Congratulations Dave

Today, I want to divert from my regular visit to America postings to congratulate my very good friend and honorary member of my family, Sarah’s husband, Dave, who recently graduated with a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership.

I know the amount of hard work and dedication, and family support, it takes to achieve something like this.

I have never spoken much of Dave in my postings and I’m glad I now get the opportunity to do so. Dave is one of the nicest most unassuming people I have met during my visit to America – indeed, I could say in my whole life – He left nothing undone to make me welcome to his home during my visit.

Dave is a dedicated family man who lives for his wife and children – a quality that ranks very highly with me.

Congratulations Dave and Sarah, and long may you enjoy the fruits of your hard work and dedication.

From left to right: Dave's proud moment, Dave, Sarah, Davey and Derek,
Dave and Sarah, Dave's proud parents, Mr and Mrs Walstrom.

My Visit To America....Part4

On Sunday, Judy and I travelled the short distance to attend church at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Tom is a member of the choir there and he had preceded us at an earlier time.

Joe and Judy at the door of the church

This was the first of the three times I would attend service at this church and each time I found it to be a beautiful experience. I loved the welcoming atmosphere, the beautiful choir and, of course, the great homilies of the Rev. Bruce Robbins.

Attending Service at this church is an event rather than an obligation. I certainly don’t mean that in any disrespectful way but to listen to the choir, and take part in the full participation of the congregation, there is no sense of time or boredom.

Later in the day, Judy and I went for a walk on Medicine Lake. No! Not a misprint and we certainly hadn’t suddenly achieved miraculous powers. Medicine Lake is a large lake situated close to Tom and Judy’s house. At the time of my visit, it was completely frozen and could be traversed with complete safety. Due to the thickness of the ice though safety is not an issue, but to me, that had never seen anything like this in my life, it was another thought provoking experience.

Joe and Judy walking on water

At the time we were there, except for a few of the more adventurous, the lake was practically deserted, but had my visit taken place earlier in the winter, it would been a hive of activity. The lake has always been a venue for ice fishing, but in recent years also, it has become host to various artists and other attractions. I believe it can be quite a festive time.

On Monday, Judy and I drove to Chaska to fulfill another long-awaited pleasure – the meeting of her father and her other daughter, Kara.

On the way to fulfill this appointment, we stopped by the cemetery where Judy’s mother lies at rest. I felt privileged to visit this hallowed place and stand by the graveside of the woman that Judy has told me so much about and who, I know, she misses so much. As I stood there, I felt a deep sense of reverence and honour to know I was in the presence of the beautiful lady that played such an all important part in the life of my friend.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. (May her soul be on God’s right-hand side).

At the graveside. Pictures published by kind permission of Judy

I found it hard to leave this place, but time was catching up with us and after laying flowers on the grave and saying our silent prayers, we left to have lunch with Judy’s dad and Kara at one of my favourite restaurants – Perkins.

Joe, Judy, Judy's dad and Kara at Perkins

Judy, Kara, and I arrived first but it wasn’t long before I saw a smartly-dressed, energetic man approach. Having spoken to him on video on previous occasions, I knew him instantly to be the man I was so looking forward to meeting in person. He greeted me with his, by now, familiar observation - “YOU’RE a good-looking guy” lol. The poor man! And he is, otherwise, so clear-thinking and observant.

Lunch was a most enjoyable affair. Again I must say, I love the Perkins restaurants. Besides, this restaurant comes highly recommended. Judy’s dad goes there regularly for his favourite meal of pancakes. See Judy's post (http://judyslife.blogspot.com/2007/04/nice-to-be-with-youall-of-you-part-2.html).I once heard somebody say they didn’t like Perkins because the coffee served after their meal was cold. Well my humble opinion is, if you have lunch with two beautiful ladies and a man who thinks you’re a “good looking guy”, who the he.., err dickens cares if the coffee is a little cold?

Lunch was over and unfortunately, it was time to say good bye to Kara as she had to get back to her work place, but Judy’s dad then took us on a tour of part of the city of Chaska. He took us to see the house at 210 Oak St, which was once the family home.

Judy looking at the old family home

Sitting in the car opposite the house, I listened with interest as Judy and her dad reminisced about their years living in the house. They talked of the time the great Minnesota River overflowed and flooded the town. A dike had been built in previous years to contain the river but, notwithstanding that, water of the river overflowed and broke through. Town engineers averted a major tragedy by boring a hole through the dyke, thereby allowing the water to filter through gradually rather than a huge torrent over the top. Judy’s house being in the direct path of the water was flooded but with the help of family friends, they managed to move their perishable items, including a new carpet that had just been laid, to a higher level of the house. They then stood in their kitchen having coffee and doughnuts waiting for the water to come before moving to a family friend’s house where they spent the next three weeks. I wonder why the band on the deck of the Titanic playing Nearer My God to Thee, comes to mind at this particular moment.

