I’ve never really made New Year’s resolutions in the past. I didn’t think they were necessary, or I didn’t want to/couldn’t follow through with them. Until this year, that is.

I’ve been getting the overwhelming urge to make life changes lately. I realized the universe isn’t just going to hand me happiness and success; I’ve got to make it for myself. So I came up with some ideas in order to ensure I have my best year so far.

First of all, I am going to focus more on my own happiness. My whole life, I do everything with consideration for what other people will think or feel about it. 

In doing so, I’ve ended up getting the short end of the stick in most situations. I’m going to change that. 

I don’t mean I’m going to stop caring about others; I’m just going to put my own happiness first when it’s appropriate. I’m going to focus on my own life, work toward goals, and do what I can to make my life the best that I can.

My second resolution is to switch to electronic cigarettes. I’ve had them for a few months now, but I haven’t committed to the switch yet. I keep coming up with excuses, but that’s got to stop, too. 

I’ve been smoking for a little less than three years now, and the sooner I quit, the better. Although e-cigs do have nicotine, they don’t contain any of the harsh chemicals or additives that cigarettes do, and they don’t use real smoke — just water vapor. They’re so much healthier for you, they aren’t obtrusive to others, and they can be used pretty much anywhere.

Third, I’m going to try my best to stop procrastinating. I know I probably won’t be able to completely quit that habit, but I’m going to work at it. Procrastination has been my downfall since middle school, and if I can overcome that, I’ll get so many more things done.

Last, I plan on being more responsible and organized. That means actually following through with plans/promises, being more reliable, keeping things clean (like my car, room and desk), better time and money management, and figuring out what my priorities are. 

I realize that’s quite the list to accomplish, but I’m going to do my best to follow through with the majority of my resolutions. This is my last year of being a teenager. 

Soon I’ll have more work and responsibilities than I ever imagined, and I’ve got to be ready for that. The best way for me to do that is to start preparing myself now, so that when that time does come, I’ll be ready.

I want to be a positive change in someone’s life. I want to make a change on the world. I don’t exactly know how I’m going to accomplish that yet, but I think starting with the local newspaper is a pretty good way to start. 

I just want to say (again!) thank you so much for your positive feedback on my columns/articles. It really means the world to me to know the people reading my work don’t think it’s terrible. 

I appreciate the people who take time out of their day to read what I wrote; it’s what motivates me to keep doing what I am, and to keep moving forward and working towards something even bigger.

I hope you all had a safe and fun holiday season, and I look forward to another year of interacting with and informing the community. Thanks again everyone; until next time.

It doesn’t seem possible that another year is in the books. Looking back, I find myself wondering where 2012 went. 

I am looking forward to 2013 and spending more time on the water and in the woods. Of course, this means more time spent at the cabin. 

On more than one occasion, my son Brian and I have both said that we’d like to venture up north in the winter just to see what a few winter days spent in the woods would be like. I’d also like to spend some time doing a little ice fishing on our lake and on a couple of area lakes that we frequent during the open water season.

To me, there is always something special about spending time in the outdoors on a moonlit night. It is almost a serene, peaceful feeling that I get when I spend a wintery night outdoors with a full moon shining down across a snow-covered countryside. 

This may make a person feel like they are more connected to nature than at any other time. This is a good time to pause for a moment and just take it all in, although I never really do seem to take enough time doing that to the extent that I get that “full” feeling; you know kind of like the one that you get after eating a big meal. 

Something as simple as shoveling snow can be an exhilarating and fulfilling experience. I can imagine that someone reading this last statement might think that I am not playing with a full deck, but it doesn’t always take much to entertain me.

When I look back to my childhood and growing up in the country I can probably pinpoint the reason that I enjoy things simple. As kids we would go sledding and a lot of that was done on weeknights. 

There were a couple of years when we built a fast sled track on the hill by our neighbor to the south. We iced the track for extra speed and boy did you ever fly. I didn’t want to wipe out on that track because there was usually someone flying down the hill right behind you and getting hit by a fast moving sled wasn’t a good thing. 

