Don't stop waffling.

Just when you think your teenager has tuned you out for the rest of her life, she surprises you. This was my dinner tonight. Waiting for me in the refrigerator. The kitchen was clean and my husband was sitting at the kitchen table, diligently working the Sunday crossword. Once again, evidence of the good life in the valley.

Sunday was a Good Day for an Erection

The pad was poured in early May and acid etched on Mother's Day. Mike had been working diligently for four weeks sanding, sealing, sealing again, and finally applying the last coat to 24+ pieces of rough hewn cedar. 6 x 6's. 8 x 16's and 8 x 20's. For those of you who have no handyman skills at all, try storing and sealing the above mentioned materials. You need a lot of space. A lot of time. And a lot of patience. Which is why Mike did this portion of the task, and I kept the household on track.

Mark was in from Seattle for a few days and guided us in the fine art of raising a structure that was not only plumb, but also solid. Mike worked from the scaffolding, Mark worked from the ladder, and I worked from the ground. 10 hours later, we had a structure. It's not quite done -- we need to add the stringers, and finish the trim. But I see late summer nights filled with too much wine, too many cigars and discussing world problems until at least 10:00 p.m. Let the party begin.

The Light

The light before a storm approaches,
when sun peeks from beneath it,
a dream about uncommon fish,
all about us, it is lit.

Grand Marais, September 2005

Last September on a Saturday night at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, the Jensen girls were seen hanging out on the schoolhouse dock on Lake Superior.


Before Fuzzy goes off to NYC, we plan to spend another long weekend on the North Shore, hiking the Superior Hiking Trail, eating massive amounts of chips and salsa while playing eucher and drinking gin and tonics -- generally hanging out. And we'll probably shed a few tears as we toast her good fortune once she lands in Astoria, Queens .

The Shape of Things to Come.

One day the bobcat comes wailing into the yard and destroys the 60 year old flagpole. Ripping up sod and old flower beds.













Six days later, we have a concrete base, etched and scored, waiting for the pergola to be raised.

06.06.06 = (2)6 years of Marriage.

6+ reasons why I love Big Daddy Jensen:

Because he truly loves me.
And he truly, wholly loves his daughters.

Because he knows how to be a father.
And he has cared for his girls from the beginning.

Because his introvert complements my extrovert.
And he is the most non-judgmental person I know.

Because he is a patient man.
And he knows how to temper my agitation.

Because he has a critical eye.
And he has documented and archived 26 years of our life.

Because he has a sense of humor.
And he can sing the Mickey Mouse Club Song in Norwegian.

Because he listens well.
And he lets me go off on a rant without concern.

Because he (almost) always gives me a foot massage when I ask.
And has never been critical of my appearance.

I've been on the ride from the beginning. I guess I'm on it for life.

Love to love you.