Judy’s dad told us how Chaska was once famous for its brick manufacturing industry. An abundance of high quality clay led to the start of brick making in 1857 and by the 1880’s, as a result of the clay resources, Chaska was a thriving brick manufacturing centre. Bricks were shipped to St Paul by boat. The city of Chaska grew as a result of the steamboat trade, but rapid expansion really began when the Minneapolis and Saint Louis Railroad was built through the town in 1873.

Chaska City Park

Chaska's history also reflects the influence of the Native American culture. The first inhabitants are believed to be the Mound Builders, whose ancient communities are marked by mounds in City Square. Later, the Dakota (commonly known as the Sioux) were the primary nation in this region known as the Big Woods. Although the Indian mounds located in Chaska City Square indicate the immediate area was inhabited years before 1769, that's the year Chaska's recorded history began.

A beautiful gazebo also stands in the city square. Judy recounted how she often danced round this as a younger girl to the music of the Friday night dance bands (I promised her I would use the word younger).

My Visit To America...Part3

After a relaxing morning on Saturday, Tom suggested that we take a ride (for the benefit of my home readers – a drive) through the city and then go on to Stillwater to have a meal in the Dock café on the banks of the St Croix River.

Tom and Judy first took me through the most historical area of Minneapolis, the historical warehouse district, which is part of what I believe to be the birthplace of Minneapolis, the Riverfront. The river, of course, is the famous Mississippi.

My research, coupled with Tom’s very informative narrative as we drove along, tells me that a European priest called Father Louis Hennepin first came to the area, which is now known as Minneapolis, in 1680. Father Hennepin named the Saint Anthony Falls on the Mississippi after his patron saint, Anthony of Padua.

Throughout the 1600s and 1700s, the area was passed back and forth from French to Spanish and finally to U.S. rule when it was purchased in 1803 by what is known as the Louisiana Purchase.

Early in the century St. Anthony Falls was mainly a tourist attraction, but the same falls that inspired travellers also attracted millers and lumbermen.

The city of Minneapolis was then born from the banks of the Mississippi River and was built from the flour and lumbering mills which prospered here a century ago on the power of St. Anthony Falls. Over the course of 35 years, the riverfront grew from a frontier establishment to a major industrial city. In 1870, the city’s population was 13,000. 20 years later it had grown to nearly 165,000. The economic and population boom of Minneapolis is due to the successful milling industries that flourished here in the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Minneapolis was also a natural for lumber milling. In the mid 1800s lumbering prospered in Minnesota because of the abundance of high quality timber and the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers became the vehicle to transport logs to the waiting mills.

Our drive also took us by the University of Minnesota, which is also in this area. From here Judy graduated with a degree in Elementary Education

Stillwater, Minnesota is a city situated in the St Croix River Valley. Only a short drive from Minneapolis, we arrived there on a beautiful day despite the fact that there was still a heavy covering of snow on the ground.

Main Street Stillwater Minnesota

The St. Croix River Valley was a well known area, even back as far as the 1600s. However, settlement in the area could not take place until two treaties were signed between the U.S. Government and the Native American Nations that roamed the area. On July 29, 1837, the U.S. signed the treaty with the Ojibwa Nation, and on September 29, 1837, the treaty was signed with the Dakota Nation, which allowed white settlement in the St. Croix Valley. People started coming to the area almost immediately. A settlement up at the falls of the St. Croix was created. Then a settlement by a group from Marine, Illinois started a lumber mill on the river, and in 1839, a man by the name of Joseph Renshaw Brown settled a small trading post at the head of Lake St. Croix which he called "Dakotah." Dakotah later became the county seat of St. Croix County, Wisconsin Territory, and still later, become an area known as "Dutchtown" in the city of Stillwater.

But enough of the history, I include this purely to give my readers back home a flavour of the places we visited.

After enjoying a short walk through the main street of Stillwater, we arrived at the Dock Restaurant. This was my first experience of an American restaurant. What an experience! It was what I can only describe as fantastic.

The Dock is a beautiful restaurant situated on the banks of the St Croix River. Here we enjoyed a beautiful meal overlooking the frozen St Croix.

