Echoes from the Loafers' Club Meeting

"I overslept this morning."

"Didn’t your alarm go off?"

"Yes, but it went off while I was asleep."

I’ve learned

As I listened to many young people sing the national anthem during the high school basketball tournaments, I was impressed at how much better they were at the job than the majority of the professionals who sing it at nationally televised events. The youngsters not only knew the words, they used them.

The geek have inherited the earth.

Thanks to Facebook, Minnesota has become the land of 10,000 likes.

The news from Hartland

Woman claims the other driver was at fault because he didn’t notice she was on her cellphone.

You lose weight on the Lutheran Diet because the guilt you feel after cheating on your diet burns calories.

Buick introduces a new model called the Geezer.

The cafe chronicles

The Glue Club was meeting at the legendary table of infinite knowledge. They’ve stuck together for years. They were enjoying the special of the day — a popular hotdish. That’s how they roll — or casserole. They did some friendly complaining about the good food. Peanut butter on sandpaper. Tastes like I’m licking my foot. Most of their heavy discussions involved heavy equipment.

The waitress sang a line from a Rolling Stones song, replacing "I’ll never be your beast of burden" with "I’ll never leave your pizza burning."

The B & B Cafe in Albert Lea displays a sign, "Be nice or leave. Thank you."

That should be posted everywhere.

Animal stories

The cats stared at the wall. After five minutes of that, I walked over and stared at the same spot to see what they saw. I glanced at them and saw the felines were smirking. Maybe they saw the ghosts of hamsters.

There was a movie starring Steve McQueen, called "The Great Escape." It was about those attempting to escape from a prisoner of war camp.

I had a series of hamsters in my formative years. Somehow, each of those hamsters escaped and found home in my father’s easy chair.

I named each of the free-range hamsters “Steve."

Traveling mercies

The sun projected the shadows of the lofty wind turbines planted near the highway. More than one elongated shadow of a blade swooped across the road as I drove from here to there. I sang, "I'm being followed by a blade shadow." Somewhere, Cat Stevens sang, "I’m being followed by a moon shadow."

Travel is educational. That’s why I stop at historical monuments. They’re both historical and monumental.

I recall flying to New York. I was going to be a big dork in New York for a couple of hours, but my flight out of Minneapolis was delayed due to an ill plane. I reached the airport in New York just in time to see my flight to Zurich take off without me. Historical markers never do that.

Did you know?

Scientists have found caffeine-laced nectar improves honeybees' memory for up to three days. It probably gives the bees a buzz.

Have you walked into a room with a purpose in mind, only to completely forget what it was? Doors might cause these strange memory lapses. Psychologists at the University of Notre Dame discovered that passing through a doorway triggers an event boundary in the mind, separating one set of thoughts and memories from the next.

Nonprofit Vote states that Minnesota ranked first in voter turnout in eight of the last nine elections (presidential and midterm).

According to BMC Public Health, the world’s population is 17 million tons overweight.

"Night of the Day of the Dawn of the Son of the Bride of the Return of the Revenge of the Terror of the Attack of the Evil, Mutant, Hellbound, Flesh-Eating Subhumanoid Zombified Living Dead, Part 2: In Shocking 2-D" is a movie title.

Gates Brown was eating two hotdogs in the Detroit Tiger dugout in 1968 when manager Mayo Smith ordered him to pinch hit. Brown stuffed the hotdogs into his jersey to eat later. After sliding headfirst into second with a double, the mustard and catsup from the hotdogs bled through his jersey as he stood on base.

Bread was once used for erasing pencil marks.

Column customers

Gene Amley of New Richland, Craig Bell of Hartland, and Iris Bell of Ellendale were kind enough to give me some books. I love books. I’ve learned that I can’t thank people enough, so I have to thank them often. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Ric McArthur of Morpeth, Ontario wrote, "That which does not kill me makes me harder to insure."

Nature notes

A weasel is 7 to 14 inches long, a mink 16 to 29 inches. A mink is dark with a white spot on the throat. A weasel is yellowish-white underneath and has a black tip on its tail.

Meeting adjourned

Zion Lutheran Church of Albert Lea has a sign reading, "Life is short. Forgive quickly."

