Wednesday, February 22nd, 2010
I like to think if people really knew what their passion for trendy pets leads to, they'd head to the local shelter instead of the local paper or their computers to find their dogs. Last week the Hollywood City Council adopted an ordinance to prohibit the sale of dogs in pet stores. It's a move that comes with controversy, but unfortunately, restrictions like this can be needed in some communities to keep pet retailers honest. History has shown too many have chosen to get their supply of dogs from "breeders" who run less-than-ethical operations. How do I know this? I lived in one of the two top states for Puppy Mills. I've been along on raids of facilities that made their money by raising dogs in horrid conditions, then shipped them to pet stores in California and New York where there was a high demand for certain breeds. While many communities have cracked down on the sale of mill dogs in stores, the on-line purchase of animals has made it too easy for questionable breeders to stay in business. And since dog breeders are regulated through the USDA, there isn't the manpower to inspect breeders on a regular basis. That is why it's up to us as dog-owners and lovers to be responsible when looking for a new pet.
I could go on and on, but instead I will post an article I wrote for the Telegram Tribune in Des Moines, Iowa, which was also printed in Dog and Kennel Magazine back in 1999. It was written after I lost a mill dog I had adopted. She was a beautiful German Shepard who had been rescued from a mill raid I covered for the station I worked for in Iowa. I hope it may inspire some to ask some questions when looking for a new dog. And maybe to consider adopting from a rescue organization.
By the way, my second dog was also a rescue, and gave me more than a decade of loyal companionship. I have posted blogs about Madelyn ("Maddie #2) below the article.
MADDIE - a puppy-mill dog
A broken heart has prompted me to write this in hope that it may prevent others from a similar fate. Maddie was one of 150 dogs seized from a puppy mill in Iowa. She was pregnant at the time and taken in by the staff at the South Duff Small Animal Clinic in Ames, Iowa, to be nursed and nurtured until her puppies were born. But weeks later, the puppies were adopted and Maddie was still there. She was very thin, her fur dull and mangy, one ear looked as if a chunk had been bitten off, and she was obviously a recent mother. But Donna Rizzo, DVM, owner of the clinic, had faith that this dog would be a wonderful companion once she had decent care and treatment. And when I saw her play with two of her puppies still waiting to be picked up, I decided to give it a shot.
Maddie turned out to be quite a project.
She was sick the whole way home in the car. Once she was released in the back yard, there was no getting near her. She'd hide in a corner and look at me with those wild eyes. If I approached her, she'd run to another corner. After hours of this, exhausted, she finally laid down, let me come pet her, pick her up and bring her inside. She spent the first few days huddled in the corner of a cage in my bedroom, even though the cage was wide open and she was free to roam and check out her new home. Rizzo said Maddie likely had lived her entire five years in a cage and that was probably the only thing familiar to her.
And that was the way it was for days. This dog never wagged her tail, never barked, never showed any enthusiasm. She wasn't housebroken, knew no tricks and didn't show any interest in the dozens of toys I had bought for her.
I believed I had made a horrible mistake. She was scared of grass, and I had to walk out on it first to show her it was OK. She didn't kow how to handle the three steps off my deck to the back yard and tumbled down them. Any sudden movement made her cower and run. She may have been 5 years old, but it seemed as if she was getting her first taste of freedom. And I was beginning to feel like a prisoner trying to take care of her.
At some point, Maddie realized I loved her and would not hurt her and she became my dog. She followed me from room to room and would settle there. She'd lay by my feet as I brushed my teeth in the morning, then follow me out as I got the morning paper, and then lay with me as I read it. She followed me to the kitchen to make coffee, to the bedroom to get ready for work and to the gate as I headed out. When I came home, she was there waiting and ready to chase her tail and put on a welcome-home show when I opened the gate.
Maddie was turning into the dog I always wanted.
She was getting the chance to be a playful puppy, and for the first time since I moved to Iowa, I felt like I had a family here and a home, because of Maddie.
Unfortunately, she never had the chance for a long healthy life. Years of malnutrition, neglect and having puppies did a number on Maddie's insides. Rizzo and I hoped a special diet and medication would help Maddie's body heal from the extensive parasite damage. And while there were weeks when it appeared as if that would work, Maddie never developed much of an appetite. In the final three weeks I had her, she had virtually none. She continued to lose weight, and on the day before Christmas Eve I decided I had to put her through the trauma of more tests. Those tests confirmed Maddie was very sick, and Rizzo's exam convinced her that Maddie was not very comfortable.
I think now the reason Maddie would not let me out of her sight in the final days is that she knew she was near death and didn't want to die alone. We did not let that happen.
