newbuzz...One of the best things about working in an office is the inevitable "food day". While the events that inspire a food day are as vast as the potluck menus that appear on them, my personal favorite is the "sad you are leaving" food day such as the one held in our office today. Having it on Friday is an added bonus as there are no calories in the food when the weekend is so close at hand. People pull out all the stops on a farewell food day. You should expect bad karma if you to cheap out on this one. You will find sweet and salty treats as well as seasonal fare and decadent desserts. In the upper mid-west, there is no greater send off than a really good food day. The amount and variety of dishes are directly related to the love and well wishes bestowed on the one who is leaving. I hate to see a good colleague go, but if she must, then bring on the food. There is sure to be a week of excited chatter in the planning, with a carefully monitored sign up sheet to make sure there are no duplicate dishes served. While the anticipation builds, there are many discussions among neighbors to make sure the food will be plenty and the plates, napkins, and utensils will appear without a hitch. At last it is time to eat and the conversation is truly en captivating: "Did you make this?" "Yes, I got the recipe online and then I added some fresh basil", or, "No, I always stop at the little deli near my house on the way to work, they have the best salads". After everyone is full and groggy from the sugar and salt, the focus returns to the one who is leaving. There will be jokes and funny stories, but in the end, it is a sad occasion and she will be missed. And this is why we need the food.

newbuzz..."That is quite a fashion statement," exclaimed my boss. She was referring to the multicolored, granny square afghan that was draped around my shoulders and clipped together with a large paper clip. This is my favorite way to keep warm at work, whether I am cold from the winter wind, or the summer air conditioning. I keep my lap sized afghan slung over the back of my chair. I brought it with me from my last job of 14 years, and it is my favorite work accessory. I love it for the snugly, home-style warmth it brings when I am at work and away from the comforts of home. Just looking at the colors and the texture of the yarn sparks memories of grandmothers, old friends, and smiles. My own grandmother was a crafter. In addition to sewing, she made knitted and crocheted items. In her last years, she spent many hours making personalized afghans for each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When she died, she left a large bag of her extra yarn. Though they were just scraps, and not enough of each color to make a large item, I thought I could make slippers or mittens with the yarn, and I could not part with it. At that time, I had two young daughters and I was new in my position at a local company. I did not have the time or energy for knitting. A co-worker suggested I donate the yarn to the nursing home where his grandmother lived. He said the ladies there enjoyed making lap quilts for other residents and would gladly use the yarn for their projects. He explained that while the finished products were useful to the residents, the making of them was far more valuable to those who were able to crochet as it gave them a purpose and a mission. I gladly donated the yarn, and he delivered it to his grandmother's nursing home. Several months later, he presented me with the afghan I have today. Made with love for me, from my grandmother's own yarn, by another grandmother in her end days, I will always cherish this gift. It is a reminder of the connectedness of all human beings. I keep it at work to remember that while we work for our living, we live for our families and friends, and both can be found in the workplace as well as in our hearts and homes.

newbuzz...It is hot out there. The sun is shining and the humidity is high. I am inside in the air conditioning, and thankful for it. In addition to the heat and humidity, there are allergens out there that wreak havoc in my sinuses. The television news program is reporting expected record heat in New York for the next several days as well as many power blackouts due to the increased demand for cooling. Yet we continue to waste our resources. All of our homes are cooling while we are away at work, kids at daycare. Then when we are home, our workplaces are empty, still drawing energy for cooling. In order to reduce consumption, we will have to go back to the ways of yesterday when people lived and worked in or near their homes. Families and neighbors will need to come together to share public spaces for the common good and find ways to preserve our natural resources. We need to think outside the box for energy preservation and renewal. People must realize that every effort to create electricity to power our homes and workplaces includes aspects that are detrimental to our environment. Even wind turbines create pollution-they are made of metal, use oil and grease to turn and reduce habitat for migratory birds. Today I will be mindful of ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle the precious resources at hand that make my life enjoyable.

newbuzz...My work group had a lunchtime barbecue yesterday. We had ribs, coleslaw, potato salad, watermelon, homemade desserts and party drinks with little umbrellas. The food was delicious and the opportunity to mingle and visit with our co-workers was delightful. Though I was in a downtown city setting, with an employer of more than two thousand workers, I was struck with how much this event felt like picnics with my former employer of two hundred workers in a small town of less than five thousand. People are the same everywhere. We like to eat, we like to visit, we like to feel we are a part of something. When these components are combined in the workplace, it is a win, win situation for employer and employee. Never underestimate the power of the simple pleasures. Good food and good conversation build good will and strengthen friendship bonds.

newbuzz...I had a day off work yesterday and I just stayed home all day. I did not even start the car. It was a lovely day of peace and quiet. I did some cleaning of remote and scary storage places. Decided I do not have to keep things just because someone somewhere sometime gave them to me. I am not the keeper of the universe. If it does not add value to my life, it has to go. To that end, I got rid of some old cookbooks, clothing , pencils, pens, markers and broken hardware. I made a delicious noodle salad for lunch complete with fresh veggies from the Farmer's Market. From there, I went outside and weeded three of my gardens. I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies, mowed the lawn and made a chicken stir fry for dinner. After that I was tired and retired to the couch for the evening. I watched "The Last Comic Standing" and had a few laughs before bedtime. It is amazing what a person can get done in one day when not commuting to work. As I get ready for work this morning, I am feeling satisfied and relaxed. This is the peace of middle age when you know that time spent thoughtfully is more valuable than anxiously rushing to the prize. In our forties, we learn that time is the prize and how we use it will be our glory.

newbuzz...In a few short minutes I will be heading to work in my blue jeans. This is because I purchased the option from my employer in April. In an effort to send money to Haiti to help with the disaster of nature there, we had a chance to donate $5 for each "Jeans Day for Haiti" sticker, to be used on subsequent Fridays through the end of June. I used my two stickers immediately, but my co-worker graciously gave me her last one to use today. I confess that I have given more thought about wearing the jeans than I have about the money donated. Upon reflection, I am hopeful that the money raised has been put to good use helping those who have suffered hardship and been displaced. I am thankful today for all of my blessings and I promise not to gripe, complain or encourage bad attitudes. At least for today, I will be positive, kind, and helpful. Next time I am faced with an opportunity to donate money to a worthy cause, I will give more generously.

newbuzz...Downtown St. Paul has a wonderful sky way system that connects virtually all of her buildings together in a climate controlled walkway that is both convenient and conducive to year round exercise. I have been using them for 30 minutes of power walking over my lunch hour for the past four weeks. To date, I have lost six pounds of unwanted fat, gotten rid of some daytime tension, and begun to wake up more rested after a full night of deep sleep. Each workday at lunch time I put on my walking shoes, ankle weights, and grab my hand weights before heading down the elevator for my workout. At first I may have looked a little crazed with the effort of the power walking, but now I am sure my face reflects the exhilaration and peace I feel while walking. (Or at least people have stopped staring at me). It is fun to see the same people on their walks too as we pass each other in different buildings on different days. Recently, I have noticed a couple of women who have picked up their hand weights and increased their pace just like me. I realize that this is a small victory, but I am struck with the notion that leadership comes in all shapes and sizes. If I can be the example that gets others out there and moving, then I am satisfied that I am helping others and living up to my potential.