Just when I think I have things pretty much figured out weather-wise, old Mother Nature throws a wrench into it and brings me back to reality. If there is one thing predictable it is the fact we still can’t control the weather. Being a lifelong Minnesotan I have learned that with every streak of near-perfect weather we receive, there is inevitably a payback. That said, we can only hope for some more seasonal weather in September.

I am once again writing my column from our cabin in the north woods while being entertained by a herd of chipmunks that seem to have taken over the bird feeders. I have always enjoyed watching the little critters, but one or two is enough. I hope these mischievous little rodents haven’t started thinking this is home.

On my drive up to the cabin I decided to take a side trip and check out the access on Spider Lake. A couple of years ago the water was so low I could barely launch my boat, so I thought it was a good idea to make sure that it was okay for launching.

After I left the access I passed by the road leading to the resort we vacationed at for many years. I had already driven past it, but on a whim I decided to turn around and go back to see what had changed. When I drove in I noticed the deck was enclosed and had now become a porch and the area where we used to camp was all permanent sites now. After meeting the owner I told him we had vacationed at this resort for many years right up until we got our own place. He said, “You must be taking a little trip down memory lane” and told me I could walk around and check the place out if I wanted.

Looking around the resort brought back a lot of good memories. The campground was always busy and where else could you camp for eight bucks a night and for another buck have electricity? Those were good times and the owners were folks I came to know and consider friends. It was owned by Bid and Ginny Gramke and their daughter and son-in-law Lynn and Dave Rauck. The thing that impressed me the most was how they treated folks, because it didn’t matter whether you were staying in their finest cabin or sleeping in a tent, they treated you the same.

Bid was pretty much the focal point of all the guests. Everyone enjoyed talking to him and he had a gift of gab and was always more than willing to spin a tale or two. He was a retired Cincinnati policeman who had been vacationing at Spider for many years before buying the place. Eventually he sold his half of the business to his daughter and son-in-law and he and Ginny moved to her home state of Alabama.

On one of my last vacations there he happened to be there, so we sat and talked for a while. I told him he had a knack for making me want to fish. I remember one particular August vacation when the fishing wasn’t the best and after spending a few fruitless hours on the lake I was feeling a little frustrated. When Bid asked me how fishing was I told him it was pretty tough and then he proceeded to talk about catching fish in August. The next thing I knew I wanted to hit the lake as soon as possible with a renewed enthusiasm.

On that last visit with him I had to tell him that nobody could get me excited about fishing like he did, but I also told him I always knew most of what he was telling me was BS. We both had a good laugh over that one and then he told me he always remembered me for being able to catch fish when nobody else was catching them. I suspected he might have been at it again, but I took the compliment anyway.

Yes, I am glad that I made that little side trip to Spider Shores Resort. Even though there is a new owner and things have changed some, in many ways it still looked pretty much the same. I can still see the daily volleyball game they played in the driveway and hear the kids screaming excitedly when a skunk would show up in their hiding place when playing hide and seek.

I don’t ever remember seeing so many skunks in one place; they were like cats and as you sat around the campfire at night one could suddenly appear under your chair looking for scraps of food. I can remember one Saturday morning as people were checking out, I spotted two or three skunks standing under the deck watching people leave. I can’t believe nobody ever got sprayed or bit for that matter.

Yes, those were good times spent with good folks and now I have rekindled those good memories to enjoy once again.

— — —

Until next time, stop and take a little time to enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors.

Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club meeting

“I have bad news and good news for you.”

“What’s the bad news?”

“It’s going to cost a lot more to fix your car than I told you.”

“What’s the good news?”

“I can’t fix it."

Driving by the Bruces

I have two wonderful neighbors — both named Bruce — who live across the road from each other. Whenever I pass their driveways, thoughts occur to me, such as: I should clean my eyeglasses before I clean the windshield.

I’ve learned

• The law of gravy gravity states that anything you drop on a table will fall into the gravy.

