I went home for the holidays. Home is such a vague word because I consider home to be Houston and wherever my people are. Other than that, I was in Minnesota, Chicago, and Iowa. I got to spend time with most of the people that matter most to me in this world.
Three long road trips to Chicago to Ames to home [Houston] with my favorite man and being, aka my life pawtner aka my boyfriend and my dog.
I played with horses in Minnesota. Alex’s mom has a horse farm in the middle of nowhere Minnesota, and it’s one of my favorite places on Earth. The farm is surrounded by bluffs, and it’s just beautiful. I was only there for two days, but it was a great way to start my holiday trip.
Had a family Christmas in Effingham, where Mom and Dad are building their retirement lake home. While Mom was showing us the sight, we got the car stuck. None of us wore the right shoes, but we pushed anyways and made it back onto the road. Girl Power.
I dressed up with my sisters and Beau on Christmas morning to be Santa and her elves because we don’t require Santa to be a man in our family. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything as cute as Beau in a Santa costume. Made my entire year.
One of my Christmas presents was two tickets to The Second City for their Do You Believe in Madness? Show, critiquing the modern political climate and culture in general. Kelsey and I went and had an AMAZING time. I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed that much in a two hour period. (I probably have, but it was at myself, so it doesn’t count.) We had front row seats, and they served hot chocolate. I mean, it was made for me.
I got to spend the evening with my brother and sister-in-law in Chicago, enjoying good food, yummy chocolates, and even better company.
Beau got bit by my parents’ new rescue dog. Stay tuned for more on this week’s Blog + Dog for more details. She’s fine, but it was ruff.
I did some unnecessary shopping in downtown Ames with my mom, pawtner, and dad. I picked up very important things, like popover tins, tea, soap that smells like hot chocolate, and dog treats/toys/chewbones. Beau appreciates the fact we spend more money on her than ourselves.
I took pictures in the Iowa Law Library. There will be a post about that in the future. It’s amazing. If you ever have the chance to go, do so. You won’t regret it.
The family went to the Iowa State Capitol Building and East Village in Des Moines to explore and have a fun afternoon on New Year’s Eve. I had never been with my dad, and my mom hadn’t been in two decades – since I went on a second grade field trip.
I dressed up as a flapper for New Year’s Eve, took pictures in Beardshear Hall on Iowa State’s campus, and attended a concert in a speakeasy. It was a lot of fun. My parents had an amazing time, and Dylan and I got to dance together, which was a nice way to bring in the New Year.
I love candy. I don’t it eat the way I used to, but I love candy. It triggers the happiness centers in my soul.
My best friend, Alex, has been telling me about his dad’s high school best friend’s candy store/apple orchard for ever. Literally, as long as I have known him. Turns out, Jim’s Apple Orchard is the biggest candy store in Minnesota. I practically skipped through the entire place in complete awe the very first time – and last and every time between. I should have known; Alex is not prone to giddy excitement or hyperbole. (Shh… don’t tell him; I like to pretend he blows everything out of proportion.)
Alex did kind of lie to me. He invited me to come hang out with him in Minnesota, now that he is out of the military. He mentioned he’d be working at the store a bit… I didn’t have to if I didn’t want to. I think he forgot who I am because if there’s work to do, I’m going to do it. A “bit” was a major understatement. Jim’s Apple Farm was in the midst of their busiest weekend of the year, and they wanted all the help they could get. Granted, I like to work, but it’s been a long time since I’ve worked fourteen hour days on me feet. Fourteen hour days behind a computer at home are a totally different beast.
Jim’s Apple Farm started out as an apple orchard after a soldier came home from World War II and grew into the family business it is today. About twenty years ago, they branched out into candy after a hail storm made the year’s apples less than fruitful. What was once a table full of candy is a barn stuffed full of candy and soda and puzzles and delights from around the world to excite your inner child or your real children. They still run an orchard of tens of thousands of apple trees. The candy store is open from the beginning of May to the end of November; the owners may lock the doors, but they’re hard at work inside in the off months, keeping things fresh adding new and interesting thrills. They are some of the hardest working people I’ve met, and their success is completely due to their hard work, creativity, passion, and innovation.
