Mother Nature’s Sense of Humor

If we go way back, say six years ago, you would know that I have a pretty complicated relationship with Mother Nature. It’s a love/hate thing, but let me tell you, Mother Nature leans heavily on the ‘hate’ side for me. And boy, does she know how to get to me – by making me do one thing I absolutely despise – shoveling snow!

Close your eyes for a moment and travel back in time with me. It’s the winter of despair, and the snow is piling up high. It’s already been a couple of months since the first snowstorm hit, and the snowbanks are already towering over the sidewalks and driveways. But then Mother nature decides to play a new game and starts sending light snow, barely two inches, every few days. It’s almost like a cruel joke, as the snow piles get higher and higher, and you have to shovel more frequently. You’re starting to feel like you’re in the movie “Groundhog Day,” but there’s no end in sight. Finally, the snow piles get so high that there’s no space left to put the snow, and you injure your shoulder while lifting the heavy snow over the top of the towering piles.

In late February, I had finally had enough. I reached my breaking point and decided to take a stand against the winter blues. Looking at the forecast, I made a bold decision: I would no longer shovel snow. With a sense of excitement and rebellion, I declared that I would leave snow removal up to mother nature. It was time to break free and embrace the unpredictable adventures of the season.

The battle was tough, but I was determined to emerge victorious. For the rest of that winter, I refrained from touching the snow shovel. Though still a little bruised and battered from previous shoveling, I won the war against snow removal. It was an epic battle that I will never forget.

Yet I am realist, I knew I had to take a smart approach to tackle the next winter. So, I hired a snow removal service. Now, let me tell you, the experience of working with them was nothing short of amazing! Their proficiency, promptness, and effectiveness in getting the snow out of the way was simply indescribable. This is not meant to be a compliment. I could go on but I’ll save that for another blog post.

The winter of 22-23 was an absolute nightmare town (and state). Though my snow removal service handled duties in the front of my house, I faced a new challenge. The snow had piled so high that I had to trudge through it with a shovel in hand, just so my furry friend could do her business in the backyard. But, I am not one to back down from a challenge. I didn’t let the tedious chore beat me down. Instead, I found my inner artist and transformed the snow into a masterpiece. I created a breathtaking labyrinthine path through the snow, complete with twists and turns that would make any maze-maker proud. And the best part? My dog was absolutely thrilled with it!

I was extremely disappointed with my snow removal service last winter. They were unable to efficiently handle the heavy snowfall, leaving me frustrated and having to chip away at the ice on my driveway.

I needed to find a new strategy for the upcoming winter season. I knew my physical limitations and age wouldn’t allow me to shovel my way out of the snow this year, and finding a new snow service seemed like an uphill battle. But then I stumbled upon the ultimate solution – something I had never had before – a snowblower! This bad boy is my new secret weapon to conquer any snowstorm that comes my way. With it in my arsenal, I’m ready to take on the fiercest winter challenges and emerge victorious! No more waiting for the plow to arrive or shoveling for hours on end. This year, I’m taking control of the winter game and showing Mother Nature who’s boss! So bring on the snow, because I’m ready to blast it away with my powerful new snowblower!

It’s amazing how Mother Nature always manages to stay one step ahead of us! I was excited to use my snowblower this year, but there were only a few light snowfalls in November and December that I could easily remove with a broom. I was starting to lose hope until a major snowstorm hit us in January, dumping 12 inches of snow in just one day. Unfortunately, I was in Florida at that time, and my snowblower remained untouched. But wait, there’s more! Just a couple of weeks later, it snowed again, and I finally got to play with my new toy. It was a thrilling experience, and I couldn’t wait for the next snowfall!

It has been a mild winter so far, with very few snowstorms. The snow has melted away, leaving behind a dull and lifeless landscape. However, just when we thought winter was over, Mother Nature surprised us with sudden bursts of snow this week! Unfortunately, neither storm was significant enough to warrant the use of a snowblower. Yesterday, we received less than an inch of snow, and today, depending on whose predictions you trust, we could get up to three inches more! The only downside is that I have to clear my sidewalks of snow and ice within 48 hours, or face the consequences from the city. So, I was forced to break my promise and, with a trusty snow shovel in hand, I removed the snow from my driveway and sidewalks. Once again, Mother Nature has won!

