Montana's work on the roof of The Little House was timely because it rained. Sinai received about .35". About 4 miles SE of town my cornfield was blessed with 1". Scottie, who live about ten miles west of town reported .15". "The rain falls on the just and the unjust" Jesus said. A few farmers with soybeans left to plant are waiting for dry weather. Haying has just begun.
Takk for alt,
Al
About nine o'clock last night my neighbor, Josh the cook, texted me. "The ventilator on your roof is askew." The Little House has two vents that access the attic. They are the kind that have a whirly gig on top that spins with the wind. Sure enough the west one's top was half off. Josh again, "I'll call Montana." Montana is the neighbor next over.
A few minutes later Montana calls me; "I fixed the west ventilator, it just need a screw. But, the top of the east ventilator is totally gone, have you seen it?" No, I hadn't seen it. Montana again: "I'll seal the opening to protect the house from rain." (It did rain today.) Then my phone's text notification sounds. It's a text from Montana with the description of the missing part available at Lowes in Brookings.
This entire process took less that thirty minutes. At least one reader will be pleased to know that I don't climb on roofs anymore. After I've been to Lowes for the needed part Montana will affix it. Wow! Such helpful neighbors! Yes, I'm grateful!
Sixty years ago this weekend I graduated from Augustana College (now University) with a BA in History. Graduation was on Sunday, six days later, on Saturday, Joanne and I were married. The wedding was at First Lutheran in Sioux Falls. If these things transpired 60 years ago I most be as old as dirt!
Takk for alt,
Al
In September 2023, Augustana celebrated 100 years of homecoming on campus. At the end of May, Augustana will bring the celebration to Oslo. From Friday, May 31-Sunday, June 2, AU alumni, staff and friends will gather in Norway’s capital to celebrate community, alumni achievement and tradition — including a special worship service.
Joanne's parent's, Rev. Oscar and Myrtle Hanson, and Joanne, founded this congregation.
Today is one of those days without an original thought. Dinner at the bank at noon and the owner was present. The town grain elevator is searching for a new manager. So, I suggested to the banker that the bank take over the elevator. It could be called "Citizens State Bank and Elevator." He saw the humor but it doesn't seem likely to happen. Across the street from the bank is the vacated American Legion Hall since the Legion disbanded. Full of good ideas, I suggested that the bank open a Mexican Restaurant in the building...no takers on that either.
The day did feature two delightful conversations with cousins. It's the gift of the telephone, properly used. Joanne's fear that I'd be a social isolate has not come to fruition.
Takk for alt,
Al
Routine is a friend that makes life manageable. Kaia spent the time I was gone at doggy camp, aka dog kennel in Brookings. She emerged yesterday, overjoyed to see me, but, apparently no worse for the wear. Back at The Little House we quickly resumed our routine. After her days at camp I made sure to give her a good run this morning, and does she love to run? Yes!
The corn planted some days ago has yet to emerge. Some rainy weather and cool conditions may slow its germination. When all else fails remove cedar trees from the road ditch. Even spotted some hoary puccoon. Look that up in your Funk And Wagnalls.
Takk for alt,
Al
My car has travelled 1496 miles since I left Sinai last Wednesday. It was in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa in addition to South Dakota. The trip was made with out incident and for many of those miles I was comfortably ensconced in the back seat. Chauffeured travel is very nice. We were blessed with a trip without incident.
The Little House was a welcome sight after all those miles. Three nights in the OFH, one going and two returning, and two nights in a motel. Am I home? or, is the OFH home? Perhaps the answer is "Yes". Is it possible to have two homes, or, does home imply singular? Clearly I have two residences. Such large issues with which I wrestle, or rassle 😃.
Takk for alt,
Al
Geraldine Thompson, who died in November was inured today. The inurement was preceded by a memorial gathering in church. The gathering was informal, folksy, reverent and respectful. Gerry had grown up in the community went off to St. Olaf College, where she sang in the choir and, from which she graduated. She went on to a career in education, beginning as a music teacher but most of her time was as a school counselor. For many years until her death she lived in Dayton, OH. She had no children and was the last survivor of her immediate family.
