Author: Barbara Gruener

Educator, Mentor, Inspirational Speaker, Author of Mr. Quigley's Keys and Birdie & Mipps. Visit me online: barbaragruenerauthor.com or corneroncharacter.com

Together Is My Favorite Place

Barbara Gruener

After a long day of travel yesterday, I’m back home and reflecting on an incredible journey home. First up, a visit to my mom, to read Birdie & Mipps to her. Since she’s battling dementia, I wasn’t sure how it would go and as I reflect, I deeply felt the depth and width of her words: I don’t know why but this is making me feel really sad.

I explained to her that it was really sad, that Mipps is her little boy, and that he’d died a few years ago, but that it was also happy because a part of his story is now in our book, and that’s when she said, “Well, I’d really like to have a book like this.” Sigh.

And in that moment, I realized how important it was to always carry an extra copy.

Next up, off to visit my Aunt Elaine, who just turned 91. Since our youngest son, Joshua, and his wife, Ariana, were with us, I asked them to read the book aloud in the roles of Birdie & Mipps.

Here’s a snippet of them reading one of my favorite pages. What’s your favorite page?

Then, my mom got to meet her great granddaughter, a precious moment indeed.

What joy fills my heart to be together in this four-generation picture.

And finally, the reason for our trek home: To gather for Tanner and Callie’s big day. So blessed to stand with Tanner’s other two Godmothers in this shot.

Mipps was represented at the memorial table; Tanner wrote such a beautiful tribute.

In our family picture, Jacob is wearing Mipps’ jacket and one of his ties; Joshua is sporting one of his ties as well. Our Dad made this beautiful cross centerpiece for the wedding ceremony.

Together truly is my favorite place to be.

Mom’s Choice Gold Award

Barbara Gruener

So yesterday, in the midst of hurricane Beryl’s fierce and frightening fury on our town, this great news popped into my inbox …

… that Birdie & Mipps has earned a Mom’s Choice Gold Award.

We are SO very grateful to the committee of decision-makers at MCA for honoring us with this distinction. Happy July, dear reader; thank you for celebrating this milestone marker with us!

JOY in July

Barbara Gruener

Happy July, dear reader.

As I turn another calendar page, I’m thinking about joy, what inspires it in me, and how I work with intention to choose it and hold on to it. So I sat down and scripted a month’s worth of ideas to share. Download it here if you’d like to print a physical copy. Which ones speak to you? Which ones would you be willing to try?

I’m also reflecting a lot about my brother Mipps now that our book is out. I’ve saved a few of his final texts to me; here’s one from about 10 days before he died. Let me give you some context; Mr. Quigley’s Keys had just come out in June and Mipps wanted to help me market the book. He had just given away his last copy, so he texted to ask me if I could get him a few more. I offered to send ten and he replied, “Or 20!” He always found a way to make me giggle.

We were negotiating cost and postage; it’s his last sentence that gives me chills.

We are both doing well for a few farm kids. One of the very last texts I’d ever get from him. In fact, when I flew to his place the day I’d found out he’d suffered a fatal heart attack, I found the books I’d sent just days earlier, one book already given away, and 19 still boxed up, ready to go. He was so generous like that, helping spread the word about Mr. Quigley’s Keys by giving copies to friends of his with young children.

He told me that “it is too good not to share.” Always my biggest fan, that little brother.

And now that those two farm kids star in my new book, Birdie & Mipps, I can only imagine what he’d have to say. If only I could text him one more time, to tell him about the book. I’d thank him for being a jolt of joy for me when life started to overwhelm. I’d listen to his latest break-up story and I’d hang on every word. And I’d tell him that he is loved by so many people. Would he even believe that we stood in that receiving line at his funeral for five hours hugging family and friends and listening to how he was their best friend and what he’d done that touched their hearts and changed their lives for good.

Mipps, you brought so much JOY into our world.

If only I could hear your joyful laugh one more time.

And see that signature smile. I miss you and I love you, kid.

When Goofy Showed Me

Barbara Gruener

“Did you really have a cow named Goofy when you were little?” I heard that young girl inquire politely as she reflected on our tale.

