It was a black covered wagon, with curtains on the sides, that was pulled by a horse. For seating, there were benches on each side of the wagon. Small passengers entered by way of two steps leading to the back door. It was the first school bus for the Houston public school – maybe the first such education transportation in Minnesota, surmised Ingrid Julsrud, who was one of 15 … [Read more...]
Frank Zappa and weasels ripped my flesh but I caught a crappie
Weasels ripped my flesh. My mother wouldn’t have approved — either of weasels ripping my flesh or me searching for a magazine article carrying that title. Years earlier, it’d been the main cover line of an issue of Man’s Life magazine. I’d not seen that magazine, but I’d heard of it. I’d hoped to somehow find it in a year-old Argosy magazine in the barbershop. “Weasels Ripped … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Sex and gender: is there a difference?
By Rainn Meyer We all know that sex and gender are similar but are they the same thing? Let’s look at the definition of sex on Google: “either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions.” Now let’s do the same for gender: “either of the two sexes (male and female), … [Read more...]
It’s one of Lester’s dirty little secrets
What is the official state muffin of Minnesota? Please phrase your answer in the form of a question as the state song “Hail! Minnesota” plays. Time’s up. It’s the blueberry muffin. Not all states have an official state muffin. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? And they call themselves states? I’ll give you a much easier question. What is the state soil? It’s Lester. If … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady – Rest is an important part of growth
Last year’s growing season seemed longer than normal. Windy, dry days with rising prices of fertilizer, fuel, and other supplies became frustrating. Equipment seemed to constantly break. I began to fall out of love with my job. My mood was touchy, irritable, and defensive. I was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. The seasonal aches and pains seemed extra achy. Add this to dealing … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Raging ravines, icy bluffs, miscues and rescues
Part five of a series. John Prieve was able to save the life of Nicholas Smith and also rescue his team of horses after a surge of water had caught them in a gulch deep enough to prevent escape on either side. Smith’s wagon was never seen again; the wagon wheels were found among driftwood a mile down the ravine in the Crooked Creek valley southeast of Caledonia. Some others … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion: Please and thank you…
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free The desperation of my heart came pouring out. I wanted healing to happen and life to return to normal. I wanted everything to be ok, but it wasn’t. I started looking up, eventually my eyes drifted down feeling defeated, and then I hit my knees. When it was all said and done my face was flat on the floor, profound … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – An attitude of gratitude
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley If I had my “druthers” in the winter, I would either fly to a warmer climate like the snowbirds, or go into hibernation like some other woodland creatures. I’m not a fan of winter. It’s common at this time of the year to go for weeks without seeing my … [Read more...]
A peacock doesn’t look that good wearing cargo shorts
You couldn’t sneak up on us. On our farm, we had worthy watchdogs. One was a dog that doubled as a cattle dog. The second was a flock of guinea fowl. The babies are called keets. It’s claimed that guinea fowl eat ticks, Japanese beetles, earwigs and grasshoppers. I know they loudly announce visitors, warning poultry and humans. A relative removed his hearing aids and claimed … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past When first built, it was claimed to be the best in state
Part four of a series. An 1882 history of Houston County included a collection of occurrences that reflected life in the county during its first three decades. One typographical error has been corrected, but otherwise, the following text is quoted with the original spelling, capitalization and punctuation (or lack thereof) from that large hardbound volume. Current 2022 … [Read more...]