In with the new….

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In a few hours a new year begins.  I’d like to suggest looking ahead; maybe looking back as a prompt.

For the last 21 years, my “office hours” most days have been for about two hours in early morning at Caribou Coffee (City Centre) in Woodbury MN.

I offer two end of year photos from my corner:

December 24, 2021.  My “vintage” Caribou Cup will be on Antiques Road Show some day.  Priceless.  (Don’t I wish.)

At time of the above photo, the store was quiet.  Usually it is quietly bustling: people on the way to school, or work, or perhaps meeting to start the day, mostly quick in and out, pick-up, take-out.  A kind of scene most of us are privileged to experience.  A little calm before the storm.  Yes, a privilege.

Caribou is where I pick up the vibes of my town.  I’m there by myself.  Yes, it’s a habit.  We all have our own.  I seem to pick up energy from a certain amount of bustle around me; but I don’t aspire to be in the middle of it!

You see no computer in the picture.  No laptop or smart phone.  Personal choice.

If you’ve received a handwritten letter from me, it was probably written here.  As you’ll note below, my office has two windows, and is close to an exit – sort of plush digs for an old guy.

Dec 30, 2021, note mask at the ready….  Photo by daughter, Lauri.

“In with the new”?  It is easy to write a negative commentary about the year now almost passed.  Makes no difference which ‘tribe’ you’ve been pigeon-holed into (you don’t need to apply: you’re assigned.)  A war was decreed, and we’re the combatants.

I have a lot of time to think, in my corner, and I also see a lot of people just being themselves, not only at the coffee shop but also other places: ushering at church; walking at the health center; in line at the post office or store; on and on.

Basically, we don’t fit the tribal stereotype.  People, generally, I find, are community centered, which is to say, polite, understanding, generous, tolerant.  We’ve learned things like ‘social distance’, basically.  We generally don’t swagger around with the tribe colors, whatever they are.

The news emphasizes the others – the ones  I really infrequently see in real life – the bullies, loudmouths, etc.  Yes, I experience them, but rarely.   They aren’t among friends, and they know it.

We are basically a decent bunch, all of us.

But we can’t take any of this for granted.  It’s too easily lost.  Democracy takes work from all of us.

Just something to consider as a New Year begins.

Happy 2022.

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A good summary of the year just passed is here.  Check out Heather’s self-description – an impressive lady.  It’s very easy to subscribe, simply click on her name.

My next post will be January 6, 2022.

 

Good Deeds

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Earlier this afternoon I stopped at an area supermarket to pick up an essential food in my daily menu: bananas.  This gave me an excuse for coffee, and to pick up one other needed item.  Just an ordinary day, Dec. 28, 2021.

A gentle snow had begun while I was in the store – the big fat flakes gently falling, perfect for artists depiction of “over the river and through the woods”.

My car was covered by perhaps an inch of snow, enough to sweep, but no rigor required.  The man the next car over was sweeping his own car, and as I reached mine, he did my car as well.

“Thanks and Happy New Year”, I said.  I had no idea who he was: just one more stranger in my town, as I also was in his.

The action took all of a minute.  Off he went, as did I.  Just another day in our town.  A memorable small act of kindness, just because….

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This singular act outside the grocery store got me to thinking back over the last days, weeks, months, years.  As I write, I am visualizing a list of small, unnecessary, memorable actions by others that have made my life, and the lives of others, better.  One small – maybe even tiny – deed at a time.  Mostly they are people I’ve never met, will never even see again.  Their only name is their action.

I’d invite you to think about such actions by ordinary people in your own life that made your life better in 2021.  I guarantee you, it won’t take long, and you’ll be surprised what arrives on your own list of good deeds given to you, not the opposite.  If the spirit moves, and you know who they are, let them know how they contributed to your life, probably without their knowing.

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As I write I think back to an assignment I was given by my friend Judy Maghakian in the early summer of 2019.

The assignment came before we left on a two week trip via AMTRAK to Seattle, ending in Davis CA.  She was hosting a summer workshop at Macalester College, and she asked me to talk on the topic Servant Leadership to young people mostly from other countries.  Our trip is highlighted in yellow below.