“Sure did!” I told her, “and she was my best non-human friend.”

She was a purebred Holstein heifer, one that was hand-picked for me to show at the County Fair. We practiced and practiced before it was decided that she’d be my choice for the Showmanship Class. Showmanship isn’t as much about the animal as it is about her leader; judges look for attributes like preparation, poise and posture, appearance, behavior and use of show-ring skills.

This is how a regular show ring looks, with animals parading around the ring and a judge observing and evaluating from the middle.

When the judge decides which animals make the cut, typically the top 10, he pulls those into the middle for a closer look. Normally, Goofy knew just what to do when I was showing her; follow me and we’ll do just fine. But that day in the ring, as I was showing Goofy off, she decided, right then and there, to show off her napping skills. Yep, that’s right; she laid right down for a nap.

Friends, don’t get me wrong; I’m a huge fan of a good nap. But not at the County Fair and for sure not when it’s show time! For a few panicked moments, I was sure we’d lost. You can’t just do that, you know, even IF your nickname is Goofy. Who was showing whom?

But then my heart and my head synced and helped me switch from panic to purpose, the reason I was in that ring. I needed my friend to get back up and keep going. So I started to talk to her while gently coaxing her into resuming the show. Win or lose, she needed to get up and I was her fearless leader, the only one who could make that happen.

I think I may have even started singing to her, though that memory is kind of foggy. What I do know is that after what seemed like an eternity but probably wasn’t really all that long, she did get back up and join the herd.

Pretty sure we’d not be called into the judge’s circle, I braced myself but kept my gaze back and forth between the judge and my calf. As he started to call the first round of finalists into the ring, I was shocked to see him motion to Goofy and me. Like, come into the circle. Unbelievable!

Then, and you may have guessed this by now, Goofy and I were moved into blue-ribbon position. We were chosen first in our Showmanship Class that day. The judge went on to say that he chose us because of how I kept my composure even when my heifer didn’t seem to want to cooperate. He liked the relationship that my best friend, Goofy, and I had. And he thought we deserved to win even though she had laid down on the job.

Goofy taught me about showing grace under fire and I’m grateful for the gumption and the grit that I developed from that wildly unpredictable heifer who showed me all about Showmanship (and life!) that day.

A Horse’s Gentle Tickle

Barbara Gruener

Nicknames can come from anywhere, but how did the word “nip” become Nippers, then Mippers, then Mipps? In the story, Mipps asks Birdie if she knows how he got his nickname.

Meet the real-life Scooter, my pride and joy, whom my sixth-grade self found malnourished and super skinny at a farm about 25 minutes down the road. I talked my Dad into letting me invest in her, a gorgeous Arabian Pinto mix, and I nurtured her back to health on my family farm in the early 1970’s. We went on to breed her twice; her foals Menty and Misty were absolutely gorgeous miracle babies. I love how our artist perfectly portrays this beautiful mare.

The cool part about realistic fiction is that a large part of it is true; this sneak peek into the real part of our story, Birdie & Mipps, and how my little brother, Mark, came by the nickname Mippers, then Mipps, comes from treasured memories that have lasted a lifetime.

I’m so very grateful for the affirming feedback that the book is receiving; check out this five-star review from passionate educator Mrs. Monty in Florida, as seen on Amazon:

Birdie & Mipps is not only a compelling story but also a fantastic resource for classrooms.

I’m so grateful that our story is resonating with educators like Barbie; it’s my hope that it’ll be a springboard for many cool conversations about the importance of names and the respectful use of nicknames and that it’ll serve as a reminder that how we treat each other matters.

Hello! My nickname is …

Barbara Gruener

Today I’m grateful for my daughter, Kaitlyn, who helped me create this!

Just print it out on an Avery 5395 adhesive label for a fun #B2S activity. For almost a year already, I have been asking students to share their nicknames (if they have one) or a name they wish they could be called, and it has been fascinating to hear the endearing names, their backstories, how they feel about the names, and who gets to call them by that name. It has also led into beautiful conversations about our given names; this beautiful young lady, who goes by Em, was given the name Emaline, a combination of two of her grandmother’s names. Isn’t that so special?

