The most frequent question I’m asked regarding my daughter’s suicide is “How do you do it?” Well, as the saying goes, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” You just keep going. You hope you make it through the hard days without crying and you celebrate t…
My parents accented two reference points in life. They reinforced them in multiple ways as I grew up on our farm in southern Minnesota. More than 70 years later, I can report my progress — still climbing, stumbling and looking upward, inward and outward.
In my opinion, the two standout matches of the US Open this year were the men's final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev, and the second round match between Simona Halep and Taylor Townsend. The winners of each were left-handed players. I've watched a lot of tennis in my day and I can …
Recently I read that 1 out of every 3 Americans is either a stepparent, stepchild or is some form of a blended family. That is almost 100 million people. The family unit does not look like it did back in 1950, where the typical family unit consisted of mom, dad and the kids.
Last week, I wrote about tennis being a lifestyle and a lifetime sport. I received an email from a reader asking for some tips for senior players. It is true that as we get older our body does not always react as fast as in our younger days, but, I must first relate an experience that I had …
Sept. 8-15, 2019 is National Suicide Prevention Week. Each year, 47,000 Americans die by suicide. For every person who dies by suicide, 25 people attempt suicide. That’s 1,175,000 people who are in so much pain they feel they can do nothing but die to make their pain go away. With the United…
A lot of things come with a warning label these days. For example: tools and machinery, tobacco and alcohol products and toys with small parts. There is even talk of putting a warning label on soda beverages because of the high refined sugar content.
I am a member of the Minnetonka Climate Initiative (MCI), and am writing to encourage the Minnetonka City Council to create a Sustainability Commission and a Climate Action Plan (CAP). The need for urgent climate action cannot be overstated. Climate change cannot be denied — we are already f…
Wayzata’s big celebration, James J. Hill Days, kicks off Friday. Since 1975, the town has celebrated the railroad mogul and his impact on Wayzata.
Two thoughts come to mind as the kids head back to school: thank God I don’t have to go to school anymore, and I wish I’d thanked Miss Peseux. Miss Marion L. Peseux (rhymes with kazoo) was my sixth-grade teacher in 1961 and she was the best teacher I ever had.
Myth: I hear that I need to pronate my arm to get more speed on my serve, but when I try it as suggested, I get pain in my forearm and I’m less consistent. I must be doing something wrong.
It’s my favorite time of the year, back to school! I’m someone who loves a schedule, routine and organization. I’m all for the spontaneity of summer, but I love the routine that back to school brings.
Does it seem like you are always running more and working harder than your opponent in your singles matches? Exposing this next tennis "myth" may explain why.
The other day I was driving to the bank, bawling my eyes out. When I got to the bank the teller asked if I was OK, to which I responded, “I’m fine, I’m just getting my tears out of the way before my daughter’s wedding.”
The degrading of this generation’s youth has become shockingly common. Between memes only ‘80s kids can relate to and Buzzfeed quizzes Gen Z’ers can’t even get 1/12 on, we’re incessantly fed the idea that us “kids these days” simply aren’t as good as the children of the good ol’ days.
Back in the day, when I was learning tennis, we had, maybe, five to six VHS (remember those?) instructional tennis programs to chose from at the local video store. Today, there are literally thousands of websites and YouTube videos on tennis instruction. So how does the average recreational …
Playing doubles in tennis is like country music or coffee, you either love it or you don't.
It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic. I actually prefer small enclosed spaces to big open spaces. One of my favorite places I lived was in an apartment with one window. I like to feel cozy and know all windows and exits are secure.
Looking back, my life was changed by the Minnesota State Fair. It opened my eyes, emptied my billfold, warmed my heart, put college on my radar, and brought the importance of education and people into my focus.
A good question from a reader — “Coach Brian, I enjoy your articles… With all of the new changes in smaller courts, rackets and the new foam tennis balls for kids, can you write more about parental involvement in getting more youth to try tennis?” -Barney, of Plymouth.
Five words from the oft-quoted challenge to the nation by President Kennedy in his inaugural address is the title of this column. These words inspired me to pose a question for all who drive on our Minnesota roads. More about that quote and my question a bit later.
Much has changed through the years at the corner of Lake Street and Barry Avenue in Wayzata — particularly the businesses that occupied that part of Wayzata.
Healthcare is a central piece in the puzzling journey of a happy and healthy life. We all require quality medical care for everything from stitches to chronic disease, and each life stage brings new issues that require unique forms of care.
My house feels like a palatial mansion at the moment. It definitely is not one. My perspective on space has changed after spending a week in a Sprinter Van from RVThereYet.com on an epic road trip.
How I would sum up Wimbledon 2019 in a sentence for those who might want the super condensed versions: It was the best, saved for last or the “slice” stole the show or will we see the same rematches in the 2020 Wimbledon final? or those pesty tie-breaks!