You’ll know it when you see it because the bright yellow barn is all but impossible to miss – although, someone did find the side of the barn with their car. Jim’s Apple Farm is a delight for all ages, unless you hate fun and happiness. There’s a sense of humor around every corner reflecting the warmth and laughter originating from the owners. The bathrooms are hidden behind Porta Potty doors with “World’s Largest Porta Potty” painted on the walls. Don’t worry, it’s just a door. There is no end to the amusements. In house baked goods make the entire store smell like grandma’s house at Christmas. Elsa and Anna twinkle with a little castle for children to climb in. Marvel and DC heroes and villains stand guard or ready to pounce. The back room is a full circle featuring a revolving ceiling; if you’re not careful, you might get lost. At the center, is TARDIS built to scale. Star Wars ships spin above head against a starry sky. You can find Zoltar, which only reminded me of Tom Hanks. You don’t even need to go for the candy/soda/apples/baked goods/treats, your attention will be kept by the amazing decor.
Robert and Renee, the owners, hold a lot of trust in their employees and their customers. Pumpkins and merchandise are everywhere out front, but all you have to do is tell the cashier how many you want and load them up on your way out. No one will check to make sure you’re not taking more than you should. Whether it’s the small town charm or faith in humanity, this is just one example of the many moments of sincerity. There staff is comprised of all ages. Most of the cashiers are in high school. Shift leaders are as young as sixteen, giving them responsibility and management experience at a young age is helping build confidence in an increasingly marginalized age group.
I only lent a hand at Jim’ Apple Farm for two days. It was quite the experience. Just being a customer would have been wonderful, but being behind the scenes brought a completely new perspective. There’s probably as much storage space as there is shopping space. People are hard at work before doors open and long after doors close. It is an amazing amount of coordinated effort and planning to make sure the shopping experience is smooth and exciting for everyone. I was absolutely exhausted after every day being on my feet. The days went by in a whirl as there was always something to be done. I can’t imagine doing it day-in and day-out for months on end.
I took huge advantage of my employee discount, though. I walked out with a ginormous back of candy and soda from all around the world. I haven’t even made a dent in it yet, but luckily it doesn’t spoil quickly.
Facebook is the only place you’ll find Jim’s Apple Orchard. They have almost no social media clout, and honestly, they don’t need it. They don’t even have a website. The barn was designed for Instagram long before Instagram existed or even smartphones, but they don’t care. They’re catering to the child in all of us. People were putting their phones down and looking up. Not just at each other but at the ceiling, walls, and corners to find all the treasures hidden in every nook and cranny.
Hurry before they close for the year on December 1!
bisous und обьятий, RaeAnna
Jim’s Apple Farm
20430 Johnson Memorial Drive
Jordan, MN 55352
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To the rest of the world, today is New Year’s Eve. Up until eight years ago, it was just New Year’s for me too.
My most influential person came into my life eight years and a few hours ago. His name is Alex. He’s made appearances here and there on my blog. He’s been a big part of my travels this year. He helped make 2018 brilliant.
I can’t really describe Alex to you in any way other than he is an amazing person. People love him or hate him. There is no in between. I don’t know why people hate him except he is an intense kind of man in all the best ways. So there is probably something wrong with the haters.
There are people who come into our lives and change everything. Alex is that person to me. I am who I am because of him. He has become such a part of my story it is impossible to tell it without him. He is written on my soul.
On New Year’s Eve of 2010, Alex came into my life, and he never left. We were in college together. He was a senior; I was a freshman. We had almost no reason to meet. Due to fate and a heart condition, he’s stuck with me. We were in choir together. When our director rearranged the seating arrangement, he ended up sitting in front of me. Very few people know this about him anymore: he has a beautiful singing voice. Long story short. Out of sheer optimism or naiveté or stupidity, I invited this dude, who I’d never had an in-person conversation with, to my house for New Year’s. He hugged my dad before we’d ever touched. It was ballsy. It worked out.