I didn’t know what “Servant Leadership” was, except I thought it must be about actions by ordinary people in living their ordinary lives.  (There are books on the topic, if you’re interested.  Just type “servant leadership” in your browser.  I really haven’t read any of them before or since….  I have experienced this kind of leadership often.)

My focus wasn’t on prominent people, rather on people whose daily service is truly at the micro level – person to person.

So during the trip I very simply started to list things that I had experienced by ordinary citizens in the places we visited: a kind porter on the train; some passengers who were birdwatchers, enroute to an event; two native Americans engaged in good works back home in Oregon…on and on.

Not long before the trip I had touched base with my friend, Frank Kroncke, who has a compelling story going back to the peace movement of the Vietnam era.  I decided to ask him if he’d be willing to be co-presentor.  He agreed, as did Judy.

Together, I think we had an enriching hour of engagement – certainly nothing fancy, but fancy was not expected.  Servant Leaders by my definition are not fancy people, by and large.   Here is what I wrote at the time; (Servant Leadership is the second half of the commentary.)

Do your part to make 2022 a Happy New Year.

My neighborhood Dec 28 2021. about 2 p.m.  Directly across the street is the tree (below) that is lit every night. It brings brightness every time I see it.

Nov. 30, 2021

COMMENTS (more at end of post)

from Fred: Good suggestion for the new year! Overall, I have so much to be grateful for, that small acts of kindness and compassion might well be overlooked.

Have you noticed how often people go out of their way hold doors for others? The practice has grown more over the years. Of course it is possible that I started doing only after maturing. That was about four years ago so maybe I’ve got it all wrong.

Happy New Year, Richard!

from David: Thanks Dick, we will continue another year of peace work. Thanks for your support.

from Barry: Same to you Dick. I hope there will be some good news for this messed up country of ours.

from Rosa Maria: Lovely post, Dick.  May we all do good deeds to others and appreciate the ones that other do for us.

from Judy:  Dear Dick, you are a remarkable communicator and person.  Thank you, thank you.  God’s blessings to you in the New Year.

Again, thank you for YOU and your communication.
from Steve: Thanks for the note and encouragement to spend time with the random moments of civility, friendship, and thoughtfulness.

from Martha: Dick, Thanks for sharing these uplifting reminders of the good in this world.  That and the wonderful winter photo was just right for this dark, quiet, winter evening!  New Year’s Greetings to you and Cathy,

from Darleen:  When I was teaching at the Business College, I held a week titled Random Acts of Kindness.   It was quite successful.   Now I am grateful for those who find and bring a motorized cart for me.   There are many who help unload my cart by putting the groceries in the trunk of my car.    On occasion there have been teen-agers who have been VERY helpful with doors, reaching items that are on a top shelf, and various other needs.   Some have even helped bag the items.   It is interesting to learn who helps and who walks on by.

 

 

Memories

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Related here and here.

Kevin Kling and ensemble Orchestra Hall Minneapolis Dec 19, 2021

Today is Christmas Eve.  “May your days be merry and bright….”

I choose, this year, to look back, as viewed by others from their own perspective.  I actually have a long list; I choose to comment, briefly, on three.  The photos which begin and end this post come from a marvelous program at Orchestra Hall on December 19, featuring well known humorist Kevin Kling, and the local and wonderful Capri Big Band.  Here are the program notes: Kevin Kling et al Dec 19 2021

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Years ago – I think it was the spring or summer of 1998 – I was at the Village Green of Concord MA during some local festival, and happened across a small group of Dixieland musicians.  I struck up a conversation with one of them, Norm, and we’ve kept in touch all these years.  Each year I look forward to his envelope, always addressed using meticulous calligraphy.  Last year came a change, and this year a new version via e-mail.  The text is included at the end of this message in its entirety, with no editorial comment.  “Tis the season….”

