt just like eating ice cream too fast. As a kiddo, it’s kind of exhilarating. As a mature adult it’s life or death.

Of course, at this temperature you can see your breath. In this era of the pandemic, you can’t tell whether your glasses fogged up because of the cold or because your mask isn’t tight enough around your nose.

You know it’s too cold when your coffee cup is already cooling off as you take it from the Keurig. Grocery stores always seem to be at meat hanging temperature but when the outside temperature is worse you wear your gloves and zip up your parka as you peruse the aisles. Opening a plastic produce bag becomes a life changing decision. The freezer aisle actually seems warmer than the rest of the store. Your fingers are numb when you try to pay your bill. That race to the car with your purchases brings you back to a brain freeze feeling.

In Minnesota, everyone trots out the favorite winter phrase: “Cold enough for ya?” In your youth you respond with “it’s great cuddling weather” or “Nothing a good stiff drink can’t fix.” By middle age you’ve switched to “That’s Minnesota for ya!” or “Well, it sure keeps out the riffraff.”

After seven decades your response is just an icy stare as you walk past the grinning frozen chosen.

Friday, February 21, 2020

Choir Friends

For 30 years we met twice a week for the nine month church choir season. Thursday nights we rehearsed for 60 to 90 minutes, depending on whether or not we were preparing for a cantata. Sunday mornings we had the privilege of enhancing worship with an appropriate anthem.

          Others would come and go but most of the time we were the only ones on our part. Some Thursday nights we would settle into our seats next to each other and let out a big sigh. Then we would unload our difficult week on each other and sigh again. Soon we would be occupied with polishing the week’s anthem and learning the new ones for upcoming weeks. The music both distracted us and lightened our mood and we would part with a cheerful “see you Sunday” and a song in our hearts.

          Other Thursday nights we had a good week and started with smiles and cheer all around. Those nights we would start to giggle like school boys when one of us made a comment on a phrase in our music or, more likely, made a silly mistake. Sometimes, the circumstances led to full on laughter made worse when we failed to come in on time.

          Over 39 weeks of rehearsals, we had plenty of time to get to know each other well. While the sopranos learned their part, we had time to share our thoughts, our joys, our triumphs, our fears, and our sorrows. We also had common struggles and blessings working on other aspects of our church. When he was upset with someone or something he expressed it with a sly grin so you knew he wasn’t angry just exasperated.

30 years, 39 weeks a year, 2 hours a week creates friendships between people who otherwise would probably not have known anything about each other. Intense concentration, performing music that impacts a congregation, and many deep conversations creates special memories and a valued friendship.

Ken’s health took a rapid downward turn in the fall and this week he went home to join the heavenly choir. Rest in peace Ken. Save a spot in the tenor section for me - right next to you.


Friday, October 6, 2017

The Funeral of My Pastor and Friend



He should have been here
To sit with his family.

He should have been here
To pray with the college students.

He should have been here
To comfort us in our grief.

He should have been here
To help with the technology for such a large event.

He should have been here
To preach a sermon of hope and resurrection.

In a recent sermon
He wondered “what is mine to do?”
Well friend, your tasks are done;
You have only to dwell in the house of the Lord.

Your tasks are now ours to do.
We need to sit with your family.
We need to pray with the college students.
We need to comfort each other.
We need to learn the technology.
We need to teach hope and resurrection.

You taught us and inspired us and empowered us
To pick up the tasks that were yours to do.

Well done, good and faithful servant.
Now rest in peace from your labors.

Not goodbye, just

Until we meet again.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

It's Me Again, Mr. Trump

                Your first test as president begins now. You successfully analyzed and exploited the fear of many people to win the presidency. They are now full of hope for their future because you won. In doing this, you also created fear among minorities, many women, and the LGBTQ community. Their fear is now overwhelming and they are already being victimized by your emboldened supporters.
                If you are serious about bringing this nation together – and we desperately need that – you must speak up immediately to reassure those groups that they are safe and that those who threaten them will be stopped. If you don’t do that, your presidency will be remembered as a failure no matter what else you may accomplish.
                I think you know that we cannot come together as a nation if minorities, women, and LGBTQ persons continue to be threatened or marginalized. You proved you are smarter than that by winning this election. Now give us all hope that we can work together to put America on a new path by speaking out immediately to reassure us all that your campaign words will not be the epitaph to your presidency.

