Sometimes we think we have more time than we do. As was the case with my entire week last week, planning to write this very column Sunday evening to allow for the week to play out enough that I may have something of local interest to talk about. Alas, sometimes the weekend goes to chaos, such as this one did for me, and Monday morning I’m struggling to collect a single, useful thought before the deadline for the first newspaper jumps up to grab this column that hasn’t yet been written.

Have you ever heard the saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” According to Dictionary. com, this proverb means that “people are often reluctant or unwilling to change old habits or long-held beliefs.” Oxford Languages states the idiom means “you cannot make people change their established patterns of opinion or behavior.” Regardless of whether you are familiar with the saying or not, you no doubt have seen this happen.

Making art can be an expensive proposition but for some creators, it is necessary for their health and wellbeing. Most artists barely make enough in sales to cover their expenses. The Minnesota State Legislature has made financial assistance to artists possible through Heritage Fund dollars distributed to eleven regional arts councils across the state. These dollars are then dispersed to regional artists and arts organizations through grant-funded projects.

How did I suddenly get so busy in May? I guess I’m making up for lost time during the snowy weeks. Now if I could only split myself in pieces so I could attend even more of the interesting events that are taking place this month. Charlie has baseball games, 3 a week, to make up for all the missed games in April. Lots of birthdays are celebrated this month as well as graduation parties, several on the same day. End of school events, concerts for both band and choir, junior high and senior high. How did I ever find time to work a regular job?