The scurs were banking on Monday and Tuesday being April, not February. They should know better in Minnesota. Which month do we want to emulate this week, boys and girls? Starting Wednesday, mostly clear with highs near 50 and lows in the lower 30s. Partly cloudy on Thursday with a slight chance of a morning shower. Highs again near 50 and lows around 30. Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy on Friday with slight chance of an afternoon shower and a good chance of an evening shower or thunderstorm. Highs near 50 and lows around 35. Mostly cloudy with a good chance of showers. Highs in the mid to upper 40s and lows around 35. Partly cloudy on Sunday becoming mostly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower. Highs around 45 and lows near 35. Cloudy on Monday with a moderate chance of a rain and/or snow shower. Highs again near 50 and lows in the lower 40s. Mostly cloudy on Tuesday with a good chance of showers. Highs in the mid 40’s and lows around 30. The normal high for April 6th is 52 and the normal low is 31. We will see just over 13 hours of daylight on the 6th, roughly the same as we experience on September 2nd. The scurs are going out on a limb here and predicting Norwood Teague should track down a C-squad basketball coach to replace Tubby Smith by then.

After coming in like a roaring lion, March has gone out with more of a whimper. We managed to tally 18.8” of snow, which compared to the SROC’s 18.9”. The March average at the SROC is 10.2”. As far as total precip, when snow melt is factored in, we received 3.41” at the ranch and 3.55” at the SROC compared to 2.49” average there. It doesn’t mean the drought is over, but it is the second month in a row with above-normal precipitation and we remain above average since January 1. It should be very interesting to see what their available soil moisture in the top 5’ of soil reading says for early April.

While some still exists in patches, much of our snow left last week and few were sorry to see it go. Finally one really has to work at it to slip and fall on the ice. The remnants of all the grit spread to prevent falls serve as a reminder where those slick patches were on the trail to the barn. Even the mud has subsided to some extent, meaning the frost is either out or down far enough to allow the water to soak in. Poking around the yard with the frost divining rod (electric fencepost) one can find spots where the frost is probably nonexistent. Other places, such as those where the snow just left, it’s still frozen right at the surface. At the SROC, where they actually have real tools with which to measure such things, the frost read 0 – 4” and 11 – 19”, apparently due to the thawing from this past week. Ice is still very much a factor on area lakes although shallow wetlands such as the one at the ranch have completely thawed. The .21” of rainfall from Saturday probably helped.

Most of the lambs are now on the ground save for those from a couple of straggler ewes. We religiously check to see if they’ve arrived yet, to no avail. They’ll get here eventually although sooner would be preferable to later. Some of the first lambs could be weaned already in about a week. At 35 lbs., lord knows they’re big enough. It would just be nice if the snow would melt off the fence enough so we could get the wires back up and charge it. That would allow us to let all the ewes with lambs run outside so they could get more fresh air. Having to keep them cooped up inside really burns through the bedding and makes it tough for the lambs to cut loose as they love to do. Many people have asked if they’re out running yet at dusk so they can drive by to watch. Even one of Al Batt’s famed Bruces inquired about them the other day. Expect traffic delays soon.

The birds always serve as a good barometer for what the seasons are doing. The red-winged blackbirds are usually the first to arrive and they did so on March 28th. Soon after a couple of meadowlarks were spotted west of the former pygmy goat farmer’s place. A couple rooster pheasants were also observed that same day sparring out behind the barn. There have even been some hens appearing since then heading for the thicket where Little Jerry’s descendant holds court. Last year at this time the robins had been back for several weeks already. The ground was thawed so they were able to get at their favorite food, the earthworms. This year when they arrived at the ranch, it was the 29th and the ground was essentially still frozen. They had little choice but to attack the Indian Magic crabapple tree, which they did almost immediately. Fortunately it was loaded last year fall and it retains its fruit through spring. Something that has been rather unique this season has been the large numbers of juncos in the yard at the same time as large groups of robins. There are still some redpolls here too as of April 2nd so one has to wonder if Old Man Winter might still have one more trick up his sleeve.

Another skunk has graced our farmyard once again. Holed up in the granary, same as last time, only this one has been evading my trapping efforts. I thought perhaps I’d found a secret weapon by baiting with the eggs previously. This one figured out when the eggs aren’t frozen, digging under the trap satisfies its needs. Rummaging through the refrigerator I spied a container of pickled herring that had been pushed to the back and hidden behind other items. It was funny colored and had a little mold on it. Perfect! I baited the trap with it in anticipation that my skunk woes would soon be over. Haven’t caught any skunks yet, but sure have had one hell of a time with the Swedes and Norwegians.

See you next week…real good then.

