By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Has the end of January fog and the rollercoaster temperatures we’ve been having have you dreaming of spring? While it is still too early to start seeds indoors, there are a few things you can do to stretch your green thumb. Several people recently have made inquiries about winter sowing, which can be a great way to start … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: Are Video Games Unhealthy?
By Saturn Ludewig Video games have become an integral part of modern entertainment, but as their popularity soars, debates about their impact on mental and physical health continue to surface, highlighting both the positive and negative effects they can have on an individual. A common belief and misconception made by people is the thought that video games are bad for a kid’s … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Two Boys, Plenty of Pigeons and Three Indians
Thomas Rice Stewart came west as an 11-year-old boy with his parents and siblings from Massachusetts to the wilderness of Minnesota in 1853, five years before statehood. The family was one of only a half-dozen to spend the winter of 1853-54 in the new settlement that would become Caledonia. A half-century later, he wrote about those early years. Shortly after their arrival … [Read more...]
In Search of the Holy Grail of Greeting Cards
My wife, The Queen B, was searching for chocolate-covered radishes or radish-covered chocolates. I forget which. My bride was in hunting for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. She must have been unable to find appropriate motivational socks. We were in a big box store, but it had many other things than big boxes. She had determined many years ago that I’m of little help … [Read more...]
Farm Wife Meal Magic!
Guess what?! I’ve been working on something for the last year and it changes everything in my kitchen. I wrote about it in 2022 and I’m here to ask: Have you tried it yet? If not, you need to! If you’re like me, you love learning from someone else’s experience, especially if they learned it the hard way! So here I am, telling you that this hack works. Back to our hack: … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: The 11 Mile Ritual
By Hannah Kingsley Have you ever wanted something so bad you claimed that you would do ANYTHING in your power to obtain it? In the world of folklore, there is a way to make wishes come true. All you need is a vehicle, a deep desire for something, and the willpower to get through chilling miles that feel like Satan himself cursed them. Then, you will be ready for the 11 Mile … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: Lent Offers a Time to Reflect
By Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston “These days of dust. These days of despair. We can hear reality speak to us in a clear, ringing voice. So we approach. Carefully. Barely ready to hear the heard truths we long to be told about beautiful, terrible death.” -Kate Bowler, “Have a Beautiful Terrible Lent” This Wednesday, February 14, is the … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: The Logic of the Groundhog
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger A few days ago, Punxsutawney Phil, Jimmy the Groundhog and other whistlepig prognosticators gave predictions about what season to expect in the next six weeks. Yet I’ve long been bemused by the groundhog’s curious logic. If the groundhog sees its shadow, we’re in for a longer … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Hoot ‘n’ Holler, the Big Black Horse amid railroad recollections
“Tell that animal up there to go slow and not run over us!” yelled John Sand up to the conductor in the train that was bearing down on them. The “big black horse” (steam locomotive) endangered their little motor car all the way from Rushford to Houston. “We had that big headlight beaming down on us, and we were going as fast as we could.” Sand, who resided in Houston, long … [Read more...]
Fighting over a Thermostat Should be a Winter Olympics Event
By Al Batt Iowa is a tropical paradise. I don’t know why Minnesotans winter in Florida, Texas or Arizona when they could experience pleasing weather in Nevada, Iowa. Iowa is a tropical state by any Minnesotan’s expert estimation. Most of my extended family is from Iowa. If you cup an ear, you’ll be able to hear all those relatives yelling, “Why did you have to reveal … [Read more...]