Columnists

Food, tears, listening and offering support

Jesus wept. This is the shortest verse of the Bible. It’s found in the Gospel of John Chapter 11 verse 31. This verse is also one of the most revealing pieces of Jesus' humanity. Jesus wept because his friend Lazarus died and he was sad. Jesus did not hide his emotion at this loss. Jesus...

Days of yesteryear

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFER’S CLUB MEETING I can see into the future. When did you learn you had that gift? Next Thursday. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts occur to me. The rain came down. Does it ever go up?...

Humility provides freedom from self

There is a story of a family shopping in a grocery store. As they walked down the aisles, the moment was abruptly interrupted by a loud smash. Junior dropped a glass bottle of vinegar on the floor while trying to reach for it as he was pulling it off the shelf. He began crying. Having a bad day,...

'We're out of catalog'

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING I took my husband to Luxembourg for our 25th anniversary. Wow! What are you going to do for your 50th anniversary? I might go back and get him. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive,...

A few of my favorite things

You know that song, “These are a few of my favorite things?” I’m drawing a blank on the movie, but I’m sure you are either singing the song or you are shouting at the newspaper the name of the movie that the song is from. Or maybe you’re thinking of your favorite things. The truth is, we all have...

The field of flicks

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING I got a quote to have my roof repaired. What was the quote? It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce....

The rules of faith, improv

Ten years ago, I attended Second City Theater in Chicago for a class in improvisational acting, or improv as it is commonly called. Improv is live theater without a script. The actors make up a story spontaneously. Because no one knows what the others will contribute to the story, the results are...

Lack of curb appeal

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING There are going to be many people in Minneapolis tonight. Why is that? They live there. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts occur to me. I was a Bounty hunter in a big...

Basket added to the fishing hall of fame

As I look out at Lake Tetonka from our little cabin in Waterville, it’s interesting to realize I am looking at one relatively small part of a much larger picture. Tetonka is one of many lakes in the Cannon River watershed. The Cannon River has its origin in Shieldsville: a tiny creek grows as it...

Work to live not live to work

I am sometimes reminded of the many two-week vacations that our family would take almost every year. The making of these fond memories consisted of packing up our 1972 Palomino popup camper, loading the family of five into our brown Ford pickup, and traveling west, usually to Colorado, Wyoming,...