Speaking of flying, I had a Radio Flyer sled which was appropriately named because it could definitely do just that. There were two sled options back then, a shorter version for one kid and the longer version for two or more. 

I had gotten the shorter version for Christmas one year and while a couple of the other kids had gotten the bigger model, this didn’t make any difference to me because I had my own sled and with it came the fun.

Yes, winter was a good time to be a kid; snow forts, snowball fights, sledding and trekking to a far away hill to sled on our version of uncharted territory. Occasionally as I drive on Bridge Avenue, I will look out over the slough to the east.

I can still see that hill although, for some reason, it doesn’t seem to be as big as it was when I was ten. I’ve told the story a few times about trekking through the slough to get to that little hill; it is a fond memory.

In those days, we didn’t seem to do anything without pretending to be someone else. When we spent part of a winter day on an adventure walking across the slough, sleds in tow, we’d be one of our frontier heroes like Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone or maybe even Sargent Preston of the Yukon. 

During football season, we’d be one of our favorite football players and if two kids wanted to be the same guy, the oldest one most always won out; usually without a fight.

Yes, it was the simple things that made us happy. Spending a winter afternoon in the “slew” meant that you’d be heading home wet and cold. My feet would start hurting before I ever sat down in front of the old heat register. 

I can still feel the burn of my feet thawing out, but that was short lived. And, it was usually followed by a cup of hot chocolate topped with one or two big marshmallows. Maybe the way kids entertain themselves today has changed, but I’d bet that a cup of hot chocolate with a marshmallow on top is still a big hit with most.

I think that I’m onto something here! Maybe the reason that I like moonlit winter nights is that it reminds me of those days gone by and the simple pleasures we enjoyed by creating our own brand of fun.

According to my grandson, Trevor, the walleyes are still biting on the channel and judging by the number of fish houses on the ice on any given day, fishing must be fairly good. I do believe that the idea of the fishing being better on “early ice” has some merit. 

I really do believe that the more traffic that you have on shallow water ice, the more skittish the fish will become. According to some experts, the best bite is usually right before, during and immediately after sunset. Whatever the time of day; I know that any time spent fishing is time well spent.

Until next time, take some time to enjoy the winter outdoors, even if it’s something as simple as watching the moonlight as it lights up the fallen snow.

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

New Year’s day in 2012 was nice weather-wise. Not so nice, as far as Minnesota sports were concerned, with the exception of basketball. 

The Lynx, Gophers and Timberwolves were playing well. But, only the Lynx would continue their winning ways. The other two teams were struck by the same malady as their point guards and other starters went down with injuries.

After the Gophers got off to a fine start, (ranked 14th in the nation) Al Nolan, the team’s playmaking guard, was injured and out for the season. Devon Joseph, the backup guard, had transferred after Tubby Smith refused to start him, despite Joseph carrying the Gophers to the finals of the Big Ten Tournament the previous season. Trevor Mbakwe had injured his knee and the Gophers were through for the year.

The Timberwolves were in the hunt for a playoff spot with the play of Kevin Love and rookie Ricky Rubio until Rubio tore up his knee. The reserves failed to help the team and the Wolves fell to their former obscurity. Tubby Smith was strongly criticized for the first time since his arrival in Minnesota and Timberwolves’ coach Rick Adelman would have to wait for next year.

At the beginning of 2012, our Minnesota Vikings were coming off a 3-13 record and their rookie quarterback and coach Leslie Frazier were under fire. Not only that, their star running back had injured his knee severely. The Vikings were slipping in the public’s esteem and the only thing that enabled them to hold their place as the number one team in Minnesota was the abysmal play of the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins had a disastrous 2011 season that saw them finish last in their division with the worst record in the American league after being expected to contend for the Central Division title. Their pitching folded, as did All-Stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. 

A great deal of the dismal showing in 2011 was chalked up to injuries. Hometown hero Joe Mauer was accused of being a slacker and General Manager Bill Smith was demoted. At the beginning of 2012, things were not well with the Twins.