But there is joy in the air. I just checked the extended forecast! The weather will be absolutely amazing for the rest of this month, with temperatures ranging from the mid 40s to mid 50s almost every day. Even if it snows, it won’t last for long as it will melt pretty quickly. So bring it on Mother Nature! I am not shoveling anymore – except as needed for my dog.

Everything is fine, except that March happens to be the snowiest month of the year.

Reflections from the past

Although I usually don’t write about politics, this story is more about people and relationships than it is about politics.

It was a unique moment in the history of South Dakota. It was a time of great political turmoil, nine months after the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of the governor and seven others. With the Democratic party controlling the state senate and the Republican party controlling the state house, the stage was set for an intense election year. The Republican Governor, Walter Dale Miller, was about to face a primary challenge from the former governor Bill Janklow, who would later go on to win both the primary and the general election. As a rookie lobbyist and political enthusiast, I was fortunate enough to witness this historic event and learn about politics and the legislative process firsthand.

I learned about the importance of understanding the process and procedure of the legislature. I learned about strategy and advocacy. However, the most important lesson I learned was the importance of personal relationships.

To provide some context, South Dakota has a longstanding reputation as a conservative state, with a political landscape that has traditionally been dominated by Republicans both in the legislature and the governor’s office. As a lobbyist, I was faced with the challenge of garnering support for my proposed bills from lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum, even when their views were at odds with my own. This required a delicate balancing act and a nuanced approach to negotiation and persuasion.

One day early in my career, I was working a couple of bills. This involved discussion with several committee members about the merits of the bill. I thought I had done a good job. I spoke to most of the committee. All indicated support for the bill.

There was one committed member I didn’t lobby. Arrogantly, I thought I didn’t need to lobby him. I had enough votes. I didn’t need his vote. Plus, his nickname was “Grumpy” and I was intimidated. This was a big mistake.

During committee testimony, Grumpy began peppering me with questions about the bill. The inquiry was sharp and relevant. With each question, I could feel my chances slipping away. Soon, the testimony closed, and the committee began discussing the bill. After some back and forth, Grumpy motioned to kill my bill. The motion passed, and my bill was defeated.

After losing the vote, I left the committee room on the fourth floor of the capital and walked down to the second floor where the Governor’s office was located. As I walked along the hallways, I noticed paintings of former governors hanging on the walls. Feeling sorry for myself, I spoke to the portraits and asked for guidance. The former governors spoke to me clearly and advised me not to underestimate anyone, not to assume anything and to know how each committee member plans to vote before the meeting. They also suggested I talk to Grumpy first.

Later that day, I headed to the basement bar of the Kings Inn Hotel to meet up with some friends. The bar, affectionately called “The Pit”, was bustling with activity as usual. Upon my arrival before my friends, I began to look for an open seat to settle in. Luckily, I spotted a vacant spot at the bar and quickly claimed it. However, to my surprise, I realized that I was sitting right beside someone who appeared to be in a sour mood – Grumpy.

Grumpy was more formally known as Representative Al Waltman. He addressed me and expressed his concern by saying, “Hey, I hope you’re not upset with me for killing your bill today.” I fibbed and replied, “No, not at all. It’s part of the process. You made some valid points.” I anxiously searched for my friends. This incident took place before cell phones became prevalent, so I couldn’t use text messaging, Snapchat, WhatsApp, or any other messaging app to contact my friends and request their help.

What happen next was unexpected. We started conversing like two ordinary human beings. It turned out that Waltman hailed from my dad’s hometown. Despite being only a year apart, they moved in different social circles an didn’t know each other. Interestingly, Waltman had graduated from high school with my uncle but didn’t know him either. As we talked, we discussed various topics ranging from family, religion, politics, hobbies, and anything else that came to mind. When my friends finally appeared, I told them I would catch up with them later at a different location.

Waltman and I continued our conversation. We even talked about the bill. By the end of the conversation, he understood my position with the bill. “Why didn’t you just talk to me before committee?”, he asked. I didn’t have a good answer. But I did say, “I promise I won’t make that mistake again.” By the end of our conversation we became friends. I don’t remember if I met up with my friends.

From that night forward, whenever a bill was presented before Waltman’s committee, I would talk to him before the hearing. He would ask me tough questions and make an effort to understand my perspective. He would inform me about his stance on the bill and suggest what changes were necessary to gain his support. Sometimes, he would also offer to help the bill. Whatever his stance, he always kept his word.

