Columnists

Longing to be a part of something

We want to be a part of a team. We want to belong, to know that people value and rely upon us. We want to be needed and know that our actions add to a solution. Our human condition longs to be a part of something that matters. From the beginning of our time on this earth, we have longed to be...

Time is something of a fickle friend

Wallace reached a milestone recently. He has graced the world with his presence for one year as of the third week in January. Not a lot is different at the manor with the change from puppyhood to “teenager”; Wallace still doesn’t know anything. The usual shenanigans still take place and the...

My depth finder lit up with fish

Annual physicals for senior citizens are a great, good health practice. I recently completed mine and left the clinic feeling good. Weight was just fine and blood pressure was great; still waiting for my blood test. When the nurse took my height, I became amazed at how fast I'm shrinking. I...

Talking nobodies at least once

I like books; I debate between buying them and reading them, which are two different passions. There is pleasure in buying books, contemplating their covers, feeling their pages, smelling them, reading the preface, and waiting for the day I can read it if that day comes. On the other hand,...

Acknowledge sin and cast it aside

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of...

A mouse ran up Lisa’s pant leg

I was recently driving up a long driveway to visit a friend south of Waseca. The property is surrounded by set-a-side, cattail sloughs, ditches, and agricultural fields. A caravan of brown critters was plowing across a snow covered field. I pulled out my binoculars–I always carry them–and...

Frustrations of dealing with youth

It’s easy to make friends and be active during the summer, even for an introvert such as myself. There is great plenty to talk about and do because I can be OUTSIDE and there are DOGS. Trails to walk, nature sounds to hear, things to smell, …even Otto and Shelby (the Senior dogs) will happily...

Work at it with all your heart

By PASTOR KEN ANDRS Consistency is key. I was told this as a young man, but didn’t understand what it meant till I got much older. I thought it had to do with doing the same thing over and over again, just to get it done. That is not the case though, rather it is a reminder to work at...

I’ll take dogs over people anytime

Wallace is a little nuisance sometimes (or a LOT of the times), but he never tries to hide who he is. It’s all out there in the open to see, both good and bad: This is me. I love outside. I love sitting on laps and cuddling. I sprinkle fine white hair on your clothes. I pee where I want to. Got a...

What name are you looking for?

Grandma's house has always had a special meaning; it has been the center of family gatherings and the family kitchen; the stove in grandma's house was on even when the refrigerator and drawers were empty. There was a time when the grandparents lived on a second floor with a small balcony...