As the year wore on, we sat through another disappointing baseball season as returning General Manager Terry Ryan watched the Twins finish last with the worst pitching in the Major Leagues. Pieces of good news were Mauer being the Mauer of old, Morneau staging a mini- comeback and new acquiree Josh Willingham enjoying a career year. 

But the Twins had very little effective pitching and at the end of the year, Ryan was striving to bring the pitching staff up to its pre-2011 level. Ryan traded and signed free agents and we are waiting the outcome.

Our Minnesota Gopher football team was also coming off a dismal non-bowl-game season in 2011 and new coach Jerry Kill was faced with long-standing problems. The Gophers have not had a dominant team for more than 50 years and Kill had this huge rebuilding effort in front of him. 

The Gophers appeared to be joining the Indiana Hoosiers as a permanent resident at the bottom of the Big Ten. However, at the very end of the 2012, Gopher fans were encouraged and saw hope for the future as the year ended with a well-played bowl game.

As 2012 comes to a close, there is a feel-good atmosphere surrounding the Timberwolves, basketball Gophers and Vikings. And no matter what happens in 2013, the Vikings have turned things around and once again, purple covers the land.

Next week: more about the Wolves, Gophers and Vikings.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

"I can’t wait until the weekend gets here."

"Do you have big plans?"

"Yeah, to make it to Monday."

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 you like where you’re at, you ought to appreciate the road that brought you there.

I’ve learned

1. You’re getting older if it feels good to stop, no matter what you’re doing.

2. Whenever my wife asks, "What do you think?" I think I should have been listening.

3. To brag about those you love and make sure they overhear you.

The news from Hartland

Hartland Air & Space Museum found to be completely empty.

Truck carrying boxes of contact lenses overturns on highway. The search for lost contacts continues into its third week.

Duct tapeworms concern St. Menard’s Hardware.

The secret to a long marriage

The woman smiled at me and said, "I’m doing great, just in case you ask." Then with a nod toward her husband, she added, "We’ve been married 60 years."

"Nice going," I responded. "What’s your secret?"

"I never throw anything away."

Cafe chronicles

I saw gravy spots before my eyes as I headed for the table of infinite knowledge where geezers were gabbing. The guys had young ideas, but their hearts belonged to dodder. They were still playing with a full deck, just shuffling slower while trying to be nostalgic, but not always remembering. The men wouldn’t recognize a single photo in People magazine and they gained weight just looking at pie. I felt at home.

Customer comments

Jessica Hollerich of Amboy told me that she’d scolded her three-year-old daughter Isabel for repeatedly jumping off a chair and told her not to do it again. Isabel replied, "I’m going to jump off the chair one more time. Pretend you don’t see me."

Rodney Hatle of Owatonna sent this quote from Sam Levenson, "Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is; we'll find it."

Al Weisert walked by as I manned the Salvation Army kettle at the Albert Lea Hy-Vee store. He was carrying a mop. I asked, "Spill?" He replied, "I like to get it before it spills." That’s being proactive.

I asked Bryan Willmert of Albert Lea how the van he was driving got a broken back window. He told me that a coworker believed in the old saying, "Keep backing up until you hit something solid."

Ric McArthur of Morpeth, Ontario said that the chances of hitting a deer while driving are much higher than while walking.

Did you know?

According to The Pew Forum's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey 71% have a strong belief in God, 17% are fairly certain there is a God, and 4% believe there is a possibility God exists. About 58% pray daily.

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control, 51.7% of American households don’t regularly use a landline phone. The majority of those (35.8%) don’t have a landline and another 15.9% don’t often use one.

A group of baboons is called a congress.

An American Kennel Club survey showed that over 70% of American dog owners gave their pets Christmas gifts.

The Wall Street Journal reported that 40% of a basic cable bill goes towards sports programming.

About 6% of people keep their Christmas lights up more than six months.

The Smithsonian Institution houses the puffy shirt worn by Jerry Seinfeld in his TV series. It’s enshrined next to Mr. Rogers' sweater.