• The Post Office could make a lot of money if they replaced the self-adhesive stamps with stamps, which require licking, that are laced with nicotine.

• We may all be in the same boat, but not everyone is rowing.

The news from Hartland

• Bread store’s inventory is toast after fire.

• Hard-to-find CDs and DVDs store’s inventory isn’t filed in any order, alphabetical or otherwise.

• Racehorse retires after contracting severe case of jockey itch.

To tell the tooth

I've been to the dentist before, so I know the drill. My dentist, who believes that my mouth is so big he could work from inside it, told me what needed to be done. It was a minor procedure, even though there is no minor procedure to a patient of any kind. He threw in a bunch of words he'd learned in vocabulary class at dental school. I knew they were toothy terms, but I asked him to put it into terms I could understand.

"$840," he said.

I understood.

Reading the obituaries

I saw in the newspaper that a man I knew had died. The obituary section is filled with people I know. I knew him a little, liked him a lot. So I employed my cell phone to go to the funeral home Web site to leave a message of condolence. I typed out the message on the tiny keyboard and added my name. I checked the message to make sure there were no typos. I sent the message. It popped up on the screen of the funeral home Web site. I had misspelled my name. It was Al Bart. It read like it was a message from a bad guy on an old Roy Rogers show.

A handle on shopping

I found myself shopping in a big store. That's not my natural habitat. I bought toilet paper. It came in a bale of 12 rolls. The cashier put a handle on the toilet paper for ease in carrying. That was nice. I also bought a box of Colorado peaches. I enjoy a Colorado peach. The box contained a plethora of peaches arranged in two layers. I didn’t get a handle with it.

Cafe chronicles

I stopped at a small-town cafe located in a fine city where three out of four people make up 75 percent of the population.

I’ve found that, "How’s the corn?" is a good way to greet an older farmer in the summer. This precludes getting a detailed report of any medical procedures.

A fellow diner brought his appetite and the appetite belonging to several others. He wrapped his bacon in bacon.

Another consumer sat down with a grunt and a moan before saying, "Old age isn’t what it used to be."

Did you know?

• A metaphor is a figure of speech that transfers the sense or aspects of one thing to another. A simile is a type of metaphor in which the comparison is made with the use of the word “like” or “as.”

• Hate-watching is a term for watching television shows that you don’t like, but get perverse satisfaction from.

• The per capita automobile usage in the US is 820 miles per month.

Customer comments

Jan Jerdee of Albert Lea said that her grandmother made her lefse thin. If you could hold a round of lefse in your hand and not be able to see the lines of the palm, the lefse was too thick.

When I asked Neal Batt of Hartland when his house would be finished, he replied, "November or December, but I’m not sure of what year."

Nature notes

Nancy Skophammer of Albert Lea asked for a recommendation for a bird book for a 3rd grader. There are many, but I like "The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of Eastern North America" written by a good friend named Bill Thompson III. It was written especially for kids ages 8 and up, after consultation with children as to what they would like in a field guide. 

Meeting adjourned

The next time you have nothing to do, be kind.

The fairs are over for another summer. The Dog Days of summer are gone. Labor Day is a past holiday. Schools have started. Fall football is in full swing. Fall colors are just starting to show. Corn and beans are approaching harvest time. The fish are starting their feeding frenzy. All this can be summarized in one four-letter word: “Fall.” (To me, fall is the best time of the year.)

I got a bit carried away the other day in asking God to control certain things I was concerned about. At the end of my prayer, I heard a voice in my ear saying, “I’m in Promotions, not Management.”

Have you ever found yourself praying to God to control some trivial thing? (Like “Make the fish bite,” or “Let the Twins game be played cause I’m going,” or “Make it rain so I don’t have to water the flowers.”)

Yes, God, I got the message.

Married to a Registered Nurse has had many advantages over the years. TLC for bumps, bruises, and owies. Plain English to understand the medical terminology. A reminder of what to do and what not to do in regard to minor health situations. One of the great things has been “PRN” (pro re nata, which in Latin means “when necessary”). Genie uses “PRN” either speaking or on paper to me in regard to hugs. Does it work? Fact, is the answer!

