The funeral service for Kernel Knudson will be held Wednesday, July 29 at 11a.m. at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, Hartland. Rev. Dr. Mark Hillmer will officiate. Interment will be in Hartland Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at church.

Kernel died July 25, 2015 at Prairie Senior Cottages, Albert Lea, surrounded by his family. He was 16 days shy of his 90th birthday.

Kernel was born on August 10, 1925, on the Knudson farm homesteaded by his grandfather, Kittel, to Carl and Clara (Thofson) Knudson. He attended country school and graduated salutatorian from Freeborn High School, giving up his scholarship to the University of Minnesota because of family responsibilities.

Clara White to celebrate Sunday

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

Former Ellendale resident Clara White, mother of Ed Jensen of Beaver Lake; Dennis Jensen of Albert Lea; and Joanne Neuhart of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, will celebrate her 105th birthday Sunday, July 26. 

Clara felt bad when she had to leave Southern Minnesota area back in 2004 and misses seeing so many of her dear friends and family, but getting mail from the people back home is greatly appreciated. 

Clara was first married to Gordon Jensen and they were the proud parents of five children: Marshall, Edwin, Wyman, Dennis, and Joanne. Marshall and Wyman are no longer with us but are remembered, especially when the family gathers for special events.

I can’t believe that we are already over half way through July and it seems like summer has just begun. I have to admit that the above average temperatures coupled with the high humidity almost make me glad that summer is on the downside skid. I have said many times that fall is my favorite time of year but really, heat or no heat, we need to savor every glorious day.

Looking back a few years when the kids were small and we had made plans to go camping with our then neighbors, Rick and Donna. It was around the 4th of July and we had made reservations at a campground on Lake Francis. We had a tent at the time, which was a cabin-style with basically no windows. It was red with a white roof and when the temperatures got into the high 80s-90s, that puppy got toasty.

That weekend the temperatures got well into the 80s and barely much lower than that at night. It was pretty brutal because the spot that we were camping had no trees and not a sliver of shade. We were hard pressed to find any relief from the heat and sun but we somehow managed to survive. I had brought my boat along, of course, to do a little fishing. In those days I had a small 14-ft. car topper boat whose brand name was Sea Nymph. That little boat was light weight and easy to load and unload. My old 1959 10-hp Evinrude Sport Twin would push that boat through the water with ease. On the way to the campground I stopped in Waseca and bought some minnows. If you haven’t figured it out by now, my camping trips always involved fishing and I was more than ready to hit the lake early in the morning.

I had tied the minnows to the dock the evening before to keep them lively and ready for action. Unfortunately for us, the heat of the day and the water temperatures took a toll on the minnows and when we were ready to hit the lake the next morning, the minnows were asleep in the bucket. With no live bait to use I had to think fast and that’s when I decided to try a fairly new lure that hadn’t been on the market that long. I had bought a Countdown Rapala the year before but hadn’t actually used it that much so I figured that it was the closest thing to a minnow I had.

We trolled the lake most of the morning and I couldn’t believe how good that black & silver countdown worked. That morning I caught walleyes, bass, northern and even a few crappies on that lure, which fast became my favorite. I had another lure which I let Rick use, but it was a floating Rapala which didn’t seem to appeal to the fish the same way the way my new favorite lure did.

Yes, that was quite a memorable weekend with the heat and all, but something good did come out of it; I now had a lure that I knew would work. Having confidence in your lure is a big part of catching fish and I couldn’t begin to count the number of times I have been using one of my new favorite lures without much success and then gone back to the old standby and had it produce. When the Shad Rap first came out I was at the front of the line when it came to giving a testimonial about its worth. Although I have caught many fish on Shad Raps and it is probably my favorite lure to use on a regular basis I will, on occasion, still look in the dark shadows of my tackle box for that little black and silver countdown and tie it on with confidence because I know it has already proven its worth many times over.

I have not fished Frances in quite some time. I would like to try it again this year, but definitely not until this fall. One of the last times that I fished Frances was on one of the fishing openers. My oldest son Brian was with me on that occasion and about the only thing that really stands out in my memory is that it was very cold and the access was like a circus. We had originally planned on fishing our usual opening day haunt, Reeds Lake, but when we got to the access the trailers were lined up down both sides of the road; which was just way too many boats for that little lake so we decided to try Frances. When we were finally able to launch the SS Minnow, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped, making for an uncomfortable day of fishing. Brian was usually a trooper when it came to fishing, but the cold eventually got the best of him and I knew it was time to head home. I believe that on that trip Brian caught a crappie or two and I caught a northern and a cold. After this less-than-pleasant experience, I resolved that from now on we would be fishing Fountain Lake on the opener. The next couple of years proved fruitful and the boys and I caught our share of pike and walleye on the opener without ever leaving town; now this was more like it.

