Urgent Fundraising Pitch
Raising money for climate action has been more challenging this year, so I’m highlighting my efforts at the top,of this letter. I’m skiing for climate action to raise money for Citizens’ Climate Lobby/Education. With your help I can reach my $2000 goal by December 31st. A donation of any amount is helpful and appreciated. Click here to donate. Thank you!
Yes, Two Years of Letters
Because we never did get our cards sent out last year and we couldn’t let them go to waste, so here you go…
Pauls intro – More Photos coming soon
Writing on the solstice, shortest daylight of the year. Freezing outside today with skatable weather and groaning lake ice is a reminder of the winters of yore……. 40s and 50s predicted for Christmas….from the perfect winter back to a climate where anything goes.
My job here is to hit the highlights and “news of interest” with our Holiday friends and loved ones for the past year of 2025…perhaps a preamble to my promised book of life which I’ve been promising for some time now.
Biggest home based highlight is watching and serving Mindy has she does her yeoman duty as Liaison leader for CCL. So proud to watch her work to be truly non partisan and support gung-ho liberal volunteers to consider another viewpoint. Mindy is truly an amazing employee, and loved by all.
One more, Pickles (our beloved kitty and housemate) is 14+ and I’m 77+, I am accepting my age, limitations and connecting with “what my role is as an elder?” I watch Pickles rest and care for himself almost constantly. Seems there is a message from the natural world. Taking time, noticing presence and appreciation for the gift of slowing down..thanks Pickles.
Travel was minimum in 2025 save a 2 week epic EVtrip to see 88 year old brother Tommy and 
son Steven in San Marino CA 3 days with Tommy, Steve and Joy (their homeworker). My big brother doesn’t hear too well but he’s still sharp and my opportunity to understand a brother with different political views – while at the same time we share many values of caring for others and the natural world.
Saw Mindy’s cousin Dori in Santa Fe and Alison her biking friend near SF just weeks before her giving birth. Also CCL friends Bill in Salt Lake City and Bryan in Lincoln NE who are both on staff with Mindy.
Mindy’s full update
Work dominated my attention in 2025 especially since it is also one of my passions.
When I look back on 2025, I recall the strange beginning with 10 of my closest colleagues and friends being laid off and a few others who left voluntarily. I was offered a full-time role in the position that was up to that point a lesser role for me. The changes began as we were coming back from the holidays and were totally unexpected. The next few months were a blur of chaos, uncertainty and managing through the heroics of our staff to keep things going as best we could. Lines were blurred as we all stepped in and took care of things as needed without any clear direction of who was supposed to do what on many tasks that had been previously managed by others. Somehow we got through the Conservative Conference and Lobby Day in DC that took nearly all my focus in those first three months including working through much of Birkie week and a trip to DC in March for the event. The chaos of the new President’s administration added to the feeling of constant unbalance and just getting through day by day and month by month. Soon we were into June and the announcement that our Executive Director was stepping down – truly a relief since it had become obvious she was not a good fit for what our staff, board and volunteers wanted to see for the organization, but she did put us on much stronger financial ground. Even my tomato and pepper seedlings seemed to reflect my stress. They were stunted and scrawny, but still we managed a decent harvest with expanded gardens.
Our outdoor canning kitchen works great for salsa days.
A new raised bed in the front yard with small but mighty tomato seedlings.
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The second half of the year became a time of rebuilding, visioning, planning, clarifying and reinventing with our now much smaller CCL staff. We still had the same challenges to face, but I had renewed hope and resolve that we could solve them. This was the spirit as we headed to DC for our conference and lobby day in July. Three amazing interns were invaluable in the preparations for a successful lobby day! And the garden? The loss of our big trees last summer meant more sun in our front yard and driveway. We built 4 new raised beds and experimented. The luffa loved the hot sunny driveway, but most other things struggled there. The green beans loved the front yard trellis alongside moderate success with cucumbers, okra and tomatoes. We harvested one plum from the new plum tree planted the year before and a bumper crop of cherries. The raspberries had plenty to give too, along side the rapidly growing elderberry bush.
Mindy and her amazing interns. Thank you Emily, Denise and Ally!
With our friend Brett on lobby day in DC
Finally I had some vacation time coming. A week in August with my family this year at a cabin we rented in Hayward. A relaxing and fun time. It is a familiar place in the winter as the home of the Birkie. Being there in the summer we enjoyed some new activities and connected with some family history. My two-year-old grandniece Evelyn reminded us all of the delight of sand between the toes, the magic properties of water and the joy of exploring the world together.
In September I took a solo camping trip to Crosby Manitou State Park where I has to pack in for 3 miles to my campsite and had a couple days to enjoy hiking in many parts of the park. The beauty of the woods and the roaring river refreshed my soul and helped me prepare for the next stage of busyness.
October brought our EVenture to California. We drove over 5000 miles in 14 days and only twice stayed in the same place for more than one night. We enjoyed visits with family and friends and explored the beauty of the western US with stops at meteor crater, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Bristlecone Pines and Yosemite. The trip is a blog story yet to be written. An amazing relaxing trip despite the fast pace and a fun shared adventure.