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Two or three Sundays ago, Julie who occasionally serves we customers with coffee at Caribou came over to my table.  She knows I do family history, and this time she told about one of those memoirs from a relative she knew little about.  I had a chance to glance at the typewritten memoirs, 20+ pages, written as people write, less than precise English, incomplete sentences, etc.  There were some clues about this person:  origin Norrkoping Sweden, about 1885, some rural townships in West Central Minnesota more or less between Alexandria, Fergus Falls and Staples; thence a move with some time in Montana; thence Pasco and Bellingham WA.

Three pages were missing – why or because of who unknown, but certainly there was some significant story, as yet unknown.

My advice to Julie was to use the rough manuscript as a starting point; and for her to simply write down any scraps that she had heard from anyone about people, dates, places – no matter if they’re complete or even accurate – they are blanks that can be filled in one piece at a time.

My most important piece of advice: don’t change a single word or phrase.  Let the document be exactly as it is.  Probably it was someone typing from a handwritten document, with its own errors.  But it is one of the starting points for reality of her own family story.

I told her I’d be writing this.  I hope she reads it.

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Just two days ago, literally, I noticed a yellowed newspaper clipping here in my home office, and decided to look at it.  The contents are below.  How did it come into my possession?  I’m not sure.  Almost 100% certainly it came via my parents, who lived in Grand Forks at the time (April 18, 1976).  And my Dad did the first several years of country school teaching at Allendale #1 in rural Thompson ND.  You will note there is a little piece of the article that is missing.  I can reconstruct that, most likely, some rodent nibbled at it over the years.  The Grand Forks Historical Society will hear about this, for sure.  They are mentioned in the article.

Grand Forks ND Herald Sunday April 18, 1976, p 37 (article follows)

Grand Forks ND Streetcar, Grand Forks Herald April 18, 1976

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“I’m Moving

Piled high boxes, the chances slim

Of which one the Christmas cards are in. 

It’s not to worry, the two lines above

Have started this season of scarf and glove

With some doggerel and like the year past,

No stamp, no zipping boots…the new die is cast.

And  new mantra, “refuse, rethink and rejoice,”

Sit back and tap the words of YOUR choice.

Forget Mr. Hallmark, he’s doing OK;

Same old words said the same old way.

And that post office trip, and maybe fall.

Some folks, I suppose, like to crutch down the hall.

With ailments enough, (I know I’ve plenty,

And don’t recover rapideamente.)

Sit back a moment, put on the brakes,

Think of the time writing cards takes.

Sealed, not delivered, now comes the freight,

(I’m sure you’re aware, it’s now fifty eight.)

How many cards? Small fortune indeed.

You know at the Ritz you’d have quite a feed.

Just sit back, in comfort, your two fingers tapping,

Next hit the send, then back nipping and napping.

Oh these days of Covid and that protocol, 

Card disinfecting (should be us) with alcohol.

Dig in firm, ignore the wail,

Sent today…received today…email.

“What!” they say, “no card…tis treason,

We care not at all your reason.”

They’ll come for me of that I’m sure…

Who’s that knocking on my door?

You know it’s that season, that season where

A slight bit of empathy infuses the air…

I guess it’s ‘bout time for summing things up,

These grumbling insides are ready to sup.

So Merry Christmas it’s now time to tell,

And though fats the chance, a peaceful New Year as well.

If you’re spinning a dreidel, by the fireside curled,

Happy Hanukkah, though passed, still: Oy To The World.                Norm..”

The Capri Big Band, pre-concert, Orchestra Hall Minneapolis Dec 19, 2021

COMMENTS:

from Jerry:  Thanks  for your Christmas blog, Dick.  I ran out of stamps sending Christmas cards.You are right that sending cards is expensive, both for higher postage rates and because cards seem to have almost doubled in price.  Greetings at Christmas and best wishes for 2022.

from Judy:  A very blessed Christmas to you Dick.  Thank you for all your excellent communication.  Peace to you.

from Brad: Merry Christmas et Joyeux Noël Dick, thank you for reminding me that giving is needed throughout the year. Your insights, thoughts, and kindness is always appreciated – you have a very lucky family!

from Leila: This is the third year I’ve enjoyed reading your messages for they’ve inspired me to remember different highlights from my otherwise ordinary life.
Wish you and your family a merry and bright Christmas .
Peace

from SAK in England:

Many thanks for that Mr Bernard & for all your work & blogs throughout the years!

