His handwritten works featured jittery penmanship. But it’s no wonder Honoré de Balzac was prolific. He published scores of novels, novellas, plays and short stories. The author had ink in his blood, but his blood might have been nothing but coffee. Whether it’s legend or simply internet malarkey, I’ve read that he drank 50 cups of coffee a day – 51 cups when he needed an … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Seeing Jesus
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger For churches using the Common Lectionary (the Bible readings chosen for all Sundays and Holy Days in the Christian year) the story of Doubting Thomas, John 20:24-31, is recounted the Sunday after Easter – every year … for decades ... maybe for centuries! Every year we … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – The Road, the Navy Band and the Circus
Two men from Caledonia took their skill far from home and represented their hometown well during the 1940s. Each, in his own way, helped preserve democracy. One appeared in the company of some of the nation’s most prominent personalities. One contributed to one of the nation’s most impressive wartime achievements. Ed Lee “There must’ve been 30 of us from this area that … [Read more...]
Eat Well, Be Well, Have Fun
“I am my own muse, the subject I know best” – Frida Kahlo We were fortunate enough to spend an entire month in Mexico this year. My travels to Mexico span over 30 years, and I absolutely love the climate, the people, the culture and of course… the food! Mexican food, or at least the flavors and ingredients, are one of the anchors of my culinary style and tastes. Mexico is … [Read more...]
Spring Comes From a Long Line of Winters
I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry. And I didn’t shed a tear at winter’s passing. It had no last words. My fath-er’s last dying word was “Robert.” Robert was my uncle, my father’s brother, who had died as a young man. They were close. When I was a boy, my elders told me of someone who had said “Hello” with his last dying breath. I believed them. With all the … [Read more...]
Properly Planting Trees
By Katie Drewitz Trees provide many things for our communities; beauty, energy conservation, reduction of soil erosion, filtering air pollutants, raising property values, a home for wildlife and so much more. Trees are an integral part of our home landscapes, neighborhoods and countryside. If you are looking to plant a tree for the upcoming Arbor Day or any time this year, … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – One Got Out!
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches Pastor Phil Callaway tells of driving his 5-year-old son past a local cemetery. Of course, 5-year-olds sometimes have an interesting perspective on things. Noticing a large pile of dirt beside a newly excavated grave, the boy pointed and said, “Look, Dad, one got out!!!” Calloway laughed at the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – The Springs, The Groves, A Bully and Big Ole
If the intent was to encourage rural settlement by newcomers, the name “Spring Grove” was inviting as it was accurate. The availability of land was widely understood, but the name promises the other two agricultural essentials – water and wood. Emphasizing the importance of all three, Jane Briggs Palen entitled her history book “Soil, Timber & A Spring; The Story of Spring … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Do Not Forget
I had a pile of old calendars in my office. They stretched over several decades. I just could not destroy them since they documented so many little details I preferred to not forget. Some have great photos from which I might get some use. But the dates and the events we have participated in bring back special memories. So in an effort to “spring clean” the office, I decided … [Read more...]
Not Seeing a Violet-Green Isn’t Easy to Swallow
I needed to be getting ready when I heard the bubbly, gurgling sounds made by a purple martin in our home. It wasn’t an actual bird, but the authentic recorded sound of a purple martin coming from a bird clock. My father-in-law gave me one that lasted over 30 years. My wife gave me a replacement clock last year. The purple martin sounds off at 8. I was off to see the … [Read more...]