America the Beautiful: Hill City, South Dakota

If you're looking for America, Hill City South Dakota is your destination. American history, wildlife, old-fashioned downtown shops, and restaurant food that tastes like grandma's Sunday dinner- it's all here.

Explore the Black Hills by steam train. The twenty mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone will provide amazing photos of landscapes, animals and the post card perfect towns of Keystone & Hill City. Of course, anyone who collects trains will be in awe with riding the locomotive- just like our ancestors did in the old days. After the ride, a myriad of shops and eatery's await.

Mount Rushmore is a must see for every American. The light show at night will leave you in tears & honored to be a U.S. citizen. Gutzon Borglum, and his son Lincoln, would be proud to know over two million people visit this monument every year. In 1927, the initial concept was to sculpt the presidents from head to waist. However, lack of funding forced the construction to end in 1941. Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt and Lincoln were chosen because of their dedication to preserving the Republic and expanding the territory. Mount Rushmore received its name from the leader of a prospecting expedition, Charles Rushmore, and his crew- David Swanzey (husband of Carrie Ingalls) & Bill Challis.

The Crazy Horse monument is a privately funded project commissioned by Henry Standing Bear to pay tribute to the Ogala Lakota warrior. The sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski started in 1948 and remained committed to the project until his death in 1982. His wife, Ruth, continued as the supervisor. Her decision to place emphasis on completing the face, as opposed to her husband's idea to complete the base, was a great success. Visitors to the monument increased dramatically, as well as private donations. Ruth died in May 2014.

Custer State Park consists of 71,000 acres of wild life; including 1500 free roaming buffaloes. A drive along Needles Highway is a must with a camera. Although the landscape & animals may seem surreal, it is wise to obey the park rule: Don't Approach the Buffalo. The banks of French Creek is where Custer's expedition discovered gold in 1874. One can also explore the log cabin of Badger Clark- South Dakota's first poet laureate.

Hill City, South Dakota. One of my favorite destinations.
God Bless America

Maggie's Thought for the Week...Be Thankful for the Small Stuff

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our blessings. Sometimes, these reflections rekindle memories of happier times when loved ones were with us. Other times, our thoughts may help us appreciate the fortunate opportunities & gifts in our lives.

Maggie was a great reminder of all the blessings in our world. She enjoyed scratching her back on the freshly cut lawn; just happy to have a yard to romp about on those carefree summer evenings. The smell of the slow-cooker on Sunday afternoons made her mouth salivate; as she guarded the kitchen until dinner was served. Family visits and guests to our home meant belly rubs or a new squeaky toy. Snuggled under her favorite blanket in her soft bed on a snowy day, while her owner watched old movies & drank hot chocolate.

We often forget it's the small stuff that creates the best memories. All the 'ordinaries' in our daily lives, when gone, becomes the most difficult to live without.

Be thankful for the small stuff.

When It's Family... I Remember Marriage Meant Forever

My childhood memories include family day-trips, holiday gatherings and Sunday barbecues. I can remember playing kickball in the neighborhood, riding bikes with friends, and watching 'Little House on the Prairie' with my sister. Most importantly, I recall most of my friends having parents who were married. Divorce...Separated...these words were said in a whisper & not very often. What happened?

That question got me thinking a few years ago. So, I decided to find out why. Why do so many people get divorced today? Why do so many people decide to live together without being married? Why has saying 'it's over' become so easy to say?

I thought about interviewing divorced couples and couples living together. I quickly realized that was the wrong direction. I remembered my father's advice- 'If you want to learn how to do something right, watch an expert.'  What qualifies a couple to be an expert at marriage. I decided, it was those who are still happily married after a reasonable amount of time as a married couple.

I don't remember exactly how I decided on the number of years, but I selected thirty. I would interview couples who have been married for thirty years or more. My questions were simple- Why do you think you are still married? Why do you think couples today don't stay married? What advice would you give newlyweds today?

Their responses were honest, heartfelt and memorable. What do I remember most from the interviews? The understanding that marriage is a job for a life-time. It takes constant nurturing, commitment and faith. That's a huge undertaken in a society that prides itself in fast, easy and replaceable.

After completing the book, I've had many interviewers ask if I think staying married for a life-time is realistic. My answer is yes....although I haven't tried it yet.

What do you think?

Maggie's Thought for the Week: Manners Are Important

Our world is constantly changing. Every day we hear how something can make our lives easier, or get something done faster. I believe one thing should never change- expecting everyone to have manners.

Maggie had impeccable manners. She waited her turn for the ball. She knew not to continue barking after being told to stop. She did not jump on people after hearing the word 'down'. As a puppy, it was difficult for her to stop the 'puppy-eyes' look for a piece of cheese. However, she eventually learned, sitting up straight & looking cute would get a treat much quicker.