Wooden streetcar – in such a cold climate? Perhaps it brought warmth & comfort!

Another lousy year I am afraid. Let’s not complain however but hope for much better times for this miserable humanity!

Wishing you & yours a Merry Christmas & a much improved New Year.

from SAK, Dec. 25 2021

Spare a thought for the Magi who travelled in the dead of winter with gifts for the new born Saviour!

They had no streetcar, wooden or otherwise!

 

“A cold coming we had of it,

Just the worst time of the year

For a journey, and such a long journey:

The ways deep and the weather sharp,

The very dead of winter.”

And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory,

Lying down in the melting snow.

There were times we regretted

The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,

And the silken girls bringing sherbet.

Then the camel men cursing and grumbling

And running away, and wanting their liquor and women,

And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,

And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly

And the villages dirty and charging high prices:

A hard time we had of it.

At the end we preferred to travel all night,

Sleeping in snatches,

With the voices singing in our ears, saying

That this was all folly.

 

From T.S. Eliot (an American who moved across the pond!): Journey of the Magi

Many embark on ventures that others think are folly & yet, & yet . . .

I have always liked that poem & the rest is great as well.

Lowell Erdahl

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Rev. Lowell Erdahl died Dec. 14 at age 90.  He was very well known in Minnesota.  Details were in the Dec. 19 Minneapolis Star Tribune, which can be read here: Lowell Erdahl obituary Dec 19 2021.

Lowell Erdahl, with his twin brother, Arlen, at a Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers event Nov. 15, 2009.

My particular connection to Rev. Erdahl was in the area of peace and justice.  As his obituary states, “throughout his life he was an advocate, champion and leader for peace and justice.”  He “walked the talk”.  Lowell joins a long list of peace and justice leaders who passed on in recent years.  Their legacy is now the responsibility of those of us for whom they were mentors.

Those active in the movement for peace and justice will likely recognize the names of some of Lowells colleagues who have passed on.  These are leaders I came to know personally.  My apologies for any inadvertent oversights of others who I missed.

It’s our turn, and our children generation, to carry on.

R.I.P. in the last 20 years :   Lowell Erdahl, Hank and Dotty Garwick, Joe Schwartzberg, Lynn Elling, Leslie Reindl, Mary Rose Goetz, Mary Lou Nelson, Mary White, Don Irish, Lyle Christianson, Veryln Smith, Wayne Wittman, Bob Heberle, John Braun, Tom Atchison.

Your additions to this list are solicited.

Best Wishes at this Season

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This morning the Friday morning regulars at the next table had completed their Bible study and were visiting.  One lamented that the news was all “politics”.  That’s true, of course.  We – every one of us – is “politics”.  And we can’t, and we mustn’t, avoid it.  But it is Christmas time….  

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Three thoughts come to the surface to end this year.

“You Raise Me Up”: Dec 15 brought one of those “forwards” that is truly extraordinary.  Below is the text accompanying the  4 minute video filmed on a street in Maastricht, Holland, for Netherlands public TV.

“The incredible story of Martin Hurkens…

For 35 years, Martin Hurkens made his living as a baker.Though he’d always dreamed of being a professional opera singer, he didn’t have the money to stay in music school. So, he sang while he baked (much to the delight of his customers).

Then one day, Martin lost his job with nothing to fall back on.  So, Martin took to the streets of Holland.   He’d place his hat down and sang his heart out, hoping for any donations he could get.

In 2010, Martin entered a reality TV talent show called “Holland Has Talent.”

…And what do you know – this aging singer came in first place and was thrust into the spotlight.

In the incredible video below, Martin returns to the very streets that gave him the confidence and faith he needed to pursue his dreams.

Though his recording career took off after he won the competition, it’s as if these passers-by hear his perfect tenor voice for the very first time.

As Martin belts out the classic contemporary hymn, “You Raise Me Up” a stunned crowd gathers around him, wandering up to place money in his hat.

Enjoy this video, here.”

