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I t began as a fundraiser. An effort by a couple dozen people to help a family who is stricken with grief after losing a patriarch and its oldest son — all within a matter of months. But it ended up being more than that. Sure, it raised significant money - at least two or three times what we envisioned. But our benefit the other night raised more than money.  As one local rancher said to me, “This has become about more than just money.  Look how people have come together.”  Yes, they — people from Aberdeen to Jamestown to Buchanan to Pingree to Carrington — certainly did come together! The KC Hall has seldom been filled to such capacity. Generosity lined the outside walls of the main hall via baskets and baskets designed with artists’ hands.  Items that appealed to men, women and children with every kind of taste. Tools and equipment for any shop or garage.  Home decor for any style. Toys, books and blankets for kids. Platters beautifully stacked with cookies (thanks, Chris Neys!) so festive they brought a sugar rush (and fetched up to $200 a plate!). That was the Silent Auction.  The LIVE Auction could be a story in itself.  A posse of professionals couldn’t have done a better job of gathering donations -- and those they targeted could simply not have been more generous. Donations to the LIVE auction were something to behold:  gift certificates that offered services as diverse as fertilizer spreading for 1,000 acres to Minnesota and North Dakota vacation packages, to quarter beefs, to 20 bags of bean seeds to 10 emsella treatments and one Party Bus. Two 7’ Christmas trees decorated with pull tabs. Heavy duty stuff, too—a snow blower, a Bobcat generator, grills, televisions, e-bikes, even Sioux hockey tickets and a Brett Favre jersey!  As impressive as those donations are, they weren’t magical until bidders bravely bid.  As hard as we worked to reflect a real retail value of all items on both the silent and LIVE auctions, bidders often didn’t meet those values—they often SURPASSED them. As awe-inspiring as the bids for the big-buck items were, the darlings of the ball were lefsa by the dozen and porch pots times ten.  It tickled me that all of Susan Fredrickson’s festive evergreen porch pots, which she humbly thought should bring $20 to $30 apiece, actually sold for $175 each.  And I loved that Roger Nenow was able to auction off lefsa made by Wendall and Judy Perleberg.  Bags containing a dozen lefsa each sold for $150, and when the Perlebergs said they would take orders for more at that price (also to be donated), bidders complied. Cookies, porch pots and lefsa.  These weren't just donations, they were labors of love. The Stutsman County version of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Given — as ALL donations to the benefit were — with deference for a family that has experienced unthinkable tragedy.  If there has ever been a time that has caused me to swell with pride in my community, it is this.  Right here. Right now. The people of our community needed this.  We needed to lift up the Neys Family.  Because, in doing so, we lifted ourselves.  “The more you help people find their light, the brighter you both will shine.”