The long holiday weekend was already under way, but Rizzo met me at the clinic after hours, on her own time, allowing me to be there with her when she put Maddie down. She gave me some time alone with my dog and I just petted Maddie and tried to make her as comfortable as possible. When I was ready, Rizzo came in and gave Maddie a shot. Maddie just looked at me, licked away my tears as if to say it was OK and peacefully laid her head down. I knew she was no longer in pain, but my heart was breaking, I really believe Maddie wanted so badly to live, but she never had a chance.
When Rizzo confirmed Maddie was gone, she told me how this animal had been through too much in her first five years of life to fight all the illnesses she suffered. After I inquired, she gave me more details of how Maddie must have lived as a puppy-mill dog. She likely had two litters a year, which means she had about 100 puppies in her short life - all taken from her too soon. She likely was fed garbage, or at least what most of us would never consider feeding a domestic animal. And she probably lived outside and certainly never had play time.
As I left Rizzo's office, I asked her how many others like Maddie are still out there and she said thousands. She said the only way to stop it is to educate people that when they buy puppies from pet shops in malls and such, they likely are buying puppies born from an animal like Maddie. As long as there is a demand for cute, little, cuddly puppies - and no questions asked about there they came from - puppy mill operators will continue to supply them. And I find it hard to believe most people would contribute to such a tragic scenario if they knew the damage they were doing.
I appreciate you taking the time to read Maddie's story and hope it inspires you to appreciate the pet you have and protect those out there without the luxury of a loving home.
http://jeanettetrompeter.com/Blog/MissingMadelyn.aspx
http://jeanettetrompeter.com/Blog/SweetCondolences.aspx
http://jeanettetrompeter.com/Blog/SentimentalJourney.aspx
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TGIF
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Seriously. I mean seriously TGIF. Some weeks that just means more
than others, and this is one of them. Not only was it "one of those
weeks" but it ends in a three day holiday weekend. Whoo-hoo!
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Movies Under the Stars
Thursday, August 26th, 2010.
It's my dad's birthday, so first let me send him my love and gratitude to hime today. He's taught me a lot over the years, and his common sense about life has helped me through a lot of bumps along my journey. (If you want to check out some of his words of wisdom, check out the blog I wrote about it last year by clicking here.
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Runaway Trucks on Central Coast
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
We reported on a tragic story in Santa
Barbara today. A Runaway
truck killed three people in Santa Barbara today. The truck was
coming down Highway 154 and lost it's breaks. It flew threw town and
finally stopped as it crashed into a home where the three victims
lived. It's something you don't hear about happening very much
anymore. But I remember hearing stories from my Dad growing up about
runaway trucks that used to have me scared every time we traveled a
mountain pass on our cross-country vacation trips. Read More
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Birth-day
Monday, August 23, 2010
Boy do I feel like a rich woman. That's
kind of a funny statement given some of the financial issues I've faced
in the last couple of weeks, but truly.... If the wealth of a man (or
woman) can be measured by the love and support of friends, I ought to
be on some sort of Forbes list.
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Day by Day
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
My apologies for the late posting
tonight. It's been one of those days. I will be adding a couple of
things this weekend but if you are looking for some options, check out
my Events Calendar now by clicking here.
Also, if you haven't ever explored the coastline of Shell/Pismo Beach
on a kayak, you should check out this week's No Place Like Home
by clicking here.
The folks at Central Coast Kayaks do a
great job of gearing you up and getting you ready to explore the caves
of Dinosaur park, and surrounding bluffs. No matter how much you've
kayaked, they'll hook you up for a great adventure. Read More
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New Weekend Fun
Thursday, August 12, 2010
I paid a visit to Montana
de Oro in this week's No Place Like Home,
and if you haven't recently, you should. The variety of outdoor
activities available there always amazes me. Seriously, people travel
from all over to spend a few days in that state park, and it's right in
our own backyard. And unlike many other parks, it's free to get in.
It's why it's one of my picks of fun things to do on the central coast
this weekend. Read More
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Holy Moly
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
My heart goes out to my pals in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota tonight.
I've seen pictures they've posted on Facebook, and they're getting
slammed with rain and floods. It's always different seeing news
coverage of disasters somewhere when you know the landmarks. To see
Hilton Coliseum flooded in Ames on the KCCI Website, and the rest of
the town underwater makes me realize how bad it is. In Colfax, some 200
homes are under water. Read More
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Thanks for Having Me
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
It's funny how things play out. I first must, again, thank those of
you who take the time to read my blog, for taking the time to send me
nice notes of support and encouragement. It has made a difference in my
days of late. I see that I have picked up many friends along my
journey down the Yellow Brick Road. Read More
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You asked for it
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Okay,m so really? Do you want really want to hear what I've been up to? It's a weird thing in some ways, putting yourself out there in a blog, and it's been cathartic for me in other ways. But at some point, I guess it just starts feeling weird. Especially the way my life has been to a certain degree of late. Read More
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Toast the Coast
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Hello Friends.