Mash-ups have become very popular in the musical world. This is where someone takes at least two different songs and mixes them together to create a new sound. 

For instance, someone calling himself DJ Earworm creates a mash-up of the top 50 pop songs every year. It’s quite the song to listen to with all those sounds!

This week’s column will be a mash-up of sorts too. We’ll see how it sounds at the end!

My predecessor in this space used to comment on the two seasons of the year in Minnesota: winter and road construction. Well, winter’s still here, and I was just reading about road construction projects this morning! However, in the world of education, we have an additional season: testing.

While various standardized tests are spread through the year, April is the big month in Minnesota. Students in grades 3-11 take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). These are tests that cover reading, writing, math and science.

Until you get to high school, none of these tests count for students. There is nothing negative that will happen to a student who does not pass some of these tests.

Now, in the early grades, many students are eager to please, no matter what. They are not thinking about how something might affect their grade. Throughout the state, MCA scores are wonderful in grades 3-4.

We all know that all kids head down the dark path in some way as they become teenagers. For many of them, the “How does this affect me?” attitude becomes foremost in their minds. MCAs? Eh, no impact for some.

I actually had a student in 8th grade tell me one year that he just randomly picked answers on his entire reading test. In an essay section, he wrote something along the lines of, “Thanks for making me feel dumb. I don’t care anyway.” Huh, I wonder how he did…

Yet, schools and teachers are judged on these results. I’m sorry, I can lead the horse to water. I can even shove his head in the water. Still, I can’t make him drink, and stories like this prove that.

What’s the solution? First, cut back on the incessant testing. Perhaps a test to see where students score in third grade is a good idea. 

Check again in fifth grade. Do one more check in eighth grade. Then give them one that really counts in high school, such as it is now.

I have nothing against testing high schoolers to see if they can read and write and do a few math problems before they graduate. That’s a great idea! It’s the over-testing that leads to that point which is burdensome on schools and students and leads to anxiety and apathy.

Still, testing isn’t going away anytime soon. Every year, we get to hear how NRHEG measures up to local and state schools. If we don’t match up, questions are asked.

Which, makes the thought process in making up snow days curious. A plan was presented to extend the school day by half an hour a day to make up for the time we’ve lost this year. The thought was to start this right away and give more time in the classroom prior to testing since we’ve missed the equivalent of a week. This is really tough in a math room, where there is so much on the test that needs to be taught.

Instead, it looks like we’ll be babysitting in June, when absolutely no learning will be accomplished. Would it have been tough to pull off an extended school day for a few weeks? Sure, because it impacts a lot of people: bus drivers, parents, daycare, coaches, etc. 

However, if it could’ve been looked at closer or earlier, it might have been the best option, educationally speaking. Maybe someday, we’ll have a better plan than June.

Who would’ve thought that tests and snow days would go together? Perhaps, since we do live in Minnesota, we should have a test on how to make a snowball. At least we could put a snow day to some educational use!

Word of the Week: This week’s word is snowbroth, which means freshly melted snow, as in, “Yesterday, he woke up to a carpet of white, but now it’s just snowbroth.” Thanks to former star Laura Yerhot for a website with this word. Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

Funeral services for Donna L Reichl will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5, at First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove. Pastor Jamie Cameron will officiate. Interment will be in the Clarks Grove Cemetery. Visitation from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea, as well as one hour prior to the service at church.

Benjamin Albert Fenton, age 2, of New Richland, MN died Friday, March 15, 2013. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Vista Evangelical Covenant Church in rural New Richland, MN. Burial will take place at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in New Richland at 1 p.m. prior to the service at Church. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN assisted the family with arrangements. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences.

Remembering the life of Ethel M. Arnold...

Funeral Services for Ethel M. Arnold, of New Richland, MN, were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Richland. The Reverend Scott Williams officiated. Interment was in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Visitation was one hour before the service at the church.  Friedrich Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ethel died on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at the New Richland Care Center. She was 95.

She was born on October 1, 1917, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, the daughter of Matthew and Esther (Smith) Johnston.

2013 NRHEG Spring Band Concert

After two postponements because of snow, the NRHEG Spring Band Concert was finally held last Thursday at the high school gymnasium in New Richland. Above from left: Nicole Kaupa, Missy Malakowsky, Logan Knutson, Doug Rudau and Adam Anderson. Below from left: Natalie Aaseth, Aubrey Schlinger, Taytum Ihrke and Lillian Bell. For more photos from the concert, see Page 11 of this week's Star Eagle. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

Spring may be here, but it sure doesn't seem like it when you look out the window. In fact, we were short on snow earlier this winter, but it came through at the end and gave us an average or above total for the winter. 