I’ve not met Lisa in person yet, so I’m not sure if she’s got a nickname. Since she’s a PE teacher, my guess is that many people know her by the name Coach, but I do plan to ask her when we finally meet in real life.

As always, we need to keep in mind that nicknames could be a sensitive subject for some, especially if they share an unwanted (or hurtful nickname), so setting the scene with compassion and love will be super important to make it a safe space for this discussion. Recently I found out that my cousin’s son Owen has a nickname – O – that he doesn’t like and he asks that his family not call him that. But it’s so cute, right? But I get it. Our son Joshua did not like one of his nicknames and he let us know that that was NOT his name!

For fun, I’ve been working on this little ditty, to seal the deal after reading the book aloud and allowing for partner time sharing our nicknames.

Keep on dancing, dear reader.

Now This Brings Tears

Barbara Gruener

I was so happy to see the Amazon truck carrying this precious cargo.

My dad’s copy of Birdie & Mipps.

His reaction to a pillow hug made from his son’s shirt holding our book was priceless.

First, he laughed.

Then, he caught his breath.

“Now this brings tears,” he admitted freely as he turned the page and saw the picture of his baby boy on the bike in the back of our book. Tears. So. Many. Tears. Tears of grief. Tears of pride. Tears of loss. Tears of gratitude. Tears of joy. Tears of what was. Tears of what isn’t anymore. Tears of missing. So. Many. Tears. Of. Missing.

And yet, we move forward, one breath, one step, one day at a time. For there are babies to be baptized, like Leah, the newest member of our family.

Do we wish Mipps could have been here for this four-generation celebration? No question. But we definitely felt his presence as we continue to grieve with the hope of one day seeing him again. Until then, we work with intention to keep his legacy of love alive by sharing his story and continuing his ministry of compassionate connections, gratitude and generosity.

Thank you, dear reader, for your interest in our book and its backstory. Have you read Birdie & Mipps yet? What was your favorite part?

Loving Feedback For Birdie & Mipps

Barbara Gruener

Today I’m grateful for the readers who took the time to share their reflections at BN.com.

Sharing a story so close to my heart can be daunting and a little nerve-wracking, so these kind words are helping still my soul.

The books are making their mark around our home state just like my Pied Piper brother did. Here, the books are proudly displayed in the Mark W. Natzke lounge at his workplace. They loved him and they miss him so much.

Mipps’ friend Bridget from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern WI worked with her team to place a copy in each of the family rooms at their house that bear his name. He served on that Board of Directors for 9 years and absolutely LOVED that place as he championed their cause.

It has been a bittersweet few weeks as we put this story about how Mipps got his nickname out into the world, but my heart is happy that his legacy of connection, generosity and love continues. That’s what this beautiful bird symbolizes and that’s why I’m loving the feedback that’s feeding my emotional reserve.

The softcover copy is available at Amazon now.

Zooming In To Wisconsin

Barbara Gruener

Not sure I’ll ever forget this moment, when my late brother Mark’s friend Mike tells his sister’s class that he was gifting each of them a copy of Birdie & Mipps.

Is this not just the most adorable shot of them digging in?

But my favorite has to be this budding author looking at Mipps’ memory page.

I am grateful to have been able to put Mark’s picture in the back across from the reflection questions; turn the page to find empathy enrichment activities and name extension ideas. Publishing with Road To Awesome has been an incredible experience. Holding this special delivery sent my soul soaring.

And reading with our granddaughter, Leah? A joy we’ve not known, until now

If you have your copy, we’d love your feedback over at BN online.

Happy summertime, dear reader.

Front Page News

Barbara Gruener

Yesterday was a special birthday; it would have marked my late brother Mipps turning 56, but it also served as the release of our tribute book, Birdie & Mipps.

I’m so grateful that Road To Awesome would choose to publish our passion project.

I’m also so thankful that the Reporter News deemed our story front page newsworthy!

I’ve been told repeatedly that it’s important to make grief our friend, wear it like a shawl even, so that’s what I tried to do once I came out of that initial fog, embrace grief and give my pain purpose.

I hope you’ll like our story, dear reader; do leave your feedback for our other friends here.