First off all, let
me say a sincere thanks to all of you who have e-mailed, commented here
on the blog and sent facebook messages of encouragement. I so
appreciate your support and kindness. I guess I won't quit writing,
just because I'm not in the best mood anymore.
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Falling Down
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
I got the message. Some of you have kind of skirted around the issue,
others have just gotten right to the point: "You used to share much more
about JT, and now you blog is nothing but station promotion." It's
true. I put this blog together when I was out of work, and it was a way
for me to stay connected with people, and enjoy doing what I love to
do: write.
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Weekend fun
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
It's been a busy week for ol' JT in
the KSBY Newsroom. Richard has been off, so I've been on my own for the
week. (With Dave and Andrew's help, though.) So I'm ready for the
weekend and as usual, I'm already marking up the calendar with some good
possibilities for entertainment.
I re-discovered another gem
this week on the Central Coast.
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Happy Friday
Fair Time
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Some things just make your heart
smile. My day yesterday did. I started it off riding in the Mid State Fair
Cattle Drive. It was grand fun to see some old friends and ride through
town celebrating the heritage of this area. We really do have a lot of
the Wild Wild West left on the Central Coast. You can check out the
story at ksby.com. Read More
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Hot fun in the Summertime
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
If you are a fan of classical music at
all, you need to check out Festival Mozaic. Even if you aren't, some of the
venues for these performances are worth the price of admission. There
are ten days of concerts performed all over San Luis Obispo County.
Tickets are sold out to some of them, but there are plenty still
available. So check it out.
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Cold Spring Tavern
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
I love the subject of this week's No
Place Like Home. We pay a visit to the Cold Spring Tavern. It's a
great little get-away off highway 154, about half way over the San
Marcos Pass on your way to or from Santa Barbara.
It's been around
for 124 years and there's history and stories in every corner. Sundays
are a big day at the Tavern, so that's one of my picks for a great
thing to do this weekend. For more information, just click here. Read More
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4th of July fun
Thursday, June 30th, 2010
This week's No Place Like Home
is on the Avila Beach Fish
and Farmers' Market. I've recommended checking it out before, but
since a lot of folks will have out of town company this weekend, I'll
bring it up again. It's a great way to wind down from the work week,
stock up on fresh supplies for your weekend and soak up all the beauty
of the Avila Beach. (And you can check out the story on the link
above.) Read More
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JT's Weekend Picks
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
I can't believe it's already Thursday.
I hate when time flies, but it's always fun when the weekend nears.
Since it's been a pretty foggy week at the beach, it's good timing to
enjoy some events in Northern San Luis Obispo County this weekend. Read More
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No Place Like Home This weekend
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
The last time I was at the Cass House
in Cayucos, it was was stripped down to the framing and a young couple
had taken on the task of restoring the old place to the magnificence it
deserved for it's place in Cayucos history. Fast forward 15 years, and
they pulled it off. I got a chance to see how much so when
photographer Kelly Teel and I drove up the coast to do a story on the
house for this week's No Place Like Home.
It's a beautiful bed and breakfast now, and Gary and Nancy Bagnall's
labor of love is worth checking out. They managed to preserve the
past, and make it a comfortable and convenient place for a wonderful
four-course meal, and a great weekend getaway. For more information, click
here.
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S-S-S-Summertime
Monday, June 7th, 2010
I must be living right. At least that's
how I felt this weekend. I know I shouldn't, but I love being in the
sun. And there was plenty of it this weekend. I had a half dozen
moments this past weekend where I thought "I am so lucky to be where I
am". That's saying somethin' because it's not like it's been the
easiest year for me. But I literally felt so much gratitude at various
moments over the weekend it brought tears to my eyes.
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No Place Like Home This weekend
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
I had a chance to do one of those "I need to check that place out
someday" detours this week on my series No Place Like Home.
We checked out the Najoqui Falls near Gaviota. It's a really quick
detour off 101 and just beautiful. I highly recommend checking it
out. Less than 5 minutes off 101 and a 5 minute 1/4 mile walk to the
falls. Beautiful.
Dave Hovde says it's going to be a great weekend to be outdoors...if you
like summertime heat. Well there's no shortage of fun events
happening where you can soak up some of that sunshine, as well as some
good food and wine. Read More
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Reason to Toast
Cheers! I must have heard it and said it a dozen or so times over the
weekend. And there was good reason to cheer.