Lunch with Tom and Judy at the Dock Restaurant

View of the frozen St Croix River from the Dock Restaurant

Later we took a walk along the side of the river towards the iron lift bridge that spans the river and carries Highway 64 into the state of Wisconsin.

I marvelled at the beauty of the place, it is one of those places that you sometimes arrive at in life and are reluctant to leave, but the day was moving on and it was time to head for home. First though, Tom and Judy decided that we would drive across the bridge into the state of Wisconsin, so that I could have the experience of visiting another state.

It is now nearing the end of the third day into my US visit and another marvellous day to record. Along with seeing more of the great state of Minnesota, I have seen and enjoyed things that have eluded me for a long time.

Again I experienced the exhilaration of a snowball fight. This could be described as a return match with Judy because she had beaten me previously in an arm wrestling contest during her and Tom’s visit to Ireland. The fact that I let her win, because the winner had to pay for the meal we had just enjoyed in the Hibernian pub and restaurant in Nenagh, never seemed to register on her.

The snowball fight didn’t produce any winners, but I’m sure somebody will disagree with that…Right Judy?

As we drove towards home, I thought of how much I was enjoying this visit. It was another very enjoyable day. Marvellous sights, beautiful food, beautiful company. What more could anyone ask?

Yes…Life Is Good!

Snowballing

Drawbridge crossing the St Croix River

Crossing Drawbridge into Wisconsin

Approaching Minnesota/Wisconsin Border

Landmark Building Stillwater

My Visit To America

On the morning of Thursday March 8 last, my good friend Pat Whelan collected me at my home to take me to Dublin Airport to begin what was to become one of the greatest experiences of my life. This was of course my first ever trip to America to see my friend Judy and her family in Minnesota and my relatives Tom and Maureen and their family in New Jersey.

As the day of my departure approached, my excitement at making the trip was mingled with a slight nervousness, not because of any fear of flying but the thought of having to navigate Chicago O’Hare, where I would disembark to catch my onward flight to Minneapolis, was slightly daunting.

However, I approached the journey with all the confidence of the uninformed. But boy, Chicago O’Hare! Not a place for the faint hearted, but with the help of the very nice and cooperative ground staff there, I made it to my connection ok.

My first indication that perhaps not everyone shared my confidence was when I called Judy from the departure gate. I could hear it in her unspoken words: “OMG you really made it”?

I was met at Minneapolis – St Paul by Tom and Judy and my all-time favourite of favourites, their lovely daughter Sarah. What a welcome they gave me! This was the first of the many heart-warming welcomes I was to receive everywhere I went People talk about the Céad Míle Fáilte – One Hundred Thousand Welcomes – of Ireland, but I can tell you, I don’t think it is anything compared to the welcome, into their hearts and homes, that I received from Judy and her family.

On the way to their house, Tom at the wheel of Judy’s luxurious Lexus took us on a slight detour to see the beautiful Minneapolis skyline. Although I had seen this in pictures and videos many times before, the sights in real-time are awe inspiring.

Tom and Judy’s home is situated in a beautiful part of Plymouth, Minnesota. Tucked away in the trees, it can only be described as beauty personified – what a place to live. Again, having seen it many times in pictures and videos, to be actually there in real life was the fulfillment of a long-time dream. It was hard to realise, that having only left Ireland at noon that day, here I was, nearing the close of day, in far-off strange land. But, from the moment I entered their house, the atmosphere, the welcoming feeling and the thought of being in the presence of such marvelous friends made me feel right at home – actually during the course of the entire trip, anywhere we went, I could only refer, when going back to the Wright household, as going home.

The room Tom and, especially, Judy had prepared for me was beyond comparison. Despite my protestations in the days and weeks prior to my visit, she had taken what was an already beautiful room apart and turned it into what I can only describe as a product of her wonderful creative talent. In this room I would spend many restful nights surrounded by its beauty, elegance and embracing warmth.

I subsequently learned that this was always their son Adam’s room. I’m so sorry for driving you out of what was formerly your room Adam. Tough!!
I cannot leave this part of my post without thanking Maryzona, a dear and kind lady from Arizona, for her beautiful welcoming gift that had preceded me to Judy’s house. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness Maryzona. I am so happy to number you amongst my friends.

I started this post with the intention of giving you the highlights of my trip, but since every moment and every day was a highlight, I find I will have to break this into a number of posts, so please keep checking back to read more about my visit to America.