The community of her youth was Storden, MN., and the rural church was Amo Lutheran. Other than Lisa and I, those gathered were persons from her youth; family and friends. Geraldine was a counselor in Hopkins, MN. High School while Joanne was a high school counselor in neighboring St. Louis Park. On an outing for school counselors they shared hand lotion in the women's room. This began a life-time friendship. Gerry was Lisa's baptismal sponsor. In the last few years Lisa's work brought her regularly to Cincinnati so she frequently travelled to Dayton to visit Gerry.
Since that fateful encounter in 1966, Geraldine, and subsequently her father and brother, her mother died in 1968, became a significant friend of our family. We visited her in Dayton and annually she'd visit us in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa or Minnesota. I was invited to preside on her father's re-marriage, conduct a funeral service for her brother and give an eulogy at her father's funeral. Attendance at today's service is the last opportunity for me to serve the family.
Takk for alt,
Al
Amo Lutheran Church
485 Miles today and I'm back at the OFH...it's a very good place. I should spend more time here!
Takk for alt,
Al
Joanne's only sister, Mary,... her funeral was today at Shepherd Of The Prairie, Lutheran Church, Huntley, IL. Since Mary, and her husband, Chris, moved to the area from Bethel, CT., they were very involved in this vibrant congregation. Mary, younger than Joanne but older than their brother, Mark, missed being a 'leap year's baby' by one day.
Mary had struggled with Parkinson's for several years. Chris steadfastly cared for her at home. Their three children have nine children. Mark also has a large family, consequently the family section of the funeral was sizeable. Teaching elementary students was Mary's passion which she did until she retired.
May God bless the memory of Mary Trodahl.
Takk for alt,
Al
Where you might say? Algonquin, Illinois is the here we're at. Rode the entire way in the backseat. Being chauffeured is a treat to which I could get used. Traffic wasn't very heavy and the few constructions sites only slowed us a little. So, in my dotage I have another first, sleeping in Algonquin. How exciting is that? 😁
The weather is fine and the driving superb. The trip did remind me of a long held opinion. Wisconsin has way to many trees. There's no sense to any state having so many trees! Take South Dakota now, there it's easy to appreciate a tree since there isn't a surfeit. Ya, then...
Takk for alt,
Al
PS Have either of you been to Algonquin?
Kaia was left behind in 'doggy day camp' in Brookings as I motored to the OFH. A month's worth of mail awaited me, and the outside of the apartment windows were washed in my absence. It's been almost a month since I was here. This is the first stop on the journey to Mary Hanson Trodahl's, Joanne's sister, funeral in Crystal Lake, IL. Being here so little of late, other inmates as me if I'm new. "No" I say "I'm certifiably not new." My birth certificate attests to that. It does seem strange to be here without Kaia, I hope she's having a good time. Tomorrow it will be onward to Illinois. Oh yes, I have two travel companions! 😀
Takk for alt,
Al
The weather forecast was for rain last night and today. Indeed it rained, the kind of rain that does the most good. My rain gauges showed 1.5" over the last 12 hours. Perhaps that's about a perfect amount and coming over several hours does the most good. Could soil absorb more than that? It's questionable. Crops, pastures, hay fields and trees all celebrate.
There must be a powerful low front off to the southeast. The wind is howling here, from the northwest, with gusts into the 40s. Here's hoping that no one is suffering hard weather.
For the second time this week, Josh who lives next door is sending dinner to me. Sunday night it was a meal of ribeye steaks Tonight it will be chicken fettucine. Yes, he's a great neighbor and I'm grateful.
Takk for alt,
Al
Sunday's dinner.
Rain is in the forecast beginning tonight. With that in mind I completed planting my final food plot today. This is the one with brood mix and sorghum. There's enough moisture in the soil to enable germination. Rain will enhance early growth. Pheasants are nesting and soon the earliest broods will hatch. Hopefully the brood mix will help the chicks find insects for the protein they need.
Prior to the pandemic in 2020 the Minneapolis VA Hospital had a audiology walk-in clinic. It was handy for small issues with hearing aids. The clinic closed in 2020 and has never opened again. The VA audiology department is very helpful when one has an appointment. But there's the catch, it takes a few weeks to get an appointment.
