THE PRUNE SNAPS a selfie at the Tate Modern Art Museum in London while son, Zak, believes things are looking up for him and his dad. Todd Sharp photo by Todd Sharp These past few weeks I was in Europe to see my son as he was finishing up his […]
The Prune
TODD SHARP TESTS his Happy Wanderer Camping Grill, courtesy of A. Rowley Tool and Engineering Co. in Green Lake. submitted photo by Todd Sharp I’m much more of a wandering salesman than a traveling salesman. This past week I wandered into A. Rowley Tool and Engineering Co. in Green Lake […]
The Prune: Val-deri, val-dera, happy wanderer not chicken about grilling
by Todd Sharp I’ve been going home for lunch since I bought a new car, spending money on car payments and insurance instead of melty cheese paninis and hearty soups at local restaurants. I miss the social connection of the serendipitous lunch guest or quietly writing correspondence during lunch break […]
The Prune – Booty duty: Prune decides how to stop, ...
CANNED ROMA TOMATOES are ready to be consumed this winter — by a hungry grasshopper. submitted photo by Todd Sharp I get a little antsy this time of the year. I start to feel uneasy about the upcoming quieter season. Fewer folks around to share stories with. I’ll miss the […]
The Prune: Better to be an antsy busy bee than ...
by Todd Sharp I set sail on my maiden voyage in 1978 with the Davis sisters, pushing off from a dock on the south shore of Green Lake. It was a steamy, hot, sunny, late summer day with a spirited southwesterly breeze. I was excited and nervous. As a 16-year-old […]
Prune is no Popeye but he doesn’t know these sailing ...
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: Establish your style in three words: Read this ...
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 […]