We are Us: Community
Teaching for several decades in a small town has a way of giving one a public persona. The saying goes,...
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Articles written by Janet Kurtz
The Times They Are A-Changing
I stood behind my family, waiting for my son to scan our airline reservation from his phone for our boarding...
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Faffing About
“Are you faffing about again?” my British friend, Ana asked, as she came towards my car. “Why, yes I am,”...
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The Pursuit of Happiness
The Pursuit of Happiness (and Justice for All) The white caps turn to gentle waves, rolling into the shoreline at...
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Working Towards La Dolce Vita
“La dolcezza di non fare nulla” was translated as “the sweetness of doing nothing” on a recent Minnesota Radio interview....
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Her Name Starts with a “C”
This piece first appeared in The Jackpine Writers’ Bloc “The Talking Stick” Volume 34 “I believe her name starts with...
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Freedom Fridays
Friday is “go to jail” day. First class at 9:00 and second at 10:00. Mary and I meet in the...
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Estoy Aquí
The Virgen de Guadalupe, patron saint of the Americas, appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 on a hill outside of...
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Unprecedented
Orientation included a walk from the outside world into a small entry room with 6” x 6” lock boxes for...
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Answering the Call
The phone rang. I had been waiting. Last night, I got word that I.C.E. was rounding up their quotas and...
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Oh, the Things I Have Learned!
“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas I held October 2025 open to traipse through points in Spain and...
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Intergenerational Wisdom
Four extra people visiting added to the total of swimsuits and beach towels that would need room to dry on...
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Fairy Webs and Deadheads
A teacher who characterizes without knowledge beyond their own sphere, leaves students paralyzed, discouraged, maybe even stopping them forever.
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The Little Things
The motion light burned out just as I was pulling under the carport. Would I be able to get up...
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Momentitos
A crash of thunder set me straight up, in time to see the lightening fill my little cabin bedroom. That...
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While it is Still Here
How can I possibly be sitting outside at 7:29 p.m. on a June evening and not be inhaling bugs? I...
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Double your Pleasure, Double your Fun
People of a certain age will be able to finish these phrases and likely be able to sing the jingle....
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Sin Palabras
Silence or breaking silence? Deciding or not deciding? Showing up or not showing up? As a writer, I have difficulty...
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Mending Moments
The voices in my head have picked up the noises in the atmosphere. I have signed a barrage of petitions...
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Seeking Sisu
Sisu (Finnish) Noun: A special strength and determination to continue on in moments of adversity; having grit, bravery, and resilience:...
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James and the Whistle
If you wish to have the author read this story to you, check the link below. The following short story...
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Celebrations & Core Beliefs
In the north, meteorologists have added “wind chill” to their weather reports. They elongate their updates with “the temperature feels...
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Heart of My Soul
Illinois used to be a lot further away from northern Wisconsin than it is today. “Consider the roads,” Charles began....
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Of Owls and the Full Moon
Tick, tock. Tick, tock. The battery run wall clock faithfully pulses time through the cabin’s interior. At this moment, it...
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What Gets Your Attention
“Would you like to go outside today?” I asked Sister when I showed up at her room on the second...
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Gregarious Hermit
I only have a few hours left here. I spent the entire day preparing for my departure. The change resembles...
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The Adventures Behind Lists
I pulled out the small shopping cart at Trig’s Supermarket and began my meandering search for this year’s supplies, list...
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North to Alaska
The plane would leave at 9:30 p.m., meaning we needed to schedule the airport transport to arrive no later than...
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Here AND There:<br> Flat Jan
If you are here, you can’t be there. If you’re there, you can’t be here. Unless, of course, you have...
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Return to Jubilee
The traffic sped by us, easily exceeding legal limits by ten to fifteen miles per hour. The large, long semis...
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Unitarian Universalists Fellowship of Northfield, MN March 10
Featured speaker at Unitarian Universalists Fellowship of Northfield, MN The March theme for this Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is: Transformation. They...
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Time Ran Out
It is the be-twixted and between hour of the morning. I rolled over to see the red numbers on the...
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Life Twisted by Texts
The twisted tree lives its life, while the straight tree ends up in boards. Chinese Proverb Or, my 2024 version:...
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Brainerd ADK Book Club February 12
February 12, 2024 Gathering of the Brainerd ADK Book Club This local Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) women’s group hold regular...
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Lorraine, A Life Changer
Lorraine would have been in her early 50s when she became the pivot point to the rest of my life....
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Miracles
Sister Mary sat across from me at our booth in the Little Fiesta Mexican Restaurant on a recent late...
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Next Best Step
My plane left me behind. I am tired. My boarding pass is not downloading. Not even Delta can access it....