My current hearing aids use tubes to transmit sound from the microphones behind the ear into the ear. Last week one of those tubes failed. An internet search for a local dealer selling the typed of aid I have, Phonak, located one in Brookings, just a few miles away. The technician there quickly fixed my aids this morning and only charged $20. It is very helpful to have such assistance nearby.
Takk for alt,
Al
Yesterday was corn planting day, and it was successfully completed. As I write this it is raining so an ideal situation subsequent to planting. For some mysterious reason sixty five pound bags of corn are more difficult to lift to the six foot high tractor fender. Aren't weights stable? May 18, is a good date for corn planting though the corn in most of the surrounding fields has already emerged. May is plenty early for wildlife plantings. Had not there been tire issues planting would have been a few days earlier.
One food plot remains to be seeded. That will be planted to sorghum and brood mix. The brook mix attracts insects on which pheasant chicks feed for their necessary protein. The sorghum is good winter feed for the pheasants. Given a choice I think pheasants would choose sorghum over corn.
Takk for alt
Al
There was a six day wait for tire repair. I called for repair Thursday afternoon and repair was complete Wednesday afternoon. Reading was a good pastime during the wait and the book I chose had a fascinating epigraph: "Can't Leave Until The Dog Dies." I'm late unto this author as this is her 20th book! Yet. it's the first of hers that I have read. It's not a new on either, copyrighted in 2015.
The book in question is A Spool Of Blue Thread, by Annie Tyler. Reading the notes included with the book tells that her books focus on relationships, which is true of Thread. With an interest is family systems and, with a good story teller, it was an enjoyable read.
The extended family in the book need to deal with parents who are aging but resisting relocating out of their house Red's sister in conversation with her aging brother; "'We're to independent for a retirement community' Red told her. 'Independent? Bosh. That's just another word for selfish. It's stiff-backed people like you who end up being the biggest burdens."' P. 132 Yup. the old person's fetish "I'm going to die in my house."
Likely I'll read more of Tyler, this one was a New York Times bestseller.
Takk for alt,
Al
Several weeks ago when I chopped the corn stalks in the fields there was a significant amount of corn kernels on the ground in one field. Birds have scoured the field and when I plowed it yesterday I saw nary a single kernel. That's very helpful because corn does not like to be crowded and left over corn competes with that which is planted.
Today I tilled two of the fields in preparation for planting. The soil is appropriately mellow and worked into a good seedbed. It was one of those rare days when my ancient equipment operated as needed. The new tractor tires engender confidence.
Sighting a brown thrasher in my shelter belt made me happy. Very likely it is nesting in the cedars planted for wildlife cover. Brown thrashers are handsome birds but quite reclusive. They avoid human contact.
Takk for alt,
Al
PS In response to a question in the comment section from one of you: As a boy, we too, used grease to protect plowshares. Plow paint is specially formulated to adhere to the plowshare but release with friction. It protects against rust but when plowing it quickly rubs off the share.
Back in early April I began to work myself into farmer shape after months of leisure in the OFH. Then came six weeks of miserable weather and that conditioning was lost. Now that the tractor's operational again it's time to get back in shape.
Today I finished plowing and put the plow away for another year. The shiny plow-shares and mold-boards need protection from rust. If they rust plowing next year is difficult. The best protection is plow-paint. So, I painted, before parking the plow.
True the work is not physically all that demanding. But there is enough exercise to show that I need to get into 'farmer shape.' It's a 'good tired' that comes with a feeling of accomplishment.
Takk for alt,
Al
PS I decided not to buy the 48 row planter described is yesterday's blog.
Tractor and plow with Lake Joanne in the background.
While I pretend to farm on my hobby farm there are real farmers with whom I communicate. Ed, is one of those, and after seeing a picture of my '50s or '60s corn planter he thought that perhaps I should up-grade. To that end he sent me an ad from May 3, issue of TractorHouse Central. He very considerately found an ad for a used planter, knowing that I'd not be up for purchasing a new one. Actually it is several years old. His choice is 2015, wow 9 years old, John Deere DB 20. That's so much newer than my old four row. This one is a forty-eight row. The price is only $129,900.00. Likely I could negotiate it down that $900. I'll have to think about it. 😀
Tired tires are gone and the new tires worked fine as I plowed the first field. All three of my tractors now have new, or almost new, rear tires. As the tire repairman was leaving I said "Maybe we won't be meeting like this in the future." He's been around so much I consider him a friend. Will these last 43 years?
