Benziger babes

Uncle Jim, Aunt Rita and me On death and dying and the five stages of grief As a medical professional, I face life and death as part of my daily routine. When I was an internal medicine resident, I always had a "black cloud." A black cloud meant that whenever I was on call, I always got the most admits and the sickest patients compared to any other resident. I figured I got lots of learning by being busy but it also meant I had lots of practice at having end of life conversations. After a while, talking about death is something that you don't even think about. It is like getting dressed in the morning or brushing your teeth, it become a part of every day routine. Unfortunately, we don't often have time to sit down and reflect on death when it does happen because we are rushed off to see the next patient or do the next procedure. Just last week, I was involved in the care of a critically ill patient in the intensive care unit and the patient was talking to me...

Theo ready to go at his first ski race It's been a chilly few months here in Duluth. Yet, as true Minnesotans living in the bold North, we don't just sit inside and complain. We learn to embrace the cold and get outside and enjoy it; whether it's skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or sledding or making snow angels after soaking in the hot tub, we embrace the northland weather! Theo had his third ski race today at Chester bowl. It's crazy to think that one month ago he was on the bunny hill trying to pass the cone test to get to go on the chair lift for the first time. He finished his first race in 4th place. I was so proud of him for being brave enough to enter his first race (and so excited that he got a metal for finishing and didn't finish last). He loved it and wanted more so last week he competed again in near zero temperatures but this time he finished 1st and got a big blue medal! Today, he had his third race and he finished 2nd and got a silver medal! ...

Theo's recipe for how to cook a perfect turkey Theo and Marit were in heaven when we got 10 inches of snow the day before Halloween. Luckily most of it melted by Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day was quiet and we skipped the turkey but enjoyed fondue for dinner. Then we spent the weekend at the Pastorius cabin on Balsam Lake. We made ornaments and did craft projects and enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner. There were over a dozen beautiful white swans on the nearly frozen lake preparing to migrate south for winter. Sometimes I wish we could migrate south too but there is something beautiful and calming about looking outside and having everything covered in a layer of white. We had 10 inches of snow the day before Halloween (and the kids were in heaven) Trick or treating in the snow (a rocket ship and Elmo) Off they go! Best friends - Evie and Marit Hanging out in Duluth with the Pastorius fam Bentleyville lights Hitching a ride Crazy bus...