by Todd Sharp “Style is based on limitations.” — John Hartford I’ve been working on a minimal, non-invasive, and repurposed lifestyle. The clothing I wear, furniture I make, the dwelling I do life in, the activities I pursue; hopefully the time, money, and energy I spend transcend my intentions. These […]
The Prune
by Todd Sharp From the tubular, righteous, humble beginning in Peru, the potato has been cooked up as a staple in nearly every cuisine around the world. In its best form the potato is always paired with some fat and additional flavor. Butter, salt and pepper, sour cream, bacon bits, […]
Prune advises: Let the chips fall where they may
THE PRUNE AS a pre-Prune in 1967, when his world was pretty much limited to a half-mile radius around his house. submitted photo by Todd Sharp Ditch weed I’ve been discovering roadside magic since I was a little boy. It started when my brother and I spotted some gigantic dandelions […]
The Prune: Even in life’s ditches, beauty awaits those who ...
THE PRUNE AND a friend marvel at the rewards life brings when one is willing to navigate steep hills, both ways. submitted photo by Todd Sharp My friend Susan and I met on this road 5 years ago. Each year since, we have taken an adventurous week-long bike ride. The […]
The Prune: Biking hills, both ways, is a metaphor for ...
by Todd Sharp Kissing goodbye. I have a friend who is traveling the world viewing its natural wonders. Her first-hand knowledge and belief in the science predicting global warming is profound enough that she is visiting the most exposed countries — kissing goodbye to the physical land and, in some […]
The Prune: A kiss is given before a farewell (or ...
by Todd Sharp I shaved off my mustache. Now my first impression to the world is completely bare. I took off a mask, leaving a raw, naked, transparent feeling my face and psyche haven’t felt since 1975 when I was in 8th grade. I’m facing the world without barrier, style, […]
The Prune
TODD ISN’T THE only thing that’s Sharp in this photo. But an axe to the closet, he suggests, liberates the mind and “prunes” the soul. submitted photo by: Todd Sharp Sometimes the deadwood just has to go. Fruit trees grow better after pruning the deadwood out. A single leading branch […]
The Prune: Prepare for summer by pruning stuff, clearing the ...
WHICH GUY APPEARS more prepared for the Green Lake 100? Gary Hazelberg, right, or the Prune? submitted photo by Todd Sharp This summer is kicking off with robust exercise and plenty of camaraderie. I’m talking about a new bike ride: the Green Lake 100 On Sunday, May 28, the Green […]
The Prune: Green Lake 100 offers biking fun for all ...
Whether digital or cumulus, clouds contain beauty, wonder and mystery. by Todd Sharp My head has been in the clouds lately filled with beautiful grays, whites and darkness. I love a beautiful cloudless sunny day as much as the next guy, but the rainy gray days seem to hold more […]
The Prune: ‘I’ve got sunshine, on a cloudy day…’ — ...
PRUNE TODD SHARP, left, is more interested in a cat than in cooking, unlike his table mates, Cindy Fuller and brother Dana Sharp. submitted photo By Todd Sharp I started cooking young. My mom is a great cook and kept my brother and I within reach to teach us […]
The Prune: Cooking, dining, delicious excuses to enjoy company of ...
By Todd Sharp We have an abundance of birds around here. Some stay for the winter. A few will even come south to winter in Wisconsin. Most arrive in the spring, flocking together, having babies and enjoying our abundance. Their songs wake us early to make sure we’re in tune […]
The Prune: A bird’s eye view: Feathers are readied for ...
TODD SHARP KEEPS his balance as he gazes out rather than down. Zak Sharp photo by Todd Sharp This past weekend I tried to paddle board, something I’ve wanted to do since moving to Green Lake. I’d been turned back a few times because of […]
The Prune: Life’s best view: Look at the horizon, not ...
TODD SHARP’S FATHER, Tom, left, shows Diane Leatherberry how a cartridge tape player works as Johnson’s TV store owner George Johnson watches. It was at the downtown Ripon store that Todd’s imagination blossomed and his interest in sales began. RCP file photo By Todd Sharp “I believe strongly that the […]
The Prune: Imagination grows with person, experiences
ZAK SHARP PROVES that at age 9, you can eat cheese curds and not add pounds. submitted photo by Todd Sharp The pursuit of cheese curds and root beer floats changed my life in a very healthy way. When my son was 5 he loved cheese curds and was persistent about […]
The Prune: Father, son bonding and biking over curds, floats
by Todd Sharp There was once a time when the only farmers markets were in big cities. Over the years I’ve noticed how big, ripe ideas spread from community to community. Once good ideas start getting a foothold, it’s hard to keep them contained in one spot. After my first […]
Willy Street? Check out Mill, Watson, Huron streets
by Todd Sharp I’ve taken to a safe pattern and opted to change my car tires each season expecting to get a greater grip on the road, switching from snow tires to summer driving tires. The results have been spectacular. No crashes or slipping into the ditch. Success! This spring […]
Prune takes ‘spare’ minute to admire patterns
by Todd Sharp I started writing the Prune in part to share a synthesized version of my life’s lessons and fables with my son. Although many of the reflections have taken some wild departures from the original purpose, I hope to have clearly passed along a few bits of knowledge. […]
Advice from a prune to a freshly ripened grape
by Todd Sharp Summer always goes way too fast. I’m sad to see the geese coming back. However, instead of wondering where summer went so damn fast, I’m looking forward to fall and winter. If I wanted to extend summer I could move to Texas, Florida, New or old Mexico. […]
No summer bummer: Baby it’s cold cool outside
THE PRUNE LOOKS down Ripon’s Union Street Hill. Todd Sharp photo by Todd Sharp It’s tough to find balance. It seems like either I’m going up or down, fast or slow, running hot or cold. Rarely finding a perfect pace, or as Goldilocks said “just right.” No too long ago, […]
Some approach hills with pedal to metal
CAN THERE BE any doubt that the Prune’s Spirit Animal is a Monarch butterfly that, by attaching itself to others, flies faster than other butterflies? Todd Sharp photo by Todd Sharp A mystical and charming friend asked if I knew my Spirit Animal. Without understanding what […]