Snoopy, we hardly knew you

Call me old fashioned, but I was dismayed to see the following headline in the Minnepolis Star Tribune newspaper today "Mall negotiating to replace Snoopy with SpongeBob" Since the Mall of America (or MOA for those in the know) opened back in the 90's, the indoor amusement park was known as Camp Snoopy. There was a big snoopy statue and Snoopy's huge water dish was at the park's entrance. Several years ago, becuause of a dispute over trademark, the amusement park suddenly became the Park at the MOA or something like that. I keep referring to it as Camp Snoopy.

I am for the most part a forward thinking person. I am open to change and encourage people all the time to change, change their job, change their resume etc. However, I have found in some ways I resist change. I still call the local department store Daytons's, although it has gone through several revelations since then, Marshall Fields, and now Macy's. I don't do it to be contrary (at least I don't think so) I just don't see a need to change just because of the sake of change.

So I guess it isn't surprising that I am balking at the prospect of more change in my life. I like Snoopy and the Charlie Brown character. Not only did I grow up reading the comics with Charlie Brown, but I fondly remember "The Great Pumpkin" and "Charlie Brown's Christmas". Nothing like a loser, to make yourself feel better. In college, I played the role of Linus in a sorority rush play.

What type of character is Spongetop Bob (or whatever his name is)? Anyone who reminds me of cleaning can be up to no good. Anyone want to go to Camp Snoopy?

In the Blink of an Eye

I was reminded this afternoon how quickly things can change in our lives, literally in the blink of an eye.

Tuesday January 2, Aaron Holm was headed back to work after a great holiday
vacation with family and friends. On his way to work he was called by a
colleague from his office to come to the rescue of changing a flat tire at 394
& 169. We all know that Aaron would give the shirt of his back to help
anyone and everyone and so he did.Aaron parked behind his colleague and went to
survey the situation. At this time a car came behind his and crashed into his
car sandwiching him between 2 cars. Thank heaven above that God was watching
over Aaron because he is alive! Tragically, Aaron lost a leg at the scene of the
accident. He was transported to North Memorial where the best surgical team was
awaiting his arrival to try and save his second leg. After over 3 hours of
surgery, they were able so save the 2nd leg just below the knee. The next 7-14
days are crucial. Aaron will need surgery every 48 hours to finish the
reconstruction and fight off the possibility of infection.Aaron is a fighter. He
indeed will fight this battle and win. He is at North Memorial in Robbinsdale in
Intensive Care. The family has requested no visitors at this time but encourages
lots of prayers.

Aaron and his family are thankful that he is alive, if he had been kneeling by the wheel, he would have been killed. He is planning on walking again by summer.

This is just a reminder not to take anything for granted. Our lives can change forever in an instant. Please keep Aaron, his wife and their three small children in your prayers.

Global Warming? I Think Not

I have a feeling that the idea of Global Warming is not being fully embraced in Colorado, who just had their third snow storm in as many weeks. Granted, a lot of areas of the country are enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures for January (we say some golfers enjoying the links outside Madison, WI yesterday), but is a couple of weeks of warm weather something to despair or rejoice?

I am not holding my breath on Minnesota becoming the next Arizona. Yes, we did break a high temp record this week, but let's face it, the old temperature was set back in the late 1800's. As this article in the Canadian Free Press says

We should listen most to scientists who use real data to try to understand
what nature is actually telling us about the causes and extent of global
climate change. In this relatively small community, there is no consensus,
despite what Gore and others would suggest.
Here is a small sample of
the side of the debate we almost never hear:
Appearing before the Commons
Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development last year, Carleton
University paleoclimatologist Professor Tim Patterson testified, "There is no meaningful correlation between CO2 levels and Earth's temperature over this [geologic] time frame. In fact, when CO2 levels were over ten times higher than they are now, about 450 million years ago, the planet was in the depths of the absolute coldest period in the last half billion years." Patterson asked the committee, "On the basis of this evidence, how could anyone still believe that the recent relatively small increase in CO2 levels would be the major cause of the past century's modest warming?" Patterson concluded his testimony by explaining what his research and "hundreds of other studies" reveal: on all time
scales, there is very good correlation between Earth's temperature and
natural celestial phenomena such changes in the brightness of the Sun.

Let's get back to enjoying the warm weather as the blessing it is.

Let it Snow!

After a meager dusting of snow for Christmas, we finally got a good snowfall for New Years! It might have made travel difficult for New Year Eve revelers, but it was a beautiful sight to see. A Minnesota winter without snow is not a winter at all.