Those at the Table Make the Decisions

In a time of politic turmoil, I am kindly reminded that those who show up are the ones who make the decisions and are those that make a difference. Now, it could be debated that the difference and the decisions are not always what is needed. Nevertheless it is true.

Many are upset about the outcome of elections and just as many are celebrating. It comes down to showing up and making connections. If you want to influence people, communicate with the people that have the most skin in the game. ( FYI-These are not the CEO's.) These are the unemployed , the food purchaser, the driller or truck driver, farmer/ rancher, school teacher/ administrator, the doctors and nurses , miner and small business owner etc.

We must also acknowledge that we need to also approach our elected officials and invite them to come to the table and hear what is most important to each of us. If we do not converse with them they can only act on what is shared by those that do...
“The dinner table is the center for the teaching and practicing not just of table manners but of conversation, consideration, tolerance, family feeling, and just about all the other accomplishments of polite society except the minuet.”-Judith Martin

So, I encourage all to acknowledge where we are. Respect the position in which the elections placed a candidate, work from the ground up, inviting others to join in the dialogue and question decisions made. There is always room at the table, we simple have to add another chair!

We can make a difference. The power of 1 is much stronger than one thinks!

Prom Dresses and Politics

Today was a great day! I was able to work with numerous Jr. High and High School students who are filled with possibility and amazing perspective! Today they enlightened me for a bit with their thoughts on politics and prom dresses. It is amazing how they can tie these topics to the various science topics that they were to be learning about. Sometimes it was a stretch, but a connection nontheless.


What I learned:
* Smoking is a hot topic. Some feel it is a right, others a priviledge.
* Feel that elections should be won by the popular vote, not the electoral college.
* Politcal ads do not represent those running well.
* They are nervous for the future.
* They are happy to know that we only have 4 years and then there will be another opportunity.
* Politics are about ones chemistry with people, not the issues.
* They are concerned about our state because we have oil, natural gas and coal.
* Animal welfare is important to many differnt kinds of people.
* They realize that Farming and Ranching is at the heart of the North Dakota heritage.
* They are excited for the opportunity to vote!

I also learned:
* That prom dress shopping is a year long event.
* Dresses are expensive.
* There are a numerous styles and hundreds of colors/ patterns.
* Nothing is totally ruled out until it has been tried on.
* The laws of physics come into play when finding a dress that will fit correctly and stay up.
* Hours are spent searching online for just the "right" dress.
* All generally attend the dance, but choose to attend the party if it is good.
* Guys wait until closer to decide who they want to go to the dance with incase they are no longer dating the same person as they are today, but that it is understood that they will attend with whomever they are dating close to the Prom.

All in all, whether you are talking prom or politics, in the message the students shared it was all about the "P".... possibility, perspective, patience, popularity and the party!

Wild about Game!

If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I would be excited about hunting, I probably would have told you no. If you would have asked me if I liked eating wild game I probably would have said, "Well the hotdogs that my dad and uncle used make make 20 years ago were great!". Today I am here to tell you that I am excited about hunting and that wild game can be tasty and easy to prepare. The biggest reason... it has become a family activity!

All of our 5 kids enjoy taking a ride to check the corn feeder and looking for tracks to see what direction the animals are coming from! Nothing like free natural entertainment!

Ben, now 11 1/2 years old, hunts pheasants with a gun and deer with a bow.
Libby(almost 9), pulls bow and practices shooting at a target.
Chris (5 1/2 yrs old) practices bow too!

We all get excited to see the animals come close enough to aim at and even more excited when we can shoot and hit them. It is also exciting to know that we are skilled or lucky enough to bring home food that will keep my crockpot and grill busy!

This weekend was a major milestone. Ben was able to shoot and hit his first deer, as well as, his first pheasant. He was able to respond, not react, listen to his dad, and take his time adjusting.

Hunting is more than a harvest of animals for our family freezer. It is a family affair and quality time together!