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Awaken the Senses


By Loni Kemp

Fri, Aug 17th, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

I had been working at the computer all day, living only inside my head and stuck in the chair. Returning to the real world, I glance out the open window to the lush green treetops swaying in the breeze. The call of a blue jay pierces the air. A squirrel scampers along the limb of a tree, severing acorns which fall to the deck with a loud crack. I rise and move my creaky neck, realizing I need a break.

I don the appropriate garden shoes for the day, all piled conveniently by the door so I don’t forget and accidentally step out in clean shoes, for inevitably they will become coated with soil and grass clippings. Shall it be sandals, waterproof crocs, tennis shoes, hiking boots—today is a sandal day.

Stepping out onto the shady boardwalk, I immediately take in the green smell of summer. The heat wave is past and the fresh air now brings an invitation to venture out. Sure enough, the deck is peppered with acorns and bits of those laboriously chewed open by the squirrels. I grab the broom from the woodshed and quickly sweep everything clean. Swinging my arms and following the daily pattern around patio furniture I manage to tidy things up and get my blood flowing.

Moving out into the sunshine, I take in the warmth and the full landscape of our hidden hilltop. Beyond the lawn is the full spread of the garden, flowers in full bloom and towers of tomatoes and beans reaching high. Beyond that rise the apple trees with apples visible as they begin to turn red. The towering pine trees, now nearly thirty years old, punctuate the view. Behind it all is the sheep pasture, and I glimpse the quietly grazing sheep and lambs as they do their work tidying up the formerly rampant pasture, no longer full of wild parsley.

Moving into the garden beds, I notice white moths fluttering over the cabbage and broccoli, warning of the coming green cabbage worms. I also see an occasional Monarch and yellow swallowtail butterfly, madly moving from this flower to that. I listen closely to a buzzing noise and zero in on a humming bird working showy pink hibiscus flowers. I pluck a few of the blooms, intending to make some ice tea. That thought leads me to the mint and the lemon verbena, so I gather a few branches, bruising the leaves and taking in the distinctive aromas which will permeate the tea.

The birds are calling from all around, little brown birds I find hard to identify. Wrens and small sparrows leave nes .....
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SMG Computer Solutions

Working Mom

By Tammy Danielson

Fri, Jul 20th, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

Are you an ASKER or a TELLER? When watching the evening news recently, the top story topics included murder, robbery, public divorce, and the poor economy. At the very end of the broadcast, the news anchor shared a brief human interest story to “ ..... 
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The Resplendent Raspberry

By Sue Ommen

Fri, Jul 6th, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

I love raspberries, not only for their sumptuous flavor, but also because I have a history with this lovely berry. I grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities, known then as the Raspberry Capital. Raspberry farms proliferated on the ..... 
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More notes from a country kitchen - 7/2/12

By Vicki Christianson

Fri, Jun 29th, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

I love summer when it’s sunny, about 75 degrees, a little breezy and no humidity! And how often is the weather just like that here in Minnesota!!! I think I could count on one hand the number of perfect days just like the one I described! Anywa ..... 
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Courtesy --- Are you out there?

By Tammy Danielson

Mon, Jun 18th, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

Have you ever bumped into someone at the mall or in an elevator and said, “Oh, I’m sorry” and never get a reply from that person? Have you ever been on a sidewalk or hallway that allows for one body to get by so you stop to let the other pers ..... 
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A View from the Woods

By Loni Kemp

Mon, Jun 11th, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

Why the Rivers Turn Brown What runs through your mind when you glance at a creek or river near you, and the water looks like roiling chocolate milk? When I see muddy, murky water, my heart clenches in anger. It happens often. In fact, it happens ev ..... 
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Sue's Muse

By Sue Ommen

Mon, May 28th, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

Trees I’ve always considered trees as friends. Serene and contemplative, they serve as gentle backdrops to our private thoughts. Birds nest in nurturing branches, their songs serving as a musical feast for the ears. As a child I spent hours in ..... 
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Food for Life

Mon, May 21st, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

On the wrong path I just read some very disturbing statistics, and since my column is basically about trying to be healthy, I thought I would share. I know I am not perfect, and I eat a lot of unhealthy things that I preach about not eating. I wei ..... 
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The Working Mom

By Tammy Danielson

Mon, May 14th, 2012
Posted in All Columnists

Happy Mother’s Day (yesterday)! Well, the dishes are done, laundry is still going, bills are paid, cleaned the stove, and it is now time at 11:00 p.m. to write my article and think of how I can dedicate this article to my mom and all of the gre ..... 
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