As I am writing this, the snow is again coming down outside for the seventh consecutive Monday, so I thought I would share a few more "remembrances" of winters past.

A popular fundraiser for local charities used to consist of placing an old car on our local lakes. Tickets were sold, which let people purchase a chance to see when they thought the car would drop through the ice. 

The person who guessed the time closest to the actual melt-through would win the big prize. As the weather got warmer, people would drive out past the lake so they could check on the progress of the ice conditions and see if the car was on top of the ice or below it.

The process was stopped because of the possibility of any remaining fluids in the vehicle leaking out into the water. I wonder how many of those old cars are still at the bottom of the lake? I can't see why the practice couldn't be made environmentally friendly again; after all, the Navy sinks old ships to create artificial reefs — why not here in Minnesota?

Where was your favorite sliding hill? For many, it was "The Big Hill" about a mile north of Clarks Grove. Kids (and adults) would bring all kinds of to the hill for a day of sledding. 

Very few people skied back in those days. Most kids walked out to the big hill in the cold from Clarks Grove, while others were able to get rides. Sledders would be out for hours in the cold; sometimes, a bonfire was built, but usually the exertion of walking uphill (and the adrenaline rush of sliding downhill) kept them warm. 

Big kids and adults would go all the way to the top of the hill, while smaller kids had to be content with the lower slopes. There was always a contest to see who could go the furthest on the run out on the bottom. 

I've driven past there several times but I haven't seen a kid there in several years. I wonder why, and if they know what they are missing.

I am also guessing that a liability issue came into play and the person owning the land could not allow people to use “The Big Hill” anymore.

Tire chains used to be standard winter equipment in every car, along with a towrope and a shovel. When was the last time you saw someone with tire chains on their car? 

Most people used to carry a survival kit in a three-pound coffee can in their car in case they got stuck. The survival kit contained a candle or a can of sterno, a book of matches, or a flashlight, as well as a few snack type items, a bottle of aspirin, extra batteries, a deck of cards, and a little bit of change. 

A bright colored balloon could also be included in the survival kit as it could be blown up and tied to a strong string, which could be used to easily let someone know that there was someone inside the vehicle. It was important to keep that survival kit inside the car, not in the trunk, as people may not have been able to get to the trunk.

A candle lit inside the can would keep the temperature inside of the car from freezing. The can and candle could also be used to melt snow for drinking water. Though there was little chance of starvation, a few hard candies or an energy bar would keep both energy levels and spirits up. A small flashlight provided light (and a little psychological comfort) in the darkness.

Most generally people are not stranded in their vehicles for any great lengths of time like it was back in those "good old days," but one never knows.

We still carry a survival kit (as well as blankets, sleeping bags or snowmobile suits) in the car, along with an extra pair of gloves, a stocking cap and scarf in the winter, as well as a shovel. Most people now have cell phones. But one never knows for sure if they are going to work, so I guess it is better to be prepared, just in case.

I can think of many years when we had epic snowstorms like those described by the “old timers” — also years when we’ve had very little snow. I can remember a few years that we got big snowstorms when it was time for the state basketball tournaments. And I guess that still holds true; the weather last weekend during the girls’ state tournament wasn't very nice.

Just one year ago, our temperatures were in the 70s. Since records have been kept, snowfall averages haven't changed much. That begs the question, "Has there been a change in the winters?" or is it the fact we are better able to deal with them now? 

New and bigger equipment is a consideration, but nature is stronger than our ability to handle all she throws at us. If we do get a big snowstorm, we'll deal with it just like our rural relatives did. We'll stay at home, stay warm, do some baking, find ways to entertain ourselves by playing a few games or reading that book that we have been trying to get read, and deal with all the snow and ice when it blows itself out.

Spring, is here, or so the calendar says, but it sure doesn't look like it outside. I guess we can start thinking about making plans for planting the garden, and working up the area fields, but it will be a few days before we will be planting any seeds.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, March 28th: Taran Waalkens, Heather Lyn Shearman, her 7th; Dylan Lee Ingvaldson, his 6th; Becky Johnson, Amanda Bergerson, Judy Strenge, Dorene Richards, Bruce Jensen, Linda Seykora.

