By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish - United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley Unless you’re postponing your celebration until after December 25, by the time this is printed, most readers will have already opened the presents under the Christmas tree, and possibly have taken down the tree itself. The idea of presents has been a … [Read more...]
My Winter Bucket List is a Short One: Stay Warm
Into the mouth of the wolf, we go. I catch myself bundled beyond recognition and talking to a thermometer, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to winter we go. Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of winter. It’s the Great White. Do you imagine the toothy grin of a shark? I picture the icicle smile of winter. It’s Gilligan’s Winter and we’re stuck in … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project A Home Divided
By Siri Corson The car seemed to shake as my friends enthusiastically screamed the bridge of the song “Cruel Summer.” My teeth were clenched under my smile as I wondered how many more “Swiftie” songs I would be subjected to on the 45-minute car ride to Decorah. At some point we turned the music down to discuss topics we held dear to our hearts like guns, political candidates, … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer – Zoo Cows
The beautiful farmhouse and the bright red barn are the first things people see when they come to stay in our luxury silo Airbnb or to get some fresh raw milk. “This is the cleanest, most perfect farm I’ve ever seen!” Those are the words I hear very often as people walk around the farm I call home. Sometimes I struggle to see the wonder of what looks like work to me, but I find … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Speaking Norwegian at Home, English at School
Part three of a series Owen Hagen said when he started kindergarten in Spring Grove in the 1930s, he could not speak English, only Norwegian. “It was kind of hard for me,” he recalled. “Kids would laugh at me but that changed in a hurry,” he added without explanation. For Tinka Bergrud Rud (1915-2004), speaking Norwegian at school in the early 1920s was not a problem with … [Read more...]
Farm Walk in December
Today, my workday included printing and cutting this year’s Christmas cards with its accompanying year-end letters. We send out cards intending to reconnect with many dear friends and relatives. At lunch, my husband brought in the mail. As I went through the various envelopes, it brought my attention to bills to pay and a bank statement from which to balance our account. … [Read more...]
No Pressure, but Burl Ives Wants Us To Be Both Holly and Jolly
“I am not emotionally prepared for Christmas to be in December this year.” I heard a friend say that. He’d waited so long to become an adult, only to discover that he wasn’t good at it. “When are you going to put the Christmas lights up?” his wife asked. “It’s too cold,” he replied. “I’m waiting until summer.” “Then it will be too hot.” “OK, I’ll do it next … [Read more...]
“Do All the Good You Can”
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) The above quote is from The Reverend John Wesley (1703-1791). In light of all that is before us in our world today, it is a timely reminder for us to focus on doing good. In a world full of things contrary to God’s ways, it is important for people … [Read more...]
Ohtani: History in the Making
By Cashton Newgaard America has just been shocked! December 9, 2023, the biggest contract in not just baseball, but in all American sports history was signed by Shoei Ohtani. Imagine what a person could do with $700 million. That is a huge amount of money. This contract is already becoming one of the hottest topics in baseball history. This two-way player just keeps … [Read more...]
Christmas Traditions Around the Globe
By Alleen Erchoff-Costet What does the Christmas spirit mean to you? Christmas is celebrated in many different ways in cultures around the world. Most of us might set up a Christmas tree and open presents on Christmas day. Christmas traditions may include decorating the tree, baking cookies, opening presents, watching movies, and keeping up with The Elf on the Shelf. Some … [Read more...]