Genie and I like to get in the car and go. We plan on doing this until either the health gives out or the money runs out.

Some of the interesting businesses we have seen in our travels are as follows: An implement dealer in Northern Minnesota with the name “Evergreen.” (Yes, they sell John Deere.) A funeral home in Minnesota with the business name “Cease.” A Cenex gas station in Dickenson, No. Dak. that will take your McDonald’s order from the gas pump and deliver the food to your car, and you pay one bill for the gas and food. A food operation in Medora, No. Dak. that serves steak prepared on a pitchfork. A Burger King in Utah that didn’t sell any Whoppers. A rancher in Wyoming that sold alfalfa bales about four inches long, two inches high, and two inches wide. (They were baled to be used as pet food.) Although not a business, a “Dead End” sign just before the entrance to a rural cemetery.

Short Shorts

A. To the exact date, a 50th wedding anniversary at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. Whose? Genie and I invite you to attend Saturday, Sept. 28 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

B. Monday, Sept. 30 – The Area Social Event of the Year at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church (also known as “Soup and Pie Supper”).

C. It took me 50 years to see Arlene and Virgil Thofson dance. Mission accomplished Aug. 31, 2013.

———

Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.

Change in education often moves at a glacial pace (unless it involves the government changing its mind about what is necessary about as often as a new boy band pops up). Teachers are loath to change what has “worked” for years.

Trying something new often brings resistance, but that’s with any job. If you are comfortable, why change?

As I enter my 18th year of teaching, I’m bringing a drastic change to my classroom: no grades. That’s right, no A’s, no B’s, etc. It will simply be pass or fail. Now that you’re jolted awake, allow me to explain my rationale for this experiment.

First off, grades don’t really matter in junior high. Sure, you have a GPA, but it doesn’t count toward graduation or scholarships or anything. I’m looking for a way to track my students’ improvement or lack thereof. Thus, if you do your work and show improvement, you pass. If you don’t, you fail.

There is a lot of research out there from teachers who have tried this. There is some negative feedback, but by and large, I found plenty to justify giving this concept a try.

For many years, I’ve struggled with students who are happy to get a D. “Whew, I didn’t fail!” That’s a tough attitude to deal with for me. I also have students who work very hard but struggle mightily, and the grade ends up in the D range. We all know that brings a negative connotation, and it demoralizes a child who works hard, but can’t find much success.

There are also the kids who know how to work the system. They find extra credit to boost a grade. On the other hand, some slack off, doing just enough to get the grade that won’t get them in trouble at home.

The people who tend to dislike this system the most are high achievers; they want to see their A since it quantifies their efforts at the top of the scale. The people who tend to like this system are the ones who don’t have to worry about the negativity of a low grade.

I will be setting a baseline for each student based on a number of projects we will do at the beginning of the year. Following that, we will chart growth together, and I will work with each student to move them ahead. Some kids will only move fractionally forward, but that improvement will be beneficial in the long run. Students who normally excel will be pushed to go even higher.

What this ends up being is differentiation for each student. Every student learns differently to some degree, and my goal is to set each one on a path to improvement and success. I’m very aware this will create much more work for me, but we’re entering an age in education where growth is being judged, and both students and teachers will be looked at differently based on that positive change.

As I visited with some other English teachers from neighboring schools, it was brought up to me that this might alleviate some of the anxiety and pressure students feel, both to avoid failing and to fear that slight dip in a grade that might bring down the wrath of parents.

Will I get this all right the first year? I’m sure I won’t; there will be some missteps along the way and some things I will do differently in the future. In the end, that will show growth for the teacher as well, and growing in whatever we do should be viewed as more important than what a test score or one hour observation will ever be able to show.

