Eating at the kids’ table during the holidays is one of my favorite memories. The food was great, but the company was superb. As the oldest cousin, I was put in charge by trusting adults. It worked to everyone’s advantage. The adults had some peace and quiet, and the kids had the kitchen with running water, a refrigerator full of bowls of whipped cream and the garbage can to … [Read more...]

By Yvonne Nyenhuis One sunny day, my sister Vange and I set off on a great adventure. I was nine and Vange was thirteen. We were heading for the “haunted” house, a two-mile walk from our home, along Second Street Pike. When we arrived at our destination, we waited for a lull in the traffic and darted across the highway. There it was, a massive, dark, imposing stone … [Read more...]

Cider time Pressing apple cider is one of my favorite events of the year. Timing is crucial, because apples need time to ripen to their full potential and crispness, and they really like to get a nice hard frost to bring out the best flavor notes. Going against that goal of waiting is the fact that apples are dropping every day, and a bruised apple is not going to last … [Read more...]

By Sue Ommen Fall has finally come, with the appearance of pumpkins and changing leaves heralding this colorful season. Crisp fall days have been perfect for a ride on the bike trail. Since Lu retired the beginning of this year, leisurely rides with Gilbert on the trail have become a favorite pastime. Earlier in the summer, Lu purchased a lightweight three-wheeled recumbent … [Read more...]

Bats, rats, spiders and snakes are NEVER included in my Halloween décor because I am truly afraid of them. Witches, vampires and ghosts seem quite harmless compared to them. I am always on the lookout for the former and alert other people by pointing and shrieking in abject terror! Yes, I know that bats are “our friends” and eat mosquitoes. As long as they out of my … [Read more...]

I often visit my 84-year-old mother for several days at her senior apartment outside of the Twin Cities. She likes to take me to the large living room downstairs where friends gather at all hours of the day and evening to chat, drink coffee and play cards. My mother always pulls out her knitting bag and sets to creating hats, dish cloths or baby sweaters while she catches up on … [Read more...]

The dreaded invitation on fine paper with a beautiful bluejay arrived in the mail today. I knew it was coming, but I had done my best Scarlett O’Hara, “I’ll think about that tomorrow” routine for a couple of weeks! Now there was no denying it any longer! My options flashed through my brain. I was certainly attending this milestone class reunion, but there were a few problems. I … [Read more...]

I stir from sleep in the night, hearing a loud thrumming of rain on the roof. I turn over, glad we closed the windows at bedtime. By morning, the barely lightened sky keeps us dozing later than usual. The rain has ended, but the morning remains dark. I rise, already thinking of the mounds of cucumbers and tomatoes I plan to put up that day. A quick peek outside reveals a … [Read more...]