We had differing political and religious views, as well as being from different generations. However, our shared love for South Dakota and respect for the process brought us together as colleagues and friends. Grumpy tried to stop some of my bills over the years. Sometimes I won and sometimes he did, but we always maintained mutual respect for each other.

I stopped lobbying around the same time Al Waltman left the legislature, and our paths never crossed again. Despite this, I still think of him often, particularly when the legislature is in session. It’s unfortunate to say that Grumpy passed away in August 2020 at the age of 89. His death was followed by the passing of my oldest brother by just a couple of weeks, which is another tie that binds us.

As I watch the current state of politics, particularly in Washington DC, I wonder what would happen if people were forced to sit next to each other at the bar for a couple of hours.

Photo courtesy of https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/pierre/arts-culture-history/historic-sites/south-dakota-state-capitol

Groundhog Day

Every day is a new opportunity to embrace change and look forward to what the future holds. As we celebrate Groundhog Day, let’s remember that no matter what the outcome may be, we have the power to make the most of every moment and create our own sunshine.

One of my favorite movies is “Groundhog Day” starring Andie McDowell and Bill Murray. The movie focuses on Murray’s character who repeats the same day over and over again. During his repetition, he experiences a broad range of emotions. At first, he is frustrated and unhappy. He feels trapped living the same day repeatedly. Eventually, he decides this is an opportunity to become a better person and improve. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, I highly recommend it to you.

Whenever I watch the movie ‘Groundhog Day’, I can’t help but contemplate what I would do if I woke up every day to the same events as the day before. Would I take advantage of the opportunity to better myself, my community, my country, and the world? Or would I live recklessly and take unnecessary risks?

At the start of 2024, I set some goals for myself. Time has flown by and we’re already almost 10% of the way through the year. Today, I took some time to reflect on how I’ve been doing so far. Unfortunately, I haven’t made significant progress towards my more important goals. For instance, I had planned to write a blog post every week, but this is the first post I’ve written since December.

I will be glad to help you with that. Here’s a corrected version with clearer language and proper punctuation:

Referring to today’s theme of Groundhog Day, I aim to be more like Bill Murray’s character in the movie’s ending. I believe that every day is precious and should not be squandered. Therefore, my goal for February is to write one meaningful blog post every week.

To achieve your goals, it’s important to regularly measure and evaluate progress. I’ll follow up in a week to report my progress. Have a fantastic week!

No More Gratitude Challenge

There is no gratitude challenge post today. The 2024 Challenge is over. But you can still be grateful. While there are a lot of ugly things in the world, there is a lot of beauty if you open your eyes, heart, and mind. I’m not sure if I would have notice the beauty in this picture 30 days ago but I do now.

Day 30 Gratitude Challenge

Last day of the gratitude challenge. There are so many things I have left out of the challenge. I am grateful for all in the challenge and much more.

Clearly, I have much to be grateful for as do you. I could write a book or two about today’s topic. However, I will keep it short. Today, I am grateful for wife. I love doing life with her.

Day 29 Gratitude Challenge

This post is a retread of a post from a previous challenge. When doing a challenge like this every day, it is easy to miss gratitude opportunities. If you haven’t figured it out by now, there is much to be grateful for. I know I have forgotten important people, groups of people, things, or experiences in my postings. This challenge could be a year and I would still miss a few things.

This gratitude challenge is not complete unless I write about about the two men who are my sons. I am so grateful for both of my sons. It has been a joy to watch them develop and grow into amazing human beings. They have taught me so much about myself and life, I am better because of them.

My oldest son graduated from college and earned a master’s degree in public policy. He has a job where he has the opportunity to shape the world around him for the better. He is married to an amazing woman. My youngest is in college and doing great. He has a wonderful group of friends, a vision for the future, and the drive to succeed. For the first time in several years, we spent Thanksgiving together. It was wonderful.

If you have children (furry kind count), take time to be grateful for them. They grow up quickly and leave the house. Send them a note letting them know you are thinking about them.

Day 28 Gratitude Challenge

Short and sweet today. It’s giving day. Pick a charitable organization and give what you can. I suggest a minimum of $25. Need help?

Dakotabilities “is a nonprofit organization in Sioux Falls focused on supporting and uplifting persons with a range of disabilities. We provide many services, including housing, employment, day programs, access to 24-hour nursing guidance, and more.