It doesn’t take research results to confirm what we all know about Christmas:  women do all the work.  Well, not all.  But most.  According to a 2023 study by the American Psychological Association, twice as many women as men do the holiday shopping, cooking, decorating and other “ings". When I look back over my own past Christmases, I admit it.  I was a nut.  Whatever compelled me to cover every surface of our house — inside and out - with Christmas trees and villages, lighted garland, angels, Santas and at least 1,000 snowmen should really be studied.  Why I felt Christmas wasn’t magical unless our children smeared green or red frosting over ten dozen cut-out sugar cookies and ten feet of the kitchen counter with their ten grubby fingers is a puzzle.  Would our three children have lived through Christmas without pretending they actually knew what they were giving the bus drivers, teachers, coaches, grandparents, godparents, mail man, friends and family members in those shiny, ribboned packages?  Would they be more balanced adults if they wouldn’t have been forced to look happy in their matching sweaters (or neon-colored coordinating ski jackets!) as they endured another of my hours-long photo shoots for the annual Christmas card? Would our kids not have felt the divine grace of Christmas if we hadn't attended Midnight Mass and then, five hours later, all gotten up to see if Santa came? The thing is, I don’t know where this obsession to have a Hallmark Christmas came from.  I have never been a fan of sappy Christmas movies set in Thomas Kinkade villages. I can’t blame my pursuit of holiday bliss on Pinterest or Google images, because technology was still in incubation back then.  So why did I stay up until 2 AM making molded chocolate lollipops for a second-grade class that night in 1988 when my only company was a radio broadcast telling me a bomb blasted a plane out of the sky, killing a planeload of passengers over Lockerbie, Scotland?  Yeah, the things we remember are inexplicable! And that is my fear — that my kids remember more stress than magic at Christmas. That my husband will someday bury me thinking, “Well, Christmas is going to be a lot easier now.” That the family will gather at Christmas and say, “Gosh, I don’t remember Christmas ever being this relaxing!”  And there is my life lesson—the one bit of advice my older self would say to younger me:  Keep it simple. Don't go it alone. Moms, although each generation makes progress balancing the load, it is still your shoulders that carry the weight of the holidays.  It is you that will define what Christmas means to your children and maybe even your grandchildren.  It won’t be the holiday baking, shopping or hot Pinterest trend that will stay with them long after the holidays.  It won’t be Elf on the Shelf or the flashy gift of the season that they unwrap on Christmas morning that will live on in their memories. It will be you - your example, your decisions, your relationships, your reactions, your patience, your happiness, your leadership, your love of self - that will define their Christmases. Don’t discount that.  Realize that there are only so many hours in a day--and that some of those hours MUST involve sleep! In most households, Moms make Christmas, so take care of yourself. Keep yourself whole — and stop the imposition that previous generations of we women have brought upon ourselves .  I know, I know. The very story of Christmas doesn't exactly inspire us to place moms first. After all, even though Mary gave Jesus life, divine grace was bestowed on her only through her Son. I think most of us mothers think of our offspring in the same light. We adore them, we put ourselves and our very sense of being behind them. We realize our happiness through theirs. It's what mothers do--especially at Christmas. But that doesn't mean we should discount the importance of teaching our kids to recognize all that role entails. And it doesn't mean we mothers should go it alone. Mary's example teaches us to take one for the team. It doesn't mean we can't have teammates! If we are ever going to lighten the load of women at Christmas, we must embrace that need for change, and then take the first steps. So, instead of being both the coach and the entire roster, do some serious recruiting. Call your team together. Enlist your special someone and children to share decorating, baking, shopping and wrapping — and don’t worry if your gift selections aren't always even close to the ultimate dream. Or that the paper doesn’t quite cover the package, or the lights on the tree favor only one side. Bake that family heirloom treat together, but let your children go to work in the kitchen. You'd be surprised what an 8-year-old can accomplish with a cookie mix and your blessing! So your kitchen looks like a scene from " Mr. Mom !" Don't sweat it--enlist your team to clean up after themselves! Dads can bake too, so let them manage the banana bread -- and don't apologize if the Hershey Kiss cookies seem a little dry. Buy the rest of the holiday treats, and simplify, post online, or even skip, the Christmas cards.  Cut down on your shopping time with gift cards — or ask your family to reach out to those you typically gift and instead offer to take them to a movie or out for ice cream--anything that you can all enjoy. Don't let everyday routines interfere with the spirit of the season. Peanut butter sandwiches deserve respect, too. Your family won’t die if that's what's for supper all too often during December.  Rachel Ray won't haunt your house if dinners occasionally come compliments of frozen Marie Callender's. Weekday suppers don't have to be memorable when there is so much to celebrate. So streamline December meals and free up your time to cherish those you love. Start by making a Christmas date with your main squeeze first, and then with each of your children, one-on-one. Take them to a church play or concert.  Visit Santa.  Shop from an Angel Tree.  Dress up like Dickens characters and scare the neighbors with Christmas carols. Visit the library or bookstore and read The Christmas Story .  See the holiday lights of your town. Take holiday treats to a shut-in . Volunteer dad to join the kids to ring the bell. Take your kids to a nursing home. Hand out treats (nutritious!) at a daycare. Show your children that compassion for others, even those you don't know personally, matters most. Don't have the time? Make your date an hour-long if you have to! Or scrap something that takes your time. House cleaning? Extra-curriculars? Church responsibilities? Split those obligations up among your team. Brain storm ways you can all become more efficient. And throughout, don't underserve yourself! Mom's deserve a place in every Christmas story - and not just as the workhorse. Show each of your children that you deserve to ENJOY the spirit of the season, too. Give them ideas of gifts that YOU would like to receive (and THEY can afford!). No, that’s not selfish! It is showing them that thoughtfulness is a two-way street. Instill in your family that nobody should single-handedly make the magic of Christmas.  That the miracle of Christmas is for all of us to create—and enjoy together. I would be lying if I said I believed this adage from Robert Redford: “I have no regrets, because I’ve done everything I could to the best of my ability.”  Sure, I DO think I decorated and baked and shopped and gifted to the best of my ability.  But that’s little comfort to me, because I regret the Christmas stress I caused my children during those frenzied growing-up years. Although there are likely certain components of Christmas they treasure (for some reason, they love the red ceramic boot I [of course] hand crafted), the fact is I don’t really know what Christmas memories they favor.  I hope it isn’t hauling in more than two dozen 50-gallon Rubbermaid tubs of Christmas decorations.  Brother.  What WAS I thinking?

