Part one of a series They depended on flames in the 1880s and 1890s. Wood-fueled stoves were almost always used for cooking, and during long Minnesota winters, wood was burned to heat buildings. After dark, light came from oil-burning lamps. A fire getting out of control was feared but unfortunately, a common occurrence. “Lookout for fires these cold, windy days and nights,” … [Read more...]
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a Work of Heart
They took my blood pressure. And they didn’t give it back. It was early, but not as early as the dawning of a day when I was wandering around Gulf Shores, Alabama, in pursuit of the world’s most beautiful bird. I had no idea what species it was, but I wanted to see it. I encountered a fellow seated at an outdoor table and welcoming the sunrise with an adult beverage. He … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – The Blinding Storm
Blizzard conditions were just down the road. Unbeknownst to us, the snow was blinding, and the roadway was covered with white. We eagerly set out for our destination. On this January evening, we were heading to our home at Heritage Farm. It was my hope that we would “beat” any stormy conditions that might be brewing. Interstate highway travel is generally rather humdrum and … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: From Christmas to Epiphany – Follow the Star
By Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston In the animated movie “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown struggles to feel the joy and hope expected of the season. He asks, “Does anyone really know what Christmas is all about?” Linus answers him by reciting Luke 2:10-11, and when Linus says, “Fear not,” he drops his ever-present security blanket. … [Read more...]
Do You Drive With Your Eyes Closed? Something New for 2026.
When was the last time you intentionally drove with your eyes closed? I hope your answer is never. The “why” is pretty obvious. Seeing, while driving, is on par with breathing while living. Without it, catastrophe is basically inevitable. As moms, we’d never endanger those in tow by being so reckless. We’d never think of driving without vision, so why live life without … [Read more...]
Some Parades are Harder to Love Than Others
Somewhere Christmas music played to the warm and the safe. Everything wasn’t merry and bright. It was so windy that the pine tree air freshener in my car lost all its needles. I listened to the weather on the radio. I wanted the night to lighten up. I was somewhere between the Rockies and a hard place to get to. I was on my way home for Christmas, driving in the back … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Fresh Liver That Tasted Like Hamburger (?)
Part two a two-part series Her mother put it under the feather tick (mattress) after she got up in the morning so it would rise. What it was - was bread. Mother baked a lot of sourdough bread. “We were never without it,” recalled Caroline (Petersen) Heimerdinger about her childhood in the 1930s. There was also white bread, made with a potato water starter. Caroline was … [Read more...]
It’s Still Christmas
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger Now we are truly in the Christmas Season … To many, “Christmas” began weeks ago – perhaps the day after Thanksgiving or when the first decorations and sales appeared in stores (back in August?). And for some the holiday now ends, the music turns off and … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Returning Home Christmas Eve, They Smelled Oranges
It was Christmas in the 1870s on a South Ridge farm in Mound Prairie Township in northeast Houston County. After the children had gone to bed, their German immigrant mother Emilie Freischmidt Burow spread a white table cloth on the dining room table her husband Fredrich had built. She set out four plates on which she placed some candy, apples, popcorn, a toy or two, and nuts. … [Read more...]
Everyone Gets Gift-Wrapped Gift Wrap This Year
The Christmas shopping season may seem long, but it’s much shorter than an election campaign. Life moves fast, but Christmas moves even faster. Shopping is no cause for alarm, but it can be if you wait until Christmas Eve day to do it. Then it can be confounding. Shopping isn’t painful. That part comes at the checkout when I shuffle past the “Who are all these people?” … [Read more...]