Americans will eat anything if it's deep-fried. Deep-fried cardboard doesn't sound bad to most people. We know we should eat better. My second cousin twice removed – I'm not sure who had him removed – told me, "There's only one thing that keeps me from going on a diet – food." I sat at the Table of Infinite Knowledge at the Eat Around It Cafe, when one member said, "I have … [Read more...]
A Ride on Sunday Afternoon
When a girl gets asked by her sweetheart to join him for a ride on Sunday afternoon, why not do it? My husband suggested we take a trip to view the Virginia Bluebells down in the river valley near our farm. On our way we were delighted to see pink puffs of apple blossoms. Along with that we spied dead, gray trees which made holes in the verdant spectacle to see through. … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – … And It Was Good
By Rev. Anders Nelson Mabel-Henrytown Tri-Point Parish - Mabel First Lutheran Church, Scheie Lutheran Church and Henrytown Lutheran Church In the last few weeks, I’ve started a new Bible study with my three congregations and we’ve chosen to start those sessions with a whirlwind tour of the Bible. This tour is focused on a 10,000-foot view of the Bible, highlighting important … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past The 1850s, Territorial Days on Portland Prairie
Part two, Portland Prairie, 1850s After Minnesota was organized as a territory in 1849, pioneer settlers arrived in numbers sufficient enough that statehood came nine years later - in 1858. Wisconsin had become a state after 12 years as a territory, Iowa after eight years. Minnesota Territory extended west to the Missouri River, which now crosses both central North Dakota and … [Read more...]
I Was Worried the Quicksand Would Get Festus
We had a manure pile lurking behind the dairy barn. It was called a manure pile because "a pile of manure" was taken. It's what our neighbor called his Dodge Disappointment, which started only on Tuesdays and every other Thursday. On TV, when there were horses or jungles, quicksand was an effective method of population control. Poor souls, trying to evade pursuers, fell into … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past 1854, Her First Week in Minnesota Territory
It has a name and people live there, but it its not on a map. It was an agricultural community, not a village, which from the early days of settlement became known as Portland Prairie. If you visit historic Portland Prairie Church, you are on a short span of pavement named Portland Prairie Road, part of the dividing line between Wilmington Township and Winnebago Township. The … [Read more...]
Thyme & Again – Dressing for Success
By Angela Denstad Time and again, when life gets hard, little adages and bits of advice spring to mind. It’s tempting to gather them all together, reasoning there must be some greater truth to be compiled from all the individual bits of collective wisdom imparted to us over the course of our years. In difficult times, we seek solutions; in times of grief, we seek solace. And … [Read more...]
I Said Eye See Eye Saw Eye Smiled
Rome wasn't built in a day or without specs. I needed to see an eye doctor to make sure my eyes were cutting the mustard. The Oxford English Dictionary says that "to cut the mustard" means "to come up to expectations, to meet requirements, to succeed." The doctor was right on schedule. I was prepared if he wasn't. "Better late than blurry," I told myself. I was at a … [Read more...]
If Those Walls Could Talk, What Would They Say?
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) I was sitting in the historic church at Lenora which was built in 1865. Sunshine was streaming in the windows and the venerable sanctuary was filled with a cheery warmth. All around the room reminders of pioneer days spoke to me. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – No Shame in Wearing Mended Clothes
One night each year, four young sisters on a Houston County farm helped round up roosters. Twenty roosters perished so that that the girls had $20 to buy school clothes on what was known as Dollar Day Sales each autumn at stores in La Crosse, Wis. A blouse cost 50 cents, wash dresses $1 each. Underwear were four for $1. One sister, Anita Lee (Hartmann) Palmquist, would much … [Read more...]