Banjo picking seems like an apt skill to have on your
resumé at the end of your days. Heaven is probably always on the
lookout for a good banjo player, whereas the afterlife for writers …
that could go either way. The ambiguity is especially true for editors,
just ask a writer.
We all should adopt a life philosophy of continued education
and trying new things. How much easier to keep a New Year’s resolution
that vows: I will sample at least one new candy bar this year. Much
more reasonable than: I will not gain weight. There’s already too much
negativity in the world, I believe. Go for the positive approach.
Besides candy bars and banjos, I made a few other late 2005
resolutions. I will take a boat excursion on Lake Superior at least
once. (This isn’t something new, just necessary.) I will check out at
least one restaurant that I’ve never tried. I will stop at one or more
historical markers on my way from here to there (and I will read them).
I will attend two or more festivals or anniversary celebrations in
small and large towns around the lake. (This one is easy since we have
so many celebrations. You’d have to be truly negative to miss out
completely.)
The problem with editing Lake Superior Magazine is that my
gotta-do resolution list tends to get longer with each issue. After
reading (and sometimes writing) stories about things happening around
the lake, I often find myself say, “Yeah, I wanna do this. And that.
And that other thing.”
For example, I’m pretty committed to making a go of my
containerized gardens after chatting with Greg and Judy Bonovetz here
in Duluth. (See Petite Potted Gardens.)While doing this story, I
learned that my two major garden center sources - Pederson’s Gardens
and Landscapes in Superior, Wisconsin, and Vanderwees Greenhouses in
Thunder Bay, Ontario - both now have cafés. How can anyone pass
up tea among the blooms?
Oh, yes, I’m also overbooked for day trips after editing the
travel section (see Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario and Wisconsin) … and
there are all of those Aerial Bridge and Soo Locks activities
beckoning. And that’s not even mentioning the reading list (see Books
for the Beach), and the powerboater-approved maple chicken recipe (see
Superior Tastes). Then just when I think my resolutions are almost
manageable, somebody hands me the Lodging & Restaurants Guide to
edit with hundreds of great choices (see …
hey, just read the whole magazine).
All I can say is, it’s a lucky thing that a banjo travels so well.
Konnie LeMay
Editor
|
