---

I hope you and your family got to visit the Threshing Show and the Sportsmen’s Picnic over the weekend.  This is the first time it has rained on the picnic that I can ever remember. For the most part, the weather has cooperated.

We visited the Threshing Show Saturday mid-day. I have been going to the show for 15 years and I can’t ever remember so many people. In an era that seems to find old stuff boring and uninteresting, the Threshing Show somehow crosses into the next era stronger than ever. There were so many young people at the show, it was really great to see.  Kudos to the show’s organizers for keeping it interesting to all generations.

In a week, Chisago City will hold its annual Ki Chi Saga Days festival.  One of the larger ones in the area, Ki Chi Saga Days seems to hit just at the right time. It comes when most people have already taken their summer vacations, so they are looking to stay close to home. It also falls before the State Fair this year, which is huge.  It has fallen on the same week in the past and attendance really suffered.  So mark your calendars because there’s tons of stuff to do at Ki Chi Saga Days.  

Something that you can do ahead of time for Ki Chi Saga Days is register for the annual 5K run/walk on August 22.  You can register all of your family racers at familypathways.org.

If you are out and about on Saturday, stop in to Winehaven Winery in Chisago City. This is their big Rhubarb Frenzy weekend.  One of their most popular events of the year, the frenzy celebrates the release of their yearly rhubarb wine.  This year they are also celebrating the 20th year in business. Congratulations to everyone at Winehaven.  Here is raising a wine glass and wishing you another successful 20 years.

This week I did something I have never done.  No I didn’t skydive. No I did not take dancing lessons. And no I did not attend a circus (I am deathly afraid of clowns).  I treated myself to a massage.  That is right, a massage.  I have always wanted to try one, but have always justified spending my money in other areas.  I finally broke down and headed to All Is Wellness in Chisago City.  

Jackie Briggs, whom many of you know, has lived here her whole life. She has opened a wellness shop that includes massage therapy, acupuncture, reiki energy, and life coaching. She has a multitude of professionals in each of the services mentioned.  

I however decided on a good old massage.  I am being perfectly honest with you, it was one of the greatest things I have ever experienced. I have never been so relaxed in my entire life.  Jackie is amazing.  If you are like me and have thought about massage but allocated your money for something else on your mind, I would highly suggest treating yourself to a massage.  It will be one of the best things you have ever done for yourself.

Thank you for your ongoing generosity to the homeless. I now have taken over 20 carloads to the shelters. 20 car loads.  Let me just explain what a car load is. Imaging packing your trunk as full as you can get it with garbage bags, then pushing down and cramming another three bags in. Then in the cab somehow squeezing bags in the back seat and the passenger seat all the way to the roof of the car.  To see me coming down the road must be a hoot.  I just wanted to give you a visual of just how much you have given and continue to give.  You may think “Oh it’s nothing, these clothes were just doing nothing anyway.”  Well, I flat out guarantee there is someone who is smiling after they just put on some of the clothing you have donated.

---