Columnists

Slow down: Faster isn't always better

There’s a song by Simon and Garfunkel titled “Feelin’ Groovy.” It starts out: “Slow down, you move too fast, you got to make the morning last. Just kicking down the cobblestones, looking for fun and feeling groovy.” The world today just keeps moving faster–I wish it could take the song’s...

Difficult time slowing down

There are some kids that just struggle to sit still, have you ever noticed that? I was watching a child starting to learn how to run over the past few weeks. This child is talented at using their whole body to run. Not just quickly moving their feet, but arms pumping and shoulders rolling. ...

People hate math until they get a receipt

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting I didn’t catch a single fish on my trip to Ontario. How come? I couldn’t tell a single one from a married fish. Driving by Bruce's drive I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts occur to me. I was thinking...

Some of my favorite fishing experiences

I’ve had a couple of wonderful fishing experiences this summer. Pier fishing is available to people who don’t own a boat but enjoy fishing from shore. I decided to head to Fountain Lake in Albert Lea to fish from a pier. I took some buddies along, since angling alone isn’t my cup of tea: I enjoy...

Receiving faith in god as a kid

“Let the little children come to me.” There is something encouraging about kids feeling safe in church. You have probably seen these kids before. The kids that feel safe are the ones that sing loudly, move quickly, and don’t care that someone else is talking. This week at First...

Sniffing the south end of a porcupine

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting I’m glad it’s summer and not winter. Do you like hot, muggy weather? No, but think how terrible it would be to shovel snow in this heat. Driving by Bruce's drive I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts occur...

Fortunate, thankful to be a boomer

My class reunion will be held in August. I graduated from Austin High School. It will be the 55th year reunion; several of my classmates have passed on, but our class had well over 500 members, so there are still many people to see and catch up with. As I reflect, I feel very fortunate and...

Summer is slowing down

For some reason it feels like summer is almost over. There are a lot of clues floating around that tell me it is almost over allow me to share. First off, I hear the band just about every day. As I slow down at night, check how dry my lawn is, water my vegetables on my porch, I hear the drums...

Float on the Pelican Breeze this summer

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting I had a Great Uncle August. My mother talked often about his funeral. When was his funeral? I’m not sure what year it was, but it was the end of August. Driving by Bruce's drive I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive...

More to Loon Lake than meets the eye

I ran into Dave Dunn one day and he mentioned an idea for a Pioneer article; an article on Waseca’s Loon Lake. The Bailey House at the Historical Society has files of just about everything that has taken place in Waseca County. Virginia McCarthy who works at the Bailey House, handed me a plump,...