Opinion

Jumping Beans Dog trainers often get asked how to stop a dog from jumping on people. Jumping up can be cute in a little dog or puppy, but it’s potentially dangerous in a big adult dog.

I recently joined disability advocates from around Minnesota to attend Dreaming Disability Justice led by Mia Thor, a 2021 Bush Fellow. I learned why people say “This is Jenna,” before speaking inclusively during Zoom meetings. This is because people who are deaf and hard of hearing need to watch the interpreter and not hunt around the Zoom cubes to find who is speaking. Being vulnerable- I was reminded of my need for greater patience when conversing with people who need to repeat themselves or topics. To be inclusive is to be intentional, patient, flexible, and truly desiring to make a safe space for all to be heard in whatever way their voice is given to word.

What a relief to have ample moisture in our region this year so far, though those in the Rainy River basin are struggling with too much. I am personally attempting to take what nature grants us with ease after last year’s drought. I spent a lot of time over winter thinking on how we can better conserve water resources. We currently use rain barrels and years ago landscaped a rain garden into our yard. Each year I incorporate more native plants and trees into our landscape. Of course, these efforts were accomplished to help conserve water. Now my thought process has changed and I’m not only thinking about what we can do to conserve, but also mitigate the effects of too much water.

Physical Activity One would be hardpressed to find a person who has not heard about the health benefits of exercise or physical activity. What can be equally important is understanding that exercise or physical activity is not just for young folks that go to the gym, yoga studio or are out running trails.

I like to think I am a level-headed person, but when things really start to swirl, I can start to spin. How to ground ourselves in a time of seeming chaos, confusion, and upheaval? The Lake County Press is a member of the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA), a voluntary trade association whose mission statement includes this goal: “To secure improved standards in the practice of the profession of journalism, and to promote a high standard of conduct and professional ethics in the business of newspaper publishing by elevating its tone, purifying its expressions, enlarging its usefulness, advancing its wisdom and justice, and extending its influence in the work of true civilization.” A lofty and worthy goal, in my opinion.

There is turmoil in town. Turmoil town.

I’ve been back on land for two weeks now. I encounter friends and neighbors in the streets and on the trails, many of whom want to know how it feels to be back on land. I tell them the truth–it feels great. There’s no place like home, and with 14 years under our belt, we have dug in some roots here.