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A Christmas Gift:  Back in 1985, June Johnson, then a teacher at Bigfork High School, wrote a wonderful memory of an early career experience in a country school in North Dakota.  Here it is, in pdf form: Chips from the Northern Branch

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The Station:  Back in the day when Ann Landers was a must-read, she published, at least twice, a marvelous short essay on living a life entitled “The Station”.  I saved both.  Perhaps you’ve seen the writing, perhaps not.  Here it is, brief, and very worth your time: The Station001

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Finally, I highlight once again the marvelously decorated tree across the way from our house.  Extra special thanks to Laura and Kyle  Kubes for the unique gift of the season:

Nov. 30, 2021

COMMENTS (more at end of post):

from Bob:  Thanks for sharing this, and do have a Glorious Christmas Season.  Your old friend and colleague.

from Leo: Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year to you and your Family….

from Jermitt: WONDERFUL.  THANK YOU.

from Christina: Dick, thank you so much for sending your “ending a year” blog. We read each of the articles and we’re so touched. That Ann Landers article so good that I want to pass it on to each of my kids.

from Molly: Molly regularly provides favorite pieces of poetry, and this is her offering at Winter Solstice: 2021 Winter Solstice poetry

 

Reflections at Sixty

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Today, hats off to Uncle Frank Bernard, who, at age 26, was beginning his 7th year as a sailor on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7, 1941.  And to his shipmates as well who also went down with the ship.  (I had the privilege to meet Frank in person, just five months before his death at Pearl Harbor.  I was only a year old, but no matter….)

Frank Bernard USS Arizona, undated

Happy Holidays!

Three years ago Dec. 4, 2018, they wheeled me in to ‘slice and dice’, and I came out some hours later the proud owner of a new aortic valve in my heart, compliments of a bovine, to whom I’m forever grateful.  60 years ago at about this date I finished the last class for my college degree.  There’s a lot of water under that bridge, somewhere around 21,000 days in all, “practice” at being an adult!

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These days I typically leave the house before sunrise, and November 30 I was greeted by a newly decorated tree across the street:

Nov. 30, 2021

I hardly ever rhapsodize about lawn decorations, but this tree spoke to me, symbolizing the season.

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For a number of reasons, 2021 has not been a “normal year”.  I have some recommendations for you this season and forward:

  1.  Ken Burns has partnered with PBS and others to form a new web presence.  I encourage you to at minimum visit the new site, Unum (as in E Pluribus Unum, “out of  many, one”), explained at Ken Burns home page.
  2. John Noltner has just published (September 2021) his third book, “Portraits of Peace, searching for hope in a divided America”.  There are 31 short chapters, each about 6 pages, each generally about one person John interviewed somewhere in the U.S., each chapter deserving of personal reflection and discussion in such venues as book clubs. A bonus: John uses these chapters to reflect on his own experiences basically when the 2008 recession forced him to change his well-established career.  Check out the book, and John’s website, here.  The website has much information of value.
  3. I happened to be watching TV on November 21 when the news shifted to the tragedy around a parade in Waukesha WI, in which 5 were killed and 48 injured.  For a long while, all that was known was that a red car was involved, and that the driver was in custody, but unidentified.  I will always remember the law enforcement official – the resident expert – commenting several times on why people do such evil things.  As I recall his mantra, the usual back-story reasons in the aftermath most often comes to be one or more of the following: Greed, Power, Hate, Revenge or Escape.  Of course, usually we immediately transfer this diagnosis to the alleged perpetrator.  It occurs to me that a good exercise for each of us at this season is to reflect on these words as they might apply to us, individually, now or at any time in the past.  It may be a bit uncomfortable, but, I think, useful.
  4. Finally, in looking through some archival material this fall, I came across a booklet from June, 1955, a commencement address at Hamline University in St. Paul.  The speaker, John Cowles, was taking a stab at predicting the future for the graduates.  Cowles, publisher of the newspaper that today is the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, was 56 years old, a graduate of Harvard many years earlier, and predicting the year 2000, which would be about the future retirement age for most of the graduates.  Here are his interesting remarks: John Cowles Hamline June 6 1955.  How do you see 45 years from now (2066) in our U.S. and world, when today’s college kids are about retirement age?  This isn’t an idle exercise in these unsettled times.