Word of the Week: This week’s word is confabulate, which means to replace fact with fantasy to fill in gaps in memory, as in, “The child was able to confabulate a story to satisfy his parents regarding his low test score.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

The scurs had their blinders on once again thinking that we were stuck in a warm temperature rut. How quickly that changed on Saturday night and Sunday! Will we see an encore performance of the heat or are we getting ready for fall? Starting Wednesday, mostly sunny with highs on the mid 80s and lows in the upper 50s. Sunny for Thursday with high in the low 80s and lows in the low 60s. Slightly warmer and sunny again for Friday with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s. Warmer still for Saturday under sunny skies with highs in the upper 80’s and lows in the mid 60s. A change starts on Sunday with a slight chance of daytime showers and thunderstorms increasing as we approach the evening hours. Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy by evening with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s. Mostly cloudy for Monday with a moderate chance of a shower or thunderstorm. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s. Mostly sunny on Tuesday with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s. The normal high for September 7th is 76 and the normal low is 54. The scurs will be resting after a long week of turning the thermostat down to cool off.

More progress towards crop maturity was made last week. However, the high temperatures have taken a toll on things causing the predicted tip back on corn and abortion of many of the small pods in the soybeans. Scouting soybeans for aphids last week in a pair of shorts, I discovered my socks were full of little pods when it came time to take my shoes off. Corn that was planted in our four-day window of opportunity in May has generally dented and some of the early maturing soybeans planted in that same timeframe had reached R6 as of last week. Our lack of rainfall has taken its toll on pastures. A seemingly endless supply of nutritious grass back in early July has dwindled to lesser quality and amount.  Some are dangerously close to tapping into an already short hay supply, again. Rainfall at the ranch totaled 1.15” for the month of August and at the office an even 1 inch.

The hot dry weather has also meant watering the garden for the third year in a row in August. The extra effort has paid off. Green beans have produced somewhere over 10 gallon bags worth and counting. The radishes have been tremendous yielders as well with numerous bags leaving for consumption by others. Leaf lettuce has been a hit too as we’ve shared the greens with friends. The cukes have started to produce although they’re not coming as fast as I’d like. The snap peas started flowering over the weekend so am keeping my fingers crossed. All in all not bad production considering there was still standing water on parts of the garden as late as June 15th. The success of the late summer radish and lettuce planting encouraged me to take advantage of the clearance sale Edna was having on vegetable seeds. I picked up more radish seed and several varieties of lettuce type greens. The price was right. Aside from a little elbow grease and watering to get them started, I ain’t got much in it.

The sheep may be getting shorter on pasture but they have been supplemented with lots of radish tops and other assorted vegetable peelings. They have also been gardening themselves. In their pasture there was a lone muskmelon plant that grew on top of the compost pile. There were five melons and apparently my nose was better than theirs as I managed to pick four of them before they devoured the last one. They also have been raising pumpkins from seed where we threw them over the fence behind the granary. The ewes haven’t been as generous with those however. Sunday they waded into the vines and by Monday they had flattened much of those that were on their side of the fence. Fortunately some of the pumpkins managed to escape into the lawn where they couldn't get at them. Oh they’ll get those too eventually but will probably have to wait until Thanksgiving.

The birds show signs that fall is on the way. The variety of birds appearing has dwindled and suspect this may be the orioles’ last hurrah. There were two on Labor Day at the jelly feeder, a young male Baltimore and what appeared to be a female orchard oriole. I could hear the latter chattering at me to finish watering so they could get at the feeder. The amount of jelly though has slowed to a crawl. The hummingbirds on the other hand have ramped it up. The 4 O’clocks are ready for them, having burst into full bloom last weekend. It’s not unusual for the hummers to sneak up behind me when watering, wondering when I’ll get out of the way so they can get at the planters and other vegetation planted for their dining pleasure. 

