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Wonder on Wings
It was a cool morning, and I happily stepped inside the warm, humid butterfly house off Highway H in the Dells. A yellow swallowtail flew toward me while other butterflies flitted about as a worker set out fresh banana and watermelon slices. I had an unusual question for Diane Wright, co-owner of Brilliant Butterflies in […]
A Gift From Sunnie
Being Sunnie's human is never dull. Life with a puppy is filled with surprises. This morning, I spent several minutes working on a routine to show family and friends all the commands Sunnie has learned. I'm setting the choreography to Bobby Hebb's "Sunny." The lyrics of that 1966 song describe a life once "filled with […]
A Brush with the Fountain of Youth
While Juan Ponce de León spent his life searching for the fountain of youth, Betty Heller-Hobbs seems to have found it right here in Wisconsin Dells. At 93, her eyes still sparkle with mischief and curiosity. My husband and I visit her condo overlooking Lake Delton. Everywhere we look are vivid paintings, framed family photos, […]
Goodbye Lake Delton
I walked toward the doors of Lake Delton Elementary for what was likely the last time. The school where I had taught for thirty-three years would soon close, but the memories still rushed in. My fourth-graders hopped in potato sacks during Pioneer Day races in the field. Near the tall tree, we released painted lady […]
Under Maple’s Branches
Forty-nine years ago, my husband, Frank, of only a few months, and my father dug up a silver maple sapling from the yard of the home where I had spent my teen years. Back in the 1970s, people often planted silver maples for quick shade because the trees can grow three to seven feet a […]
A Keeper of Stories
Like the quilts displayed in her home, Jean Brew’s life is a tapestry of stories, carefully stitched, lovingly preserved, and meant to be passed down. Recently honored with the William Canfield History Award, Jean has spent a lifetime making sure the past is not forgotten. But for her, history isn’t about dates or dusty artifacts. […]
A Bracelet of Mothers
Many years ago, my aunts gave me a gift unlike any other. It wasn’t wrapped in glittery paper with ribbons and bows. It came in a simple box—plain, sturdy, dependable. Much like the women it honored. Inside was a bracelet made of wooden panels, each one bearing the photo of a mother in my family […]
The Eight-Dollar Shoes That Lightened My Footprint
My granddaughter is getting married in a few months, which means I needed to find a pair of dress shoes. This may not sound like breaking news, but for me, it ranked somewhere between preparing taxes and breaking off another tooth. I dread shoe shopping. Dress shoes are expensive, and many seem designed for young […]