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Storycatcher
Making Sense of Our Lives through the Power and Practice of Story
By Christina Baldwin
Anyone can tell a story, just like anyone can bake a pie, but doing it well and often is an art that comes with practice. Christina Baldwin, a lovely storyteller herself, examines the often unacknowledged importance that our life stories hold and encourages us with rich examples and specific triggers to become storycatchers – people who value storytelling and use it in everyday life to added meaning and connections. New World Library, hardcover, 251 pages, $21.95
The Gift of Years
Growing Older Gracefully
By Joan Chittister
So many books that address the issues of aging, do so with a measure of forced cheerfulness, exhorting us to think young to maximize our later years. Author, lecturer and Benedictine nun, Joan Chittister looks at it differently. In this book she lovingly encourages the reader to embrace their age, its challenges and the unique perspective that comes with a lifetime of experience. In short chapters that open with thoughtful quotes, she examines the burdens that can come as one’s body and spirit age, but with clarity and wisdom describes where to find your own true self within the context of what we are led to believe is destined to be a difficult time. The book’s gentle joyfulness and candor is remarkably uplifting. Blue Bridge Books, hardcover, 222 pages, $19.95.
Wineries of Wisconsin and Minnesota
By Patricia Monaghan
Yes, life is full of challenges and difficulties, but getting in the car and taking a day trip to a winery may well be the answer to many of them. If you have assumed as a Midwesterner, that this fall treat is an impossibility – think again. Patricia Monaghan has crafted a wonderful book that offers a roadmap to fifty-two wineries within driving distance (although some of the destinations would be more than a day trip) and the specialties they produce. She rounds out the descriptions with a colorful dose of history, geology and fun wine facts to know and tell. Minnesota Historical Society Press, softcover, 183 pages, $24.95.
Expo for Health
These days there are expos for just about everything – pets, cabins, chocolate, muskie fishing – but what about an expo that could potentially save your life? The annual Diabetes Expo, held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on October 11, brings together resources, experts and ideas for maintaining and improving health for people of all ages with diabetes. Unlike some diseases that run an uncontrollable course, the diabetic participates daily in monitoring the disease and reducing the risk of its deadly complications. The expo provides an opportunity to learn more about how to thrive with diabetes with tips and demonstrations on how to eat healthier, be more active, monitor your blood glucose, take care of your feet and eyes and much more. Visit www.diabetes.org or call 763-593-5333 ext. 6652 for more information or to register.
Cheers!
Where there is a will, there is a way. Mike Hammond of London England was sad that his 88 year old father was lonely and that when he wanted to go to a neighborhood pub once in a while, he couldn’t for lack of companion to help him out. Hammond put an ad in the local paper offering $14 an hour for such a buddy, plus expenses. He has now given the post to be job-shared between a retired doctor and a former military man. Hammond said he was happy to have found the caregivers and glad to give his dad “some of his old life back.”
You Deserve It
Are you carrying around the cumulative stresses of family, work and just making it through the day, but feel the total relaxation and pampering of a spa are out of reach for you? Well, you are going to want to pay attention to Spa Week! This week-long event runs October 13-19 at several Twin Cities day spas and offers a choice of spa treatments, such as an hour-long deep tissue massage or 45 minute organic facial for only $50. More information and participating spas are available at: www.spaweek.org/
Kitty Visit
Are you a cat lover, but disinclined take on a lifetime commitment? You may want to consider Mission: Meow, an innovative program from the Animal Humane Society. Throughout the summer animal shelters struggle to find homes for adult cats, which come in at a rate of over 2,000 a month. But, with thousands of kittens also arriving at this time, there is a dramatic decline in the number of adult cat adoptions. With Mission: Meow, adult felines become houseguests for a minimum of six months and return to the shelter in winter when they have a better chance of being adopted. Participation requires an application, interview and short workshop and the cost is little to none. Each cat is vaccinated, de-wormed, spayed/neutered and microchipped prior to joining their temporary family. Participants can get food and litter refills at any of the five AHS locations during the foster period. More information at: www.animalhumane-society.org or by calling 763-432-4826.
www.msffoundation.org
Live on in infamy! Now your can share your Minnesota State Fair story at this web site designed to collect and preserve our Fair tales. Stories can be creative writing, personal narratives, memories, observations or comments about State Fair experiences. Plus, you can read the entries of others and see great vintage fair photos.
www.CaregiverRant.blogspot.com
Sometimes venting can help. This new blog offers loving, but exhausted, caregivers a place to sound off anonymously and get advice and support in return.
Fun Way to Support the Cause
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment are joining forces with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to raise breast cancer awareness and support advancements towards a cure. Fox and MGM will donate money from the sale of specially packaged DVDs to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The pink packaged DVDs hit shelves on September 23rd and feature 15 romantic comedies, including Little Miss Sunshine, A Walk in the Clouds, An Affair to Remember, In Her Shoes, Say Anything and Thelma & Louise.
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