In the last eight years, Alex and I have been through more than I could ever write about. We walked to hell and back holding hands a few times over. It wasn’t easy. Actually, it’s been the hardest eight years of my life. Because of him, they have been the best eight years of my life. He is just shy of sainthood. Flawed as he is, he has always put me first. I have severe PTSD. I’ve been through sexual assaults and domestic violence. I have been in abusive relationships. I have been insecure. I have been broken. I have been bruised literally and in a non-physical sense of things. I have seen some pretty horrific things. Through my darkest days, Alex has always been there. He has never left. He has never made me feel less than. He has made me laugh through my tears. He has held my hand when there were no words to be said. When I have been unable or unwilling to pick up the pieces of my soul, he has put them back together. He helped make me whole, when I had never known what that felt like.
Alex went into the Marines over five years ago. We spent three years living together before he enlisted. In five years, we have spent one Christmas and one birthday together. He deployed twice. Two weeks ago, he left on his third deployment. He’s on a boat somewhere in the world. I don’t know where. Late on Christmas Day, I was lucky enough to get a phone call from him. We exchange emails whenever he has internet. I don’t know when he’ll be home. It will be eight months or more. It’s hard. I miss him. I miss hearing his voice. I miss getting to visit him. This isn’t new. We’ve gone over a year without seeing or talking to each other by phone in the past. It’s part of life in the military and loving someone in the military. Many other women, men, and families go through the same thing. Worry is part of our lives.
Alex and I have been a part of each other’s lives for eight years. They have been beautiful and stressful and all the feelings in between. Life has been hard on us. A lot of things were out of our control, some that weren’t, and some that seemed like they were. I wish many things had gone differently in our combined lives and our lives before each other. Then again, I don’t. I wouldn’t change him or I or what we have for anything in the world.
I can’t tell you who I am without talking about Alex. He has been an integral part of my life. Some people don’t just influence who we are, they form who we are. He has pushed me to be better. He has questioned my opinions and thoughts. He has held me when I’ve cried. He always challenges me to be the best version of myself. I don’t think I’m as good for him as he is for me, but I’m not going to tell him that any time soon.
It’s been eight years. I hope to have about a gazillion more, but I’ll settle for another seventy. I think I can make it to 97. Any day after that will be a blessing I think.
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Caledonia, Minnesota is a small town in the southeastern part of the state. It’s almost as close as you can get to Wisconsin without actually being in Wisconsin. It’s the county seat of Houston County, so there’s a courthouse alongside all the other small town amenities. There are a few bars, a bakery, a couple restaurants, a grocery store, a coffee shop, and a few other things, but it’s not much more than a hiccup of a town.
Why, oh, why am I writing about Caledonia?
About eight years ago, my partner in crime, Alex, took me to meet his family in Caledonia, Minnesota. I was there often during college because it was only a few hours away. After college, it’s become a lot less common since he lives in North Carolina and I in Houston. This is the first time I’ve been back in a year.
My two favorite places in town are the cafe and the bakery. The bakery is open in the morning and serves yummy donuts, pastries, and cookies. The Wired Rooster is an adorable cafe in the middle of downtown. I had to buy one of the mugs because they’re cute/I have a mug addiction. The cafe is a fairly recent addition to the town landscape, but it is very cozy – especially now in the winter with the snow on the ground.
I’m here for a little over a week and a half. It’s a calm and understated several days. It’s a nice break from the normal busy-busy-busy of my life at home.
Caledonia is a blip on a map, but it holds so many wonderful memories and feelings for me. It’s a place where I have no reception, so everything and everyone else fades into the other. The people are friendly and passionate about the Vikings. It is football season, you know. Everything closes early except the bar. It’s like many small towns. But this one is special. It’s the home of my person.
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