Until next time, enjoy the summer, stay cool and take advantage of the weather but most of all just get out and spend a little time in 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.

If you want to see as many people as possible, come to the Fair. That is the philosophy of Monty Mrotz, who tries to plan his vacation during the Steele County Fair for just that purpose.

Some of the graduating classes in our area are taking advantage of that fact as well and are also planning to hold their reunions during the fair.  They feel it is a good time and place to join friends and classmates as they take in the fair. One class I know of is the Ellendale High School class of 1970. They plan to take a short break from the fair and meet at the Spare Time Bowling Alley in Owatonna, which is just south of the fairgrounds.

The growth of our local fairs has been outstanding over the years. More and more things are displayed and the variety in the grandstand shows is wonderful. Our local fairs are events that you don't want to miss. It is interesting to see all of the 4-H and Open Class entries, which this year will be missing the poultry exhibits. I know that the Freeborn County Fair is planning on including some different poultry type exhibits instead.

It seems like only yesterday that my family was involved in 4-H and were busy preparing their exhibits.  We learned a lot and though I know there have been a great deal of changes in the 4-H program over the years, it still is an educational project in an ever changing world.

Washing pigs and cattle in preparation for show, as well as making those last stitches on clothing and craft projects, were important back in my time. I remember my mother purchased a Viking sewing machine that my sister Kaye and I used to make clothing exhibits for the fair, but more so for school and other events.

My mother remembers that Arlene Olson Kalton, from the Ellendale area, was a champion seamstress. I am quite sure she will tell you how she won a champion ribbon at the fair with a suit that she had made that somehow she had stitched the wrong way, but her error was not detected by the judges. 

Arlene sewed many clothes over the years, and I am quite sure she still does. She sews coats and shirts, etc. for not only herself, but for her husband as well.

Back in the early years people sewed all the clothes they needed, as they could not go to the stores and purchase clothes like we do now.  The 4-H program now even offers a class for clothes you buy in addition to clothes that you make.

My aunt Snookie, Phyllis Hagen, showed champion beef cattle during her 4-H years. She walked them every day and as a result, they became like pets. It was hard for her to leave them behind when the fair came to a close as they had become such a part of her life as she fed, walked and took care of them for so many months, preparing them for the fair.

I can remember many of meetings our Bath-Geneva 4-H Club held over the years and the number of people who took part. I also remember how each year we would hold 4-H tours and would visit the farms of many of those who were part of the club and see their farm animals and gardens, etc. Preparing for our annual 4-H booth was another big project.

It is sad to see how few 4-H clubs now exist. Life changes and as a result there are not many exhibits in those buildings at our local fair anymore. We are still thankful that many people still make or prepare items that they enter as exhibits at many of our local fairs each year, and it is interesting to see those entries.

And what would the fair be if it didn't have a midway and food to eat? Most generally you can still find a few of the good old standbys on the midway, the merry go round and the ferris wheel and such, but every year there always seems to be at least one or two new things for the younger generation to try.

And of course everyone has to have at least one pronto pup, some onion rings, cotton candy, sno-cones, or some popcorn before they go home. And here again, there always seems to be some great new food items to try and enjoy. 

Speaking of fairs...They are being held a bit later this year due to the fact the date for Labor Day, which is September 7th this year, is a great deal later than usual. The Waseca County Fair took place the week of July 15-19, the Olmstead County Fair will be held July 23-26; the Freeborn County Fair will be held August 4-9, the Mower County Fair is August 11-16, and the Steele County Fair runs August 18-23.   The annual Minnesota State Fair will be held August 27 through Labor Day.

