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MONTH 2021
A Life Spent Keeping Things Running Who Is Frank Frost? (AV)A BREATH OF Fresh Air MARCH 2026
AvaAir. We’ll Be There
Some people leave behind stories. Others leave behind infrastructure. This one is about the second kind. Who is Frank Frost? He was Ava’s fourth great- grandfather, and for most of his working life, he was tied to one building in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. From around 1889 until 1926, he ran the boilers for what was then a modern high-rise, long before automation, electronic controls, or safety systems made that kind of work routine. The building was constructed in 1889, before electricity was common and long before air conditioning existed. Everything about it reflects that reality. Instead of sealed hallways and mechanical ventilation, it was designed to breathe. A central atrium runs from the lobby to a skylight, allowing heat to rise and escape. Offices relied on open windows and transoms above doors to move air through the space. At night, the light came from candles or whale oil lamps. Petroleum-based lamp oil didn’t fully replace whale oil until the early 20th century,
so this building comes from a completely different energy era.
For years, my family would point to the building and mention that a relative once worked there. On a recent trip to Minnesota, my daughter, Ava, and I decided to finally follow that thread. I contacted the building’s owners, who put me in touch with the current building engineer. He’d been there for 13 years and clearly took a lot of pride in the place. He gave us a full behind-the-scenes tour, from the penthouse down to the basement. What struck me immediately was how much of the original structure is still intact. There’s no parking garage because cars weren’t part of the plan when the building was designed. Instead, the basement still contains horse stalls, essentially a horse parking deck under the building. The marble staircases are worn down in the center, not from neglect, but from more than a century of people walking the same paths every day. Frank Frost ran the boilers there for decades, and that job carried real risk. There were no electronic controls, automated safety systems, or backup alarms. Everything was manual. Boilers in that era could be dangerous, and keeping them operating safely required constant attention and deep knowledge. It wasn’t a job where you could afford to be careless. Walking through those mechanical spaces, it hit me how much responsibility rested on one person’s judgment, day after day, year after year. The building also has an unexpected aviation connection. In the 1920s, it housed Northwest Airlines’ first ticket window. Northwest
later merged into Delta, and Ava dreams of becoming a Delta pilot. From the roof, you can still see the old St. Paul airport across the bridge. Knowing that airline tickets were first sold in the same building where her ancestor worked is incredible. I’ll take it as a sign! We also visited the house where Frank Frost grew up. It’s still standing, just a mile from where my grandmother grew up. They met in that neighborhood. In the 1920s, she spent time around the speakeasies along the river during Prohibition. How neat!? I didn’t walk away with a revelation so much as a new perspective. Frank Frost spent his working life keeping a system running that supported everyone else in the building. That work didn’t come with recognition, but it mattered. Seeing it firsthand made that clear in a way family stories never quite could.
–Chris Heenan
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Stop Drowning in Tasks The Secret to a Productive To-Do List
You know that feeling when your to-do list just sits there, staring back at you, growing longer and longer, and yet you’ve barely scratched the surface? We’ve all been there. A to-do list should be more than a laundry list of vague intentions; it should be a practical tool to help you get stuff done. Start by being ruthless with priorities. Instead of dumping everything into one endless list, pick just a few (3–5) top priorities for the day. If you try to do too much, nothing gets done. Keeping the list short provides clarity and energy, allowing you to focus on what matters. Make each item action-friendly. Productivity experts suggest that small, clearly defined tasks are far more effective than vague, open-ended ones. Rather than writing “work on report,” try “draft report outline” or “email Sarah for stats.” When tasks
are concrete and manageable, especially those you can tackle in a few minutes, you’re more likely to actually do them, and the satisfaction of crossing them off becomes real. Break down big projects into bite-sized steps. Big tasks are intimidating. If you face a large goal (like “clean the house,” “prepare presentation,” or “plan vacation”), break it into discrete sub-tasks. This makes progress feel tangible and gives you actionable steps instead of a vague, looming project. Use external systems. One powerful idea behind many productivity systems is to get everything out of your head and into a trusted place: your list. When your brain isn’t constantly juggling “remember to do X, Y, and Z,” you free up mental space for actual work. A good to-do list serves as that external memory, giving your mind room to think clearly and stay focused. Don’t be afraid to reevaluate and rearrange. Your list should be a living document, not a permanent scroll. As the day goes by, priorities shift. Some tasks will drop off while others may emerge. At the end of the day (or week), take a few moments to think about what’s still important, what can wait, and what you need to rework. Celebrate the small wins and build momentum. A weird but powerful magic lies in checking off tasks. Each time you cross something off, no matter how small (responding to an email, cleaning a corner of your room, or scheduling an appointment), you give yourself a little boost. That sense of forward motion can carry you further than a perfectly planned list ever could. Possibly the best pro tip is to think of your to-do list like a gentle morning nudge, not a nagging “you must,” but a helpful guide reminding you: “Here’s what you chose to care about today.” When you treat it that way, it starts actually working!
