Our weather has been very unpredictable this entire year. This spring we had more than our share of wet, cold weather and everyone was wondering if the farmers would get in the fields to get their crops planted in time. Of course they did, but then came a long, hot, dry spell and everyone was concerned about the crops that were badly in need of rain. Many of the crops are maturing early because of the lack of moisture and consequently, the yields will be down. There may be other crops that have not been able to withstand the heat and dry temperatures and probably will not have anything to harvest.Talk about a gambler, I think the farmer is No. 1 on the list. In the spring he invests all of his money in his fields and hopes to have returns enough to pay his expenses and have enough to live on until the next harvest. I guess I would prefer to call it faith in the land. But who knows what is going to happen? Because I grew up on a farm I think just like the farmers, "Next year will be better!" It is all worth it in the evening when the golden harvest moon comes up and ascends into the sky turning the cornfields to sparkling silver. It reminds me of the old song, "By the Light of the Silvery Moon." So much for memories.The locusts have been singing for many weeks and they are the first ones to help us to face the fact that frost is on the way so we better be prepared. Temperatures have been going up and down rather drastically and have been very unpredictable, so who knows, it may be later than we think!Steen Senior Citizens met on Monday, a week later than their regular meeting day due to Labor Day. Cards and games were played. Bill and Bertha Bosch served the lunch. The Glen and Ann Boeve family attended the wedding of Ann’s niece, Julie Leenderts, at the Methodist Church in Aberdeen, SD., on Saturday. A reception followed the ceremony. Those attending were Glen and Ann Boeve, Erin Boeve, Tara Boeve and friend, Derek Vennega, Little Rock, Iowa, and Matthew Boeve and friend, Andrea Roth. They returned home on Sunday.Monday morning coffee guests in the Arnold and Jane Bonnema home were Mr. and Mr. Warren Kleinwaldering, Orange City, Iowa. Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended the Homesteader Days Sunday afternoon at their site south of Brandon, S.D., near Beaver Creek. It was their 25th anniversary and a large crowd came to help them celebrate. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended worship services at Community Reformed Church in Sioux Falls Sunday morning. Their granddaughter, Emma Bosch, daughter of Tom and Amy Bosch, Sioux Falls, who is 8-years-old, received her Bible from the church that morning. An outdoor service was followed by a dinner at the church. Dick Hup celebrated his birthday at the Brandon Steak House recently. Those attending were Dick and Gert Hup, Hills, Darlene and Cornie Bosch, Betty Boeve, all from Luverne, and Dries and Laura May Bosch, Steen. Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended the Teune family reunion Saturday evening at Luverne Pizza Ranch. Steen Reformed Church will host the Golden Agers, age 65 or older, Wednesday afternoon at the church. The speaker will be Jennia Gotnor. I know Grandparents Day was last week but I decided Labor Day and the softball tournament should have their day and the grandparents can enjoy Grandparents Day this week. Many of us are grandparents and think we know all about it. However, I found this article titled, "What is a Grandparent?" and thought we might learn a thing or two."Grandparents can always be counted on to buy anything you are selling from all purpose greeting cards to peanut butter — flower seeds to cookies — from magazines to 10 chances on a pony. A grandparent buys you gifts your mother says you don’t need. A grandparent pretends he doesn’t know who you are on Halloween. A grandparent puts a sweater on you when she is cold, feeds you when she is hungry and puts you to bed when she is tired. A grandparent is the only baby-sitter who does not charge money to keep you.A grandparent believes you can read when you have the book upside down. When someone says ‘What a cute baby!’ the grandparent replies, ‘She will be Miss America some day!’When a grandchild says, ‘Grandma, how come you don’t have any children?’ A grandparent will fight back the tears as they feel their grandchildren are theirs!"
