Women Who Rock feature: Working Journal - Marni Schleuning & Debra Mapes

#785 WWR SPECIAL

Michael Fiedler's

WORKING JOURNAL

A photographic and handwritten documentary of the jobs, professions and endeavors that shape our connectivity to the people and the world around us.

Michael Fiedler's "Working Journal" is a unique black and white "coffee table

book" featuring people in their world and with their unique stories. Nothing too unique or niche, you might think off hand, on the contrary, the journalistic photography in his documentary style is produced in black-and-white from Michael shadowing the subject at their work place. Just an ordinary day. The story, is their story in their handwriting. The marriage of the image and personal storytelling creates a moving, touching and truly collective work of art. Remembering that simple things in life, that make-up who we are, are universal regardless of geographical lines or profession. Reading the stories, you find the same passion for a baker as a truck driver. On a visit to Topeka last December, seveneightfive had the privilege of working with Michael for a week to capture some of our own local flavor. Subjects featured in "Working Journal" include Matthew Porubsky, Antwayn Hopper and two Women Who Rock: Debra Mapes and Marni Schleuning. Read Debra and Marni's stories on the following pages and go to @MJFielderArt to read others. aseveneightfive

A photographic and handwritten documentary of the jobs, professions and endeavors that shape our connectivity to the people and the world around us by Michael Fielder. @mjfiedlerart [above] Antwayn Hopper, actor [below] Matthew Porubsky, railroader / poet. Read their stories at seveneightfive.com and follow @mjfiedlerart on Instagram

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Marni

SCHLEUNING

BARTENDER

Iam a bartender. I make drinks… and then some. It can be tedious and exhausting at times. Very few jobs are the same but different every day filled with familiar faces and several strangers looking for a friendly face. My love for it started when I was little, climbing up on a stepstool to make drinks for my uncle’s and entertaining the crowd. I loved it and was hooked. Over the past 20 years I’ve worked, ran and owned many bars throughout the US. I have met many unique, wonderful people, famous and not so much. I get up every day, excited to go to my job. How many people can say that? I’ve changed lives and the lives have changed me. My job isn’t just a job, it’s a part of someone’s life. I’ve watched families grow, and disintegrate over time. I’ve been in the middle of fights over nothing and broke them up before they could start. I’ve been thanked for the life changing advice I didn’t know I gave. I’ve held a new born babies of people I hardly know, and I have hugged people goodbye for the last time. My job on a daily basis teaches me and the people in the bar that we really are all the same. We all have the same basic need to be accepted and loved. I was meant to be a part of people’s lives. Every day I try to make a difference to someone by just being me, and every day I get that back from the people that make up my job. Being a bartender is not for everyone. But the right bartender can be everything for everyone. I love my job and I love my life. I’m grateful for it every day. Everyone can make a difference every day if you let them. Hug someone every day and don’t take people or life for granted. Life is what you make it.“ aseveneightfive

"EVERYONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY IF YOU LET THEM."

-MARNI SCHLEUNING, "WORKING JOURNAL" by MICHAEL FIELDER

#785 Women Who Rock

"MY JOB IS TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF THE GIFTS I'VE BEEN GIVEN." -DEBRA MAPES, "WORKING JOURNAL" by MICHAEL FIELDER

Debra MAPES

CATTLE FARMER

M y job is to be a good steward of the gifts I’ve been given. First, the gift of family, caring for an aging parent, children and grandchildren. Second, managing the land, property and livestock. My great grandparents, parents and grandparents must have enjoyed the daily blessings as much as I do. My passion is caring for livestock. So is it a job when you love what you do? I manage crop ground, mostly growing soybeans, some corn, wheat and alfalfa.

My favorite time of the year is putting up hay, swathing, raking, bailing and stacking. This time of year is busy with chores and feeding livestock and breaking ice. Soon, it will be time for calving season. Watching to see if anything has trouble and getting the help needed to save the calf and cow. The miracle of life is a blessing. I am learning what round -to-it’s are. There are many things on a to do list to keep busy, fixing fence, building fence, cutting trees, spraying thissles and weeds. I know my family and neighbors benefit from the garden and home raised beef. My ranch is small, but I know I’m helping to get quality products to others. There are very few days off on a farm. Hard work, sweat and tears. Every day I am blessed. The miracles I see, the first spring flowers, Summers heat, Falls beauty and Winters glitter. My daughters quote- ‘If it was easy, everyone would do it.’ And I agree.... I feel good to lay down at the end of a day. aseveneightfive

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