The average Iowa farmland value is estimated to be $8,296 per acre, according the Iowa Land Value Survey.

Nature notes

"Am I seeing a golden eagle or young bald eagle on the lake?" Golden eagles are not great fish eaters, so you’re not likely to see one swooping low over a lake, resting on the ice, or standing on a sand bar in a river. Golden eagles have feathered legs. Young goldens often have white patches under the wings and at the base of the tail, but lack the white mottling of a young bald eagle’s body.

In gratitude

I enjoy the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and freshly charged iPads. My thanks to all the 8th-grade students in Mr. Domeier's English classes at NRHEG who allowed me to be part of their day.

Talking to the Holstein

I was talking to the Holstein the other day. The Holstein is a retired milk cow, so she has time to talk. I asked her how cows could eat so much.

The Holstein chewed her cud thoughtfully and said, "It’s the way we’re built. Haven’t you ever heard of graze anatomy?"

Meeting adjourned

Roger Batt of Algona sent me this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

Welcome, readers, to the first “Fact or Fiction” of 2013. The first “Fact or Fiction” was written in 2002 under the name of “Beaver Lake Fact or Fiction.” Because we are no longer summer residents of Beaver Lake, I have changed the title.

This article will be mainly about our travels from October through April, then weekly the rest of the year. Please remember, “Fact or Fiction” is what you must decide as you read this column.

What did you do to usher in the new year? Genie and I closed out 2012 with one powerful drink each. We used the Dairy Queen coupons from the bus trip to Clear Lake, Iowa to purchase a pecan cluster blizzard for Genie and a mocha blizzard for me. We let them melt and as the ball dropped on TV from New York City, we downed the beverages. That was 11 p.m. our time.

At midnight in Albert Lea, we listened to some neighborhood fireworks. We managed to barely stay awake until the last gong of 2012.

As I write this article, four guys are supposed to be walking on water out of Brindley’s Resort on Leech Lake. Bob Goetz, Paul Proft, Ray Thompson and I had reservations at Brindley’s. We were scheduled to catch our limit of 20 perch, three Northern and six walleye each. “No problem — piece of cake!” we said, as we’re all fishermen liars!

One of the above four decided he wanted to try out the beds in the new Owatonna hospital. He wanted to be sure the hospital was good enough for the upcoming birth of his new grandchild. Now that he knows the facility meets his approval, we will be going to Brindley’s at a later date.

Brindley’s did not charge us anything for a cancellation on a two-day notice. That’s just one of the reasons why we like it there. Their number is (888) 547-5477 for reservations. Say, “Hi!” to Arrow, the well-trained greeter of the canine family, as you walk in the resort door.

I received an unsigned letter in the mail asking for equal time. The writer wanted me to mention that not only is there a banker in Albert Lea that reads this column faithfully, but there is a banker in Waseca that also faithfully reads and shares this column with fellow bank employees. Are there any other bankers out there that want equal time?

How about this for a Valentine’s Day Party? For five dollars, you can eat pizza, followed by Norwegian Bingo with prizes, topped off with an ice cream buffet. This party starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, February 9th at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church rural Albert Lea. RSVP by calling (507) 373-8655.

Wow. The Vikings made it to the playoffs. I had given up on them after that terrible first game against the Packers. The Vikings-Packers playoff game proved an experienced quarterback is necessary to win. Is Ponder experienced? I think so.

January is when I add another candle to the cake. Actually, there isn’t room for any more candles! How old am I? Let’s test your math. I’m closer to 80 than 70. I’m two years shy of 39 the second time around. I’m four years shy of becoming an octogenarian. I really like your math, if you got the right answer of 39.

———

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.