My Visit To America Part2

Friday morning arrived to be greeted by the thick carpet of snow that, I now knew had covered the ground for a number of days. Despite this, the weather was surprisingly mild and warm. So mild in fact, that after breakfast with Tom and Judy, I was able to venture onto their back deck in shirt sleeves. In hindsight, perhaps this was a foolhardy act because I picked up a slight cold that was to plague me for a number of days. However, with Judy and Sarah’s care, I managed to shake it off and continue the visit without any ill effects.

This wasn’t a day though to worry about such a trivial inconvenience as a cold because today was the day I was scheduled to fulfill something I had looked forward to for so long – the meeting of two little boys that for a long time I had communicated with by internet and telephone linkup. I refer of course to, Davey and Derek, Sarah and Dave’s two beautiful children.

This time with Judy at the wheel she and I set forth on the 35 minute drive to Sarah’s house at Eagan Minnesota.As I expected, Judy is a terrific driver. It was so great to drive with her as she wove through traffic and negotiated the highway with an ease and confidence that is second nature to her. Judy, being the perfect lady, never speaks ill of the other road users no matter what transgressions they may commit. She does, however, sometimes, direct her comments to their vehicles, but enough of that now. I may need this armory for a time when I find myself under threat, so I won’t waste it here.

We arrived at Sarah and Dave’s house on a beautiful sunny day. Davey was still at preschool and Derek was napping. Although I had met Sarah briefly the previous night on my arrival at the airport, to meet her now in the confines of her home was simply great.

As I took in the features of her beautiful home, I could identify places where my voice had so often traveled to as I spoke to her or Dave, and their two children, Davey and Derek.I saw the table where Davey and Derek sat as their gramma Judy, and sometimes Kpa (Tom) and I spoke to them as they had their breakfast of toasted gramma muffins, bananas, yogurt, and milk, or whatever the fare of the day would be. (Incidentally, by strange coincidence, this is also the meal we would be having at the very same time. A ploy adopted by Sarah to encourage the boys to eat.). I saw the kitchen counter where the phone would sometimes rest as Sarah tried vainly to get a word in edgewise on some important matter that she wanted to discuss with her mom.I saw the stairs to the basement where we were so often carefully carried by Davey as we accompanied him to see a video of Bob the Builder.

Davey talking to gramma and joe

I had seen those surroundings in my minds eye for so long, but to stand there now in reality was an experience that I found emotionally wondrous.Finally, with the arrival of Davey from preschool, the next great moment arrived. It was no surprise for him to see me there because he had been expecting me for some time.

After an initial period of shyness, in which Davey demonstrated how he could run and jump, he became at ease with me and we were soon playing together like the old friends we had become to be. Derek soon emerged from his nap. As he sat on his mom’s lap at the end of the table, he surveyed me carefully and with caution as I sat at the other end and tried to make friends with him. Eventually a broad smile of recognition broke across his face and he called my name. This is usually the prelude to Derek’s famous sneezing game. First he calls your name and then waits with a broad smile of expectation until you respond. Then he lifts his little eyes to the heavens and as his head comes down, he goes Ahhhhhhhh Choooo. This is repeated over and over with uncontrollable fits of laughter in between the sneezes until he decides he has entertained everyone enough and moves onto something else that requires his attention.
















Ahhhhhhh Chooooooooo

One time when I was in the basement playing ball with the two boys, I believe gramma, who was upstairs with Sarah, enquired as to where I was. She was told by Sarah “he is downstairs with my boys, undoing six months of training”. Sorry Sarah but I’m sure you will have them back on the straight and narrow before my next visit.

Even though I did not have the privilege of meeting Sarah’s husband, Dave, on this particular visit, I had a marvelous day and enjoyed myself totally. The day ended with a beautiful meal that Sarah had prepared for us.

I thought to myself, as we all sat round the table, how often I had visited it in the past by telephone link to have breakfast or dinner with the two boys. To be there now in reality with them, was a great experience.Although not quite as daunting as my initial approach to Chicago O’Hare, this impending meeting with Davey and Derek held its own measure of nervousness. Despite the fact that I had spoken to them many times by telephone and on video, I wasn’t sure how they would take to me in reality. My fears were ungrounded because those two boys are so friendly and welcoming, that bonding with them was an easy matter.

This bonding would survive the many exhilarating adventures that lay ahead, such as the day at Minnesota Zoo, the accompanying of Davey to his preschool, where he introduced me to everyone in sight, the visit to Bob the Builder exhibition at the Children’s Museum, the terrific Wright family gatherings that lay ahead, and, of course, an evening at Kindermusik.

Saturday .... Trip through the historical warehouse district of Minneapolis with Tom and Judy and a visit to the beautiful city of Stillwater, Minnesota ....