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

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like 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, July 23rd: Robin Darrington, Charlotte Joan Tuttle, Barb Kubat, Jackie Layland, Diane Broskoff, Jim Brown, Ron Kaiser, Kelly Pitcock, Carl Glienke Sr., Nathan & Michelle Jacobson, Brooke & Isaiah Lundberg, LuAnn & Keith Miller

• Friday, July 24th: Marilyn Goslee Jurrens, Robert Carter Edwards, Katie May, Joy Peterson, Pat Schulz, Jeff Thompson, Phillip Briggs, Denise & Richard Olson, Trisha & Casey Johnson, Greg & Shari Lassahn

• Saturday, July 25th: Sue Hill, Kari Janka Hareid, Stan Mork, Ivy Oland, Ann Falksen, Rick Hagen, Cole Pospesel, Kristine & Jesse Routh

• Sunday, July 26th: Clara White, her 105th birthday; Jordyn Marie Wobschall, Kristine Broskoff Routh, Mark Bartness, Jane Osmundson, Amy Radke, Jean Smith, Scott & Cheryl Christensen, and Jessica (Tufte) & Rob Arnold, who will be celebrating their first anniversary.

• Monday, July 27th: Ben Groth, Lori Dirksen, Nita Dooley, Mark Helmers, Nicki Spurr, Rick Spurr, Rhiannon Farr, Alison Underland, Dave Schulz, Kory Klecker, Lillian Rose Olson, Steve & Jinny Nielsen, Travis & Ashley Broskoff, Marguerite & Milton Nelson

• Tuesday July 28th: Mike Luhring, Kari Wayne, DeWayne Jensen, Dennis Jensen, Penny Jensen, Eric Lee, Christian Burnes, Donnie Turvold, Jim & Maryalice Hanson, George & Sue Stieglbauer, Gary & Emily Ayers, Melissa & Scott Michie, Ellie & Chad Schutrop

• Wednesday, July 29th: Randy Dokken, Doug Flugum, Candie Underland, Jennifer Huber, Dory Hunt, Jim Misgen, Brent Jepson, Lorrell Beaber, Todd Wangen

• Thursday, July 30th: Tregg Hagen, Levi Horvei, Trevin Andrew Stollard, Scott Briggs, Amy Hohansee VanderSyde, Gary Sloan, Cindy Vaith, Larry Jensen, Kay Cassen, Shane Christensen, Cindy Esplan, Dani Layland, Kurt & Kelly Krumwiede, Nathan & Lindsey Schlaak, Jerry & Tanya Blouin

• Friday, July 31st: Zane Andrew Miller, Michelle Eaker Stevens, Coni Misgen Evenson, Lorie Paulson, Joan Mast, Brian & Pam Muri

• Saturday, August 1st: Parker Brant Simon, Wendy Schultz, Dale Mrotz, Karen Vaith, Stanley Jensen, Lonny Thostenson, Tad Cornelius, Karen Brockman, Rick Christensen, Larry & Carol Spear and Trevor & Courtney (Vallarelle) Tracy, who will celebrate their 1st anniversary.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

My cousin Earl lost his job as a lifeguard because he couldn’t swim.

Why didn't he learn how to swim?

Because Earl and water don't mix.

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 see dead insects while I’m driving. My windshield is covered with kamikaze insects that came to a glassy end. They are particularly numerous this year. I clean the windshield regularly, but there are always replacement splatters at the ready. What is the last thing that goes through an insect’s mind when it hits a windshield? The rest of its body. A sunroof makes it easy to fit a car into tight parking spots. The driver could always crawl out through it. Car dealers like balloons. Is the sight of balloons supposed to create a desire to buy a new car?

The cafe chronicles

The man parked his car outside the eatery’s front door. His vehicle was ancient, but honorable.

The waitress poured him a cup of coffee before he sat down without a word passing between them.

"Be strong," he said.

"Who are you talking to?" I asked.

"My coffee. I’ll need it to wash down a hamburger. The hamburgers here are always out of focus. I’ll order a lettuce salad with French dressing on 1/3 of the salad, olives on 1/8, sunflower seeds on 3/16, Italian dressing on 1/4, shredded cheese on 12 percent and ranch dressing on 44 percent. They will bring me a hamburger instead. Order a hamburger. It'll be the best hamburger you've ever endured."

Another loafer ordered three meatballs, as he wanted to learn how to juggle. The waitress told him that it was good to see him and when he left, it doubled her pleasure.

The waitress, the mother of six small children, cut up my meat for me.

Pickles and parades

I watched a feline walk down the railroad tracks. It was a cat on a hot train route.

I'd been listening to music from Iron Butterfly to Madame Butterfly on the car radio while on my way to a local celebration, when an Arlo Guthrie song came on.

