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...]
Peering at the Past Better to be the plaintiff in early Yucatan
Part two During territorial days and the early years of Minnesota statehood, minor legal disputes were most often settled in townships by a justice of the peace, an appointed or elected magistrate. Some handwritten records from the 1860s and 1870s survive from the court of Justice James Kelly in Yucatan Township, Houston County. There was one case of an indelicate nature, but … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – The case of the missing chocolate
By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches I get excited about Halloween – not because of the decorations, because I find a lot of them kind of creepy-scary – but because of the candy! When I was younger and could burn it off easily, I used to buy a few bags for the trick-or-treaters and a bag just for me. I don’t do that anymore (I’m not … [Read more...]
I can’t part with my emotional support clutter
I finished it. Yay me! I can summarize the book in a single sentence. Get rid of things that no longer have a purpose or spark joy and keep only the things that are purposeful or meaningful. I’m not sure why I read a book on decluttering a home. The book wasn’t in my wheelhouse, but I’d just donated many dear books to a library and sought affirmation I’d done the right … [Read more...]