Sunshine always brightens up the day, and we have waited a long time for it. 

But when spring finally comes out alive and well, everything turns bright and beautiful, including the grass, leaves, flowers, gardens. Branches, dry leaves and winter "collect" seem to disappear in trash cans, landfills and mini bonfires.

So many things "come to mind," my head feels like a beehive.

Incidentally, be kind to the bees - yes, they sting, but they also pollinate the plants we need for survival, and produce honey, that miracle stuff and cure-all that never spoils and tastes so good.

Graduation is a BIG thing. Think about the advantage of education. Not just book-learning "education.” To be able to read and write and do figures is the basis of everything.

Memorial Day - A day of reverence, of thoughts toward those who never had the chance to live their true life. Sadness, pride, courage, and love. If ever there is an example of brotherhood it is evident in those who served and knew what war is.

I look at the dandelions and think "let them grow" – then we know we care about the children and the future. Anything that kills one thing is also capable of killing another.

I read in the paper that Garrett Wangsness, son of Jay and Sherry, was named "most valuable" freshman wrestler at Luther College, and though he isn’t my child, I know his family well, and I am so proud.

I look at the wide-open fields beautifully manicured to raise the food needed around the world. They say one farmer can feed and clothe 144 people. I thank God and the farmers who play such a vital role in feeding the ever-increasing global population. I'd watched a movie of the future - there wasn't enough food to feed the people. Possible? I don't know but it was scary. Those who lived during times of rationing probably have an idea of what it could be like. It can't happen here? Let’s hope we never find out. 

Sometimes we can think we're so smart, and in reality we could go to the ends of the earth and find technology not be scoffed at, but there is also healing power in nature. Before doctors, prescriptions and machines that take pictures inside and out, there were people who lived by using facts of nature - leaves, flowers, and bark from a tree. No, we don't want to go back, but we can accept that there were remedies that worked even then. I suppose they had side effects then too.

Makes one chuckle – My mother said they used to come home from school and change into "everyday clothes.” Then it was the same clothes for going away and at home. Now "everyday clothes" are high style clothes. Denims with holes and shabby - "comfort clothes.” It is surprising what one will or won't wear and no one thinks anything of it - or do they?

I have to hand it to marketing companies - establishing a trend is like getting the lead sheep to do what you want it to do and the rest will follow. I sometimes wonder how long the stainless steel and marble countertop trend will continue until everybody goes for something else. Actually stainless steel is a protective substance and has its value. But ask anyone who has had to maintain a stainless environment and they will tell you how tired one can get trying to keep it sparkling. As for stone countertops - they require special care as well and will no doubt be replaced by some new trend. But that's business and makes for jobs and exchange of money.

Gone are the days when my grandmother was just glad to have a davenport that would last her lifetime, and inside water, even it it was from a pump.

Sometimes we get so eclectic and sidestep the obvious for the sublime. That's why it's called "Whatever Comes To Mind.” 

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, May 29: Brent Peterson, Deb Farr, Odean Otterson, Gene Pederson, Mark Butler, Ross Lein, Colin Quimby, Rod and Sandi Serdahl, John and Susan Oolman, Lily and Jerry Neitzel

• Friday, May 30: Payton Allen Misgen, Daniel Larson, Molly Hanson, Chuck Crabtree, Shirley Nelson, Julie and Toby Oquist

• Saturday, May 31st: Nathan Jensen, Jerry White, Pat Draayer, Ryan Sletten, Jim Hamor, Robert DuBois, Cierra Hanson

• Sunday, June 1st: Carter Anthony Martens, Randy Hagen, Brandi Hagen, John Hanson, Bert Wiersma, Phyllis Benson, Joe Wallace, Julie Dulas, Kenny Toft, Maria Misgen, Tony Sommers, Bob Flim, Glenn Gerdes, Lindsey Lembke, Denise Evenson Wilson, Jeff and Sharon Lageson, Orville and Mavis Langlie

Monday, June 2: Maia Kathleen Peterson, Brent Dobberstein, Angie Goodnature Kath, Taylor Draayer, Sue Jensen Kuckenbecker, Steve Kasper, Cindy Olson, Barry Esplan, Krystle Lonning, Donald Haberman, Ahston Haried, Trent Hanson, Brandon McLaughlin, Tammy and Garth Gonnering, Greg and Nicole Shultz, Eric and Snow Lee, their 6th

Tuesday, June 3: Isabella Grace Kohn, her 4th; Devin Matthew Haddy, his 7th; Justin Stieglbauer, David Hall, Troy Vavra, Jason Jenkins, Michael Bartness, Angie Kasper Christenson, George Kasper, Chrisopher Conley, Max Miller, Esther Van Ravenhorst, Misty (Ebnet) and Jeremy Krueger, Eric and Christine Nelson

Wednesday, June 4: Dale Miller, Becky Nordland, Jim Borchert, Judith Severson, Warren Nelson, Jamie and Tina Hagen, Art and Doris DeNeui, Jan and Andrew Bernau, their 7th

May you find joy and pleasure all around you on your special day.