With apologies to Arlo, I sang, "I don’t want to ride my motorcycle. I just want a deep-fried pickle."

I’d never eaten a deep-fried pickle before that day. It was good, but not quite as good as a dill pickle that isn’t fried.

The parade was well run. Tootsie Rolls were tossed from floats, but the secret to a good parade is to make sure the horses are at the end.

Jim Finseth of Albert Lea asked why us local yokels have hunched shoulders and sloping foreheads. He said it’s because when asked a question in school, we shrugged our shoulders. When we learned the answer, we smacked ourselves in the forehead.

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

I made rope from baling twine by using an ancient hand-operated, rope-making machine. I used the twine transformed into a rope to tie an old tire to a tree branch. I didn’t do that to keep the tire from rolling away. I did it to make a tire swing. I’d no time to admire my handiwork. I’d sit on that tire, swaying back and forth, before turning the tire and the attached rope until it could be twisted no more. Then I’d let go and see how long I could spin before feeling uncomfortable. A sit and spin in the shade. Cool and cooling.

Starbuck’s Fast Food

I found myself in Nevada, Iowa. That had never happened to me before. I was hungry. That happens to me regularly. I craved a loose-meat sandwich, a sloppy joe without the sloppy (sauce). We all like different things. I like loose-meat sandwiches. So I went to Starbuck’s Fast Food along the Lincoln Highway. It’s not the ubiquitous Starbucks famed for coffee drinks with many adjectives. A yellow sign directed me to the door. I had a blueberry malt and a loose-meat sandwich. I couldn’t put it down until I’d downed it.

Fortunately, I don’t live that far from the Tendermaid in Austin, another fine establishment offering this tasty sandwich.

Nature notes

Pigeons and doves produce pigeon milk. They regurgitate a milky substance, heavy in protein and fat, to feed nestlings.

Meeting adjourned

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." —  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Webster’s Dictionary defines a vagabond as, “one who travels from place to place with no visible means of support.” Genie and I most certainly qualify.

We so enjoyed our east back west trip to Vermont that we decided on a south back north trip to Harrison, Arkansas. We arrived back home in Albert Lea on a Thursday from Vermont and left the next Wednesday for Arkansas.

We visited with Frank and Sandy Meng on Thursday at their home in Harrison. Sandy and Genie took part in a weekend ladies retreat in the Ozark tree mountains, about 40 miles from Harrison. The area is known as The Grand Canyon of Arkansas. A beautiful tree mountain view for miles.

Frank and I were most impressed when the wives told us they had a lady chauffeur to take them to the retreat. We were really impressed when the chauffeur drove up to the house. It was Tonya, a well known celebrity in the Harrison area.

While the wives were gone, Frank and I went to the library, purchased Little Caesar’s Pizza, bummed around town, and sat on his porch ready to whistle at all the pretty girls that went by. Sad to say, none went by. (If you live in the south, your residence is a house only if you have a porch, otherwise it is a shack). Frank stayed overnight at his house to take care of Gracie and feather his two doggies, while I stayed at the Quality Inn, in Harrison. 

While at the Quality Inn we enjoyed an excellent complimentary guest breakfast. I met the Country Case band from Alabama. They were performing in Harrison and from there were going to perform in Branson, Missouri. As the name suggests, they played mainly country music. They travel together, (wives, kids, etc.) in a vehicle big enough for 12 to 14 people.

One of the wives asked me if the wife ruled the roost in Minnesota. She told me the wife was the boss in Alabama. For example, if you gave the wife $20 and the husband $5, the end result would be $25, in the purse of the wife.

The hospitality at the Quality Inn in Harrison was once again great. For examples, upon check–in Janie (front desk) said to the new employee (Lori) “Titis is Mr. Buts.” Tiffany and Melissa in housekeeping welcomed us back. Another example of “warm Southern hospitality,” was four days in a row of temp in the 90s.

The sad part of the drive was the amount of rain. Many of the Missouri fields had not been planted or had been and were under water. There were four to six inches of rain forecast in the wet area after we came thru on highway 65 Sunday, June 7. (I found out the forecast came true). 

The weatherman called this a “tropical rain,” meaning it rains every day.

One interesting thing we saw was two boats fishing on a flooded lake. They were casting into tree branches that contained bugs that bass were feeding on. The amusing thing about all this was the name of the nearby town, Deepwater, Missouri.