Takk for alt
Al
New
It's not surprising that they are tired, given that they are 48 years old! Manufactured in 1966, not 76 as previously reported, they are the tractor's originals. The repair guys said they hadn't seen anything like it! 😀 Likely the tractor has spent its life stored indoors which lengthens tire longevity. One look at the flat one elicited the declaration, "This isn't repairable." The one holding air is the same age. Consequently the servicemen will return tomorrow with two new tires.
Do you want guess what two tires cost? Today they are comparatively small measuring 16.9" on 14" rims. Two tires mounted at $1695.00. Given that this is South Dakota, known for regressive taxation, there likely will also be sales tax.
It was Thursday when I called for repair. Perhaps I'll do some plowing tomorrow, which is Wednesday.
Takk for alt,
Al
Many have posted beautiful pictures of the recent Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis. Growing up at this northern latitude far from city lights A. B. were not unusual. For a number of years we lived in northern North Dakota about 25 miles from the Canadian border. There the A. B. were often seen and frequently even south of us. I had even a more dramatic experience of them.
On a flight from Minneapolis to Bangkok, via Tokyo, I awakened at night. The GPS Flight Tracker on the monitor on the seat ahead showed that we were flying over Juneau, Alaska. Sitting in a window seat I raised the window shade to look at Juneau's lights, which indeed could be seeing. But flying at 40,000 feet we were flying through the A. B. Beautiful lights danced just outside the window and above and below us. It was a spectacular sight and lasted for a significant time.
Two nights ago I stood on my front steps at 3:00 a.m. looking north to see if I could see the A.B. Nothing was visible from that perspective and a warm bed was more persuasive than a drive to the countryside. The flight through the A.B. was years before ubiquitous smart phones and taking pictures didn't occur to me. The lights live on in memory and that's not bad.
Takk for alt,
Al
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
The book of this report is Rules Of Civility, by Amor Towles. The title comes from a book by the Young George Washington Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company And Conversation, which features prominently in Towles' novel. There are 110 rules such as: "1st Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present." A character in the book suggests these rules are a form of "how to win friends and influence people."
This book, Towle's first novel, has been around awhile, copyrighted in 2011. Many have read his A Gentleman in Moscow, and I recently reported on his The Lincoln Highway. In Rules the narrator is a woman, with most of the action set in New York City in 1938. There were only a few places where it seemed a bit of a stretch that a woman would think or act like that. His subsequent novels have been largely in the masculine voice. He certainly tells a good story evidenced by this being a New York Times Bestseller.
Prior to writing Towles was an investment banker who was educated at Yale and Stanford. Rules travels much around high society in New York and he seems to be familiar with that world. The crisis of the book revolves around the question of moral character, particularly focused on one person. Redemption takes and interesting turn.
It's easy to recommend this as its a delightful read.
Takk for alt,
Al
Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls and you'll find its common name, Groundplum Milkvetch. So, how much did that help you? While more or less patiently waiting for tire repair Kaia and repaired to a pasture for my walk and her run. The short grass is not nesting habitat so Kaia can run to her hearts content without disturbing nesting birds.
In addition to doggy and human exercise the point of the walk was to look for native fauna. That's where Goundplum Milkvetch comes into the story. The pasture on which we walked/ran has never been plowed. Invasive smooth brome grass is the predominant species. It's a warm weather grass imported from the steppes of Russia. With its early growth and vigor it out-competes native grasses. If you have a lawn you may see some of its wider, taller leaves among your bluegrass. Brome is a good pasture grass so it's not all bad.
In another pasture native grasses are making a slow come-back. This is happening because a farmer grazes his cattle on it until July. He moved the cattle this week to graze on the smooth brome grass. This allows the late summer native grasses; primarily big and little bluestem, opportunity to flourish. Early burning would more quickly accomplish this restoration but it's in place where it would be difficult to control the fire.
It's gratifying to find a native forb like Groudplum growing in a difficult environment. It has survived weed spray, competition from brome grass and grazing livestock. The berries of Groundplum are edible, said to taste like peas. Perhaps later in the summer I'll sample them.
