Are You Too Busy for New Connections?

Still friends after all these years.

When my wife Susie and I returned from Mexico after the second year of our marriage, a friend suggested we visit Bethel Temple in St. Paul. He raved about the good people, solid pastoral care, and vibrant worship. It was a very special place, he said, in the heart of the Twin Cities. I believe he even repeated “good people” for emphasis, which stuck with me. 

After the service on the first Sunday we went, a friendly, blonde-haired man greeted us with a warmth that felt genuine. His name was Henry, and our conversation flowed effortlessly. He was on a wavelength I instantly connected with—thoughtful, engaging, and genuine.

I could tell Henry was someone I wanted to know better, but I also sensed he had a very busy life. The way he moved through the crowd, balancing greetings and tasks, I could tell this was a role he played here, making a conscious effort to welcome visitors and get them connected to the fellowship. 

As we were talking later I blurted out, in my somewhat direct way, “Is your life too busy to have another friend?” It was a bold ask, but after a pause in which he no dubt did a quick internal inventory of his commitments, Henry’s gracious smile said it all. Despite his packed schedule, he and his wife Lisa welcomed Susie and I into their lives. That openness changed us, and we remain deeply grateful for their friendship.

From tme to time I've reflected on that moment and have had to ask myself Are you too busy to allow another person or new experience into your life? It’s a question worth pondering. Life moves fast—work, family, errands, and endless to-do lists can fill every crevice of our days. It’s easy to say, “I don’t have time for new friends” or “I’ll try that new hobby later.” But what if “later” never comes? What if the cost of busyness is missing out on connections and experiences that could enrich us?

Henry could’ve brushed us off. He had every excuse—his plate was full. Yet, he chose to make space, and that choice sparked a meaningful, lifelong friendship. It’s a reminder that life’s best moments often come when we pause and say “yes” to something new. Whether it’s a conversation with a stranger, a spontaneous adventure, or signing up for that class you’ve been eyeing, opening the door to new possibilities takes courage. It means prioritizing connection over convenience and growth over routine.

So, here’s the challenge: take stock of your life. Are you too busy to let someone new in? Too swamped to try something different? If so, maybe it’s time to carve out a little space. Say hello to that coworker you’ve never really talked to. Book that weekend hike. Invite someone to coffee. Like Henry, you might find that making room for others—or for new experiences—brings unexpected joy. Life’s too short to let busyness block the beauty of what’s waiting. 

Related Link

Henry is a professional pianist and founder of Quiet Heart Music.

www.quietheartmusic.com

 

Remembering Don Vogel, "The Round Mound of Sound"

When Susie and I returned from Mexico we made ends meet by joinging a group of painters who did apartment painting throughout the Twin Cities. For four years we painted apartments and sometimes houses. I worked full time and Susie several days awake She was the best trim painter of all the guys I worked with those years. She was careful and fast and I never had to worry about her workmanship.

Much of the time we listened to talk radio shows that aired on KSTP, though I often listened to audio books, primarily short stories by classic authors. My aim was to learn the craft of storytelling. 

All this to say that there were a couple of radio personalities that made an impression on me during that time. I can't remember the one fellow's name but he struck me as having been a Renaissance Man of sorts and philosopher as he interacted with callers. 

The second was a man who was known as "the Round Mound of Sound." His name was Don Vogel, and his style was simply enjoyable. He made you feel like you were a warmly welcomed guest in his world, which was broadcast during drive time from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

On one occasion he had a guest from the circus that was in St. Paul at that time. She got up on the table and did tricks that would astound you as he described her flexibility passing her tiny frame through a small hoop. He was getting a kick out of it all, you could tell.

I also remember his reading of the news, the shuffling of paper (the way Rush Limbaugh would later do) and his descriptions of the weather. 

On one occasion I was driving home from a day of painting when I happened to see the KSTP radio station and tower off to my right. I was listing to Don's show right at that very moment and thought it might be cool to go tell him in person, perhaps during his next break, how much I loved his show. So I took the next exit and circled back to the shack with the radio tower and KSTP sign. 

Don Vogel

I didn't know what I planned to say, but entering the building I could see him through the glass in a room rocking with enthusiasm, headphones on, microphone properly fixed in front of his round face. A woman came over to me to ask what I wanted, but now I was speechless. She knew what I was thinking. She'd seen this before... the recognition that this cheerful man who painted such vivid pictures of our world was blind. 

There was a sense of reverence in her tone. The entire staff seemed instilled with it. The guy was just having fun, doing his thing. And though I never did meet him face to face, I felt honored to be in his presence for that brief space of time. 

Here's an excerpt from a tribute to Don that I found online today:

Don Vogel, "the round mound of sound," "stone blind and out of his mind," was the proprietor of the "Afternoon Saloon," a talk show in the 4-6 p.m. drive time slot on KSTP-AM 1500. The show created a refuge from the pressures of the day and the controversial issues found on typical talk shows. Don was a master impressionist, a comic genius, and one of the best communicators I've heard in radio. His listeners were affectionately known as the "Don Squad." When he spoke to us, he created a sense of community among the listeners and took great care to see that we were all a part of the conversation, even when he had a caller on the line.

You can find the rest of his story here.

Perhaps you've known someone, or several someones, who have overcome personal disabilities in order to follow their passion and pursue a purpose that exceeds the expectations of everyone around them. I've been blessed to know many. Feel free to share a story or tribute in the comments. 