Thanks to Ken Bertelson for being greeter at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church while I was gone. Thanks to Kaden for mowing the lawn. Thanks to the Knudsons for taking the mail in, plus checking the house.

———

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.

Toward the end of this past school year, someone asked me what was wrong at NRHEG. I must have had a startled look on my face when I asked what this person meant. “Well, people are leaving like rats fleeing a sinking ship.” Mrs. Dinneen was retiring, Mrs. Schumacher was relocating to where she lived, and there were rumblings about the future of Dr. Goodwin. I didn’t consider that a mass exodus, and they all left for legitimate reasons.

And now Mr. Boerboom is also heading to Waseca after only a year with us as band director, so let the grumbling start again about what’s wrong with this school that people are leaving.

The short answer is that there’s nothing wrong at NRHEG. The long answer is coming up!

Listen, the grumblers will always be the loudest. The fact is (I think) that most people are happy working for this school. Are there problems? Of course, and we’re certainly in a transition period with another new superintendent. We’re dealing with constantly moving targets presented from the state legislature and department of education, which have put stress on the staff.

But I still think this is a fabulous place to live and work. The deal is that, with a younger generation, as I’ve written about previously, you tend to see a more mobile work force, always looking for a little bit better situation. I was speaking recently with a retired teacher and mentioned that this was my first job out of college, and I’m entering my 20th year here. She figured we wouldn’t see that as much anymore.

I agree. I hope to stay here until I retire and have never seriously considered leaving. I’ve been told of openings in other districts and been encouraged to apply for them. “You’ll make more money,” is one reason I’ve heard. “It’ll be a smaller school,” was another. Well, I didn’t become a teacher to become wealthy; I make a fair wage, even if insurance is eroding it like it is for everyone else. Plus, I love the size here at NRHEG. My kids are in classes that range from 60-80 kids, and they know everyone in their class. I don’t think smaller than here would be an advantage.

The truth is I was lucky and found my dream job right away. Not everybody is so lucky. I’ve had moments and weeks and months and years I’ve just wanted to scream in frustration, but never even close to a point where I considered looking elsewhere. In reality, those other openings were always told to me by other teachers; I’ve never once looked for what was available.

This is a great place to live and work. Just look at how many alumni work in our schools! The number of those who once sat in my classroom continues to grow, and they still came back despite suffering through me! I sat in on an interview last week where Mr. Bunn made that point to the candidate we were interviewing. Dave and his wife both graduated from here, went elsewhere for a number of years, but inevitably wanted to return. Why come here to our small communities? It’s simple: there are good people here, and it’s a wonderful place to raise a family.

Honestly, I never would have thought I’d enjoy living in such a small town. I would have bet good money when I was in high school or college that I’d at least live in a town the size of New Ulm, probably bigger. But something about our towns drew me in. Even if my job was good, but I didn’t like the town, I would not have stayed.

It’s a personal decision for everyone. I look at Mr. Boerboom, who has the opportunity to go to a band program in Waseca that is at such a high level and say, “Good luck!” It’s a wonderful chance for a young man who has shown he will be an excellent teacher. Would we have liked to keep him? Of course, but I trust the district will search for someone who will also meet those high standards. Other teachers have left because the small town lifestyle is just not for them, and I don’t begrudge them a chance to live in an area they are more comfortable.

Again, we have problems like everyone else. But I point to the large contingent of staff who have been here a very long time and never really looked elsewhere to strengthen the idea that NRHEG is alive and well. We’ll continue to work through transitions that occur in every school district every year and will end up stronger in the end. Go Panthers!

Word of the Week: This week’s word is longhair, which means an intellectual or one having a deep interest in classical music, as in, “The school found a longhair in two senses in their new band director.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

The scurs prevailed in only allowing rain in the overnight hours during the Waseca Co. Fair. The Weather Eye worked its magic once again. Will the magic continue or will the Weather Eye spring a leak? Starting Wednesday, mostly sunny with highs in the upper 70’s and lows in the low 60’s. Mostly sunny and warmer on Thursday. Highs in the low 80’s with lows in the mid-60’s. Friday, mostly sunny becoming cloudy with increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms into the overnight hours. Highs in the mid-80’s with lows in the upper 60’s. Mostly sunny Saturday and warmer with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-80’s with lows in the mid- 60’s. Sunday, sunny with highs in the mid-80’s and lows in the mid-60’s. Partly cloudy Monday becoming mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms into the overnight hours. Highs in the low 80’s with lows in the mid-60’s. Tuesday, partly sunny with a good chance for showers and thunderstorms in the daylight hours. Highs in the low 80’s with lows in the low 60’s. The normal high for July 25th is 82 and the normal low is 62. The scurs are on hiatus from local celebrations, increasing time available for napping in the sun by the ceement pond.