I had a weekend of
reconnecting with a few of the things that make this place (the Central
Coast) special...to me personally, and just in general. Read More
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The Enchanted Hill
May 6th, 2010
William Randolph Hearst used to call Hearst Castle
in San Simeon and the beautiful land on which it's built "La Cuesta
Encantada", or the Enchanted Hill.. I got a reminder of just how
appropriate that was this week. If you've never been to Hearst Castle,
it's worth a visit...even if you are reading this in another state.
The castle is magnificent and as they say in real estate: location,
location, location. George Hearst really nailed that when he bought a
250 acre plot of real estate along this particular stretch of California
Coast.
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Paris to Prairie
Monday, April 19th, 2010
 Talk
about a culture shock. One day I'm dining in the Eiffel Tower and
sleeping under it's lights in a nice hotel, two nights later I'm in a
sleeping bag in the back of my Photographer's car outside of Pozo. Read More
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Au Revoir Paris
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
It's our last full day in Paris. It
went so fast. I can't believe we have to pack it up tonight. We
spent yesterday at Versailles.
It was kind of like Hearst Castle on steroids. I now understand where
William Randolf got his inspiration for some of the magnificence he
brought to the Enchanted Hill. I also
can see how Parisians could have been pretty miffed by the fact they
were starving while their kind and queen were hanging up on the hill
behind gold fences. The term "Let them eat cake" has new meaning to me
after seeing the place.
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Thank God I'm a Country Girl
Monday, April 12th, 2010
I didn't get off to the greatest start
today. I overslept. I didn't realize there may not be clocks in my
hotel room, so I have relied on the front desk to provide me with wake
up calls. Rookie move. They apparently forgot this morning, and my
wake-up call came from my mentor Mike, rather than the front desk. He
wasn't wanting to chat about the day ahead, but to ask me where they
hell I was. The bus was loaded and we were officially late for taking
off for Giverny and Monet's Garden. Read More
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Getting With the Program
Sunday, April 11th, 2010
I didn't want to get up this morning. I
really didn't. There just couldn't be anything that incredible on the
agenda today that wouldn't be just as fantastic a few hours from now.
In fact, I'm betting it would be all the more impressive, because I
wouldn't feel like I've just been hit by bus, which is about how I feel
as I wake up. But I kind of am "on the clock" on this trip. I'm
learning the ropes of being a tour guide and it would definitely be bad
form to take a pass on my first full day of instruction. Read More
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American in Paris
Saturday, April 10th, 2010
Well I'm here. It's Saturday morning
when we land. My body clock tells me I should be getting ready for
the 11pm news. I'm wide awake, even though I didn't sleep a wink on
the flight over. Everyone else in my tour group seems like they
are deep in REM sleep, even though they're walking. Our tour director
reminds us that it's best to force yourself to stay up today rather than
go right to the hotel and to bed if we hope to have any real chance of
overcoming jet lag during our week here. So we're touring the city. Read More
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Trip of a Lifetime
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
I guess I'm one of the lucky people of
the world. I'm taking another trip of a lifetime. I suppose you can
have more than one, but it seems redundant to have four or five trips of
a lifetime. I wasn't exposed to a lot of international travel until
later in life. So the first time I booked a trip to Australia and
Tonga ten years ago, that was my trip of a lifetime. But it wouldn't
be my last.
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Beachcombers and Cowboys
April 5th, 2010
I have enjoyed the fringe benefits of taking a job in your home town the past couple of weekends. I have put off a lot of personal chores (like taxes) and household chores and spent the last two Saturday's catching up. By Saturday evening I have been ready to enjoy the sunset at the beach. It's my favorite part of the day. I love that I can walk down and see Mother Nature's seaside playground and all the activities that go on there as the sun bids its adieu.
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Status Check
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Okay, today is the day I start to get my....life together. I have moved enough to know that for the first three months, it's just chaotic. It takes that long to begin to feel like you're settled in. I was hoping because I was coming home, that maybe that rule wouldn't apply this time around. Wrong. Read More
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Bad Days
March 30th, 2010
Sometimes you just have to give in to them.
Bad days, that is. I'm having one. Or was having one. Nothing
dramatic, but I just seemed to wake up the wrong side of something today
because it was one mishap after another. It's the kind of day I wish I
could go get a do-over on. Or view from the safety of my bed with the
covers pulled up tight and some cheesy lifetime movie on. They people
in those movies always have such drama going on in their lives, it
always make me feel better about my life.
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A Walt Disney Production?
March 29th, 2010
 WOW.
