It's another day Goal achieved. I enjoy going places and seeing things. That was part of the reason I went out onto the deck of our home, but the primary reason was to fill the birdbath with water. I do that faithfully. Before I could pour any water, a northern house wren, a tiny bird whose name is bigger than it is, yelled at me. I don't believe he was shouting … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Conditions of the Root River State Bike Trail
On Thursday, August 6, I published a video on the Fillmore County Journal Facebook page addressing the conditions of trail maintenance for the Root River State Bike Trail. I presented this as a public service announcement relating to the overgrown noxious weeds, specifically wild parsnip that can be dangerous to those who may not realize they should avoid making contact. … [Read more...]
I Was Within Walking Distance of a Parade
I'm trying to train the fridge to hum a happy tune. It's not going well. Its morose humming was wearing on me, and I wish to make its droning a bit more upbeat. I hope it learns the song, "I Love a Parade." Find the nearest table or desk and start marching around it. Everybody sing along in the key of off. "I love a parade, the tramping of feet. I love every beat I hear … [Read more...]
Root River State Trail Bank Stabilization Project Near Houston Nears Completion
A riverbank stabilization project designed to protect the Root River State Trail, approximately two to three miles west of Houston, is almost complete, with the final phase, repairing the asphalt trail, expected to be completed by the end of September. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Parks and Trails prioritized the project after sections of the … [Read more...]
McCabe Family Farms: Growing Food, Family and Building a Legacy
For Joe and Amanda McCabe, farming is more than a livelihood – it’s a lifestyle centered on family, stewardship, and sustainable raised products. At McCabe Family Farms near Pilot Mound, they are raising not only livestock but also the next generation of farmers. Today, the couple, along with their children – Trayton, Addison, Jaxon and Hazel – play active roles in the daily … [Read more...]
Not Every Hurricane Is Named After One of Your In-Laws
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with winds of 74 mph or greater. The word hurricane is derived from the Mayan word Huracan, and the Taino and Carib word Hunraken, god of evil. Early tracking relied on geographic references and Catholic saint days before an Australian meteorologist pioneered personal names in the late 1800s, using the names of local politicians he … [Read more...]
I was a Rarity – One of Only 17,474 People
A friend told me she loved her Pontiac Vibe. I used to drive a Vibe. The first car I ever drove was a Pontiac. It was a Chieftain. They not only don't make them like they used to, they don't make Pontiacs at all. Her comment caused me to consider other brands I once patronized that are gone: Borders, Woolworth's and A&P. Life is a series of giving up things. … [Read more...]
Small Town Event. Big Time Entertainment.
If you are looking for a small town to visit, look no further than Houston and Whalan, Minnesota. Both communities are hosting signature events this coming weekend: Music in the Bluffs and Houston Hoedown Days. Small Town Vibes in Whalan Whalan, population 67, hosts three outdoor concerts throughout the summer, one each month. The community’s next Music in the Bluffs concert … [Read more...]
Alpha, Lima, Lima, Echo, November. Bravo, Alpha, Tango, Tango.
The movie showed an Army radio telephone operator trying to communicate during a battle. The radioman used the NATO phonetic alphabet, which assigns 26 words, one each to a letter of the English alphabet. The purpose is to eliminate confusion or miscommunication when someone spells words aloud over a phone or radio. It adds clarity to the message by using A: Alpha, B: Bravo, C: … [Read more...]
You Cannot Put a Saddle on Slobber
We had attended a baptism. The baby was the best I'd ever seen at being baptized. My father wore a suit, tie and wingtips. He polished the shoes before taking a step and polished them again before putting them away. As an in-law, his job was chauffeuring, eating and then standing around at a relative's home, sighing deeply until it was time to leave. A fellow in-law told … [Read more...]