Ladies and gentlemen, horses and fleas, bowlegged ants and cross-eyed bees, I’ll be home for Father’s Day; it’ll be a breeze. For Mother’s Day, Mom got flowers, candy and her favorite meal at a pleasant restaurant. On Father’s Day, Dad got a collect call from his son Allen, whose car had broken down over 30 miles from home. The car didn’t need a “check engine” light to tell … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Someone said, “There’s no accounting for taste!” However when we’re talking about food there is an accounting. Our tongues can detect five basic tastes: sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and umami. My two favorites are sweet and salty. Sweet salty together are awesome. Some people prefer sour – think sour gumballs, lemons, and sour apples. Sister Barb even liked stolen green apples … [Read more...]
I believe in letting my soggy smile be my discount umbrella
I’ve never seen it rain cats and dogs, but it’s going to rain when I see the Johnson’s yellow dog chasing the Holland’s black cat. If you don’t know the Johnsons or the Hollands, never mind. My family elders were fond of saying, “The best thing to do when it’s raining is to let it rain.” There are two kinds of rainfall: too little and too much. The oceans hold 97% of the … [Read more...]
I am your father!
I remember the first time I heard those fateful words; “I am your father.” I was a small boy and the intense fighting, sparks flying, and great heights already had me on edge. Then when the “dark lord” proclaimed his identity, Luke’s response fit the feelings well with his excruciating “Noooo!!” No one would want the evil Darth Vader to be their father. What is a father? Did … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Profit for people more prevalent than controlling pests
In 1944 Houston County, each crow could bring a bounty of 10 cents, which had the purchasing power that $1.70 has in 2023. In 1955, the rattlesnake bounty doubled from 50 cents to a dollar. Significant increases came in 1957 when the bounty on pocket gophers went from five cents to 10 cents, on crows from 10 cents to 25 cents and on woodchucks from 15 cents to 25 cents. Wolf … [Read more...]
God is bigger than ‘He’
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist and Commissioned EarthKeeper of the UMC Do you remember when the movie “The Shack” came out? What is it that you remember most? Are you like many people who can’t remember exactly what the movie was about but do remember Octavia Butler as Papa God? What did you think? Were you of the delighted or the shocked camp? … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Special days in June
The month of June can be a busy one. The new growth in the fields affects our workloads. For many farmers who raise cattle, it is time to harvest and bale food for the animals. June is also a time of paying special attention to people, occasions and occupations. In our area of the world, June is known as Dairy Month. We highlight those who make a living at producing … [Read more...]
This gift is for you, beloved
By Pastor Bridget Sheely Racine/Wykoff/Sumner Center UMC Spring has sprung and summer is right around the corner. What a wonderful time of year! I can’t help but feel a sense of renewed life this time of year and as I drive through the countryside all the wonderful sights only confirm my senses. Newborn calves dot the landscape, flowers are waking from their winter … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Warned by chickens, resolved by pigs
Chickens, pigs, odor and on one occasion, even a blue butterfly – were known to help Houston County humans avoid danger. When Helen VonMoos was growing up in the 1930s on South Ridge (near the boundary between Mound Prairie Township and La Crescent Township in Houston County), she, as a child, would not venture out of the house into the farmyard without first looking outside to … [Read more...]
Love finds a way
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) When I was ordained as a pastor, some very talented artists from my home church made a beautiful and inspiring banner. The banner depicted a crown of holly and a crown of thorns which represented the birth and crucifixion of Jesus. Red letters … [Read more...]