Babies quickly have to learn that they will be buckled into a special carrier for traveling and then placed in the back seat. They don't ask questions; they just know it is the correct thing to do. The car seats are handy and they help provide safe travels. Surprisingly, babies seem to like them, but they lack that warm feeling you get from "holding" those dear little ones close to our heart.

Just as, or more important, is the need to sanitize your hands as you leave the supermarket as it was to sanitize them when you first came in. Think of all the exposure to bacteria you touched as you made your way around the store and filled your shopping cart. It only takes a few minutes of your time, but it does help keep you healthy.

Speaking of washing, it always seems silly to wash new clothing and bedding, etc. before using them because they look and feel so clean when you bring them home from the store. But “new” has the potential of picking up germs that may have come on the fabric as it was handled. Think of the number of people who sewed and handled the items before you purchased them.

Washing soda is a good way to brighten T-shirts, and other items, to get rid of the yellow coloring often there because of perspiration.

I have found cinnamon to be a very good alternative from using sugar on oatmeal or cooked cereal. My nephew, Kade, as a cook tends to use cinnamon and pepper in quantity as opposed to sugar and salt and I have found I like it too!

Known fact. The “fat” in an avocado is good fat. They are considered Mother Nature’s miracle food. The avocado tree is strong and requires no spraying with poisonous chemicals. The avocado helps provide a perfect balance of life giving nutrients: potassium, folic acid, fiber, B6, protein and more. Its unsaturated fat helps lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

Cast-iron cookware is recommended as opposed to Teflon pans that have a type of coating on them that makes them usable without shortening. We know if they get too hot and are often used, the pans have a tendency to change that special coating. What happens to it? Do we eat it?

The “computer doctor,” as I call him, was opposed to eating anything that had been in the microwave, except maybe water. He maintained it ruined the value of food and it was dangerous to eat foods that had been in the microwave. I believe him, but it is still hard to give up the convenience of microwave use.

My grandmother Hanson would never let us give her a microwave and she wouldn’t use one. I don’t know why, but she stuck by it. The microwave always seems to be a great way to reheat a few leftovers without leaving half of them in the pan because they stuck. I guess my grandmother knew what she was doing. She lived to be 99!

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Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that 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.

Also, if you have an idea for a story that you think would be of interest to our readers, please contact me.

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like to include, or news to share, 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.

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Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, April 21st: Helen Pierce, Michael Foster, Veronica Graif, Adrian Kilian, Marilyn Reistad, Elmer Vanden Heuvel,   Mariette Sommers Ruppe have a son who was born on this date

• Friday, April 22nd: Noah Lowell Swearingen, his 11th; Rollie Johnson, David Purdy, Gregory Swearingen, Stacy Thostenson Harold, James Van Riper, Marilyne Dodge, Mike & Sarah Collins, Rodger & Sue Hill

• Saturday, April 23rd: Dan McElfresh, Jayne Miller, Buffy Bergland, Alan Edwardson, Jackie Johnson Miller

• Sunday, April 24th: Keralyn & Bill Powers, Madison Kae Wagner, Marnie Ray Wagner, Dak Sorenson, Gladys Burr, Marilyn Cuden, Audrey Paulson, Lowell Wichmann, Scott Brandt, Kara Vangen

• Monday, April 25th: Ed Deml, Nicole Langlie La Tourneau, Nicole Nielson, Evie Toft, Christine Davidson, Jeff Kunkel, Janice Morreim, Stan Reichl

• Tuesday, April 26th: Jim Arends, Lester Casterton, Teresa Deml Sisler, Beverly Harpel, Jean Larson, Pat Motl, Ashley Bangert, Mary Peterson, Pat Pichner, Steve & Judy Christensen, Bob & Gerry Flim, Allan & Darline Jensen

• Wednesday, April 27th: Brian Schember, Norma Robertson, Heidi & Christopher Olson

• Thursday, April 28th: Martin Rossing, Rodney Peterson, Mildred Flugum, Jamie Cameron, Jean & Chuck Groth

• Friday, April 29th: Derek Anthony Kubicek, his 8th; Jane Brocker, Roberta Dettman, Angie Hall, Mitchell Jensen, Pat & Linda Goodnature, Jennifer & Steve Schultz

• Saturday, April 30th: Nancy Williams, Jeff Misgen, Paul Moen, Dawn Cooper, Kevin Cooper, Jonathon Lein, Karey Dufresne, Judah Ashton, Jonathon Lein, Rick & Melonie Miller

• Sunday, May 1st: Carter Levi Titus, Jim Hanson, Shirley Pichner Helgeson, Christopher "Critter" Johnson, his 13th; Luke Dobberstein, Gene Budach, Sandi Otto Glenn, Richard Helmers, Sue Kasper Anderson, Tim Kasper, Norma Long, Cari Jensen, Thomas Van Riper, Veronica & Jim Graif, Heidi & Ryan Baldwin

Birthdays and anniversarys are for reflecting...dreaming...enjoying.  Wishing you a wonderful day!