Author: Barbara Gruener

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

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.

Young Authors’ Day

Barbara Gruener

I had the most incredible time on Friday celebrating the 20th-annual Young Authors’ Day at Willow River Elementary in Hudson, WI; what a treat to be invited to be their special guest and get to share our story. I’m so grateful to Sarah and her beautiful school family for the warm welcome and loving kindness throughout the day.

To walk into the library and see our book among these special literary picks?

PRICELESS!

Sometimes it just doesn’t seem real, that I get to travel around helping young writers learn about the publishing process from seedling idea to hardback book. It gives me great joy to answer their questions and sign words of encouragement in my book for them. My favorite new phrase? Sometimes empathy is quiet.

So what’s next? As another school year winds down and we slide into summer, our release of Birdie & Mipps is just around the corner, set for next week, May 23rd, 2024. This Thursday, I’ll be at our Friendswood Library to talk with local young authors about publishing, then we’ll do a “Hello-my-nickname-is” activity before our fabulous librarian Christina and I read the book aloud. I get to play the older sister Birdie, while she tackles the role of a very curious Mipps.

Didn’t she do an incredible job on the invitation?

Oh, and before I head out, a huge shoutout to Julie Garnett for showcasing Mr. Quigley’s Keys on her Musical Storytime Plus. We are super grateful to be a part of her stellar storytelling family.

Do let me know if you’d like to schedule an author visit for your budding writers.

Birdie & Mipps Takes Flight

Barbara Gruener

Today I’m excited that we are only a month away from the release of Birdie & Mipps. I am so grateful for this tribute to my special sibling relationship with my brother, Mark, who mostly went by the name Mipps. Do you have a nickname? And who gets to call you by that name?

I had the blessing of reading the draft aloud earlier this semester and recently received these beautiful reflections from a few of my fourth-grade friends in Wisconsin. These notes are such a treasure; enJOY the gallery walk!

I had read Mr. Quigley’s Keys to them via Zoom on World Kindness Day in November, so I brought them each a key necklace. Many of their notes referenced that KEYpsake.

Since there will be a cardinal on every page, one of them drew this. Isn’t that AmAzInG? Do you know what the cardinal symbolizes?

I also used Winthrup, my bird puppet, to introduce the book, which was a huge hit.

It filled my bucket to hang out with them for a bit.

Aren’t these letters just so special?

I’m currently booking author visits, keynotes, and professional development growth sessions for the upcoming school year; do reach out if I can support and serve in some capacity in your character building.

Inspiring School Visits

Barbara Gruener

Happy February; today I’m excited about and grateful for my visit to Howard Elementary in WI last week, to follow-up a virtual visit I’d had with these fourth-grade empathy heroes back on Kindness Day in November.

Mrs. VandeHei invited me back for an in-person visit when I got home, so on the Friday of this year’s Great Kindness Challenge, off I went, to meet them in person. Once there, I found a hand-colored sign Welcome Mrs. Gruener hanging on the shelves in their library; this S donned the keys to connection from Mr. Quigley’s Keys!

I introduced the three classes to my puppet Winthrop as we talked about what empathy is; how can they predict how Winthrop is feeling even though they don’t speak bird? Their answers were intuitive and inspiring.

Then, we looked at what it means to switch places with another, step into their story, and walk in their shoes for a spell. We practiced the Empathy Switch on our hands and paired it with this poem: E-M-P-A-T-H-Y; put yourself in my shoes and I think you will find; E-M-P-A-T-H-Y, you’re a superhero of the empathy KIND, adding the hand-jive movements to jazz it up.

Since I’d already read Mr. Quigley’s Keys to them, this visit lent itself to a debut of my new book, Birdie and Mipps! My sister and I acted it out; my Dad played the cameo role of the narrator.

After we read it aloud, one friend had a question that I wasn’t quite sure how to answer: Does our little brother, Mipps, know that I wrote a book about him? Sigh.

We had empaKEY necklaces for all of them, to remind them that they have the power to unlock doors with their kindness, that they surely hold the key to someone’s heart, that they are KEY to their school’s success. Before I laid my head on the pillow that night, this beautiful gift from one of my new fourth-grade friends seered itself on my heart.

What fun to make it a family affair, to get to share my story with Debra and Dad in tow. I’m so grateful for my continued partnership with this gifted teacher and her fourth-grade team!

Before I headed to WI, I led a workshop in TX; click {here] if you want to see those slides.

Now that I’m back in TX, I’m counting the days until I become a Grammy. Check back here for that exciting announcement in just a few weeks.