By Wenda Grabau February, though a short month, is known for several notable things. Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays are among them. Valentine’s Day, another occasion, is included in the mix of memorable dates, reminding us of special people to whom we can express our love. This year our shortest month of the year has an extra day, giving us another leap year. … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau It is a good day when one of my children gives me a call to ask a question. Some days I hear from my kids asking about a sick grandchild. Those calls are not so fun. Today, I got a call regarding something positive… baking. The specific request dealt with good old chicken fat. From chicken fat I make biscuits. They are a favorite for my family. We … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau Looking back on my life, I have enjoyed several Christmas memories. Let me list a few of them for you. At Thanksgiving, aunts, uncles, cousins, mom, dad, brothers, sister and I, with Grandma and Grandpa put our names in a hat. Each person drew the name of one person for whom to buy a Christmas gift. All gifts would be roughly the same cost. The name … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau As we approach the end of autumn and look toward the onset of cold weather and winter, the bittersweet goodbyes to summer give way to a different kind of warmth. Families and friends gather for feast and celebration. With the changes in temperature and scenery, November turns our minds and hearts toward Thanksgiving. World Book Dictionary says, … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau I took a delightful stroll this morning. Blue sky peaked through the passing clouds. I stepped my way through the dew-covered lawn on my way to our rural mailbox. As I trekked through the moistened blades of grass, our pup spied me and came running to greet me as if to say, “Good Morning!” I gave him a cheerful pat on his head. He joined me as I walked … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau Heritage is a big part of each person’s life. It is defined, in The World Book Dictionary, as “What is or may be handed on to a person from his ancestors, such as land, a trait, beliefs, or customs; inheritance:” Our inheritance does, indeed, include all of that. Our farm has existed for 163 years. We have spent but a short time in its history. We … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau In horse and buggy days, country roads did not need long sweeping corners to get folks to town. Roads followed an acreage and made short, tight corners. One such road passed by our farm in days gone by. During that time, our ancestors planted a windbreak alongside the road. To get tall trees for the windbreak, young small trees were planted and needed … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
I am a Wisconsin native who was transplanted here when I married. Accustomed to the sound of seagulls flying over my hometown, the scent of the fresh air wafting off of Lake Superior, wild blueberries and wintergreen popping up in the north woods, I expected Minnesota to be just about the same. To my surprise, my husband brought me to live in the only county in Minnesota … [Read more...]