• Friday, March 29th: Leah Brittan Mortstad, Grechen Jensen Ray, Darrell Hanson, Kim Roberts Sletten, Aiden Michael Berg, his 6th; Matthew Cornelius, Fern Robertson Sommers.

• Saturday, March 30th: Jinny Nielsen, Hannah Haroldson, Melissa Collins, Carlson LaShawn Ray, his 5th; Jill Anderson, David Hemingway, Ross Johnson, Shane Johnson, Doug Hunt, Joanne Neuhart, Mollee & Joseph Tscholl, their 4th.

• Sunday, March 31st: Madison Hanson.

• Monday, April 1st: Harold Wayne, Leanna Burns, Deb Nelson, Luke Miller, Joyce Tufte Sorenson, Sonja Larson, Teresa Jensen, Kaleb Smith, Dwight Schewe, Greg Nelson, Matthew Halla, Genevieve Wayne, Bill & Pat Draayer, David & Shelly Mangskau, Brian & Lois Nelson.

• Tuesday, April 2nd: Solvieg Sorenson, Linda Goodnature, Mikayla Moon, Joanne Christensen, Randy Kronberg, Patty Slater, Jase Dean Knudson, Kevin Born.

• Wednesday, April 3rd: Daryl Paulsen, Jena Richards Thompson, Erik Smith, Rachael Nicole Roades, Erin Elaine Peterson, Nathan Spande, Theresa Kasper, Danny Larson, Don Larson, Ann Michelle Larson, Diane & Dave Broskoff.

It’s kind of interesting how the one topic that seems to bond most Minnesotans together is the weather. It is the one element in our lives that we can do absolutely nothing about. Yet, I don’t think a day goes by that a person doesn’t make some reference to it. 

I believe that there are about three different types of weather mentioners amongst us. The first is the chirpy up-beat person that seems content with the weather no matter what. Talking to that person could go something like this: #1. Sure is hot out today – Answer: I like warm weather! #2. The whatever person: “It’s been raining for a week and the basement is flooded. Will it ever stop? Answer: We need the moisture. (no doubt for the Ark that they’re building) Besides it was time for new furniture in the basement anyway. “Wasn’t that your house floating by?” – Whatever! The last one is the glass half empty person. Example: What a gorgeous day, it just doesn’t get any better than this! Answer: It’s alright now but it’s supposed to rain tomorrow; I hate the thought of rain!

While I’m on the subject, I’d guess that most of us are really ready for spring. I can’t quite come up with that mental picture of blooming flowers and chirping robins while we are experiencing near record lows for this time of year. I am usually closest to the up-beat person mentioned above, as there is nothing I can do about weather so I may as well savor the moment.

This is the time of year when it takes a little more effort to get excited about open water fishing. It’s kind of like waiting for the other shoe to drop (wonder how many folks really know what that is supposed to mean?). Ice fishing is pretty much done with and open water fishing seems to be far off. 

I’ve thought about heading up north to the cabin to see how it survived the winter, but they’ve had so much snow up there that I’d have a hard time getting to it. Last year, we sighted a lot of deer in that area but I have to wonder if the hard winter will hurt this year’s deer population.

There are times when I find myself thinking about spending time in the north woods. Inevitably, my thoughts will always revert back to fishing. 

There are times when it is so peaceful that the only sound that you may hear is that of a fish jumping or the occasional call of a distant loon. My favorite time to be on the lake is early morning with a light fog blanket masking the location of the fish as they feed on the surface. 

I still get a rush of excitement whenever I hear the sound of a fish jumping out of the water. I guess that is just the kid in me telling me that it’s okay to still get excited about the whole fishing experience.

Sitting in a boat on a lake with no one around in early morn can be so quiet that it almost seems eerie. There are times like that when you almost don’t want to move fearing that you will break the mood. Fishing out of a small boat is something that I really enjoy, but dropping anything on the floor even something as small as a split shot can almost make it sound like you’ve dropped a bowling ball.

Yes, fishing and relaxing definitely do go hand-in-hand and as I’ve mentioned several times in the past, I don’t feel that there is anything more relaxing than watching a bobber bouncing lazily in a light breeze while anticipating a bite. Fishing sometimes involves a little work to get to the relaxing part but it is so well worth it.

— — —

I have to admit, I am not a huge basketball fan except when it comes to high school basketball. When I was in high school (seems like yesterday) most games were played on Friday night. When the basketball team was out of town the wrestling team was usually home so I would go to the event that was home. 