The scurs wasted no time getting some of the cold weather out of the way and heading us into a warmer temperature regime. Will it last? Starting Wednesday, clear skies with a high near 35 and a low around 25. Partly cloudy Thursday becoming mostly cloudy with good chance of rain in the afternoon followed by a rain/snow mix for the late evening. Friday, mostly cloudy with a slight chance of a rain/snow mix becoming all snow in the overnight hours. Highs again near 35 and lows falling to 20. Mostly cloudy for Saturday with a modest chance of snow. Highs near 20 and lows around 5. Continued mostly cloudy and colder for Sunday with a continued chance for snow. Highs of 15 and lows again near 10. Mostly sunny for Monday with highs struggling to make 15. Lows of  near zero. Mostly cloudy for Tuesday and continued cold with highs of 15 and lows dropping to near zero. The normal high for January 15th is 22 and the normal low is 3. The scurs are glad they spent all that time making wood last fall. It still warms you three times.

We should be heading into what through about January 20th is typically our coldest stretch of the winter. High temperatures generally are in the low 20s and lows hover slightly above zero. We may have caught a break however with the highs this week above freezing. It hasn’t been as warm this winter as last, but few are. Still, temperatures are trending above normal and without long stretches of sustained wind it’s helped on the heating bills. Snowfall thus far in January has been limited to some flurries and that has kept snow removal to a minimum as well. Fields as of this writing are still snow covered and that has been a positive from the soil erosion standpoint. With soils as dry as they were going into the winter, the potential has been there for blowing soil to be a very distinct possibility. While it’s still there, we’ve chewed through December already with nothing major occurring. 

The New Year started off on the right foot in the bird watching department at the ranch with two male cardinals making an appearance. We’ve seen one occasionally but never two at one time. They are shyer than the female who religiously appears every day under the feeders, apparently liking the safflower that was added to the black oilseed sunflower. The males were drawn to the brush on the edge of the yard, lending yet more credence to the notion that the nannyberries and other cover still has a ways to go yet before we can count on cardinals. The common redpolls continue to be a pleasant addition to the usual gang. Arriving before the sun is up and before any other feathered guests, they have taken a shine to the thistle feeders, emptying the smaller one out in a matter of a couple days. 

The house sparrows continue to be aggravating however and have caused me to move the sparrow trap from the barn to under the feeders where they continue to monopolize them. One has to be watchful however that when other birds are captured accidentally that they are removed. Male house sparrows in particular are vicious and can peck other birds to death quickly if they are allowed to remain in the trap. I fished a chipping sparrow out of the trap on Sunday and let him go in the spruce tree nearby. I left the male house sparrow in it as a decoy in hopes that others would be drawn in the next day. So far trapping has been relatively unrewarding this winter. They have become wise to it and seem content to make a mess in the barn after making a mess around the feeders. If someone ever develops a foolproof method of controlling these rats with wings they will become very rich indeed. 

Another Christmas celebration is in the books and I’ve lost track of how many that makes for now. We have one more and that should about do it. Fortunately we didn’t get the live tree put up until later in December so it’s still in really good shape yet. The rest of the house has remained party-ready, so to speak, so it’s not as though the house needs a major overhaul every time someone comes over; we just reload. Eventually though it’ll all need to be taken down and we can get back to weeks having seven days in them rather than being disrupted by holidays in the middle of the week. Actually when you think about it, it’s a long time between holidays now for most of us mere mortals and non-school kids. It’s refreshing to take a day off to relax once in a while and not feel guilty about it.

We’ve been busy with doggie daycare the past week while Mom undergoes some procedures in Rochester. Keeping another Border Collie is nothing new for us as for many years we’ve had two anyway. What one tends to forget however is how active these dogs are and how adding another one multiplies it by a factor of at least two. Fudgie is no exception and being activities director has refreshed my memory. Play ball, do chores, get brushed, help fill bird feeders, do more chores, all while under the strict supervision of two dogs. Plus, they’re always ready to go for a ride to Krause’s, then tear around herding each other when they get back. 

What I find particularly amusing is how ingrained some of their habits become. Reputedly, very smart Border Collies can develop the mental capabilities of a 2 or 3-year-old. When Ruby and Fudgie come back in from outdoors they must have their feet wiped off so they don’t track on the floor. Some dogs will run and hide; not these two. Both of them stay on the rug, yet practically climb over the top of each other when they see the foot wiping towel so they can be first. What blows me away is they actually seem to enjoy it, standing there wagging their tail while the moisture is removed from each paw. How many 2 or 3-year-olds do you know who come in from outdoors excited about getting their feet wiped off, let alone standing still and enjoying it? Bizarre creatures, these Border Collies.

