Hocus Pocus, I need wine to focus! Just kidding. I have been watching too many “Fear Fest” movies on television. Most people associate October with Halloween. Who doesn’t like to dress up and get free candy? I think of October as a very romantic month. No, not because of “Bride of Dracula.” I was married on October 4. It was a beautiful day and many people helped make … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Jesus is the light of the world
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) Recently, Deanna and I took our 11-year-old grandson on a trip to Duluth. He had never seen Lake Superior before. We had a great time! The weather was perfect and there is so much to see and do on the North Shore of Lake Superior. We visited the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Hired men, rat traps and cat naps among the cows
There were always men looking for work. Growing up in Houston County during the Great Depression of the late 1920s and 1930s, Anita (Hartman) Palmquist said there was more work on the Hartman farm than the family could handle. They often hired men, who were either bachelors, widowers or younger unmarried men. Regardless of their job skills, they were glad to work for food and … [Read more...]
He didn’t know come here from sic ‘em
I’m trapped between two oceans. I often travel by automobile and when I do, I’m partial to roads. There is public transportation here, but only so many people can ride on one horse. If all the roads went away, I’d just mill around waiting for them to come back. The roads are all uphill, except those that are downhill. Before I was a licensed driver, I’d suggest my father … [Read more...]
Thinking of dead nettle while shopping the tall shelves
It might have been the best day in the history of the world. That hadn’t been confirmed by a meteorologist, an economist or a loudmouthed crackpot, but it was a dandy. I squatted like a baseball catcher while making those weird old-man sounds to marvel at the charm of the dead nettle growing in my fall yard. Each green leaf had a prominent silver stripe down the center. I … [Read more...]
My wife, my cow and mental telepathy
What does she need? Here I am, standing in front of her. Deep, dark-brown eyes, long slender legs, floppy ears, and she’s not eating. Something is wrong. Standing next to this gentle giant, I wish she could talk. She’d explain how she’s feeling, or why she’s bent on doing the opposite of everything I want her to do. Communication. Should I say, “Why does it have to be so … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Finding your worth in God
By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches Matthew 10:29-31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. I worked in an office setting for several years prior to … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past What their taste buds could tolerate, their stomachs did not
An orange was a precious Christmas gift, a century ago, for children in southeast Minnesota. In general, however, fruit could be consumed during the winter only if it had been canned after summer or autumn harvests. The transition from canned fruit to fresh fruit was highly anticipated each summer. “There were wild strawberries that were the sweetest and most succulent that I … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Unwanted Visitor
Agriculture is a diverse occupation. Not only do we raise crops, but we have a variety of animals. Dairy was our main product for many years. We now raise beef cattle. In addition, for our own use we raise chickens. There are many ways where farming is productive and of value. The chickens, though small creatures, do require attention. Generally, our flock is free to … [Read more...]
The vexatious fly nailed the screen test
It was the time of the screen door slams. I was trying to spell Czechoslovakia. I’d found a lucky rock and put it in my pocket to help me with my spelling. I was a good student and got two A’s on every single report card. There was one in Allen and another in Batt. The Sandman had put me to sleep, the smell of bacon was my alarm clock and I spilled my milk at dinner. That … [Read more...]