Then we were into our Fall Virtual conference and lobby days in November and then we move into the holiday season. Here we are at the end of the year. I’m so grateful for the support of family, friends and colleagues that got me through the tough times and brought me joy along the way. And through it all, yes, we did make some progress on climate action despite setbacks and challenges. I remain hopeful for slow and challenging continued progress.
Paul’s full update
Skiing my first Kortelopet (29 km) and stepping away from another 8.5 hour Birkie was a good decision…still 5 hours and a full day of skiing with enuf energy to welcome Steve Carmazon (49 Birkies) and Bob Britz (47 completed) at the finish line well after sunset.
Bravo to these elder atheletes. Acting my age. Still my 43 Birkies now becomes my Combi 45 this season (new name or Combo of 20 Birkies and Kortes) to recognize more skiers and invite them to join our Birchleggings Club, 20 + year Birkie finishers, over 2,000 now and we have nearly 400 members…proud to serve as their President with this legacy group of lifetime skiers.
My other “coming of age” story is thru my volunteer work with Elders Climate Action (ECA) and Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) where I am fully declaring my elder hood and focusing my actions and support toward legacy and long term changes, empowering youth and learning when to engage and when to going skiing, play golf and frisbee.
Using my CCL knowledge on the working of Congress, translates nicely to the MN Legislature where I am co chair of our Legislative Committee with Mike Griffin.
So far this fall/winter CCL and ECA have met with a variety of elected officials looking at the issues of Plug-in (Balcony) solar, Cap and Invest, cutting waste and the value of Data Centers and Crypto Currency.
Love to hear how you’re engaged in your community. Pleas lmk
other stuff…..July 19, 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of starting the MFA (MN Frisbee Assoc) with a bunch of other Frisbee fanatics that loved the beauty and fun of playing with the magical Frisbee, we had a wonderful gathering in our back yard with 30 + players from the past and present…see attached photos
I set a World Record for ages 70+ in the flying disc discipline of Accuracy by making 16 of 28 throws at Blue Ribbon Pines last Sept. Got me thinking…”can’t do pull ups but I can still throw a Frisbee.
So disc play is back is back and also playing more cribbage, started a neighborhood cribbage club in Morningside, and starting to shoot some pocket billiards with David O’Fallon my Lake Harriet walk mate along with Craig Neal and Jonathon Flak a very important touchstone on my weekly cycle.
More time with Mindy’ family than mine but benefits are accruing…feeling more comfortable and welcomed into the Ahler Clan. With Evelyn (3) and another baby on the way more fun seems guaranteed.
My niece Kaethe in Northfield has a new book out…check it out. it has been getting great reviews.
Peace Corps advocacy action has increased. On the Friends of Malaysia Board where I’m the young one (PC left Malaysia in 1983) we are funding groups doing great environmental protection work in Sarawak, East Malaysia, next to Sabah where I lived and taught for 3 years. (71-73)
On the advocacy side the NPCA (National Peace Corps Association) is proposing legislation to recognize Peace Corps with a Congressional Gold Medal in 2025 to honor the 240,000+ RPCVs and to demonstrate bi partisan support for the values of service, building trust and partnership and cultural curiosity. HR # 5521 is authored by Betty McCollum (MN-04) and currently has 19 co sponsors in the House (we need 267..OMG) Good news is that 6 of the 19 are Republicans. Want to help? You’ve got the bill number. 65 years of serving in 140 countries…and changed lives when we return.
Love our neighborhood, my goals to meet more neighbors, attend kid games, grow more food and engage more neighborhoods outside of Morningside where we live. In the midst of the division and adversity in the media…. it is clearly our time to show up as leaders and partners to building a future that excites people to be engaged with each other.
At 77 my job is to stay healthy, have fun and be a good husband, neighbor and friend..
thanks for following our lives and sharing yours,
Mindy & Paul
If you missed last year’s letter, keep reading….
Hi Friends and Family,
Thanks for looking up our year end letter and an insider view of our 2024 lives.
2024 seemed like a standard year in our lives. Too much work, not enuf socializing and an effort to stay healthy, build our community and celebrate the gift of living in Minnesota at this time.
2023-24 it was a winter like no other. The World Cup Cross Country Ski race came to Wirth Park only with the help of human made snow. A miracle 6 inch snowfall the Wednesday before the race credited as “Jessie’s snow” by fans – in honor of champion skier Minnesotan Jessie Diggins. She brought the race to her home state and attracted 30,000 + spectators to Wirth Park for what Paul called “the most exciting sporting event I’ve ever seen!” Jessie stayed an extra week to win the Birkie the next weekend – a ribbon of machine made snow in a 10K loop surrounded by mud and dirt.
Paul announced he has skied his last Birkie!
