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My husband, youngest daughter and I arose early that morning. Our mission for the day was to drive to Beatrice, Nebraska, to view the total eclipse of the sun scheduled to happen there around noon. NASA promoted the event like this: “On Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe-…

My friend, Carrie, and I recently took advantage of cheap airfare and an invitation to stay in her family’s Las Vegas timeshare. I wouldn’t describe either of us as impulsive, but sometimes good deals are too good to pass up, and sometimes spur-of-the moment plans actually work. Within days of spotting the deal we chose our dates and booked our flights. A few weeks later the schoolteacher and…

“Thanks for the memories.” That is how I felt after Sunday afternoon’s Stars and Stripes USO Show at the historic Palace Theatre. They weren’t really my memories, but I could tell many of those in the audience were remembering good times of long ago. I truly enjoyed the show, but it was an added pleasure watching others enjoy the performances. No doubt a lot of memories resurfaced for those in…

Naming an animal is not at all unusual. As a child I named every cat — along with a special chicken or cow. Giving an object a name is a little more unusual. In elementary school I gave my first band instrument, a clarinet, the name Clarice. Clarice the Clarinet. I grin at the thought. You might think I named the black plastic instrument after Jodie Foster’s character in the horror movie, “…

Naming an animal is not at all unusual. As a child I named every cat — along with a special chicken or cow. Giving an object a name is a little more unusual. In elementary school I gave my first band instrument, a clarinet, the name Clarice. Clarice the Clarinet. I grin at the thought. You might think I named the black plastic instrument after Jodie Foster’s character in the horror movie, “…

For weed spray to be most effective, the weeds should be growing actively ... with all the rain we have had, the weeds ARE really growing actively. So, I’m saying that right now is a great time to attack creeping Charlie and any other broad leaf weed in your lawn. A fall application of spray will catch the weed seedlings as they germinate, giving you a clean sweep going into spring. Tough weeds…

There’s a first time for everything. I had one last week when I purchased my first brand new major household appliance. I’ve purchased brand new TVs, computers and furniture before, but never an appliance. When I bought my house eight years ago, the refrigerator, range, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer all came with the house. I really hesitate to type this, but so far only the washing…

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on October 8, 1926:   CROW HUNTERS FAIL TO BAG MANY BIRDS   Total of Only 103 Crows Killed in First Crow Hunt Staged by Local Izaak Walton League   LOSING TEAM TO GIVE WINNING TEAM A FEED   Second Hunt will be Staged Next Month, When it is Hoped More Favorable Weather Will Prevail.   A total of one hundred three crows were killed in the three-day…

The Minnesota Northern Gardener magazine was in my mail box today, and there is an article about a new disease showing up in roses in the Midwest ... Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. The disease is rampant in southern states because of milder weather. Rose rosette disease (RRD) is caused by a virus which is carried by a microscopic mite. The tiny, wingless…

And now they are 2. The baby girls who became our granddaughters two years ago have had their birthdays — one in June and one in July. So the family is blessed with not one, but two, completely illogical people. Webster defines logic as “a proper or reasonable way of thinking about something.” A 2-year-old is not a logical creature, especially regarding property rights. We were about to cross the…

It’s Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, and the sun is rising over the bike path in my back yard. I’ve had my first cup of coffee and fed the stray calico kitty who now lives on our deck. (Because we are clever we have named her “Deck Kitty.”)  I haven’t yet cast my ballot for oatmeal or scrambled eggs, but there will be a winner. Oatmeal is pulling ahead in the polls because it comes with the…

Several weeks ago, my sisters and I and my parents planned holiday dates for the Kroontje Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. While we were busy entering the dates into our smartphones, Mom made an off-hand remark that stopped us mid-text. “It’s a blessing to be able to plan for the future,” she said, returning her calendar to its nail in the kitchen wall. It took us awhile for the observation…

The following was found in an atlas dated 1886:   ORGANIZATION OF ROCK COUNTY   Prior to its organization Rock County was attached to Jackson for civil and judicial purposes, and when, in the winter of 1869-70, the Legislature passed the enabling act, there was but comparatively little talk or agitation of the question. However, after the passage of the bill, in July or August, 1870, the Governor…

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on November 20, 1896:   The Northwestern long distance telephone line with headquarters in Skauge’s drug store, is completed as far west as Salem. All important towns along this route will be supplied with instruments. Last week the work of stringing the wires from Minneapolis to Fargo, N. D., was finished and as soon as the instruments are placed…

Since my middle school years, I've had an interest in politics. I think it actually is important who is elected and I think it matters how our elected officials act and react to people and situations. In my opinion, our candidates reflect on us as a nation, and their character counts. So, as you can probably imagine, I'm not enjoying this campaign season. This election season is like a…

Just a second while I strap on my spurs because I am about to get on my high horse. A year ago on this page I wrote about the rising cost of health care because of the Affordable Healthcare Act, otherwise know as Obamacare. Well, affordable health care is anything but affordable. Premiums are skyrocketing beyond belief and at the same time deductibles are reaching five figures in an effort to…