Part of a human being is a human sleeping. Sleep is easy. I can do it with my eyes closed. Follow your dreams and fall asleep. My brother could sleep standing up. I’m not that good, but I’m a competent sleeper. Most nights, I barely notice the sheets are made of razor wire, but there are those nights when I toss and turn, and turn and toss like a little kid on Christmas … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage: A Work in Progress
Recently we have been at work to remodel our kitchen. It was last remodeled in 1941. It has brought us an added appreciation for how workers before us put such good quality in their workmanship. We boxed away and neatly hid light fixtures and decorative items away in the basement. Much went to the basement, but for our sustenance and survival during this remodeling … [Read more...]
Grace and Truth
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free What’s in a conjunction? Do you remember School House Rock? I know this dates me, but Conjunction – Junction what’s your function? Maybe some of you can hear that little jingle in your head. Oh the power of a catchy jingle, isn’t it incredible. So, when Jesus came why wasn’t it grace or truth? Many today are not … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Climate, Topography Ideal for Immigrant Brewers
First of a series It surely will never receive another human footstep, but it endures two levels below street level in downtown Caledonia – a century-and-half-old brewery cellar. As far back as the first decades of white settlement in the 1850s-1860s, there were breweries in Southeast Minnesota, often started by European immigrants, particularly but not exclusively German … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: The Influence of Music and Mood on Productivity
By Alleen Erchoff-Costet Do you listen to music while doing everyday tasks such as reading, studying, or driving? Music is often believed to improve focus, block distractions, and make tasks more enjoyable. However the impact of music on brain function is not well understood, despite many studies. So exactly how does music help reduce stress? Listening to music can reduce … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I have noticed that there are more aggressive actions being taken at roundabouts. Drivers are entering the roundabout ahead of others that are already in the circle. Please remind drivers of the appropriate entering law concerning them. Thank you. Answer: Thank you for the suggested topic and I can talk about this. Roundabouts handle high levels of traffic with less … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: Seeing is Not Believing
By Pastor Stuart Weist First Baptist Church of Preston Many in our world today don’t believe in God because they say they cannot see him. They claim that if God would simply show himself or come down before them then they would believe. However, for those that follow Christ we already know the error in this line of thinking. Christ has come (Jn 1:14), did reveal himself as … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I have a question in regards to exploring a business idea that has to do with mobile advertising, such as an illuminated board advertising business. I am concerned about the visual distraction for drivers and was wondering if this was allowed. Answer: Moving or parked mobile advertising signs that display lights on the highway are not allowed. That would also … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Midnight Noises and a Rutabaga “Astonish the Newcomers”
Part five of a series Mysterious and frightening noises at night, a back-and-forth chase with a savage animal and an oversized vegetable were among strange experiences for T. R. Stewart, who as an 11-year-old boy, came with his family to Minnesota Territory in 1853. A half-century later, he wrote about those first few months as one of the first white families to settle in … [Read more...]
I Couldn’t Believe My Ears… Until Now
Every week, I hear the most amazing raw milk stories. I could write a book with the hundreds of ways I’ve been told that raw milk helps people. I wish you could stand with me in our farm store and hear what I hear. It is literally incredible. You’re all invited to visit my farm store, but in the meantime, I’d like to share just a bit of what I hear. One of my guests, … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: Quitters Can Win
By Kyra Arndt You might have heard the common expression “Winners never quit and quitters never win,” which implies that in order to be successful one can absolutely never quit. I, however, believe the opposite to be true. Quitting is not always a sign of weakness; in fact, It takes strength to recognize when a situation is no longer serving you anymore and walk away. At the … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I have been thinking about getting a dash camera for my vehicle. If I do, where can I place it? Answer: When it comes to placing things up in the windshield or dashboard area Minnesota has restrictions as a concern for obstructed vision and safety. Dash cameras are allowed if the driver feedback and safety monitoring equipment are mounted immediately behind, … [Read more...]
The Lasting Legend of a Larruping Good Lick in Ledyard
I played in a baseball game at the Field of Dreams near Dyersville, Iowa. The movie “Field of Dreams” tells the story of an Iowa farmer who plowed up his corn crop to build a baseball field, and then the ghosts of famous dead players come and play baseball on it. Why did he do that? Kevin Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, built the ballfield after hearing a voice in his … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project – Nuclear Fusion: Powering a Brighter Future
By Isaac Vick Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, has long been hailed as a promising energy source due to its potential to produce clean and abundant energy without emitting greenhouse gases or producing long-term radioactive waste. However, achieving fusion reactions that release more energy than is initially invested has proven to be an elusive goal, … [Read more...]
Hiring Farm Workers Under the Age of 16
By Katie Drewitz If you’re considering hiring a teenager to work on your farm or with your agribusiness, it’s important to know the laws and regulations of employing youth. There are several operations in agriculture that have been identified by the Federal government as being particularly hazardous for children under the age of 16. These include: • Operating tractors … [Read more...]