ooh la la........

On Monday morning, on my way to the office, I started seeing email traffic on my Blackberry about some gift boxes filled with chocolate. I was about an hour away when the first missive hit the airwaves, and shortly after, more came.

How beautiful said the emailer. How wonderful, how thoughtful. I won't divulge the name of the sender, but I will say this. I know this person is a friend of mine. It was a thank you gift.

When I arrived at the office, there was a stack of blue and brown, perfectly arranged with a ribbon ascending to the top where a simple, elegant bow peered above perfection.

One could only hope the contents matched the presentation. They did.

Everyone's day turned brighter. Everyone's laughter was louder. Everyone's spirit was raised. The gift of chocolate brought an even greater gift, the gift of people coming together, enjoying one another, and sneaking just one more taste of decadence.

Now it's my turn. Thank you.

going green......sort of

A hot topic recently has been the "greening" of America. In an effort to get into your hearts and homes, we, the manufacturer, try to lure you to buy our stuff with sometimes legitimate, and other times suspect aspects of our products.

Green is an ambiguous standard that researchers tell us will make you feel good about the products you buy, and hence, more of them. But, those same researchers tell us that you won't pay more. They say it is a feature that is a "good to have", not a "must have" feature.

So, as a "good" manufacturer, we are "efforting" to bring you those products that will help you feel better when you buy. But, we still want, no, need you to buy. Because we have to make enough "green" to get green.

Greening is something we need to think of throughout the supply chain. It isn't all about the wood used, or the recyclability of the fabric, or deforestation. Moreso, it involves practical matters, like finding suppliers who are close to our facilities, reduction of package size, elimination of non recyclables in packaging, reduction of the amount of materials that will be landfilled after use, and efficiency in manufacturing.

Many times, I read about how a special wood or green fabric has been used on a piece of furniture. But, often that element or elements have been shipped great distances, totally negating the positive effect of the "green" aspects of the product.

As we go forward with our green initiative, we will continue to be more efficient in the use of raw materials, reduce the amount of post use landfilled materials, reduce the cubic size of the materials shipped through efficient packaging, offer more ways to get the products to the end user with the least amount of fossil fuels used, and find alternative materials to get the desired benefit to the consumer.

While this isn't the sexiest way of going green, it is the most responsible to the environment. And really, isn't that what this is all about?

the answer is simple....

I was working today on a project to make a chair easy to assemble. My goal was no tools, little time, small box....simple, right??

Looking around, there are examples of simplicity in nature everywhere... efficiency in design, and magnificence in result, like the egg. Not only does the egg do a job, it does it with class and beauty, an elegant design with no wasted energy.

In literature, George Orwell may have written more completely about human nature than anyone, and it was in a 125 page book. The simplicity of his writing belies the clarity and power of the message delivered.

A rainbow, created with simple light passing through droplets of water offers seven wondrous ribbons of color. How does a colorless liquid combined with light create a perfect arc of happiness?

Now, that is my challenge; create a product that delivers on the promise of comfort, beauty, and above all, do it with simplicity.

this old house

It's time to move on. This old lady is going to have to be the home to a new family. I've decided to move on to a condo. My new life requires me to travel more than this house will allow.

While this home is beautiful, it needs the time and effort of someone who can take care of it. I'm not that person anymore.

So, if you're interested in a relationship with a house, this may be the one.

this is home

A lot of times, people ask me why I live in Fort Atkinson. I think the better question is "why would you want to live anywhere else?" Just walk the streets and try not to say "hi" to someone.

an inspiration

I just finished visiting my folks at their winter home in Arizona. I'm very lucky to have both my parents still living.

As I get older, I realize what a treat it is to have them around. No longer the authority figures of my youth, they are now people, with hopes and dreams and many of the same worries I have.

Mom is 85 (I hope she doesn't mind me exposing her age). She's as youthful as ever, always moving, never really taking time to sit down. I guess having six kids created lifelong habits that are hard to break. She loves to gamble...video poker. Who would have guessed the person who could make a meal out of a bone would have ended up in a casino. Good for her.

Dad has been struggling with his health for the past few years. An incredibly alert and smart 88 year-old with opinions that are as strong as smelling salts, Dad refuses to give in to physical ailments that would have grounded most men long ago. Watching him get up from a chair is both painful to watch and rewarding for the courage it takes to never give in.

They lived through some of the most difficult times in our nation, and they survived. Those skills to do more with less are needed more than ever today. We, as a people, can learn a lot from my folks. I certainly have.

Talent

Talent - Nothing is wasted more in our society than talent. Because talent, without desire is an empty promise, nothing more.

Well, tonight, I got to see talent realized. Our local high school, Fort Atkinson High School, held its 14th annual Show Choir Showcase.

Show choirs are basically song and dance troups that stage professionally choreographed events. They have a 30 minute window to set up, check sound, do a 20 minute show, and then tear down.

I put my eight bucks on the table and got a wrist band. For four hours, I got to watch kids (it's hard to call them that after watching them perform) give every ounce of their being to entertain a packed gymnasium of interested family, friends, and fans. I was and am a fan.

I am amazed by the level of commitment and the quality of entertainment. When I think about the future, I feel better knowing it's in the hands of these kids. Talent - yes. Promise - Realized.