Mrs. Cheviot returned home Sunday from another stint as superintendent of the Open Class Sheep Department at the MN State Fair. Luckily she missed out on all the road construction this past week. It has set the Border Collie alarm system off frequently with every machine, vehicle, or person seen and heard. The good news is being gone much of the day, I don’t have to deal with it. However, one just never knows what might trigger the alarm. I know that watching Clint Eastwood westerns sends Ruby into a fit of growling and barking, ready to launch herself at the television when she sees horses. That happens frequently in those flicks. She has no problem though when Clint slaughters 30 guys with two six guns sans reloading, something that also seems to happen frequently. The other night we were watching TV and the Geico ad with the camel celebrating “Hump Day” came on. From Ruby’s reaction, one would’ve thought the devil himself had appeared in the living room. She either isn’t a fan of Wednesdays or camels have also made her “list.”

See you next week…real good then.

Glen Gerald Beckmann, age 64, of Ellendale, MN, died Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at his home following a short battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Wells, MN. Visitation will be Friday night from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Pastor Paul Woolverton will officiate and interment will be in Dunbar Cemetery in Minnesota Lake Township following the service. Military honors will be accorded by the Wells Color Guard. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN is in charge of arrangements.

Vincent G. Mathews, most recently of South St. Paul, Minn., passed away on August 30, 2013.

He was born on September 17, 1926 in Waseca County. He was a 6th Marine Division WWII veteran and retired farmer.

He was preceded in death by brother John Mathews and sister Rita Suek. He is survived by loving wife of 57 years, Toni: children: Michael (Darlya) Mathews, Pat (Patty) Mathews, Mary (Jeff) Bradley; grandchildren, Erin, Toby, Anna, George, Mara, Charlie, Magdalena, Kris, and Lauren; brothers Paul (Ruth) and Dick (Sharon) Mathews; sisters Phyllis Peterson and Janet (Beth) Mathews; sister-in-law: Claire Mathews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 5th at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Minneapolis. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

New Richland City Council

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

It’s been a month since the New Richland City Council received a report from Police Chief Scott Eads, so he had plenty to say at Monday night’s regular meeting at City Hall. All council members were there except the vacationing Amy Ihrke.

Eads, who did not present a report at the last meeting because he was on vacation, had several items of interest, most noteworthy reports of parties entering unlocked/unsecured locations and removing alcohol of various types. The incidents reported go back to late May.

“We’re working on this matter, and we’re asking for the public’s assistance in two ways,” Eads wrote in his report.

First and foremost, according to Eads, is to lock your doors. Second, if you observe anything suspicious, call 911 or 465-3240.

Ellendale City Council

By SCOTT GROTH

Contributing Writer

The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, August 22 with Mayor Swearingen, Councilmen Reiter, Goebel, Groth and Lassahn all present. Also attending the meeting were Josh Otto, Maintenance Supervisor; Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store Manager; Lynn Hecker; and Steele County Sherriff Lon Thiele.

At the close of the meeting Steve Louks, City Clerk, announced to the council that effective August 30 he would be resigning his duties as City Clerk. Louks did not comment any further than stating his last day would be a week from Friday, August 30. A surprised council discussed what options they will have moving forward. The council will check with individuals to see if they could get help in the interim.

Starting school. What an exciting and memorable day in one’s life. The transition from childhood to adulthood has begun, and there is a happiness as well as sadness, especially on the part of parents, as they relinquish their child to others to further their education. 

Children grow up so fast and I guess we really would not have it in any other way, but it is hard to believe that baby you held such a short time ago will now become a cog in the “real world.” How they are educated and learn to live will make a difference in how the world goes around. 

Today’s kindergarten children bear only a small resemblance to those of yesterday. Day care, TV, miraculous toys, and other outside influences have made them grow up in a faster pace. Entering school they are expected to know more and be more socialized, because they have been exposed to more.

One of the posters on display at the recent “Panther Power-Up" program struck a strong point in my mind. 

“As I grow … please understand that I am growing up and changing very fast. It must be difficult to keep pace with me, but please try.

“Reward me ... for telling the truth. Then I am not frightened into lying.