Crops continue to progress at a rapid pace with our recent sunny summer skies. Corn is for the most part tasseled out and in the middle of pollen shed. Some plants have pollinated with silks already falling off the blistered kernels. The weather has been cooperative with the Friday night rainfall being a bonus. In spite of all the June rain, corn color remains a healthy dark green color with the exception of localized areas in some fields. Soybeans have reached R3 with some sizeable pods already appearing at some of the lower nodes on the plants. Some of the earliest planted beans are actually R4. Second and in some cases third cutting alfalfa is  being knocked down for those fortunate enough to have caught the weather right on the first cutting. Pea harvest is coming to a close with sweet corn harvest right on its heels, to start next week. A lot of buzz about fungicide application on both corn and soybeans. Fungal disease pressure continues to be light at this point lowering the odds of an economic response fungicides. A good primer on some of the diseases of potential concern: http://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2015/07/midsummer-corn-and-soybean-disease.html#more.

At the ranch, the sheep are readying themselves for the onslaught of garden refuse. To expedite that process, I had the good fortune to run across a sweet corn stand Friday at the SROC in Waseca. To be sure, I’m usually gun shy about buying sweet corn at stands unless I know the source and how fresh it is. Who should know more about growing sweet corn though than the horticulture folks there? I took a leap of faith and purchased a dozen and was not disappointed. For early corn, it wasn’t half bad. Sweet corn, like fruit, is a gamble.

Around the ranch and surrounds, the wildlife continues to make its presence known. At the birdfeeders the chipping sparrows have taken a shine to the new finch mix. It’s the first time we’ve had them actually feeding out of the feeder rather than just cleaning up underneath. Orioles continue to go through jelly like it’s water. The robins are becoming quieter in the morning with their parenting duties apparently interfering with their early hour singing. The best news on the bird front was the group of 8 – 10 young pheasants that flew up out of the pasture whilst I was spraying some pesky thistles with “deadly agro-toxins” from a hand sprayer. The young pheasants were about the size of Hungarian partridge and while not skilled at flying, they did their best to elude my zig-zag pattern. Seeing many deer with young fawns out in the open including one with a pair of twins we see occasionally. Lots of bucks in the velvet as well. They must not appreciate the abundant mosquito crop either.

Ruby and Fudgie have enjoyed their summer thus far. The AC in the house during the hot weather makes their time indoors pretty easy to take, especially when the bugs have been bad outside. They still like to do the chores and follow the lawnmowers for hours on end though. Pretty hard to do that in the house. Reminds me of the days when Mom would boot us out of the house on a nice summer day. Rightfully so. As long as we didn’t kill or maim each other getting us outside and out of her hair was the best policy. 

The name of the People’s Republic of Steele Co. Highway Department was taken in vain at the ranch once again. About the time it looked like I would participate in another car show in Owatonna they decided it would be a good idea to spread tar and pea rock on our road, making what is known as a seal coat. After our experience a couple years ago when highway department contractors tore out our phone line and it took the phone company over a year to finally bury it, what could possibly go wrong? I was forced to choose whether I would drive on the half-mile of fresh tar or just stay home. Since I had already committed to help park cars I went anyway. I will admit, they did their best to minimize the amount of tar that actually sticks to your vehicle. However, when you have a pristine vintage automobile and it happens to be light beige in color, it’s not going to be pretty. It took lots of elbow grease and cleaner to get all that sticky black goo off. What’s really annoying is now the vehicle should be re-waxed. Putting tar and pea rock on the road may extend its life but I suspect it isn’t because of the seal coat itself: It’s because people avoid driving on those roads after they dump that crud on there!

See you next week…real good then.

There has been an account set up at the State Bank of New Richland for Connor Weckwerth and his family as they continue to seek treatment for his recent diagnosis and surgery for cancer.

Donations can be dropped off at the bank or sent to: SBNR, P.O. Box 68, New Richland, Minn. 56072.