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The Books Making Waves in 2026 New Worlds, New Romances, New Thrills
This year is shaping up to be a thrilling one for book lovers, with a lineup of releases that promises everything from heart-pounding thrillers and epic fantasy sagas to swoon-worthy romances and inventive speculative fiction. Whether you’re a longtime fan eagerly awaiting sequels to your favorite series or you’re hunting for fresh voices and new adventures, there’s something on the horizon for every reader. The best part is that some of these have already hit the shelves! Magic and Epic Fantasy “The Ballad of Falling Dragons” by Sarah A. Parker: The highly anticipated sequel to “When the Moon Hatched,” this continuation promises more danger, magic, romance, and dragons. If you loved the first installment’s heady blend of myth and emotion, this will likely pull you back into its world. Release Date: April 28, 2026 “Burn of the Everflame” (“Kindred’s Curse,” Book 4) by Penn Cole: War looms, alliances are fragile, and enemies threaten extinction. For fans
of sweeping fantasy sagas with high stakes and heartbreak, this feels like a true epic. Release Date: July 14, 2026 “Red God” (“Red Rising Saga,” Book 7) by Pierce Brown: This is the next chapter in an intense sci‑fi/fantasy saga. If you crave dystopian worlds, political tension, and cosmic-scale stakes, this might be your jam! Release Date: Jan. 1, 2026 Romance and Contemporary Vibes “The Night We Met” (Book 2 in the “Say You’ll Remember Me” series) by Abby Jimenez: This one sounds like a feel‑good romance with humor, realistic struggles, and the messy, beautiful
circumstance. You can expect tension, banter, and a romance that builds under pressure. Release Date: Feb. 24, 2026 Thrillers and Mystery “The Astral Library” by Kate Quinn: For readers who love a dash of mystery and intrigue mixed with imaginative or historical elements, this one feels like a story where secrets lurk among dusty shelves and old volumes. Release Date: Feb. 17, 2026 “Victorious” (“Villains,” Book 3) by V.E. Schwab: If you enjoy morally gray characters, tension, and stories that don’t promise neat fairy‑tale endings, this could be a darkly compelling pick. Release Date: Jan. 1, 2026
unpredictability of relationships. Release Date: March 31, 2026
“And Now, Back to You” (“Heartstrings,” Book 2) by B.K. Borison: In this “when‑opposites‑attract” story, two meteorologists are thrown together by
Spinach Artichoke Pizza
Take a Break
Ingredients • 1 loaf frozen bread dough
• 7 oz artichoke hearts, chopped • Several handfuls of fresh spinach • Pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp garlic herb spreadable cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
Directions
1. Thaw dough according to package directions and let it rise for 2 hours. 2. Preheat oven to 450 F. 3. Coat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with non-stick spray, then gently stretch dough to fit. 4. Spread garlic herb cheese evenly across the entire dough layer. 5. Sprinkle mozzarella and Gruyere cheeses evenly over dough, reserving a small amount of each. 6. As the topping, scatter chopped artichoke hearts, followed by a layer of torn spinach leaves, and then the reserved cheeses. Add black pepper to taste. 7. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and crisp.
Inspired by BlueBowlRecipes.com
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AVAAIR.COM 678.902.2822 3231 Normandy Cir NE Marietta, GA 30062
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AvaAir. We’ll Be There
Inside
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A Family History Written in Steel, Steam, and Stone
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Turn Your To-Do List Into a Productivity Powerhouse
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7 Must-Read Books Already Defining 2026 Spinach Artichoke Pizza
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Beat Inflammation Without Expensive Supplements
Fatty fish and omega-3s: Salmon, sardines, and similar fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are linked to lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans/legumes: These provide fiber, good fats, and stabilize blood sugar, all of which support a calmer, less inflamed immune response. Spices and herbs (such as turmeric, ginger, and garlic): Compounds like curcumin (found in turmeric) or gingerols have been studied for their anti- inflammatory potential. At the same time, try to limit foods that tend to create inflammation, such as processed meats, refined carbs (white bread and pastries), sugary drinks, and fried foods. Move, rest, and manage stress. Regular, moderate physical activity: Whether it’s brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga, moderate exercise triggers the release of anti‑inflammatory compounds from muscles and reduces fat tissue that otherwise contributes to inflammation. Quality sleep: When your body gets enough restful sleep, it can repair tissues and regulate its immune function more effectively. Poor or inconsistent sleep disrupts this balance, often leading to an increase in inflammatory markers. Stress management: Chronic stress keeps your body in a persistent “on‑edge” mode, releasing cortisol and other substances that drive inflammation. Mindfulness, deep breathing, gentle movement, or even quiet hobbies can help you calm down and reset. Proper hydration: Staying hydrated helps! Water supports digestion, detoxification, and overall cellular health, all of which influence how your body responds to stress and inflammation.
Hidden Inflammation Is More Common
Than You Think Fight It With These Tips
Inflammation is more common than you think. Did you know, according to a 2023 study published on PubMed, that about 35% of U.S. adults show signs of systemic inflammation, an underlying condition linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses? If that statistic makes you pause, here’s the good news: Reducing inflammation doesn’t necessarily require expensive supplements or drastic lifestyle overhauls. Small, consistent habits in diet, movement, and rest can make a significant difference over time. Eat more whole and colorful foods. Berries and colorful fruits/vegetables: Blueberries, cherries, leafy greens, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers are all great.
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