After 43 Birkie finishes he has signed up for his first Kortelppet, the shorter (29km) version of this iconic race. “My goal is to enjoy skiing, stay upright, and awaken our ski community to the urgent need to move beyond snow making to preserve the sport and season we love.” As President of the Birchleggings Club (20+ year Birkie finishers) Paul is working with a group of long time Birkie skiers to promote and celebrate this important winter tradition. Now he can ski the “open track” event with Mindy with hopes of a full Birkie trail from Cable to Hayward.
Saying good bye to Jim Ahler, Mindy’s 86 year old Dad was a beautiful blessing. He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease which was particularly painful for a college professor who had gotten through life on his wits. He was ready to go and family had all gathered to say goodbye. Mindy was fortunate to be there with step-mother, Cindy, and sister-in-law, Deb, as he took his last breath. The eulogy by Mindy, brother, PJ and friends can be heard here. Due to copyrights we can’t share the full service that included the choir and many beautiful pieces of music that were special to Jim and Cindy.
Dad kept his humor even to the end. This is a favorite picture of recent years.
Driving to DC this past summer for our annual CCL conference kicked off our 2nd North American EVenture (link is reverse order of blog – lots of photos there), this time to the East Coast, Nova Scotia and a wonderful reunion with Paul, Evy and Vivien, Paul’s 3 CUSO (Canadian Peace Corps) friends from his teaching and traveling days in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo in the early 70s.
Recreating the photo of their time together in Borneo. They haven’t changed a bit.
The scary night of July 13th,when we retreated to the basement for safety, changed the second half of 2024. When the storm quieted we peeked outside and saw 2 flashlights and men talking…… something was very wrong. We wandered to the front yard and found both mature basswood trees (80 and 65 years old )uprooted and covering Crocker Ave.
A wonderful 20 person clean up with chain saws and help from neighbors and the city of Edina cleared the road the next day and began a summer long removal adventure enhanced by the felling of our giant 7 trunked Silver Maple in the backyard and premier shade provider for our property. One trunk fell on the neighbor’s trampoline with minor fence damage. Fortunately any major structural damage was avoided with quick work by our tree crew.
$8,000 later and Paul decides to get his life time short term sub license so he can help out with the financial burdens for our household. Subbing is very different from having your own classroom and Paul is seeing this as a short term gig.
Then in August we said goodbye to Mindy’s mom’s family’s cabin in Wisconsin built by her grandfather and an annual vacation spot throughout her childhood (and the childhood of her nieces). It has been sold to a new family who will make their own memories there. Though it was hard to let it go, we have pledged to keep the tradition of a family week together and already have a rental reservation for next August.
Paul has found a new pathway to share his passion for building a livable future while honoring his aging reality. He is working with other elders and grandparents with Elders Climate Action (ECA) and using his decades of lobby training with RESULTS and Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) to build non partisan political will. In the wake of the recent election it’s pretty clear to us that the secret sauce lies in listening to differences, seeking common ground and using appreciation and gratitude to move the ball down the field.
Mindy continues her work with CCL including coordination of three lobby days per year with over 800 meetings with Congress in 2024 – Republicans, Democrats and Independents. She loves her amazing volunteers that get so much done to move us forward on climate action – maybe not as quickly as we’d like, but it’s forward progress that will continue into 2025. (See addendum)
As Paul’s 4th quarter of life continues more reunions and memories are cropping up like 2025 being the 50th Anniversary of co-founding the MN Frisbee Association (MFA) in 1975 with a bunch of Frisbee fanatics sailing discs over and around Thomas Beach at the then named Lake Calhoun. This year the MFA will be hosting the World Masters Disc Golf Championships July 1-5 and bringing back the Save the Children Frisbee Auction celebrating healthy kids and FUN around the world!
Our family continues to celebrate the king of our household Pickles, who at 14 years old, is beginning to hunt less and find comfort more on a warm radiator or in the summer snuggled up to his catnip patch on the deck. Pickles reminds us of the magic of the animal and plant world that surrounds us. Making salsa, apple sauce and harvesting our garden keeps us connected to the earth that provides so much to our lives together.
Wishing you a year of love and adventure in 2025. And perhaps a deeper engagement in active citizenship to heal the divisions that separate people.
onward together,
Mindy, Paul and Pickles
Recommended for Climate Action and Finding Common Ground
Addendum
This letter was written before a big change in Mindy’s work with CCL. Just after the holiday break a reorganization was announced that eliminated all the Regional Director positions (primarily for financial reasons). 7 of her closest colleagues lost their jobs – all talented, kind hearted, hard working and dedicated people. Mindy was offered a full time position continuing her liaison and lobby days work now in the Government Affairs department. So since November 11 of the 15 members of the close knit Program department have either resigned or been laid off. It’s been an incredibly difficult January filled with loss, grief, goodbyes, survivors guilt, uncertainty of place, tears, questions, heartbreak and still gratitude for what was the most amazing group of colleagues Mindy has ever had the honor to work with. February begins with picking up the pieces to provide the best experience for volunteers and moving forward the best we can on climate policy.
Regional Directors gathering in DC in June 2024