People have lost the art of good manners. Somewhere along the way, it became unnecessary  to say thank you and please. Conversations now occur with listeners never looking the speaker in the eyes. The awareness of the tone of one's voice or facial expression is not easily understood; thanks to texting & social media. The thought of having 1,000 'friends' leads one to think it's okay to 'lose a few... I'll just get more.'

I always hold the door for the person behind me. Once, in the subway of New York City, I gave my seat to a pregnant lady- after watching three men remain seated in theirs as she walked by them. I look at people when they are talking to me, and listen to what they have to say. I verbally greet others on my daily walks or acknowledge their smile. The response I receive is always the same- 'You have such nice manners. Nobody does that anymore.'

When did having manners make someone anomalous?

When It's Family... I Remember My Army Buddies

Most people know me as a teacher. Thanks to a book contract and social media, more people are getting to know me as a writer. But once, for a brief period in my life, I was a soldier.

It always brings a smile to my face when people say to me, 'I can't picture you in the Army'.  I suppose most people assume the military means fighting with weapons and lots of push-ups. I do remember the push-ups and training for a multitude of weapons. However, the most important thing I learned from my training was always leaving someone or something better than when you first arrived. The best way to accomplish this goal- be helpful, be consistent and be prepared.

This goal is easy to accomplish with friends or colleagues who have the same goal. Maybe that's why I remember my soldier days as a time when it was so much easier to get things done. Everyone had a buddy who had your back. You and your buddy were part of a platoon who all shared the same goal. The main reason for our high success rate?  If the job didn't get done, the result was loss of life or failure to move forward. We all depended on each other and civilians depended on us.

Always being together meant good times & great memories. I recall the Saturday afternoons sitting on the steps of the barracks for the mail to arrive; hoping for someone to get a box of cookies. Waiting in line for an hour to make a phone call home; while waiting, talking to fellow soldiers about what our moms might be cooking for dinner if we were home. Climbing down fire escapes after 'social time' to meet the guys for an illegal soda or candy bar.

We were young. We knew we would all go in different directions. For a moment, though, we were together. So, we enjoyed our time every day. Not knowing the future, but being prepared & ready made us feel safe. Some of us never had the chance to grow old. Some of us live with fond memories.

God Bless Those Who Served & Those Who Serve Today

When It's Family... I Remember Swings

When I was a kid, there was a swing in the backyard. It was a place to day dream or spend time with a friend. You took turns pushing someone higher until their feet appeared to touch the sky, and you both giggled for each others emotional mix of fright & excitement.

In grammar school, I loved swinging with my classmates. On the school playground, we would have contests who could swing the highest or who could jump off and land the farthest. Sometimes, we would all swing in unison and talk about our teachers, parents or those stinky boys who always pulled our pony tails. It was those times we learned the art of conversation, friendship and supporting each other.  

Does anyone day dream any more? Swinging by yourself is a great opportunity to meditate and just enjoy being with you. Thinking about places you've been and places you want to go. Interesting how you can swing by yourself and nobody worries if you are lonely or upset. However, if you sit on a bench, people often ask if everything is okay.

Once, on vacation, there was a swing overlooking the ocean. Almost every morning, I woke up before sunrise to exercise on the beach. I would end my work out by watching the sunrise while sitting on the swing. Sometimes, my feet would pump the swing back & forth. Other mornings, I would just sit and stare towards the horizon- reflecting on past experiences and future endeavors. It was comforting and energizing at the same time.

I love swings.

Maggie's Thought for the Week: Every Season Is A Present

In New England, every season brings the same reaction to many- work to do for preparation of the coming season. Fall means raking leaves, protecting plants against frost, and the yearly furnace cleaning or wood stacking for the stove. Winter involves raking roofs to avoid ice dams, drying seeds for spring planting, and prioritizing house projects that can be accomplished once spring arrives. Spring chores include washing windows, fertilizing plants & lawns, and house repairs from the winter snowstorms. The summer season finds many relaxing on vacations planned during the 'winter blues', but also includes yard work, pool parties, and smores cooked over the fire pit.

Maggie enjoyed every season. Fall meant running thru leaves and trying to catch them in her mouth. Winter brought snow to roll in and smells from the slow cooker to fill the house with mouth-watering aromas. Spring was a time to enjoy the smell of fresh cut grass & blooming flowers as the days became longer. Summer meant dips in the pool to cool her paws and rest in the shade on the deck- waiting for that cherished scoop of vanilla ice cream on Sundays.

People tend to rush through the seasons. We talk about holiday madness, winter chores & spring cleaning. Many try to create picture-perfect summer vacations and Curry & Ives Family Christmas letters. Maybe we should just enjoy the present season, present holiday and the present moment. After all, no matter how much we worry or prepare, the seasons will come & go...and eventually they will all become a memory.

Every season is a present. Cherish the moments it brings. It may be your last season with a special someone. Enjoy the gift.