Why?

Why do they put marshmallows in that just dissolve when you add boiling water? Why?


Do you see any in there? Of course you don't! They dissolved! Stupid dehydrated little nuggets of sugar.

Donation Drive

It's official-- the garage at mi casa is officially the drop off location for clothing and household items for folks up north that have lost their homes. Bring you unwanted items (in decent condition please) to my garage. Don't bring me crap because I'm moving soon and don't want to deal with more than my own. Need an address? Email me.

UPDATE: 05.11.07

The fires got much worse yesterday with strong winds. They blew back into the direction of homes, summer camps, and resorts. I read about Wilderness Canoe Base, where so many people I've known over the years have worked, loosing many of their buildings. Here's a note from Stephanie at Lake Superior Trading Post.

Hi Megan,

Things were really bad yesterday! They evacuated all the way down to Poplar, which is really only about 20+ miles away from my house! I have heard that the wind has switched today and it is not heading towards town anymore, but yesterday it changed in a matter of minutes for people at Gunflint. I had 4 extra kids yesterday (two families) helping out and then one mom came in and got them settled in to the hotel where some are staying temporarily and some are staying in the campground. I did take one of their dogs home with me last night. I feel so badly for everyone, but they seems to be pulling together and getting it done. Unfortunately the fire will really only be controlled or stopped by a wonderful rain. The winds dying down today is helping and I think Poplar is back out of danger, but again things change.

As of right now I think they only things people are looking for are rooms, food, and necessities. They won't know how much is lost and what is really needed until everything calms down. I was able to donate clothing for my friend's employee that lost everything in her bunk house so that helps her. But otherwise it is still so up in the air! Once it is under control and people can go back home, that is when we'll find out what they need and give to them then. Hopefully this is all done before Memorial so I will be able to have the sale, selling what isn't needed and then donating the $$.

Keep sending the good thoughts, we need it more than ever now!

Stephanie

I think I will schedule a trip up mid-week before Memorial Day weekend. That will be the latest I can get up there because I'm moving on the 31st! For those of you asking how long you have, I would say to have items here by Monday the 21st. Thanks, everyone, for helping out. I'm way impressed by the outpouring.

Fires Up North

I'm not much of a prayer person per se, but I am about projecting good will, thoughts, and energy into the universe for people that need it most. Here's a note from my friend Stephanie up at Lake Superior Trading Post in Grand Marais, MN. This is a biggie that's close to home and I could use a little help in that projecting part. Thanks for your help.

photo from Clint at Duluth News Tribune (thanks Clint!)

Hi everyone,

I am sending out a mass e-mail to everyone I know asking for prayers for the people of our area. There are more than 8000 acres burning up the Gunflint Trail that started on Saturday from a campfire someone didn't put out all the way. There are dozens of homes and business' that have been burned and they do not have it under control yet. We have been in a drought since last summer, our lack of snow this winter just made it that much worse. One of my dear friends' home and business is most likely gone, no one knows yet because there is so much smoke and danger that no one is getting near it. They can only fight it from the air right now and with 30 mile an hour winds, it is spreading fast. It went from nothing to 8000 acres in just a little over 24 hours. At one point yesterday afternoon everyone was stuck up there, unable to leave because the fire had jump across the Gunflint Trail and both sides were burning. They were able to dump enough water on the road eventually to allow the people that were being evacuated to come down to Grand Marais. Please just say a prayer for us that we get much needed rain and the fire fighters in air and on land are able to get this fire under control.

Thank you!!!

Reports are in that the damage is at 16,000+ acres. Scheesh. I understand that fire is part of the ecology of the forest, but it a little tough to swallow when people's livelihoods are destroyed and lives uprooted. If I find out that there are people that have lost personal belongings like clothes and household items, I may head up a drive for needed items. It's spring and time for you to get rid of stuff you don't use anyway. Stay tuned.

Birchbark

A true story from the vaults of the retail world.

Retail Girl: Hi- how are you folks doing tonight?
Shoppers: Great-- thanks! Great store!
RG: Let me know how I can help you.

Shoppers poke around shop and take long pauses when they notice the birch trees that are part of the window merchandising.

Shoppers: How much are you selling your birch for?
RG: (perplexed...stutters): Uh...um...you mean...what....the...the trees?
Shoppers: Yeah!
RG: Um, well, they're, I mean, they're part of the window-- the display. I'm not sure...why, do you want to buy them?
Shoppers: Oh-- people pay big bucks for these in Minneapolis.
RG: Seriously?
Shoppers: Yeah, we've seen them go for $80-$100.
RG: If you need some birch limbs, you can stop over at my house tonight and take as much as you want for $20! They're all over the ground from the last storm.

Later, Retail Girl kicks herself for not selling the damn trees for $50 a piece and banking some serious cash for the store. But who buys birch limbs?!?!

Giddy

Lookie what came off the Fed-Ex truck. Any guesses as to what's inside? Hint: It's not a dry top.


More hints: I could almost pee my pants.