What would your first wish be if a genie gave you three wishes? I’m betting most of us would ask for a large amount of money. This question has been around for a long time. Usually the first two wishes are for material goods. Then the smart people use the last wish to wish for more wishes. Human nature is so predictable. We all want more than we have even if our house is … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
It takes a village to make cider One of the great pleasures of rural life is coming together, at the times ordained by mother nature, to do what needs to be done. Bringing in the harvest, clearing a neighbor’s snow, making firewood, and canning tomatoes are necessary and good work projects. But when the community pitches in together, it becomes a party. The work goes … [Read more...]
Sue’s Muse
Gatherings As I roll to a stop atop a hill on the bike trail, quilt blocks of farmland dot the slope above me. It is a perfect time to muse on this column topic: gatherings. The first gathering we recently attended was the Cory Tammel Benefit. Numerous people were gathered together; in fact the roller-skating rink at Wheelers was filled with people playing games, competing … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
I am proud to be a Minnesotan. Our state really gets out the vote and values education. Minnesota is first in the nation on the ACT tests! When I read that fact, my mind wandered back to my school days. I started thinking about former teachers, classmates and hot lunch. Some students think of lunch and recess as the best parts of the day. I didn’t start eating school … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
Going solar It just sits there, silently holding its shiny blue face to the sun. Nothing moves. The 24 large solar panels are installed on a frame mounted to four big poles cemented into the ground, after a few days of commotion while workers scrambled. Now it passively waits for sunshine, as it will for the next 25 years. From now on, whenever the sun shines, invisible … [Read more...]
Recycling 101
Andrew (Drew) Hatzenbihler has recently joined the Solid Waste and Recycling Team at the Resource Recovery Center in Preston. He will be working with Randy and Nick to assist you in the disposal of your landfill garbage and recycling. The telephone number at the Recovery Center Office is (507) 765-4704. In the 10 years I spent with the recycling program here in Fillmore … [Read more...]
Recycling 101
There is a bit of a nip in the air, the first digit of the thermometer is a “4”, the maple trees are turning color, and the produce in the garden is coming to an end. These are all hints that it is time for the fall Household Hazardous Waste event here in Fillmore County. As usual, the party will be held in Preston at the Resource Recovery Center/Recycling Center on the … [Read more...]
Sue’s Muse
Sport Now that Gilbert is middle-aged, six in dog years, 42 in human years, coaxing him off the old couch to go for a run is a bit harder than it used to be. However, once outside, his tail sets to wagging as Lu leads him off at a trot. I once thought that if I stretched every time Gilbert did, this old set of bones might move more easily. The thought of movement made me … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
“Chatty Kathy” was my name in high school for obvious reasons! There aren’t many people who have a doll named after them. Well, of course there is my sister Barbie. She is a real life doll who everyone one loves because of her fun nature and generous heart. I guess no one gets to choose their nickname. If I could have chosen , I would be called “Crafty Kathy.” My hands … [Read more...]
Recycling 101
The most common item made from iron is the steel food can. Rechargeable batteries must be recycled. A recycled aluminum can is usually back on the grocery shelf in about sixty days. Approximately 11% of household garbage is compostable. The easy open aluminum can has been around since 1962. It has been estimated that more than 275 million dollars worth of uneaten turkey … [Read more...]