So! As promised, today we are going to reveal the WINNER of our "Toys Have Feeling, Too!", the original canvas by Illustrator Emily Hagen that is featured in our Ozzy Ox: Toy Trauma children's rhyming picture book. We will be posting a video showing our own social media stars, Isaac and Nolan Krapp (who have 3.2 MILLION followers on Tiktok !), revealing the lucky winner! These two quirky guys (see them interviewed by Beyond the Spotlight Podcast here) are my grandsons and they are just as charismatic as they seem to be on this video! So visit callenkropp.com today AT 5 PM to see them reveal the LUCKY winner!

Welcome to the Land of The Ox! Callen Kropp and Emily Hagen present a series of kids' story books that tickle the funny bone with zany rhyme and vibrant illustrations teaching values that help children make good choices. Ozzy is available at Amazon here . Also online at Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks and other online retailers. Ox books are the newest edition to the James River Valley's Children's Library in Jamestown, ND! You'll also find Ozzy at Story Nook and The Melted Crayon Gift Shop in Jamestown, ND, and at Words To Live By Bookstore in Moorhead, MN. Also, anywhere that the Moorhead Friends Writing Group goes, Ozzy goes along (all over Fargo/Moorhead, and at First Ave. Market, Fargo and Silver Dawn Books in Grand Forks). We'd love to see you in the OxCar--so come on along! Looking for my blog? Click here! Meet Ozzy and his MomOx in this quick clip! Volume up! "...a charming and insightful literary gem that stands out for its vibrant storytelling, endearing characters, and invaluable life lessons." "....Kropp's storytelling prowess shines as the narrative unfolds with rhythmic rhymes and an engaging plot." "...a heartwarming and insightful tale that beautifully explores the themes of responsibility, compassion, and the healing power of humor." "Ox Stands Against Socks is a cute and entertaining story that teaches children to listen to other people's opinions. " Ozzy is available at Amazon here . Also online at Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks and other online retailers. Ox books are the newest edition to the James River Valley's Children's Library in Jamestown, ND! You'll also find Ozzy at Story Nook and The Melted Crayon Gift Shop in Jamestown, ND, and at Words To Live By Bookstore in Moorhead, MN. Also, anywhere that the Moorhead Friends Writing Group goes, Ozzy goes along (all over Fargo/Moorhead, and at First Ave. Market, Fargo and Silver Dawn Books in Grand Forks). We'd love to see you in the OxCar--so come on along! Hardcovers for distribution may be ordered by libraries, bookstores, etc. at IngramSpark. Ozzy Ox: Toy Trauma "Ozzy Ox: Toy Trauma" is not just a story; it's a vehicle for teaching children about understanding, compassion, and the importance of taking responsibility for their actions. The vibrant and endearing illustrations complement the narrative beautifully, making it an engaging and visually appealing reading experience." An ER isn’t where you’d expect a lad to show concern for others. But Ozzy Ox Toy Trauma d elivers a tender moment of compassion when you least expect it. 5-Star Reader's Favorite! Read Toy Trauma Reviews here Check out this 1-minute of fun--a glimpse of Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash! Yay! The first book in the Ozzy Ox series--Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash-- is being widely acclaimed and has received great reviews ! Heralded as "a literary gem," and a "lyrical treasure," Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash has been received by hundreds of families with great enthusiasm, too! Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash 5-Star Reader's Favorite! Read Candy Stash Reviews here Ozzy Ox Candy Stash Trailer by Isaac Play Video The Ozzy Ox Channel Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close Ozzy Ox Stands Against Socks “Oh no!,” wailed Ozzy, in a fit. “Will I wear socks? No no! I’ve quit! I just hate socks, you know that’s true. They bind my hooves and make them blue!” “I never find a matching pair. One disappears, right in thin air! And what is worse than any ox Who goes without at least one sock?” 5-Star Reader's Favorite! "Ozzy is an adorable, stubborn calf that many kids will relate to. His personality was evident in his body language and expressions, which can be seen in the colorful and eye-catching illustrations." Read Stands Against Socks Reviews here READ THEM RHYMING PICTURE BOOKS! BY DOING SO, YOUR CHILD WILL: Learn about words and language formation Notice individual so unds (example: the common ending “-ig” in wig, pig, jig) Spark their own imagination and poetry-writing skills (a lifelong skill) Appreciate the artistry and impact words make, especially in creating emotion Enjoy a fun, engaging, and memorable reading experience---our Ozzy Ox series WILL deliver!