                We need you to be successful in healing our country but you alone must make that possible. Good luck. I will be praying for your success.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Dear Mr. Trump


                Congratulations on becoming the 45th President of the United States of America. You are now in a unique position to become the most inclusive, unifying president in history. You won election without becoming indebted to anyone.  You don’t even owe the party that nominated you. What a great opportunity to do what’s best for the nation rather than serve narrow interests.
                You can now choose from a smorgasbord of ideas to “make America great again.” You can bounce back and forth from the salad bar to the main dishes and even to desserts without anyone claiming you owe them. You can even fill your agenda tray from the left or right side! No president in recent memory has had those options.
                According to exit polling and individual county results, you won big in areas where blue collar workers are desperate for jobs and income. They voted for you out of fear but not fear of change. They made you president because they are afraid of the status quo. If you ignore them, you will be a one term president and the Republican party will be history.
                There is a way to give them what they need and help the entire nation at the same time. You go over to the left side and resurrect an idea of Bernie Sander’s. Put Americans to work rebuilding our transportation infrastructure. It provides jobs for the hard-working blue collar workers, helps business move goods from one place to another, enhances tourism, and improves the safety of every citizen.
                See what I mean about great opportunities to do something great and leave a wonderful legacy? This is just one example of all the great ideas out there and you have the opportunity to choose the best ones without worrying about donors or other private interests collecting IOUs.
                Your election was met with despair from our allies around the world. Reassure them by showing you realize the world is a smaller place than it was 50 years ago. We can’t isolate ourselves but we do have to strengthen America by taking care of our own.
                I am counting on the belief that you didn’t really believe many of the positons you took during the campaign. It’s OK to do what’s right even if you must admit you changed your mind. Think ahead 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years as you choose your priorities.
               Use your deal-making, negotiating, information-gathering skills to put together a to-do list that will be remembered as a promise-kept. Great ideas and great execution will, in fact, make America great again. Good luck! You earned this position – now earn our respect.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

It’s Just My Opinion


                I always learn something when I am able to fully discuss an issue, or even a disagreement, with someone.  At the very least I learn where the real difference of opinion lies.  How is it possible for two people with the same information to come to drastically different opinions?  The obvious answer is that opinions are based on who we are.  “Who we are”, of course, is a function of our past experiences, the people in our lives, the decisions we have made about our values, and even our DNA.
                Yes, I am one of those people who engage in “discussions” on Facebook.  Much of the time, I give up after one or two posts or when the personal attacks start.  Sometimes, those discussions stay respectful and civil enough that we find common ground.  When that happens, I become more aware of my own views and how they are formed.  In addition, the other person and I are able to start or strengthen a relationship which leads to agreement on other issues.
                Every year we seem less and less able to engage in civil discourse.  It’s more than an annoyance.  To me, discussing our views, especially our differences, is a fundamental element of our form of government.  I believe in the collective wisdom of an informed, thoughtful group of people.  I have grave concerns about American society today.
                Your opinion represents who you are.  It incorporates your values, your intelligence, your attitudes, your work ethic, and your genetics.  In short, your opinion is based on everything about you and you can’t dismiss who you are by shrugging and saying “It’s just my opinion.”
                When you express an opinion you have just made a statement about who you are.  You can’t take it back.  You can’t dismiss it.  You have to defend it, and explain it.  If you don’t you are denying everything about yourself.

                Form your opinions carefully and be sure they represent who you really are because everyone else will understand that they are connected.  Never dismiss yourself with “it’s just my opinion.”

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The Teacher

                As I neared my planned retirement, I began to think about all the students I had taught in 33 years.  There were so many and I enjoyed getting to know all of them.  (Yes, ALL, even though some won’t believe that.)  I wrote a piece which may seem self-indulgent but I share it because I think all teachers wonder what happened to their students, and none of us are good enough at going back to teachers that made a difference in our lives.  I have talked to some but not all of the difference-makers in my life.  Take the time – you will gain much from it.

THE TEACHER
By John M. Skogstoe

Year after year they come into his life
Some bring joy; some bring strife
The ones he remembers brought both it seems
But they also brought their character,
Their exuberance and their dreams.

He thinks often of the students he knew
The ones who shared their hopes and fears
Their laughter and even their tears
The students who became like sons
Loved and cared for, those special ones.

As he nears the end of his teaching career
He wonders if they still hold him as dear
Do they think of the times, good and bad?
Do they ever miss him, do they ever get sad?
For all those times they shared from the past.

Do they wonder how he's doing
Like he wonders about them?
Or is he just a part of the past
With memories grown dim?
He still cares and he wants to know.

If you think of a teacher from somewhere out there
Get in touch now and tell him you still care.