The father, of one of my dearest friends Elaine Hanson, died in early June. He was a quiet, unassuming man. He loved his family and his God. When I was with my Elaine this summer, she told me of a letter she had found some time ago. The letter had been written by her father […]
Principally Speaking
My Grandma Myhrwold used to say, “There is so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us, it behooves us all not to talk about the rest of us.” That repeated phrase made a lasting impression on me that continues to guide my way. To me it […]
Principally Speaking
“You can tell more about someone, not by what others say about them, but by what they say about others.” This is one so worth repeating. As Francis Hodson Burnett said, “You learn things by saying them over and over and thinking about them until they stay in your mind forever.” In our society of […]
Principally Speaking
You have learned over these nearly five years that I am a passionate Norwegian (with Swedish and Danish mixed in). Celebrating the Norwegian Constitution Day, Syttende Mai (The 17th of May), has been a valued tradition in our family for nearly 45 years. When our son, Andrew, was a little boy, I woke him up […]
Principally Speaking
I used to teach with Sonja Tiedman in Forest City. Sonja recently retired, but I remember her as such a vivacious teacher, always showing such love and care to her students. She also had a great sense of humor and found joy so easily. One winter morning she listened as one of her students described […]
Principally Speaking
Our daughter, Maria, is a member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. This congregation often holds church gatherings at the homes of various members. A recent get together was held at the farm of the parish nurse. Because Maria is plagued with migraine headaches, most often triggered by smoke, scents, and weather changes, she […]
Principally Speaking
It started with a song, “The Fruit of the Spirit,” that we learned at worship. All the students and staff can now recite the fruits, based on Galatians 5:22-23, as the words flow through the recesses of our mind whenever we hear one of them: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Experiencing Life’s Joys
I listened to the Writer’s Almanac on May 7 while driving to school and learned that Beethoven’s 9th Symphony premiered on that date in 1824. It was his last symphony. According to historical reports, the hall was sold out and Beethoven himself dramatically conducted the orchestra. As he conducted, he stretched to his full height, […]
Fundraising Efforts are Underway!
The St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School Playground has been a home for fun, learning, and play to our school students as well as community members after school and every weekend. To meet the needs of children who are unable to play easily on pea gravel due to physical challenges, we are raising money to […]
Principally Speaking
The story goes that Sven, a Swede, moved into a house right across the street from Ole, a stout Norwegian in Northern Minnesota. Ole decided to go over and introduce himself. He nodded at Sven and said, “I’m your neighbor, Ole. I understand you’re a Swede then.” Sven looked squarely at Ole and replied in […]
