While sitting on the shore recently, I saw a small family of ducks. They were mergansers, my favorite waterfowl by far. A merganser on the water is a perfect example of “a natural” in action. Except usually they travel in groups, supporting one another, diving in choreography in the water’s waves, wakes, and rolls. Mergansers are naturals— just watch them!... READ MORE >
First, this disclaimer: Gardening is not an area of excellence for me. It hasn’t mattered if it’s been the rocky soil of Hovland or the rich farm soil in northwestern Minnesota, gardening success evades me. For many, many, many, of you, gardening is a resounding deep pleasure, looked forward to as heavy work but work worth it for produce, beauty... READ MORE >
Once again this year folks from around Cook County are being brought together by music. An orchestra is practicing. A choir is practicing. The fun of making music together and working on getting better at it fills several Monday evenings with music that keeps running through our minds the rest of the week. This week, we did something new: towards... READ MORE >
A friend of mine found an old, cracked, worn out serving bowl that had been her grandmother’s. It now sits on her kitchen counter. At first, her spare change went into it. Then she started adding more, saying “If I spend 75 cents on a candy bar, I put 75 cents in at the end of the day. Plus I... READ MORE >
The first part of October 31st included, for me, a quick round-trip drive to Duluth. The last part of my day included choir rehearsal for the annual Cook County Christmas Concert (concerts December 4 and 5). Putting the day together meant that there wouldn’t be enough time to get home to Hovland, so I had some “in-between time.” What a... READ MORE >
“What happened to January?” How can the last days of the first month of the year have arrived, already? How can we have jumped from December’s end to the end of January? In our cultural way here in the U.S., January is a time when many folks plan personal regrouping, expecting to get with a new program, but before we... READ MORE >
That’s a phrase from my family…it goes way back to when “we cousins” were together; a group of third through fifth graders having fun outside. It was high noon on a summer day at the cabin. We kids had been busy with our made-up-game “What’s that?” It was the kind of game we elementary kids took great delight in. “What’s... READ MORE >
This is being written on January 12, and by this afternoon, many in the world will have paused to offer a prayer for the people of Haiti, perhaps even send additional money. 365 days ago the 35 seconds of violent earth tremors brought down buildings—those well built and those thrown together of refuse. Records may never be accurate, but estimates... READ MORE >
You’re driving down the highway and an 18-wheeler goes by—sometimes you can tell right away what’s inside by the name brands all over the truck. Other times, you just have to wonder, “What’s that truck bringing?” Well pretty soon, much of Cook County will be seeing an 18-wheeler, and it’ll be bringing the fixin’s for filling needs in many ways.... READ MORE >
The morning of Christmas Eve, while preparing for the joyous opportunity to worship that evening, thoughts of what fun little gifts to get for a couple of friends kept popping up. Looking out my office window, and seeing God’s pine trees covered with snow, this bit of poetry came, a gift from God to me, and for me to share... READ MORE >