That's all my dad kept saying as we wound our way along highway
58 on Sunday checking out the wild flowers. My mom, dad, and I had all
seen them the week prior, but when I paid them a visit this weekend we
decided to take another quick spin to see what new colors that had
bloomed since our last visit. 150 miles, and a few hours later, we felt
like we had been to Oz.
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A California Contribution
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
We ran a story tonight about the loss of a man who made his mark on the Central Coast. He made a mark on the state of California..in a big way.
Maynard Potter was the General Manager of the Mid State Fair in Paso Robles for 25 years. He handed things over to a new boss in 1994. Now I haven't been to the Mid-State Fair in a few years, but I'm sure it has continued to grow and prosper. But it was Maynard who put it on the map.
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Easier Said Than Done
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
I've spent the last couple of days going through pictures and videos of my pal Darcy, who I lost last week. She died in her sleep last Thursday night. It's still sinking in, and it's been difficult to be away from all the people who knew and loved her. My folks did for sure. They called her their "other daughter" and Darcy called my them her "other parents". And they understand the magnitude of the loss of Darcy. But it's hard coming to work and when people ask how you are, being honest. And how can I explain how incredible she was in passing? "One of my best friends died this week" just doesn't seem to do it. Read More
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Not Fair
March 5th, 2010
My phone started wringing in the early hours this morning. The first time I assumed it might be a friend out too late who wanted to leave me a funny message of some sort. But then the calls kept coming, I knew something was wrong. I was right. I just didn't expect this.
One of my best friends died in her sleep last night. She was 47. It's not fair. Nothing was fair in my book about Darcy's life, and now her death has left me feeling the same way. I'm still in shock. I don't really believe it yet.
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Try Try Again
Wednesdy, February 24th, 2010
Sometimes when you take on a big
project, you don't always succeed in seeing it to the finish. It's
kind of how I felt when I left Iowa to take a job in Minneapolis without
getting legislation passed there to crack down on Puppy Mills. I
started a foundation with a friend and attorney there where we had a tip
line people could call with information on suspected mills. We would
pay an investigator to go out and look into it. But when I left Iowa,
the foundation, and my efforts in that state kind of went by the
wayside. Read More
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If You Only Knew
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Wednesday, February 22nd, 2010
I like to think if people
really knew what their passion for trendy pets leads to, they'd head to
the local shelter instead of the local paper or their computers to find
their dogs. Last week the Hollywood City Council adopted an
ordinance to prohibit the sale of dogs in pet stores. It's a move that
comes with controversy, but unfortunately, restrictions like this can be
needed in some communities to keep pet retailers honest. History has
shown too many have chosen to get their supply of dogs from "breeders"
who run less-than-ethical operations. How do I know this?
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Pismo Beach Therapy
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that's true, and I was to share all the images I carry with me from this past Saturday afternoon, this is going to be one long blog.
I'll try to widdle it down. Read More
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Now I Know
February 15, 2010
About a month. Now I know. If you read my blog a month ago I was wondering as I entered back into the work-a-day-world how long it would take for me to lose the balance I had seemed to find during my soul searching of the previous few months. I lost my balance immediately as far as I tried to get a footing in a new job, with new co-workers, new duties, and new ways of doing just about everything. But I'm talking about a different kind of balance. The kind that keeps you sane. Read More
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Small World
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
So I'm kind of fired up about the Olympics starting tomorrow. Especially because I work for an NBC affiliate now, so I can kind of get paid to watch them. I'm looking forward to the opening ceremonies tomorrow night. And while I don't have any real local ties (well any ties really) to any of the athletes, I'm still excited I'm going to have some friends there for all the pomp and circumstance. Read More
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Rediscovery
Friday, January 5, 2010
Phew, it's been a week. But it's been full of good. Just a little busy. I moved. Again. I had been in temporary housing and made the move Monday to a less-short-term place. I still don't know where I'll be living long-term, until I know if my house back in Minneapolis will sell. But at least I can settle in a bit and that's nice.
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With a Little Help From my Friends
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Okay, I'm feeling better today. I'm starting to get over the Vikings painful loss over the weekend. It helps I guess that all my colleagues are loving bringing it up over and over...to the point it gets funny. And then I have these wonderful viewers who can't resist the jokes going around. Jim Eaton sent me one I couldn't resist passing on today. I'm doing so with love and respect for my friends back in Minne-SOH-tah: Part of my heart will always be there. You betcha.
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One of Those Days
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Sometimes the best of intentions can't overcome a day that just wasn't meant to go down as a one of your best.
I tried this morning. But it wasn't easy when the first thing I thought of when I woke up was last night's Viking's game. It wasn't a dream. Dammit. It was more of a nightmare...at least in the final seconds of the 4th quarter.
