There’s a lot to think about when driving down the highway. I know to some it may be boring, especially to the kids who only want to know, "Are we there yet?" Of course, many cars now come with the capability to be able to watch videos while you travel down the road, which helps pass the time for the kids, but I feel like they miss so much.

I remember how my sister and I learned to identify cars and tried to see how many state license plates we could find while we were traveling. We also made sentences from words we saw on billboards. 

We too played an alphabet game with words from billboards and signs. We laughed at road signs and of course had a lesson in green scenery.

I still read license plates and my nephew still identifies cars, though it has gotten harder to do because there are so many different models traveling down the roads now.

On the lake road going to St. Olaf Lake from Ellendale, there is an array of painted quilts decorating the buildings on the Holmes farm. Renae has always been known for her creativity, but I think she topped them all with these painted quilts. They definitely set off their farm place.

There seems to be more and more motorcycle and bike riders this summer. Granted, the weather that left us with little rain and the “mild” temperatures have been perfect for riding the open road. 

It has been interesting to see the array of bikes, both two-wheel and three-wheel motorcycles, as well as those cute little trailers that are pulled behind the motorcycles and bikes. Those little trailers are capable of hauling the necessities the riders are apt to need during the trips they take. 

I haven't seen a lot of corn trucks or spilled corn ears on the highways. For that matter, there seems to be less road kill than usual this summer.

Of course, looking at the crops is always good. Most farmers look for them year round. Many are those who joke about driving behind an old time farmer in mid-winter, who seemingly is inspecting the expected crop land for next years corn or bean crop.

There are memories, too. How often do you see anyone changing a tire now? If you do, you never see them trying to repair it while out on the road. 

My grand dad carried a little repair kit with an inner tube when a tire went flat. The rough cover of the repair kit was used to scratch the area around the hole in the inner tube so the glue would hold the patch. 

Once the inner tube had been repaired, it was then placed back in the tire and then blown up with a hand air pump so the drivers could get back on the road again. Many now just get on their cell phones and ask for help instead of tackling the job of changing their flat tires.

And then, there is the trash that can be seen along the roads. I would never throw anything out of my car window, but even then I feel guilty for those who do. 

I just can't comprehend how anyone would throw their garbage, cans, or fast food papers or containers out on the road or into the ditches. Most of these guilty people are adults. 

It is so simple to carry a bag along to stuff the garbage in, until one reaches a trash container or they get home to their own garbage can. A stop sign doesn't mean stop here and throw out your trash. It means stop contaminating our beautiful world.

I do hate to see deer that have been accidently killed by the side of the road. It's always sad, but I suppose the birds or other animals scavenge and take care of it

But, is it wise to leave it lay there to entice farm dogs to get the taste of deer? Or worse yet, to cause an accident? I also hate to see these newly invented tires that can rip apart and pieces of them are left on the roadways, waiting for an accident to happen.

Another surprising thing that I have observed is the number of motor homes that are on the road at any time of year, either going north, or south with the changing weather or activities.

Also, we tend to complain about road repair and construction, but I am sure that there are more complaints when the roads are in poor condition.

Another thing that has changed for the motorist is the drive-up windows which enable you to pay bills, bank, eat, whatever, without ever leaving your car. Once upon a time one would never think of eating in their car and some still don't. 

Not to be forgotten is the cell phone. Handy, useful, but wasn't it nice to just have some time to yourself? And, how many people can safely talk on the phone and drive, both at the same time?

Driving to and from is a good time to talk. You have the attention of those with you because they can't get away. Really it is a time when you can discuss things without being interrupted.

Please enjoy your time spent driving our Minnesota roadways. There are a great number of things to see and enjoy.

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. 

If you have news, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, August 23rd: Jared Dawson Lee, Logan Dale Marzolf, Terry Holland, Ann Klemmensen, Matthew Knudson, Steve Wilker, Scott Wright, Quinn Vu, Vernon & Jeanne Simonson, Galen & Linda Christensen, Amy & Marshall Svoboda, Jessica Lutgens.

• Friday, August 24th: Rick Storlie, Michelle Gowlland, Nicholas Christensen, Sam Worrell, Tanya Hughes, Natalie Deml, Elizah Lee Ackland, Crystal Johnson, Terry Vaith, Jeff Kycek, LaNell Leak Sunde, Corey Peterson, Mary Edon, Ralph & Cheryl Dobberstein, John & Cindy Christensen.

• Saturday, August 25th: Chloe Lynn Muilenberg, Carl Glienke Jr., Evelyn Anderson, Renee Brandt, Ted Dahl, Jayme Hohansee, Craig Kammerer, Jessica Kubat, Pete Rietveld, Mary Larson, Melissa Peterson, Jim & Lynn Arends, Mark & Deb Killesheim, Deb & Jim Bohnoff, Rachel & Michael Grunklee, Leah & Dama Clark, Everett & Linda Lang.

• Sunday, August 26th: William Michael Rodney Tuttle, Christopher Cook, Clarice Pence, Catherine Haugen, Mike Riley, Elijah Lee Ackland, Catherine Mae Haugen, Tim Falksen, George Stieglbauer, Michael Rodney Tuttle, Sharon Peterson, Travis & Kelly Johnson, Angie & Michael DenHerder.

• Monday, August 27th: Martin Johnson, Kory Kress, Alice Randall, Sandra Thostenson, Dee Ann Jensen, Jim Collins, Mary Lageson, Sharon Ramaker, Terry Pelzl, Angela DeGeus, Jessica Marie Nygaard Paulson, Corlyn & Janice Paulsen.

• Tuesday, August 28th: Mitch Helmers, Larry Motl, Bev Newgard. Waynetta Peterson, Rosy Fisher, Lorraine Christensen, Justine Randall, Marlys Van Kampen, Tammy Johnson, Gerritt Molenaar Sr., Jacquelyn Jensen, Linda Kelly, Marvin Thomspon, Jim & Fran Ladlie.

• Wednesday August 29th: Mark Lee, Eunice Smith, Barbara Klinger, Cheryl & Brian Boettcher.

May your day be filled with everything you enjoy most.