The state basketball tournament was a big event and was usually televised so I was able to follow the tournament on our 19” black and white Zenith TV. There was only one bracket back then and the big school vs. small school scenario always made it interesting. The game I remember most is 1960, the year Edgerton won the championship; they were the smallest school to ever win a state tournament.

This year, I followed the NRHEG girls’ team through the media as their season progressed. I had a chance to watch their state tournament games and the championship game was something special to behold. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve been that “into” a game, in any sport. Carlie Wagner is a very gifted player who set many tournament records but, like any team sport, everyone has a role and this was a total team victory. Congratulations Panthers on a great season!

Until next time, get outside and enjoy a winter walk or just take a drive in the country and enjoy the beauty of the 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

"What time is it?"

"It’s 10:10."

"Oh. Thank you. Thank you."

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: if I start each morning on the right foot, the muscles in my left foot might atrophy.

I’ve learned

A hangnail is a coat hook.

If you say "gullible" slowly, it sounds like "refrigerator."

I once found it incredible that I had a fax machine. Now I find it incredible that I still have a fax machine.

Have you ever wondered?

Many people have a lucky number. How many have a lucky word?

Why is comparing apples and oranges considered fruitless?

Why isn’t there bacon-flavored floss?

Getting an allowance from a grandson

I stepped outside to talk on the phone. I went outdoors in the hopes that my hot air might melt some of the snow. My birthday was one day and a grandson’s the next. He turned 4 on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. I watched as he enjoyed his gifts. I battled him in a spirited game of Rock ’em Sock 'em Robots. Some toys never go away. I suffered defeat after defeat. Taking a break from my trouncing, I watched as my grandson opened an envelope containing a birthday card from his great grandmother. Inside the card was a $10 bill. Crosby gave me the money with a "Here, Grandpa."

I’ve trained him well.

Singing the praises of small schools

We watched NRHEG play Minneapolis Washburn in the girls’ basketball state tournament. My wife claimed the game unfair. The Minnesota State High School League uses enrollment numbers to set tournament classes. They measured NRHEG as having slightly over 260 and Washburn well over 700. The MSHSL uses a formula that adjusts the actual figures, but no matter, Washburn dwarfed NRHEG in both height and population.

My wife need not have fretted. NRHEG emerged victorious.

A fellow of my acquaintance graduated during the last year of a tiny school's existence. There were three in his class. At the graduation ceremonies, the salutatorian spoke. Then the valedictorian talked. This fellow remained seated and quiet. Everyone knew his academic standing in the class. Last.

Since that day, he has told everyone he thinks should know that he graduated third in his class.

Had he not gone to a small school, such an achievement wouldn’t have been possible.

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

I was one of those little kids. You know the kind. To get my busy mother’s attention, I whined endlessly, "Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom..."

Mom took as much as she could stand before saying, "What do you want?"

By then, I’d forgotten what I wanted. 

The economy

Businesses have had to tighten their belts. A friend manages a store that sells clothing. He confronted an employee because the young man was wearing sagging trousers that made it difficult to work. The constant hitching of pants made it hard to maintain momentum as he walked like a tot wearing an older sibling’s hand-me-down clothes. Styles come and go. The young man was warned that if he didn’t pull his pants up, he'd be going. He acted quickly. He stole a belt from his employer. He was caught easily, as his pants were still riding low enough to make running impossible.

Customer comments

Pam Grunzke of Waseca told me that when she loses an eyelash, she places it on her palm, makes a wish, and blows the eyelash away.

I looked at the calendar on the wall of my brother-in-law’s home near Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It showed December 2011. I brought this to his attention. He (Reid Nelson) replied, "That’s why I’ve been missing appointments."

Did you know?

A study published in "Psychological Science" found that people who smile after engaging in stress-inducing tasks showed faster reduction in heart rates.

Abraham Lincoln wasn’t the main speaker when he delivered the Gettysburg address. Senator Edward Everett, considered the greatest speaker at the time, was the main attraction.

A sleep researcher at the University of California-Riverside found that a 60-to-90-minute nap improved memory test results as fully as did eight hours of sleep.

BBRP

It will be my pleasure to speak at the Bluebird Recovery Program Expo taking place at the Middle School in Northfield on April 13. The Expo is a pleasing way to learn about bluebirds and other birds. Please visit http://bbrp.org/ or contact JENean Mortenson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Meeting adjourned

Say "hello" to someone you like for me. We have you in common. Be kind.