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The Tales We Tell
Changes. A month ago, it was still light out at this hour. Today, I have to wait for sunrise to...
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The Barbie Conundrum
Ella pulled up her kayak next to mine and we overlapped our paddles to float back eastward on the afternoon...
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Here, Time Does Not Exist
It’s 5:00 am. I don’t know why, maybe the light, but all summer this is the time I wake up....
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Girls’ Camp Lore
The kayaks were laid out along the bank by the short dock in front of the boathouse. There were two...
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“Car-Ma” and the Universe
I knew the day was near. Nothing lasts forever. My 2010 car was making a noise. It had been a...
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No Mow May
The spring rains came and with them, sprouts, orioles and nightcrawlers. This morning’s walk was slowed by my constant bending...
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My Body is Still in Madrid
It was over a year in the making. The discussion went from which cities to include, how many days, spring...
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My Culture
The furnace kicks in at the same time each morning, but the morning light changes daily. It is 6:30 a.m. ...
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It’s Been A Quiet Week
“It was a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, my home town,” is how Garrison Keillor – one time Minnesota Public...
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Y2K and 2023
On the last night of a year, I traditionally write down my reflections while others write down resolutions. In my...
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If Not Now, When?
Two years ago, I planned to throw my book a grand coming out party and then, head back to Saltillo,...
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November Traditions
November. My month. November, trying to push October’s startling yellows, reds, and oranges to the ground in gusts of 40...
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Celebrating: Día de la Raza
It’s in the air. Change. The mercury falls to the number 32. The clock reads 6:20 a.m., but light has...
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Great River Regional Library NOVEMBER 2
4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Great River Regional Library 108 NE 3rd St | Little Falls, MN 56345 Author Panel and...
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UCC Brainerd OCTOBER 23
October 23, 2022 11:15 a.m. at: First Congregational Church – 415 Juniper, Brainerd, MN Adult Forum Presentation: “Good Grief”...
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UCC Brainerd OCTOBER 9
October 9, 2022 11:30 a.m. at: First Congregational Church – 415 Juniper, Brainerd, MN Adult Forum Titled: First Congregational...
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Brainerd AAUW OCTOBER 8
Brainerd Lakes Area Branch – American Association of University Women (AAUW) AAUW NORTHLAND GET TOGETHER (A gathering of branches from...
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Where the Monarchs Go
Click to read Her Voice article “Where the Monarchs Go” from Spring 2020.
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Migration Connects Us
Robert burst into the kitchen, “The monarchs are here! They’re in the prairie on the Blazing Stars!” I put down...
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Joyful Fatalism
“What I believe in is ‘joyful fatalism’ – my own term,” Patti told me as we caught up after a...
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Best Laid Plans (Organ Recital 101)
A Sunday in late June, anticipated since the dark, icy days of January, finally arrived with the blue skies and...
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June Wedding – a la mejicana
A thunderstorm roared through this morning, knocking out the electricity, uprooting a dozen trees, and producing excellent mosquito hatch conditions....
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Spring Melts
Life is returning to my tundra. Like old friends, the cooing of the mourning dove greets me, mixed with the...
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Culture Shock: Quarantine to Disney
It was a trip planned for spring 2020, before the world closed down abruptly, cancelling plans from visiting elder family...
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March On: A People’s Journey through Time
The snow rose in piles over the edge of the hill before sloping down to the frozen Mississippi River. We...
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The Enchantment of ENCANTO
Early February morning pinks and lavenders outline the clouds in the eastern sky before exposing a tree line, then the...
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Braiding Sweetgrass
Braiding Sweetgrass is a book making the rounds these days with good reason. Author Robin Wall Kimmerer writes poetically from...
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La Acostada and La Levantada
Dusk fell on the houses in thebarrio situated near Saltillo’s center. Christmas lights were hung on the artificial pine in...
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Las Sobras
Her Voice magazine, Fall/Winter 2021“Las Sobras – The Leftovers” by Janet Kurtz Click here to read and download article pdf....
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Thanksgiving: Changing Perspectives
I am a person of the north – a four season type of person. Last month, I was enjoying the...
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Honoring Your Ancestors – Her Voice article Fall 2012
Her Voice magazine, Fall 2012 “Honoring Your Ancestors” by Jan Kurtz Click here to read and download article pdf.
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Muertos
If it weren’t staying darker in the morning and getting darker earlier in the evening, it would be difficult to...
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Today is that Someday
Today is the day I’m going to learn how to type while in my hammock. I see no reason to...
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Brainerd Rotary Summer Reading October 5
Save the Date: Tuesday, October 5 Time: Noon Location: Dennis Drummond Wine Company, 11919 Thiesse Rd. in Brainerd. (CDC...
