Okay, I have to confess: I am a total nerd when it comes to learning. 

Earlier this week, I was giddy - and I mean that in the most literal sense (like, standing outside the doors when they opened so I could get a front row seat) - spending two full days at the Nobel Conference at Gustavus...

I hope you’ve had a productive, energizing week. I’m guessing it’s been a busy one for you (it sure has been for me), so I hope your Friday is providing an off-ramp into a restful, restorative weekend!

Tomorrow, September 21, is World Gratitude Day, so that makes it the perfect...

My parents are in town this weekend, and today we are zipping out to the college my daughters attend 90-minutes away so my folks can see the girls’ college dorm rooms. (Yes, my daughters ended up choosing the same college, which I have to admit is very, very convenient!)

This morning, I...

Last week, my family and I visited the Minnesota State Fair (the “Great Minnesota Get-Together”), an annual tradition for our family filled with all the sensory delights you could imagine—mouth-watering food, endless activities, and a vibrant atmosphere. 

The State Fair is...

A few weeks ago, my oldest daughter and I met a sweet rescue dog named Sadie. We connected with her immediately—her gentle eyes and tentative wag of the tail spoke volumes. But just as we were about to welcome her into our family, life got hectic. I had speaking engagements in Philadelphia,...

I’m just back from our week-long trip to Berlin, and while the jet lag is still hanging on a bit (it’s amazing how much you can get done at 3:00 a.m. because your body thinks it’s 10:00 a.m.), the memories we made are more than worth it!

There’s something truly magical...

Greetings from Berlin! 

I wrote this note to you this morning as the city was still quiet, and my husband and daughters were fast asleep after a long and unexpectedly eventful journey. I had the lovely chance to enjoy some coffee and muesli as I thought about you! (I had intended to write...

Growing up, I always worked hard in the summers. As a first-generation college student who paid my way through college and graduate school, I had to have multiple jobs every summer (and throughout the school year). 

One of my (many) summer jobs was a lifeguard. I worked at public pools all...

This weekend is the annual city festival in our town. Every year since the kids were small, we stop by, eat some “fair food”, check out the vendors, and let the kids ride a few carnival rides.

This got me thinking about the merry-go-rounds that we all see at every carnival, especially...

Greetings from Franklin Grove, IL (population about 900)! 

I'm currently here for my 30th high school reunion, and I can’t wait to see my classmates tomorrow for a BBQ get-together and bonfire (thank heavens it’s a bit cooler than it has been - 78 and sunny will be...

I hope you're all enjoying the summer as much as we are in my family! 

I’m at the Professional Development Consortium (PDC) conference in San Diego, but I wanted to pop into your inbox and share a personal story from our family’s Fourth of July celebrations last week that offered...

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July - so here is an advance “Happy Fourth of July!” since you are hopefully out of the office tomorrow relaxing a bit. 

Before I check out for a long weekend of fireworks, s’mores around the campfire, boat rides on one of Minnesota’s 10,000...