We work together with the individuals we support and the community at large to create opportunities for people with disabilities. Everyone deserves a meaningful day and the opportunity to live their best life.

In addition to serving the people we support, we’re proud to champion inclusive communities that actively include people of all abilities through advocacy and education.”

Lifescape “formed in mid-2014 when Children’s Care Hospital & School and South Dakota Achieve joined together. We are an independent, non-profit organization, serving adults and children in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Our center in Rapid City provides therapy and psychological services for children on an outpatient and outreach basis.

LifeScape will be an innovative organization, providing exceptional services and creative solutions for people with varied needs and complex care across their life span. Through collaborative partnerships, LifeScape will become a destination for research, and the development, implementation, and training of technology-based solutions to improve the lives of people we support.”

Michael J Fox Foundation “The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.”

Promising Futures Fund “The Promising Futures Fund is a fund of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. Donations to the Promising Futures Fund are used exclusively to support low-income students and schools with high rates of poverty in the Sioux Falls School District. We are proud to be part of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and a strong community partner of the Sioux Falls School District.”

Have a great day! Live with gratitude.

Day 27 Gratitude Challenge

With four days left in the 2023 Gratitude Challenge, I will focus on more personal things.

For most of my life, I have lived with animals. During my early years, we had a Dalmatian (honestly don’t remember what happened with that dog). When I was about four, we got a beagle puppy that would live for 15 years. We also had a receiving door of cats. During high school we got a cat named Rowdy who seemed to only like me. About the time I purchased my first home, two cats decided to join me. One of the cats would live for 19 years.

When the cat passed away in 2015, I was fairly certain there would be no more pets in my life. However, my youngest had other plans. He began planting seeds in late 2018. “We need a dog,” he said.

Pretty soon, his mother was on board. It was 2 against 1. They began showing me pictures of dogs they would like. Puppy pictures are hard to resist. My resolution remained strong. Further neither my wife and nor son had prior dog experience. This is a ridiculous idea I said. We aren’t getting a dog.

When my youngest son advocates for an idea, he can be unrelenting and persistent. His constant requests and suggestions began to weaken my resolve. I began looking at the puppy pictures. I began researching where to get a dog. I explored and considered a rescue dog. Ultimately I decided this was not the best route for our family at the time. NOTE: I think rescue dogs are amazing. I know many people who have successfully obtained a dog this way. If you are looking for a dog or cat, consider a rescue.

Long story short, by late March 2019, I put down a deposit for a dog from a litter of puppies due in May. If all went well we would have a dog by July.

Luck and fortune were on our side, on June 29 we brought her new puppy home. we considered several names but settled on Ginger. It’s hard to explain to those who don’t have a dog the bond that is formed. I won’t attempt to explain it here.

Today, and indeed every day, I am grateful for the joy, energy, and unconditional love our dog provides us. She is part of our family and our lives are immeasurably better. If you have a pet or had a pet, take a few moments and be grateful for them. Have a great day.

Day 26 – Gratitude Challenge

As this Thanksgiving weekend draws to a close, I can’t help but be grateful for the quality time spent with family.

Thanksgiving was spent with my family. For the first time in years both our children were home for Thanksgiving. Yesterday I attended “The Gathering” of relatives on my spouse’s side. “The Gathering” is an annual event that started with my wife’s grandparents hosting a meal and gift exchange for their children (including my mother-in-law). It has expanded to include the grandchildren and now great grandchildren. It is a wonderful event with great people.

Today’s challenge is to be grateful and express gratitude to and for extended family. Especially Grandparents, parents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins whether by birth, adoption, or marriage. Remember my spouse’s wise words – “Love multiplied it never divides.”

Day 25 Gratitude Challenge

Pretty soon, gratitude will become a habit, if you continue to practice it. There are several ways you could do this. You could repeat this gratitude challenge every month. You could pick three things every morning and every night that you are grateful for. You could pay it forward every day. But if you want to make it a habit and keep it simple, today’s challenge is for you. Today’s challenge is simple. Say thank you and mean it for everything and everyone. If you go to a store and a clerk helps you, say thank you. If someone compliments you, say thank you. If your car starts, say thank you. If you have hot water, say thank you. If your dog greets you, say thank you.

Pay attention to how people respond. Pay attention to how you respond. Journal about it. One last thing, if you are reading this, thank you.