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Here’s my most recent photo.  At right is college grandson Parker, my birthday kin kid, albeit 62 years younger.  In background, hardly visible, is Cathy, and at left is Grandson Ryan.  Photo by my daughter and Parker’s Mom, Joni.  Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Thanksgiving 2021

COMMENTS (more at end of post):

from SAK:  Many thanks for that especially the address by John Cowles to the graduating class of 1955.

He got some things right (population explosion, dwindling resources, communication watches . . .) &, as he himself predicted, got other things wrong! I think it was Niels Bohr who said “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future”.  What I really liked was his warning about a possible nuclear war. Feels like we are closer to such catastrophe than at any time during the past few decades. He declares himself an optimist at the end of his address – I wish I myself could be as optimistic. Perhaps he would have toned down his optimism had he also predicted the climate crisis & the growing tensions between the US & China as well as the internal divisions poisoning so many countries.

Still I liked his address so much I converted it to a Word document – not as easily done as one would think assuming all the technological advances that he predicted!

Towards the end of his speech, he said:

“I hope that those of you who share my belief that the attainment of universal, enforceable disarmament is the most pressing problem of the second half of the 20th century will spread the doctrine with missionary zeal. I hope that those of you who are not convinced will continue to study and ponder the problem, always keeping in mind the alternatives.”

Surely the alternatives are too horrendous to contemplate but instead of universal, enforceable disarmament we have an escalating arms race with ever newer gadgets like drones, hypersonic missiles & cyber warfare. Friedrich Schiller got it right: “Against stupidity the very gods themselves contend in vain”.

Most of us will remember John Lennon’s Imagine (“Imagine all the people living life in peace” etc) well I also remember that the same John Lennon was shot dead on  December 8th, a day like today, and for no good reason.

But this is a special season & I have put up a few decorations & intend to be Merry!

Merry Christmas & a much improved New Year to all,

Two Unions Mature

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In a few months I’ll note the 50th anniversary of becoming a full-time teacher union staff person (March 1972).  This post is a personal reminiscence.  Another with a similar emphasis will follow on or about December 7.  The above photo was taken Nov. 30, 2021.

I’m getting on in years, and back in February I sent an e-mail to about 40 former colleagues from my teacher union career (1972-2000) inviting them to reminisce about the union years, up to and including the year that the Minnesota Education Association and Minnesota Federation of Teachers merged (August 31, 1998).  This was an important event, now nearly a quarter century old and the subsequent organization, Education Minnesota, seems to be functioning very well today.

Following are my own personal recollections of my teachers union, first MEA, then Education Minnesota, from 1972, when I joined staff, till 2000, when I retired.  Included are a few other recollections, note particularly those of colleague Stephanie Wolkin. Education Minnesota Alumni Reminiscence (5) At pages 40-43 are listed nearly all persons who were staff of the merged unions before and through the year of merger, 1998.

If you were part of either MEA or MFT in those years, or know some one who was, especially one who was active in the Unions, you or they may find these recollections of interest.  Additional memories are solicited.

SOME PHOTOS

MEA MFT Education MN – It required a tremendous amount of compromise to finally bury many years of competition between the two teacher unions.  The photo of the MEA was taken at the single time the professional staff went on strike against its employer, the state Union.  I happened to be President at the time, and I’m one of the two people pictured, beside my colleague Dave, who’s the one looking at the camera.  Strikes happened.   But except for a single year, 1981, they have always been rare.

MEA PSA ca 1979 – PSA was the professional staff union for MEA staff.  As one can quickly note, we were mostly young people – from our 20s through 30s.

MEA SoWashCo Conv April 1999 – My staff passion/preference was working with family-school-community partnerships, a priority of the Association.  This was one such assignment, at the end of my career, in the school district which later became my present home.  Here is the program booklet for the evening of the conversations themselves: Community Conversation 1999

MEA Staff 1995 & 98 – The staff met frequently, and in general worked well together.  The professional staff was generally approximately 50 staff.