#CBWC: Along the Water Trails

This week’s entry for Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge (CBWC) includes photos depicting in or on water. I’m not sure if “alongside” water counts, but it’s what I have to offer this week. When I bike or walk the local trails, I often parallel or cross water in the form of a lake, a river, a channel, or marsh. The Fox Valley area has plenty of water spaces to enjoy throughout the year. Following are a few water photosRead more

#WATWB: An Artistic Mission

For this month’s We are the World Blogfest, I’m sharing a link to a post I published in August of 2016. I’ll give you a few minutes to read HERE and come back to the present. UPDATE: Arts Camp is going stronger than ever and there have been a few changes of note since 2016. In 2018, approximately 430 kids signed up for Arts Camp and this year there were about 535. The program keeps growing! It continues to be aRead more

#WATWB: Inscribed in a Sidewalk

What has surprised me about participating in We are the World Blogfest is that I have learned much about my own community – from the Cycling Without Age program at Brewster Village to the Fox Valley Memory Project to the work that Habitat for Humanity does in the Appleton area. This has been an eye-opening experience in how I have not paid attention to the events and organizations that are doing good things for people in the Fox Valley community.Read more

#WATWB: Fox Valley Memory Project

Fox Valley Memory Project As many of my readers know, my 97-year old mom has dementia and lives in assisted living. We have had quite the journey together with the various stages of dementia – watching the decline, keeping mom from being anxious and trying to have peaceful conversations. It is no wonder, then, that my heart lit up like a Christmas tree when I found out about the Fox Valley Memory Project in Appleton and surrounding communities. “The FoxRead more

#WATWB: The Cycles of Love

Those who know me know that I love my bicycle. They know I ride as much as possible in the summer, as it is a passion on two wheels. While attempting to find a positive story for this month’s “We Are the World Blogfest,” I found two local, cycling-related projects that I hope will bring as big a smile to your face as they did mine. Riverview Gardens – Earn a Bike Riverview Gardens is a non-profit organization in Appleton,Read more

When a Door Closes…

Trinity Lutheran Church of Appleton was founded in 1915 with 15 charter members and three children. Construction of the Allen Street church (shown below) began in 1923 after Trinity’s congregation outgrew its small chapel at Oneida and Harris streets. The building was dedicated in 1925. Sadly, this church and its history will soon end. I came to know the lower level of the church several years ago when I began volunteering for Loaves and Fishes of the Fox Valley. This non-profit, well-runRead more

In Harmony

The “We are the World” Blogfest kicks off today with a plethora of worldwide posts. This blogfest’s goal is to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. This month’s co-hosts, Damyanti Biswas, Belinda Witzenhausen, Simon Falk, Sylvia McGrath and Ashlynn Waterstone welcome participants and encourage all to join in during future months. #WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month. Click HERERead more

Why?

Back on April 14th, I wrote about rejoicing in the first bike ride of the season. If you didn’t click on the link to that post, please do so. I only ask that you go look at the photo. Pay attention to where I am standing and the Trestle Trail bridge behind me. I’ll wait. I remember that day, when my biking buddy commented about how wonderful it was to see so many people out on the trail and in theRead more

The Season of Orange Barrels & Evil Concrete

A friend of mine, who lives near Chicago, posted this on her Facebook page: It’s officially Hell/Summer in Illinois. It’s over 50 degrees and every (#$%^*@$) possible route to work is under construction – even the ‘long way.’ Kill me now. I chuckled to myself. Quite loudly. I’m in the same boat. As soon as the snow melts and the temperatures hit a respectable high in Wisconsin, the proliferation of orange barrels and detours cause drivers to swear over theRead more