It's not that I am against the Saint's going to the Superbowl, it's just that I really wanted it to be the Vikings. Read More
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Be Gone With You
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I'm over it. I'm seriously over it. No, I'm not talking about the weather. Of course I'm eager for sunshine and 70's again. But you have to remember, I've been living in places where that wouldn't happen for months yet. So I can wait a few weeks while these storms pass. Read More
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Weathering the Storm
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Whoever said it never rains in California didn't spent much time here during El Nino years. Much of the state is getting hit with a series of storms this week and the Central Coast is no exception.
When I got up this morning, there wasn't much time for coffee. I could hear the winds blowing the patio furniture around on my roof, so up I went in my pajamas in the hopes of beating the rain to batten down the hatches. (I'm guessing my neighbors are getting used to me wandering outside in my jammies after my morning sunrise runs and this morning's antics.)
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Haiti Help
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
If you are like me and feeling helpless watching all the devestation in Haiti, and wishing you could do more, I have an easy one for you. The power of a lot of people doing just a little is evident in the Red Cross's texting campaign.
Anyone with a mobile phone and an account with a major wireless carrier can text the phrase “Haiti” to the number 90999 and donate $10 to the Red Cross. That amount is charged to the donor’s cellphone bill. And according to New York Times bloggers, the campaign has already raised $1.2 million dollars! It's nice to have a story like this to report on when the news coming out of Haiti is so sad. Read More
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Catchin' Up
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Hi Friends.
Well, I'm beginning to catch my breath. And I'm beginning the process of catching up.
I've almost caught up with the schedule of news updates, script deadlines, and promo shoots for each day at KSBY. I still haven't figured out my voice mail at work. And I'm having trouble with my new company cell phone. It does more than my computer, and I can't even figure out how to unlock it, so I'm thinking it's going to be awhile until I'm using it much. I'll have to add reading the instructions to my "to do" list. Read More
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When Everything Old is New Again
January 6th, 2010
I've heard it said, if you're not growing, you're dying...or something like that. Well at least I know I'm not dying. I know that because I'm experiencing growing pains. Again. You'd think you reach a point in life where they kind of stop, or at least subside some. Not for me. Not right now.
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School Night
January 3rd, 2010
Well it's been a glorious start to the new year. The weekend was full of sun, sand and relaxation, but I'm dealing with feelings I haven't had in a few months; the feelings that come with the reality of a school night after a great weekend like this one. And it's bigger than that really. It's more like the one before the first day of school every fall. I'm going to be in a whole new classroom, with a new teacher, new classmates...heck I'm even going to a new school. Okay, it's not really a new school. I've gone to classes here before but things have changed since then. It's exciting and a bit anxiety producing as well. After all, it's been a long summer break for JT. For instance, I've been dressing casually so long, I realized as I looked through my closet tonight I failed to pack a lot of the things I'm going to be needing in the coming weeks. Read More
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Livin' the Dream
December 31, 2009
Beware of dreams come true. You've probably heard that before, but it probably came in the form of "Be careful what you wish for". We've all experienced the peril of ignoring that warning at some point or another. We've dreamt about the handsome guy across the office only to discover he's really sort of a nightmare once you get to know him. Or we've wished for that new fancy car, only to find out it's upkeep costs more than your monthly mortgage payments. Or how about this one: we've dreamt of more free time to write that book or take that vacation we've thought about so many times, only to find ourselves with a pink slip, or a failed investment. Suddenly we have too much time on our hands and too little money in our bank accounts to think about anything but our worries and woes. Like I said, be careful what you wish for. Beware of dreams come true.
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Goodbyes are Never Easy
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December 22, 2009
It's time.
It's time to say so-long. I feel like the last few months have been full of too many good-byes. So I don't want to dwell on it. But I couldn't leave without acknowledging it. I left Minneapolis last Thursday and am in California for the holidays It still hasn't quite sunk in that I won't be getting on a plane to head back to the mid-west after all the celebrations have ended. As regular readers know (and the rest of you can catch up on by reading back a few blogs) I'm staying here in California to take a job at KSBY-TV and be near family. Read More
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Transitions and Time
Monday, December 1st, 2009
Game on. The big move to California is in the works. I've put the house here in Minneapolis on the market, found temporary housing out west. I've scheduled some good-bye lunches, brunches and such, and have begun going through my life. I've moved a lot in the last 20 years. I did a mental scan today and I counted 15 of them since I headed off to college. The biggest was probably when I loaded what little possessions I had and headed to Iowa to take my first anchor job. That began my extended stay in the Midwest. .