“Tell me ... when you make mistakes, what you learned from them, then I can accept that I am O.K. even when I blunder.

“Pay attention to me … and spend time with me. Then I can believe that I am important and worthwhile.

“Do the things … you want me to do. Then I have a good, positive role model to follow.

“Compliment … and appreciate me. Then I'll feel good, and I'll want to continue to please you.

“Help me … explore my unique interest, talents and potential. In order for me to be happy, I need to be me, and not you or someone you want me to be.

“Be an individual … and create your own happiness. Then you can teach me the same, and I can live a happy, successful and fulfilling life.

“Thank you for hearing me, I love you!”

These words mean a lot! Children may not always act or look like they are listening but "it's there" just the same. Some parents have a way of talking seriously with their children, or in such a way they listen. One may not think so, but children soak up that knowledge, if not immediately, after they have had time to experience and think about it. 

Explaining why it is important to eat or drink something, as well as why one should not eat other’s food and beverages, is important.

Talking about feelings. How would you feel if someone said mean things to you or didn't let you be a part of their friendship? 

Create a value of the handicapped child in one’s own child’s vision. I'll always be glad for the day we moved next door to a Downs Syndrome child who taught me and my children about how important every being is in this life. 

Empathy is a big word and even bigger emotion.

Teaching children to stand up to bullying or inappropriate behavior from their classmates and how it is important for a child’s self esteem.

"Home schooling" starts the day one is born, and is the basis for any intelligence and education that follows. Once family religion meant Sunday morning was time formally spent with God. There was never any question about it. It was family tradition. It is sad to see so many conflicts of interest threatening this important family venture.

With school starting, it would do us all well to think of how important these individuals are, whether pre-kindergarten or in their last year of high school. They are the future of our world and deserve attention. 

Be a positive role model. Children pick up on the things you do or don't do. These children are our future!

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 birthdays and anniversaries you would like 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.

This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:

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

• Friday, August 30th: Brett Richards, Joel Born, Danielle Cook, Katie Cleven Richards, Staci Hohansee, Donna Demmer, Everett Jensen, Grace Paulson, Craig Schwartz, Eva Elayna Thomas.

• Saturday, August 31st: Carole Schember, Judy Deml, Terry Walterman, Kari Hohansee, Jerry Flugum, Tony Holmes, Connie Misgen Evenson, John Tasker, Heather Reese, Nancy Bottelson, Garrett Avery, Ron & Karen Huber, Melissa & Tyler Moe.

• Sunday, September 1st: Jim Motz, Payton Thomspon, Daryl Nelson, Jody Farr, Catherine Carlson, Gregory Ray, Dianna & Matthew Beckman, Adam & Lalya Lang, Jim & Marian Motz.

• Monday, September 2nd: Krista Paulsen, Brent Broulik, Barb Grunwald, Dean Richards, Logan Callahan, Peyton Moore Ayers, Randy & Barb Horan, Christine & Tom Krause, Amy & Jeff Conley.

• Tuesday, September 3rd: Marie Carroll, Lori Ingvaldson, Joanne & Mitch Wayne, Dick & Paulette Nelson, Tatum Wilson.

• Wednesday, September 4th: Cody Blouin, Marc Vanden Heuvel, Melissa Wayne, Erin Dobberstein, Daniel Pitcock , Holly Wangsness Dau, Rachel Arends, Melody & Tim Gassnman.

• Thursday, September 5th: Beckett Dane Rasmussen, Sydney Marie Schmidt, Jennifer Broskoff Dutton, Bruce Langlie, Beth Ann Suelter, Darren Hanson, Stacy Evenson, Grace Lorraine Kofstad, Rande Nelson, Dennis & Mary Jensen, Chuck and L‚ymra Hoogland, Brian & Angie Dobberstein.

• Friday, September 6th: LeAnn Hjoberg, Cindy Sloan Scheevel, Jackson Kilian, Tina Thostenson, Luke Trumble.

Wherever this year takes you, may you find happiness along the way.