Takk for alt,
Al
![[photo of flowers]](https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/astragalus-crassicarpus-1.jpg)
Racemes of 5 to 15 pea-shaped flowers. Flowers are about ¾ inch long with an erect broad egg-shaped upper petal, notched at the tip, and 2 small lower petals that are mostly horizontal. The tubular calyx holding the flower is purple tinged with several prong-like appendages at the tip end. Flower color ranges from pinkish purple to lavender to blue-violet. A plant has several to many clusters on stalks up to 4 inches long arising from the leaf axils. From Minnesota Wildflower.
What is your experience of waiting for a repair person to come? The dispatcher when called yesterday for tire repair thought the repair truck may make it today. It's 2:00 pm and no luck yet. Meanwhile I'm mostly patient though the wet weather through which I've waited ups the ante. After waiting weeks for the fields to dry now that they are dry enough waiting for tire repair does challenge my patience.
For wildlife planting there is sufficient time. However, after relatively idle days while waiting for the soil to dry I'm keen for the activity. With nesting season in full swing for pheasants and ducks I'm reluctant to allow Kaia to run in grasslands. It's best not to risk her disturbing the birds as they nest. That also limits cedar pruning and rock picking.
The real issue in waiting for repair persons is loss of control. Most of us relish control and the schedule of the repair person denies us that control. Perhaps it's best thought of as moral exercise, and no doubt, my morals can use the exercising.
Takk for alt,
Al
Well not a sower yet, but, a man went out to plow (or plough as the English would spell it.) So why did he not plow/plough? Because a few miles down the road, and still short of the field, a tractor tire went flat. Imagine a tire made in 1976 not holding air? Well, that sound was air escaping the tire. So a rendezvous with the mobile tire repair person and his truck awaits. Will they arrive tomorrow and if not do they work Saturdays? Time will tell and the man waits more or less patiently.
A nice farmhand from South Africa provided a ride to a nearby farm where a farmer gave the man a ride back to town. Had the South African not happened by the man was about to call the local banker for a ride. Next time.
That's the story by which the man abides.
Takk for alt,
Al
With my 1976 tractor and semi-mounted plow of the same vintage parked in front of the shop I have a concern. That places them on Main Street. Therefore, any farmer driving through town will go by them. The concern is for the jealousy they may feel seeing that equipment. Perhaps it just can't be helped!
Takk for alt,
Al
The aforementioned machinery.
Last night Mary Trodahl, Joanne's sister, died. She suffered many years from Parkinson's, as did her father, the late Rev. Oscar C. Hanson. Mary had been in home hospice care for a brief time. She resided near Crystal Lake, IL.
Mary graduated from Minnehaha High School, Minneapolis and Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. Mary taught school for many years in Minnesota, California, New Jersey and Connecticut. In retirement she moved, with her husband Chris, to Crystal Lake, She is survived by her husband, Chris, two daughters, a son, and nine grandchildren. Her brother, Mark Hanson also survives her.
Mary's delight was in her family for whom she was a great wife, mother and grandmother. Chris has been the primary care giver these last years rising to heroic efforts for Mary's care.
Rest in peace, good and faithful servant, Mary.
Takk for alt,
al
With hopes of planting someday, I serviced my old corn planter today. Working in the wind tires me out! Gusts were up to 40mpr! Uffda! Forecast is for rain this evening. Talked to a BTO who said he'd finished planting corn before this wet weather set in. Perhaps that's true of several farmers. Saw one tractor in the field yesterday and it looked, from my vantage point on the road, that it was recreational tillage.
Takk for alt,
Al
Vintage corn planter behind a 74 year old tractor (old picture).
Graduating from Marine Corps Boot Camp mid-December 1959, we graduates were sent home on two weeks leave whether we wanted it or not. The Corps didn't want us hanging around over the holidays. This was before ubiquitous air travel. While getting us to San Diego for Boot Camp we'd been flown from Omaha, my first airplane trip. Getting home on leave was left up to us. It was a two day trip by bus, which was what we could afford.