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Full Circle
can't believe it's really happening. It's always been a quiet longing, but now it's really happening. I'm coming home to the Central Coast of California. It was hard leaving this place years ago, but the quest for upward movement in my career had me packing my bags, saying tearful goodbyes to family and friends, and heading east. I learned what mid-west winters where like, and what wonderful mid-west people people are like. I learned how the presidential race starts at least two (or three!) years beforehand when you live in the city that hosts the first presidential contest in the nation, the Iowa Caucus. And I learned people really do set up fishing houses on frozen lakes and fish in the dead of winter in Minnesota. And I learned how fun college football can be to watch when you're sitting a sea of Cyclone, Hawkeye, Gopher, or Badgers fans.
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Sentimental Journey
My Last Walk with Madelyn
Friday, November 6th, 2009
I have this belief. I have this belief that when someone you love died, there is a moment when they give you a sign they are okay, that they are where they are supposed to be. That they've made it there, crossed over, are resting in peace. You never know what it's going to be, and maybe not everyone experiences it, but I have had it with every person close to me I've lost. It's hard to trust that moment will come in the middle of your grief, and it doesn't come immediately. But at some point, something happens: and you just know. I believe it's their spirit telling you it's okay. They're okay. And you will be okay soon too. I got that message from Madelyn this week.
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Time Flies
November 3rd, 2009
Wow, how did that happen? It's true. Time flies...when you're having fun, and when you're a bit stressed out. I feel like I can blame both for the absence of blogs lately. My apologies to those of you who kindly stop by now and then to see what the heck I'm up to, and my thanks to those who leave me gentle reminders it's been awhile since I've posted.
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It Aint Over Until its Over
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
I'm actually been grateful I'm unemployed the last few days. That's because there's too much fun stuff going on around the Twin Cities to have a JOB to throw into the mix. I'm talking the Vikings. I'm talking the Twins. I'm talking the Wild. Minnesota sports have given us reason to cheer during what has otherwise been a kind of dreary, cold and wet early Fall. We've learned how true the saying is: "It ain't over 'till it's over!" Read More
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Its a Wrap
Sunday, October 4th, 2009
Well, there's no doubt about it. Fall is here. And it isn't being well-received by Yours Truly. I went for a run this weekend and was not too excited about having to put gloves on. I was even less thrilled to figure out about half-way through, I should have been wearing a stocking cap too. Seriously. Frozen ears on October 2nd? I'm just not ready.
Thankfully, our professional sports teams are heating things up this week and making the chill of this early fall tolerable. Read More
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Mixed Emotions
September 27, 2009
 I wasn't going to go. When I heard a few weeks ago I was nominated for an Emmy award for my work at WCCO, I couldn't imagine how being there for the awards ceremony would be a ton of fun. I mean, it just felt weird for all kinds of reasons. But after some nudging from a few supportive friends, and the vision of getting together with some of my former colleagues not only from WCCO, but other stations in the Cities and Iowa, I changed my mind. I'm glad I did.
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Winding Down
September 24th, 2009
It always happens. We even got the last blast of summer I was hoping for, and it eased the sting a bit. But try as we might, the transition is well underway. Fall is pushing the summer of 09 into the history books. And as I often do, I'm finding myself feeling melancholy. I found myself singing the worlds to Don Henley's "Boys of Summer" song as I was trying to soak up one of our recent wonderfully warm mid-September days: Read More
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Sweet Condolences
Tuesday, September 16th, 2009
You are all so wonderful...all of you who have sent me messages of support and empathy through facebook and e-mail regarding the loss of Madelyn. I assure all of you who have not heard back from me personally I have read every single one. And while to a certain degree there is nothing that can take away the pain or fill the void right now, your words have support have been soothing. You need to know they stick with me. Little things that some of you wrote when I first talked about Madelyn's cancer came to me last week, helping me through the process.
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Missing Madelyn
Tuesday, September 9th, 2009
I knew the time was coming. I knew it would be the right thing to do. I knew it would hurt. I knew I'd be a mess. None of that knowledge made this day any easier. I'm more than a mess. I'm kind of a wreck and though I know intellectually it will get better, I'm having a hard time believing that in this particular moment.
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Give it a Break
Wednesday, Sept 2nd, 2009
I can't believe summer is winding down. I hate this time of year. I mean, I love it, but it's such melancholy time of year. Especially this year when summer has been cool and short in Minnesota. I love fall, but I just haven't had enough of summer. And even if we had a long hot summer, I think I'd still feel this way.