See you next week…real good then.

Last week, I wrote about meeting my wife. There are many reasons I love Michelle, and one of them is her family.

No, I do not have the stereotypical in-laws, where I cringe every time we have to get together with her family. I feel as much a part of the Granowski/Spinler families as I do the Domeier family, and that’s another element that makes our marriage so endearing.

I was welcomed into family functions from the time we started dating. Now, I’m a people person, but I was very intimidated by Michelle’s family. I wasn’t sure what I could talk about or what I should avoid. 

I’ve found that another stereotype – don’t ever talk about religion or politics – just doesn’t ring true with her family; we talk about those topics often! Even if we don’t all agree on things, they can be lively discussions, and there are no hurt feelings when we’re through. We sometimes just agree to disagree.

Michelle’s Grandma Spinler just died. This has been tough on her, even though we knew it was coming. 

Grandma Mary had been in and out of the hospital a lot recently. We got a chance to go visit her the day before she died in the hospital. While there, I saw amazing family experiences that are truly memorable.

As I’ve mentioned before in this column, I’ve never been very good at expressing emotions. 

My family has always been a little closer to the vest when it comes to that. It takes quite a bit to make me cry, unless it’s watching the end of Hoosiers.

This, to me, is the hardest part of any relationship: death. It’s inevitable; you’re going to have to go through a number of these events, and it’s how you respond that adds another layer to a committed relationship. 

I love Michelle completely, and it’s so hard to see her in pain. There’s no easy solution to this pain like there is when you break a bone or sprain an ankle.

I do the best I can to comfort her and the kids; it’s all we can do as family. Everyone deals with loss in different ways, and patience and a helpful shoulder or open ear is what we need in these situations.

I know this has been difficult on our kids. Jayna and Anton are very emotionally connected to their friends and family. 

While they were frightened when my dad had his heart attack, this was the first time that someone close to them was going to die, and we made that clear to them. However, the rest of the family talked with them while we visited Mary in the hospital and continued that path of making everyone such an important part of this family.

As we sat there, conversations varied all across the board. I was sitting with a group of grieving people, but they needed distraction; one can’t just sit around and mope, though one’s mind tends to always be whirling, mentally preparing for the inevitable. 

A friend of the family came and led everyone in Christmas carols, giving Mary a send-off that she would appreciate, especially the songs that were sung in Czech.

And that’s what put me in tears. Not gazing at a woman ready to meet her maker and join her husband and other deceased relatives. Not watching my wife and children battle their emotions. 

No, it was seeing a family come together during the most difficult time of their lives and rejoice for the life their mother lived and send her on the way to the Lord with celebration. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a Kleenex again.

Word of the Week: This week’s word is venerate, which means to regard with reverential respect or to adore, as in, “The family was able to venerate their mother and grandmother, a woman who lived life to the fullest and set a good example for all.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

Memorial services for Darrell Lowell Christensen of Albert Lea, MN, are pending with Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, MN. Interment will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Mpls, MN. 

Darrell passed away on January 5, 2013 at the Mayo Health Systems Albert Lea after a long battle with many medical issues.

The celebration of life for Cherri G. Bergland will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church in Ellendale. Pastor Patrick Stitt will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9-10:30 at the church and interment will be in the Berlin Cemetery.

Cherri passed away on Tuesday January 1, 2013 surrounded by her family. She was 63 years old.

Cherri was born on February 22, 1949 in Owatonna, MN to Joe and Terrence (Erickson) Anderson. She attended Ellendale-Geneva School. On May 24, 1969 she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Bergland, and raised two children on the Anderson Family Farm, which the two took great pride in maintaining. Together Bob and Cherri owned and operated Bob Bergland Excavating.