Hello from Author & Illustrator Member of Moorhead Friends Writing Group! The author of the Ozzy Ox series of children's picture books is a woman with a stolen identity. She wanted to steal the face of someone younger, but was threatened by a plastic surgeon first. Failing to steal a younger face, she did manage to steal a younger name. No, she wasn't born "Callen Kropp." And she didn’t see “Callen” on a baby name list. She "invented the name," by taking her maiden name, “Allen,” and combining it with the initial of her first name, Connie. This isn’t a new idea—Connie tried to get each of her three kids to name a grandchild “Callen.” Realizing that any baby Callen would be tied forever to their quirky grandmother, they nonsensically declined the suggestion. Some people just don’t have taste. 

 Previously known as the artist Connie (she’s not an artist but whatever— if Prince can use it, why shouldn’t she?), her legal name is Connie Krapp. Yes, you read that right. She was sure that surname wouldn't resonate once she became a Best-Selling Author, so she went out and bought a vowel. 

You’d think that her husband, Oren Krapp, would be concerned about this abandonment of his surname, but the exact opposite is true. No more will he see his wife using “O Krapp!” on letterhead, street signs and Facebook posts. O Krapp! 

But will they ever see “Callen Kropp” on a Best Sellers List? Does anybody know if there’s a “Worst Sellers List?” O Krapp! I hope Callen is never on it! So, help her, would you? Please check out the Ozzy Ox books - there’s four of them now. All are light-hearted rhyming tales that not only entertain, but deliver great messages that help children learn everyday life lessons. The four Ozzy Ox books have met good reception and have great reviews from readers and industry professionals. Connie had a long award-winning career in corporate communications in which writing and graphic skills were paramount. She is delighted to hand those skills over to Callen as she takes her beloved Ozzy Ox out into the big wide world! Born in Medelia, Minn., Emily Erickson Hagen grew up in Fargo, N. Dak., where she began paintin g as a teen. She paints on a variety of surfaces using a wide array of mediums, but especially enjoys illustrating children’s books. As a busy wife, mother and grandmother, Emily knows the joy that picture books bring to children. A passionate lake lover, Emily enjoys time with family and friends at their Minnesota summer cabin. Her West Fargo home is a testament to her passion for painting and art; she has also adorned her backyard chicken coop with vibrant designs for the flock of chickens she fondly calls “her girls.”


"Laugh out loud read that teaches valuable lessons “The drama-filled day is no fun for the animals, but kids will laugh loudly at the crazy scenes. Three cheers to the storyline (writer: Callen Kropp) and artwork (artist: Emily Hagen)" --- Kam Brook, Reedsy Reviewer “This book is a testament to the power of storytelling in imparting essential life lessons to young readers, and it is sure to become a treasured addition to any child's library." --A Look Inside Blog & Podcast What happens when a child listens to an Ozzy Ox book? We'd like to say "MAGIC! PURE MAGIC! But it's best to hear what families think of Ozzy.... so here are some reviews, straight from our readers! 
"Laugh out loud read that teaches valuable lessons “The drama-filled day is no fun for the animals, but kids will laugh loudly at the crazy scenes. Three cheers to the storyline (writer: Callen Kropp) and artwork (artist: Emily Hagen)" --- Kam Brook, Reedsy Reviewer More Moody Morning reviews here More Moody Morning reviews here “This book is a testament to the power of storytelling in imparting essential life lessons to young readers, and it is sure to become a treasured addition to any child's library." --A Look Inside Blog & Podcast "I love it! Teaching children to tell the truth, oh and we all make mistakes and our Mom’s still love us! Anxious to read and purchase the next in the series!" ---Cindy Flugrath, Amazon Review "Fun
! Ozzy Ox Stands Against Socks was such a fun read with my son. It was a familiar theme to the constant back and forth we have in real life about dressing warm in the winter. It has a great message to teach about listening to others opinions and learning they might be right, or just know more. We have read the book already several times and continues to be a request from my son. --- M Michaels, Amazon Review
 More Toy Trauma reviews here More Candy Stash reviews here More Stands For Socks reviews here