Many Fillmore County residents have contacted me in the past few months with questions concerning plastic bags. During the past year or two, countless articles have been written about plastic grocery bags, most being quite negative. Today’s article contains information I have found concerning these bags. Plastic bags did not catch on until the ‘70s, but since then, seem to … [Read more...]
A View from the Woods ~ 4/17/17
Maple syrup luxury When the nights are below freezing but the days are warmer, that is when sap rises in the maple trees. At a time when we long for any sign of spring, maple syrup provides the first harvest of the year to reassure us that life is coming back into the earth. Maple syrup is a true North American food. Long before recorded history, Native American families … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 ~ April 10, 2017
Six months ago, Fillmore County held its fall Hazardous Household Waste Day at the Fillmore County Resource Recovery Center in Preston. Well, it’s now time for the spring of 2017 event. You are invited and encouraged to participate in this collection that is scheduled for May 2, the first Tuesday in May. The hours for the collection will be from noon until 5 p.m. Below is a … [Read more...]
The Working Mom ~ Husband-isms
For any of you who know me and know my husband, you will also know that he never reads my column. So, I thought it was safe to write another column that shares the joys of marriage—or, as some of us say, “Are you kidding me?” My other half often displays what I call “husband-isms.” In my world, they are behaviors or actions that only my husband has (that I know of) and … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Bring on the bunny. Be it dark, milk or white chocolate I will bite its ears off! And I am not alone. Eighty-nine percent of us nibble the bunny’s ears first. I have no idea what the other 11% eat first! I bring you this bit of trivia because I researched Easter Candy on the internet. Did you know that in the 1800s the Europeans perfected the chocolate mold and created … [Read more...]
Recycling 101
After two recent articles concerning this topic, I am sure that most of you are aware that there are going to be a few changes in recycling in Fillmore County as of April 1, 2017. The first part of this article is going to list many of the materials that will be accepted for recycling, and the second part will list the materials that should not be recycled, but … [Read more...]
Composting
Turning garbage into something beautiful Many people do not compost because they believe there is a bad smell that accompanies the composting process. There really isn’t if it is done correctly. Compost cannot be made in a matter of a few weeks. The bacteria, the green material, the brown material, water, air and time are all necessary. Then, if you like, you can add a … [Read more...]
The Working Mom ~ Is spring here?
Is spring here? Is that grass I smell? I bet most of you are waiting for those Minnesota smells, like fresh cut grass, that let you know that spring is here. It has been a cold and blustery winter so this column is dedicated to all of those sights and smells we wait for each spring. So, set the scene….it is 5-10 degrees outside..brrrrr: It just kills me when I am in … [Read more...]
Sue’s Muse – Women’s History Month
I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister. But first and foremost I am a woman. This fact is important as the day I write this column is March 1, the start of the celebration of Women’s History Month. I wonder how many people even know March is Women’s History Month, or even care? Historically, women have had to fight for basic rights and freedoms, and have … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
I love weeping willow trees. On a windy day I watch them whipping their branches wildly, showing off their flexibility! Because the branches bend, they don’t break. Flexibility is needed when traveling because often times expectations are not met. Either you deal with the disappointment or you go home. For instance, my sister, Barb and I recently traveled to visit my … [Read more...]