Story Idea: The Party and Its Aftermath

This idea for a novel or film is based on an incident from the life of Cary Grant. (I'm currently listening to a Cary Grant biography while commuting here and there, running errands, etc.)

I've not settled on a title yet, but the story concept is set. As in real life, situations lead to decisions which create new situations. As a working title we'll call it ...

The Party and Its Aftermath

On a gorgeous summer evening in Duluth several dozen prominent people have gathered for a private dinner party at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Tables have been rolled in and set up to seat 52, six tables set for 8 and an additional table for the band. The invitation implied that anyone who is anyone will be present, along with some special surprise guests. 

The hosts of the party are newly minted Twin Cities billionaire Brent Chance and his wife Bev. The event was preceded by a News Tribune story about how Chance, who grew up in Edina but made his fortune in California real estate, was considering a serious investment in Duluth. The article cited Duluth's reputation as a growing arts mecca along with its well-known quality of life benefits. 

The gathered guests came from a variety of backgrounds. There were local political figures, lawyers, contractors, and people in the local hospitality industry. Two or three ad agencies were represented as well as business owners, a few local media personalities, the head of the Duluth Playhouse, a few professors, the new LISC director, a couple from the Duluth NAACP, and descendants of several prominent "old money" families. A few weren't really sure why they'd been selected, and several were a little insecure as to the purpose of the party.

It was a curious event. There had been an dance floor assembled with a jazz ensemble that entertained throughout the evening. At a certain point in time Brent Chance stood and went to the podium in the far corner of the room. The scenery behind him was glorious, the water shimmering on the bay creating an aura that made him appear to shimmer as well.

Chance introduced his wife, thanked everyone for coming, and made note of two or three individuals who had made him feel especially welcome when visiting the city during the past couple years. He also thanked The Boat House for catering the meal and Tom Hanson for the hors d'oeuvres beforehand and desserts after. He briefly shared how growing up in Minnesota made him the man he had become, then talked about his business ventures that had grown under the umbrella of Fast Pivot Enterprises.

"Be sure to tour the Aquarium and enjoy the new exhibits," he added. "There's also a rather nice display of new paintings by Adam Swanson down the hall from where you came in. Stay as long as you like. The bar will remain open till the band packs up." 

Shortly after returning to his seat the mayor's husband leaned over and asked, "The invitation implied a couple V.I.P.s might be present."

Chance gave a laugh. "Really, we're all V.I.P.s. But if you look at the musicians, over on the right is Billy Peterson on stand-up bass. He comes from three generations of jazz musicians in the Twin Cities. He recorded with Dylan on Blood on the Tracks. He'd planned to bring his friend Steven Tyler from Hawaii, but something came up." 

Everyone at the table craned their necks at this.

"Swanny Swanson, the drummer, is a friend of Billy's. The fellow on keyboards is an A-team player from California, Mario Landolfi. He's a personal friend and now one of the biggest names in both L.A. and San Diego. And if you check out the fellow standing over by the window, he's with the Vikings. He already asked if I have any connections to get him traded to a West Coast team. He doesn't like our weather." Chance laughed again. "I don't have any pull with the 49ers, and even if I did the report card on him is that he's lost a step since his injury in 2020. But he's smart, and who knows. He might make be an asset for one of my Fast Pivot companies in Malibu."

The food was remarkable, the desserts equally so. Most of the guests at one point or toured the Aquarium exhibits their tax dollars helped design and maintain.

As the crowd began thinning the jazz trio got into a swinging improv set so that as the guests made their exits it created an upbeat end to the evening. 

* * *

A week after this grand affair at the Aquarium everyone who had attended received a thank you card and an invitation to a follow up party. It will be full of surprises, the invitation read. "Nothing like you have ever experienced before," it promised. "It is very important you be there. You won't want to miss it." 

The follow up event indeed lived up to its promise.

TO BE CONTINUED

Everything's Broken: Dylan's Observations As Relevant As Ever

Minneapolis (Photo: Rubin Latz)

Dawn in Minneapolis Saturday.

To say I have been distracted by things happening in Minneapolis is an understatement. Having at one time lived in the Twin Cities for a few years I am quite familiar with all of the neighborhoods that have been assaulted. It's very disheartening.

As I am oft fond of saying there's a Dylan line or Dylan song for everything, and this situation is no exception. "Oxford Town" might apply, and a line from "Hurricane" jumps off the page, but tonight my sentiments lean toward this one: "Everything's Broken."

Broken lines, broken strings
Broken threads, broken springs
Broken idols, broken heads
People sleeping in broken beds
Ain’t no use jiving
Ain’t no use joking
Everything is broken

Here are a couple variations on the song, beginning first with Bob himself and then a cover by R.L. Burnside.

Minneapolis. (Photos: Rubin Latz

Related Links
Map showing the degree of destruction wrought this past few days. 
Sheryl Crowe and Jason Isbell cover of Everything's Broken
Various versions of the song by various performers
My earlier blog post about the song

ADDENDUM
I would be remiss if I did not add that though the song is thought-provoking, I witnessed a basis for hope in some of the scenes I saw today. There was video of good people coming together to clean up their communities, and coming together to affirm values. As has been repeatedly occurring in 2020, the 3000-year-old proverb continues to hold true: "Who can tell what a day may bring forth?"