Great Gig for the Grammys

In addition to guests I am fortunate enough to experience grade school and grammer. Subbing is a great gig! The other day I got to be the band teacher. I mean how cool. I had as much fun as I did when we played school as kids in the basement. So when I found myself in the real school basement teaching band, I was beside myself! There is nothing like seeing these eager children puffing up with probably not enough practice and misplaced air just go to-ot it! I was absolutely blown away with their unabashed determination and innocence. Puff hopes, puff dreams, puff the magic dragon, cheeks red and faces glowing just like the artists at this weeks Grammys! Those award shows make me cry, just like I did last week in band. The winners, and the musicians who back them all start in the basement. Rehab or not, look who walks home with a Grammy. Note worthy upcoming events this month in New Ulm: Brandon Sampson of Six Mile Grove with Sally Barris at the Rhein River Arts Friday Febuary 15 and Bob Wooton of Johnny Cash Fame at Turner Halle on the 23. Both within walking distance of The Bohemian.

Bock Fest

Today it is bitter cold, yesterday howling wind. Perfect weather for the long anticipated celebrated festival to kiss winter goodbye on it's frosty behind! Bock Fest comes early this year, following the holy calender, the Saturday preceding ash Wednesday. My guess is we still have a cold hard winter ahead. Never the less, no elements can deter the hardy adventurers of the upper Midwest! This is a beer drinking fracas starting promptly at 11:00 am February 2 at the Schells Brewery. Be prepared for lines, all day, at the gate, the beer booths, fire pits and, you guessed it, the potties. But that is half the fun. There are 7000 revelers to enjoy the afternoon with: definitely a fun place to stand around in the freezing outdoors! The other fun half is our Bockfest Boys. One word: Ring of Fire. And by the close of day, that'll seem like one word. This party, that also hosts a legendary medallion hunt, (I know guys who have been hunting those 'bocks' for over twenty years) ends at 4:30. But then Fashing and the downtown lights up, in every way imaginable. Turner Halle and Georges Ballroom will have more contests and bands, but basically it is a matter of where you can, literally, fit in. This town is Packed! Quite a legacy for a couple of monks in the pre Renaissance Rhien , arguing over an old goat during a drinking contest. Truly the makings for one hardy ale. Those Germans. Who else could originate a party so notoriously traditional, your pals will carry your image on a stick if you can't make it in person?

Ryokan: Poet of Ordinary Happiness

Today's begging is finished: at a crossroads

I wander by the side of the Buddhist Shrine

Talking with some children.

Last year a foolish monk.

This year, no change!

(tr: John Stevens)

discovered in Jack Kornfield's After the Ecstasy, the Laundry

For a good year, insert what ever it is you do for 'monk'.

The above crossroads were discovered at The Bohemian this season by the Fantastic Group of Mothers and Daughters from St. Michael's. They get it.

Pallets of Posterity

Schell's Brewery rolls out one millionth case! "Is that big when compared to some of the other breweries in the country? No, But it is big for us." says August Schell Brewery Company President and Brewmaster Ted Marti. Pressing out that millionth case from the production line was quite a milestone. Schell's reached the mark for the first time in 147 years, at noon on Wednesday. It's the first year they have hit a million, and they were pretty excited. Me too, a Schell's is the first thing I offer guests at The Bohemian, if simply in the spirit of perseverance! There have been tough times through out the brewery's history, and Ted attributes much of the business's survival to local support. So it was only fitting that there be a parade of sorts through New Ulm spreading that case of cheer at our local tavern's.
"PROSIT" to a saga that fittingly deserves the Press On Award of the Week! There is definitely a Schmaltz Alt here for someone to accept, but it might have to be me. I missed the festivities: I could only justify having the baby downtown, in a bar!, for so long, even if it was daylight.

Press on Regardless

Welcome to The Bohemian Blog. I have a Bed and Breakfast, pre-teen daughter, a boyfriend and new baby. In my business I press sheets. In the business of day to day life, I press on regardless. We all do. Some just with a little more humor and grace. If I can laugh at myself, I've got the first one covered. The second part, well, the baby's middle name is Grace and that might be the best I can do. Welcome to The Iron Mangle with notes on the laundry of life, love and laughter. Drop off whatever you like, I'll put it through the ringer and we might all feel a little bit lighter.