When in a group of people, there are two questions that I love to pose to anyone willing to venture into a discussion. One of the questions is, “What book are you reading right now?” This question can lead to a lively discussion about topical information, fiction or non-fiction. However, the other question I love […]
I ran into a former pastor of St. Paul’s, George Hanusa, at Wartburg’s Homecoming last weekend. We talked right away of the lasting gift he gave me the first year I was principal here. He and his wife, Janet, had come into the school after visiting the church. He told me the story of Mrs. […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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, […]
