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 […]
Prune’s Spirit Animal is a pretty hijacker
RIDERS REALIZE IOWA is not as flat as expected under clear skies on the first day of a trip across Iowa. The trip got off to a rough start when a storm wrecked havoc, flattening the tent of Todd Sharp. submitted photo by Todd Sharp There was a tremendous thunderstorm brewing […]
Viscous wind nearly blows entire ride
TODD SHARP SCOPES out his pie options at Eldora UCC Methodist Church in Iowa. Behind him is Steve Kelly from Byron, Wis. Brian Kelly photo by Todd Sharp I know it seems like a luxurious rarity for someone working in Green Lake to take a week of vacation during […]
Biking Iowa? Sounded good in February
by Todd Sharp Serendipity, unexpected positive consequences, and exceeded expectations are real mysteries in my life. We have all seen those speed meter readers on the side of the road to publicly shame us into going the posted speed limit, yet when I’m on my bike I push the pedals […]
Serendipitous moments = many memories
Woody Harrelson? by Todd Sharp If you’re approached on the street this summer and questioned why you’re here and where you came from, don’t be alarmed. It’s a simple, honest question with easy answers. The Green Lake Area Visitors Bureau has a visitor survey going on. One delightful and intriguing […]
Were GL a person, who would it be?
THE PRUNE CONSIDERED buying a $93,500 Mercedes Benz Sprinter. Then he woke up and went back to work. by Todd Sharp What triggers set your mind whirring? Maybe the twitch of a smile in the corner of a partner’s lip, a close-up glance of the sexy parts of a flower […]