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Claudia’s on Gull Book Discussion August 25
Wednesday, August 25, 6:30 pm At Claudia’s on Gull Claudia runs her own Claudia Around the World travel company. She...
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Hospice: Bon voyage a day at a time – Her Voice Spring 2021 article
Her Voice magazine, Spring 2021 “Hospice: Bon Voyage a Day At a Time” by Jan Kurtz Click here to read...
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Mind Chimes Bookshop Author Talk July 22
An informal book discussion will be led by author, Jan Kurtz, in a small group setting at the Mind Chimes...
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My “PEN” Pal, Ana: Reflections on Freedom
Sister Donna was in her late eighties, intentionally untying herself from her many duties, when she approached me that day....
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Cicadas Are Back
And what a timely moment for their return! If you listen to NPR, you’ve heard a few newsy notes on...
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Cinco de mayo – What if?
May 17th, Syttende Mai, the Norwegian Independence Day, screams out to be recognized as I write this month. It represents...
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The People Behind Immigration Terms
Immigration Vocabulary: 101 Migrant: “M” = Move (Around)Emigrant: “E” = Exit (Go Elsewhere)Immigrant: “I” = Incoming. (Move Into) Political Vocabulary...
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The Power of a Name
It happened! After twenty-some years, area voters passed a referendum permitting the high school expansion to begin. Properties were purchased,...
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Cultural Thursday: Central Lakes College September 2020
Profe(sora) Jan Kurtz, creator of the Cultural Thursdays series, opened its 21st season with a VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH of her...
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Carnival and Cascarones
Carnaval Mexicana and Cascarones “It was a relief to dip down the mountain slopes into Mazatlán and find Carnival...
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Eau Claire ADK (Alpha Delta Kappa) Teacher’s Sorority
Event from OCTOBER 2020 has been RESCHEDULED! Patience pays off! New Date: Monday, September 13th. Time: 5:45: Meet the Author ...
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Brown Bag Author Lunch – Brainerd Public Library Series
OCTOBER 5, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Join Jan via Friends of the Brainerd Public Library: The BROWN BAG LUNCH author series...
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Nun’s Story in Her Voice Magazine Spring 2017
A petite, white haired woman ambles along the St. Francis Convent corridor, one hand holding an assortment of index cards...
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Interview with Ken and Tess
July 15, 2020 Check out WJJY – FM 106.7 “Just after noon” for the Ken and Tess Show: Interview...
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Mascaras: Mexican Masks – Then and Now
Patzcuaro, Mexico, early morning. Debora, our local guide, rounded us up in the patio of La Mansión de los Sueños,...
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Article In “Her Voice” Magazine Featuring Janet Kurtz Out June 18, 2020
Her Voice magazine, product of the Brainerd Dispatch, to be distributed (original date was May 12th, but now expected by...
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June 28, 2020: Zoom Adult Forum via First Congregational Church.
June 28, 2020: Participate in this early COVID transfer to Zoom Adult Forums! Jan introduced her book with emphasis on...
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November 9, 2020: AAUW (American Association of University Women), Brainerd Chapter
November 9, 2020: AAUW (American Association of University Women), Brainerd Chapter chose Northern Shores – Southern Borders for their book...
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The Back-Story of “BIRTHING A BOOK”
“Writing a book is like being pregnant without a due date.” J.Kurtz (Quote from the upcoming May 2020 issue of...
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Northern Shores-Southern Borders: Revelations of a Bilingual Life has officially been “born!”
The most wonderful shipment arrived last week… …my new book Northern Shores – Southern Borders: Revelations of a Bilingual...
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Day 24 away from home. . . or. . . Back home again
So, it has come to this. Fifty years after leaving this town for college, I am back, seated in...
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Isabel Allende Writes
Every January 8th Isabel Allende, the world’s most widely read Spanish-language author, steps into her “writing” shed to begin her...
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The Year: 2020
Seems such an amazing date. Every January is a new beginning, but in 2020? This must be very resilient in...
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Día de Muertos – Remembering
Donald was born thirteen years after his brother, Woodrow, and sister, Wilma, putting him into his own separate family generation....
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Prime Time Luncheon and Program
Event: Prime Time Luncheon and Program Remembering the Ancestors: Día de los Muertos in Mexico presented by Jan Kurtz Jan,...
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Celebrating Hispanic Month
It is noon, 12:00 p.m. almost sharp, on the first Thursday of the month, Cultural Thursday time at Central Lakes...
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Sugar Skull Weather
A chilly breeze rattles the yellowing maple leaves. The sumac turns blaze red, outlining the browning cornstalks drying in the...
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Monarchs in Mexico
Last fall, an email arrived from SLI, Spanish Language Institute in Cuernavaca, announcing its annual trip to Morelia, Michoacán to...
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