Much of the trip was on U.S. Highway 30, for me from Salt Lake City to Omaha. Highway 30 took Ed almost to his farm in eastern Iowa. Little did I know, as I made that trip three times, that it was the "Lincoln Highway", the first transcontinental highway which begins in Times Square, New York City and ends in San Francisco. There's clear memories of going through Rock Springs, Rawlins and Cheyenne, WY.
Lincoln Highway is the name of Amor Towles' (A Gentleman In Moscow) lengthy (567 pages) novel. It's a fun story well told. Towles has interesting characters who engage. Not much time is spent on the Highway. While not the most profound read there are some keen insights. An example is an old man who describes life using a diamond. He thinks life is like a diamond lying on it's side. Beginning at the point, life expands for a significant time. Then at the diamond's apex life begins to move toward a narrowing. That's certainly descriptive of my experience. As my life narrows I find myself at peace with this reality, full of gratitude for what came before, content with what is and anticipating the future.
Read this book for a fun story filled with interesting characters and some interesting Biblical reflections, like 'turning the other cheek.'
Takk for alt,
Al
While I'm only a hobby farmer I have a farmer's obsession about rain. It comes naturally having grown up on a farm where rain was often marginal. With that as prolog, it rained again last night, perhaps not a lot but enough to keep fields wet. The good news is that the weather app for the next ten days predicts NO rain!😀 Fields should dry.
Apparently some farmers had most of their corn planted before these rains set in. There is no news about any soybeans planted yet. It's still early and the soil is cold.
The bake sale at the locker this morning was impressive. The butcher's wife grew up in the local Hutterite Colony. The Hutterites often have much for sale to the community. She was busy baking for the bake sale. Many loaves of bread including sour dough, hamburger buns, caramel rolls, angel food cakes, were available as well as strawberry/rhubarb jam. There were also apple pies baked by their eleven year- old daughter.
Most of the bread I eat is sandwich thins. The sour dough bread purchased toasted made a tasty lunch. Topped with the jam, it was a real treat.
Takk for alt,
Al
It's been a week since the rain came and field work stopped. There has been little drying since. Each time there has been a bit of drying more rain, though very light, has come to keep fields wet. Today there was some drying and rain is predicted tonight. Ah, the patience needed by farmers.
While it can be a bit boring for me the wait doesn't really matter for wildlife food plots. The critters do the harvest so nothing needs to be dry for storage. Perhaps the earlier I plant the greater the seed production but that's not a major issue.
The frogs in the pond across the street are very noisy until the temperature drops at night. Then they go silent until it warms up and they resume their singing. Where were they last summer when the pond went dry? Underground?
Takk for alt,
Al
The internet instructions led to a perfectly done Cornish Game Hen!
When asked if I cook my usual response is "I prepare meals." Arguments could be made about the definition of cooking. To me is seems to imply the use of recipes, etc. That's why I reference preparing without claiming cooking.
Being introduced to an air fryer has taken meal preparation to a new level. On a visit to the OFH Barb and Gale told me about air fryers, reporting that they were on sale at Costco. On their advice I purchased one. Air frying in my kitchen really took off when Lisa told me to Google cooking times and temperatures. With that tip air frying became a significant part of meal preparation, so much so that I bought a second one for The Little House.
Perhaps air fryer is a misnomer. In reality they are mini-convection ovens that cook via hot air. Simple to use, living on the kitchen counter, and easy to clean it's my second best friend, after Kaia. Since learning how to use it, i.e., discovering the wisdom of Google, I eat fewer meals out. Tonight my experiment will be using it to cook a Cornish Game Hen.
Takk for alt,
Al
A few years ago the township board notified landowners that they must remove trees in the road right -of-way or the township would do it an landowners expense. On one particular mile stretch the cedars had grown, unmolested for many years. Chris came to help clear them. His childhood in the state of Washington had rendered him proficient with a chain saw. With his help we got the ditch cleared of trees.
Ever since then I've monitored the ditch for cedar seedlings. The fields are still wet from the recent rains, more predicted tonight, so fieldwork is at a standstill. This morning was a good time to walk a stretch of ditch, clippers in hand, to remove the young cedars that have sprung up. It's quite simple when they are small, long before they require chainsaw surgery. Coniferous trees cut below the bottom branch do not regrow.
Takk for alt,
Al
