March marks my first anniversary as editor with RochesterWomen. This year, I’ve edited over 100 articles for publication, read thousands of emails and over 400 story ideas, seen hundreds of incredible photos and had a dozen cups of coffee with the editorial staff while planning each issue—all of which I expected and enjoyed.

But two things have surprised me. First, I never thought people would actually read my “from the editor” letters. I always assumed everyon—except my immediate family and closest friends who are bound by blood and other oaths—would just skip my prattle and dive right into the articles. So, many thanks to everyone (and anyone) who reads this, especially my friend Sherry who says she likes my letters because I write the way I talk. Second, I’ve never had a job where I enjoy phone calls so much. People are excited to talk with me and share their stories…a monumental change from my days as an attorney.

Every December, we reflect on the passing of another year—pay tribute to those we’ve lost, celebrate great moments and give a sigh of relief that we passed through hardships.

In 2012, RochesterWomen embraced challenges and triumphs, including new staff members and three Excellence Awards from Minnesota Magazine & Publishing Association. Please join me in congratulating my colleagues who received much deserved praise from MMPA in November:

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. The smell of roast turkey wafts throughout the house. Sugar-crusted pecan pie waits on the hutch for coffee and conversation. Loved ones bustle in, shaking the last of fall off their coats, knowing the white chill of winter is just around the corner. It welcomes all ages and faiths. It is uniquely American, begun by people who built more graves than homes but who were thankful nonetheless. It quiets my Post-Modern grousing.

Throughout her 14-year encounter with cancer, my mother used to say, “I am not dying of cancer; I am living with cancer.”

She was not delusional about her condition; she knew that it could take her life, which in fact it did last September, but she chose to live…through every bought of chemo and every doctor’s appointment filled with bad news. She refused to let life pass her by one moment before her time.

This issue we celebrate the mothers of Rochester. “The Call of the Soil” and “Accounting Ledgers and Christmas Hams” explore the dreams and adventures of several mother-daughter business ventures. In “Because I Said So!” I hear much of my own voice—and my mother’s—in Amy Brase’s advice to her young children.

    My first “child” was a basset hound, Freddie, followed three years later by my daughter, Meg. I thought having a dog would prepare me for motherhood, and in some ways it did. Of course, with Freddie I didn’t learn what sleep deprivation was, how to give a bottle or what it is like to carry a diaper bag everywhere for two years. But I became responsible for someone other than myself and, in return, experienced the wonder, love and affection that grow from the love you give another. That is what motherhood is all about, albeit the care of a child or a pet.

A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are for.
Sail out to sea and do new things. --Grace Hopper

When I started my first job after college, my dad told me, “You’ll never be this poor again.” He meant, of course, that I would likely work my way up the financial ladder as my career grew.

Sometimes, when I’m frantically running from one job/gig/appointment/event to the next, I look around, watching people around me doing the same running. I know it’s standard procedure this time of year to resolve to do more of some things, less of others. Every January I look longingly at the cushy canvas chair I bought in 2001 and envision myself enveloped in it, reading. But in order to get to that poor chair I’d have to change my entire life structure.  I’m simply too busy.

Three years ago, Joel and I were the happy owners of four Springer Spaniels when we got a phone call that changed our life.

    A stray Springer had been turned into the local shelter, but the shelter was full. A volunteer for a Springer rescue group (springerrescue.org) asked if we would foster him for until he could be adopted. Cooper was a cuddly, smart, energetic, ball-chasing dog whose new family still sends us updates and gratitude. Since then, we have helped rescue and foster 19 more Springers and I have volunteered to transport dozens of dogs from other states to Minnesota rescue groups.

During the holidays, we are all involved in productions in one way or another. It might be acting in a heartwarming holiday play, singing the Hallelujah Chorus, helping kids learn their lines for school or church programs or driving young dancers to Nutcracker performances. Even our kitchens become stages for baking, cooking and hosting; we seem to be in production in every area of life. My holiday performing is mostly musical. In November and December, I have 17 scheduled rehearsals or concerts. It seems everyone wants live music, and I have a history of saying yes to everything. I will be playing my horn for church services, Yulefest, Festival of Trees, quintet concerts and maybe even the Civic Theatre’s production of White Christmas. What can I say … the spirit of giving makes me do it. That same spirit has inspired a relatively new theatre company, Words Players, to undertake a production of gigantic proportions: “The Spirit of Christmas Past: A Christmas Carol.” More of an experience than a play, this holiday performance includes a Dickens market, trolley rides to and from the Mayowood Stone Barn venue after dinner at The Restaurant, the “streets of London” and more than 70 cast members. Behind the scenes, a group of talented women are managing the budget, costumes, market and technical details, all so Tiny Tim can take center stage and recite his famous line, “God bless us, every one.”