By Robin Trott University of Minnesota Extension, Douglas County ALEXANDRIA, MN, August 24, 2026 - Shorter days and cooler nights signal that autumn is right around the corner. Colors shift not only in our trees, but across our gardens. Chrysanthemums, those bright, cheerful fall bloomers, are suddenly everywhere. The mums stacked outside big box stores and … [Read more...]
Attract Winged Friends With These Bird Feeders
Birds are beautiful creatures that can make a lawn and garden feel even more serene. Providing snacks to supplement what birds naturally find in the wild guarantees up close and personal interactions with the scores of species that call neighborhoods home. Bird feeders are particularly important in colder climates and during wintertime when food may be scarce. Keeping birds … [Read more...]
Whistling While Your Dog Does Not Herd Sheep
By Al Batt A family member was inducted into something great. As her name was announced, I stood and gave a loud whistle. I'd have done more, but I wasn't sure what the rules allowed because she was one of the first to be introduced. It turned out I could have stomped, screamed and made a complete fool of myself, generally behaving as if civilization had passed me by. A … [Read more...]
Kenny Might Have Been Wearing Substandard Bowling Shoes
The tire blew. It was louder than loud. I was waiting to walk across a road when a truck pulling a flatbed trailer carrying a backhoe had a trailer tire blowout as it went past me. The world became quieter. It reminded me of bowling. Before pickleball, there was bowling. Our phy ed teacher, in an effort to oust us from our opaque corners, decided our steep learning … [Read more...]
There’s a Butterfly On My Foot and It’s Not a Tattoo
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...]