About two years ago, I researched some interesting facts about tennis and wrote an article for this newspaper. ("A look at the sport of tennis," March 6, 2017). I was pleasantly surprised to learn that, worldwide, tennis is the fastest-growing individual sport.
In our neighborhood, people walk their dogs, kids play in the streets and everyone greets each other as they pass. We haven’t lived here very long so I don’t know everyone. While walking tonight, I approached an unfamiliar couple and we started chatting. Before long, the inevitable question …
Where the heck did I put that file? Don’t I own any tape? OMG why do I have so much tape? These are just a few examples of the things I struggle with in my home office. I love that I primarily work from home. For me, I can’t imagine it any other way. Personally, I feel I’m more productive wi…
We are often so destination driven that we forget to enjoy the journey. I spent years driving to Mankato when my girls were in college. Each time I made the picturesque drive, I wanted to stop and check out an antique store or historic site. I never did. I was too focused on getting to my de…
Now that summer is in full swing you may be preparing to make property improvements.
Now that summer is in full swing you may be preparing to make property improvements. If you live near a lake, stream or wetland, it’s important to do a little research before you get started. Doing so will save you time and money and help protect the water that you live on or near.
Your parents said, “We think you are ready for big boy underwear instead of diapers.” Now you pay attention to Depend ads on TV and hear your doctor ask the question “Any trouble with urine drips?”
I love the smell of fresh-cut grass in the morning, but I hate seeing my favorite professional tennis players slipping and falling-down on the grass courts at Wimbledon.
The No. 1-ranked U.S. women’s national team is in France as you read this, crashing through every other World Cup team in their path. Through the first three games they have scored an almost absurd 18 points while allowing their opponents nil.
Many tennis fans expected to see some of the younger professional players break through and win one of the major tournaments this year.
Guns are not something I grew up around, nor something I’ve had good experiences with.
What I want to talk about is somewhat controversial, in that it stirs up strong feelings in people. Some feel judged, some are frightened by the similarities they might be reading about, some will welcome the idea and support the change.
School is officially over for the year and while I am thrilled and proud of the 2019 graduates that I know, I am still waiting for the awards and the scholarships that are based on being a good human. The other awards and recognitions are important and all, but I wonder what the world would …
The kids are doing the countdown to summer! I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that 2019 is almost half over. I’m not sure how that happened so fast. We are already looking ahead and planning things for December.
Many years ago, Robert Fulghum wrote the widely acclaimed book, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”; he recounted life’s lessons such as play fair, don’t hit people, put things back where you found them, and don’t take things that aren’t yours, etc. Research moves that cloc…
When I was a little boy, growing up in the 1950s, I was in awe of our World War II veterans. Everyone's dad had served during the war. If you asked them a direct question about what they'd done, they told you. Mostly, they didn't really talk about it. My generation — the baby boomers — recei…
There are only a handful of birds that elicit pure excitement and joy when it shows up at your backyard feeding station.
With the warmer weather this past month, we were able to continue our effort to improve the water quality and ecological integrity of Wassermann Lake in Victoria. In a partnership with the city of Victoria, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) treated a pond on the west side of Wass…
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Minnesota and Wisconsin are known hot beds for Lyme disease, otherwise known as the great imitator. It mimics other diseases, which is what can complicate getting proper treatment and the correct diagnoses. Add to that, the knowledge that current tests fo…
Recently I learned of the Minnetonka High School students who are raising awareness for Mental Health through a student-run organization called MHS Wellness. Since May is Mental Health Month, they have been very active. Among other things, last week they painted the rock in front of the scho…
Mother’s Day is coming up. It’s a day where we celebrate and show our appreciation of the women in our lives who we call mom. When my mother died seven years ago, on Mother’s Day I scattered her ashes in the ocean off of the island I grew up on, on a beach she loved dearly. In Hawaii, we cal…
South of my boyhood home, across the gravel road and behind the mailbox was a manmade drainage “ditch” — very deep and wide. This waterway drained 19,000 acres of swamp land from Geneva Lake to Austin, Minnesota.
Aug. 1, 2019, will usher in a safer Minnesota. On that day we will be able to proudly claim residence in a state with a hands-free law. Thanks to Gov. Tim Walz for putting his signature on a bill that had evaded passage for close to a decade in the state legislature. The ever-worsening distr…
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) opened Gray’s Bay Dam at the outlet of Lake Minnetonka on March 21, despite there still being more than a foot of ice on the lake.
What are labels? In terms of people, they are what we use to identify someone, so as to give them context in our world. I’m not talking about names. I’m talking about how we identify ourselves or how others identify us. I’m a mother, stepmother, grandmother, friend, sister, neighbor, etc. I’…