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Words of Wisdom
Tuesday, August 26th, 2009
Today is my dad's birthday. (Happy Birthday Dad!) He's getting older and loves to talk about that a lot these days. Actually, he's talked about it for most of my adult life. He is not a man who has trouble letting go of his youth. I think, rather, that he's enjoyed the perks that come with age. It seems with every year he adds to his resume, he feels free to let go of something.
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No Place Like Home
Saturday, August 15th, 2009
I believe Dorothy had it right. I really do. When I get back to California, and I put my feet in the Pacific, it feels like home. I am reminded of a million other times I've waded, ran, sat and surfed in the chilly salty water as it hits the shoreline. There is a sense of release in the next breath that I exhale. I'm home. Everything is alright. I feel grounded instantly. No matter how long I've been away, it always feels the same to me. And for so many years, the feeling I get when I'm here, came with an ache to get back. I'm realizing this trip, though, there is some confusion in that word....home Read More
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Ding Dong
August 6th, 2009
The Rumors are true. I have found a new gig. Don't be turning on the T.V to see where I've landed. It's not that kind of gig. It's the kind of gig that prompts a few giggles from a lot of folks I know and love, and I'm sure many I don't know, or do know and don't particularly love. I've thrown caution to the wind and signed on as an Arbonne consultant. http://arbonne.com/ Think Avon Lady, the next generation. If you haven't heard of Arbonne, it's a company that sells botanically based skin care and health and wellness products. (And since I'm officially a "consultant", if you haven't hear of it, we should probably talk...)
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Timing is Everything
August 3rd, 2009
 We're all learning a lot about timing these days. We're feeling the pain of not guessing it right...in business, in housing, in job opportunities that are or aren't there all due to the timing. It seems I'm weighing the timing factor a lot lately. And it's all stressful because, of course, timing is a guessing game. It's difficult to know for sure when the timing is right. And even if we think it might be, are we ready to acknowledge it and make a move?
And what if we're not?
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Counting the Losses
July 29th, 2009
It's everywhere. I'm talking about the news
reports, and friends telling friends the stories, and first hand
accounts of people like me "losing their jobs". Much of the coverage
and talk is about the economic impacts...on those of us who find
ourselves out of work, and the economy overall. If we can't spend or
pay our mortgages, well, it has impacts. So I get why it gets so much
attention. Read More
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Big Brother
Monday, July 20th, 2009
I'm not talking about the T.V. show that airs on the network I once worked for. I'm talking about the real deal. Big Brother watching your every move. I know it's the world we live in and technology makes it ever so easy to do, but does that mean we should be?
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The Power of Prayer
July 17, 2009
 I'm about to
break a cardinal rule of The Big J (Journalism), and talk about
something I likely wouldn't be allowed to if I had a job. Maybe so, as
this is a blog, and viewers/readers are becoming increasing hip the
fact journalists are real people with real beliefs, faiths and
thoughts. Even so, I'm not going to go so far as to share all my
beliefs with you, but I am going to talk about something I do put a lot
of stock in. I'm talking about prayer. Read More
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Little voices
Monday, July 13th, 2009
I live next to the cutest little
family. The only thing missing is a white picket fence, and maybe a
dog. But they kind of have Madelyn part-time. Apparently when I
thought Madelyn was just stepping off the back porch to do her business
on early winter mornings and cold winter nights, I was wrong. She was
slipping down the street, or across the street and saying hi to the
neighbors. It wasn't until this spring that the perfect little
family let me know how often Madelyn just comes and hangs with them.
Most of the time she returned home before I realized she was gone.
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Good Question
7/9/09
It's what I've been thinking about a lot lately, and it has nothing to
do with Jason DeRusha and Joe Berglove who do the great GQ question on
WCCO. I've been thinking about the question presented to me across
the desk of a television executive recently.
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Beach Party
 7/6/09
You know, there is a heck of a gathering happening on the beach today, and it has nothing to do with the 4th of July, or even summertime. I knew it was happening, but I had no idea how big of a party it was until I was officially invited. Trust me, you don't need to feel left out if you haven't received your invitation. In fact, you probably want to feel pretty grateful about it. Read More
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Happy Birthday America
7/3/09
That's
what my silly friend has been going around saying to everyone all
weekend. It's the truth, but it sounds funny when she says it. It's
4th of July weekend, Independence Day, the high point of summer.
Whatever you want to call it, it's one of my favorite weekends of the
year, but it comes with mixed emotions.
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Hello Friends
7/1/09
So, welcome to jeanettetrompeter.com. I'm not sure what exactly it
is, or will be, but we will start with it as a place for me to start
blogging again. I am flattered and appreciative of those of you who
have visited my facebook page and let me know you actually read the one
I did for WCCO and that you kind of miss it.
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