Columns/Opinion

Robes unneeded when eating with favorite spoon

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 9:59am

I have a couple of spoons that I favor when eating my breakfast cereal. The spoons are identical twins. They weren’t custom made for my mouth, so they aren’t huge, but they’re comfortable and familiar. Sometimes I have to hunt for one. A thing gains importance when you can’t find it.

“Why do you always have to use that spoon?” asked my curious wife.

“I like the spoon,” I answered.

“It’s no better than the other spoons,” she added.

I replied, “And it doesn’t pretend it’s better than other spoons. That’s why I like it.”

Certain stops can brighten up a long road trip

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 9:57am

It’s apparent that I do not enjoy long driving trips. However, there are definite bright points for every auto journey we undertake. One of those occurs regularly on the semi-annual trip to and between Minnesota and Arizona when we join the sunbirds on the regular migration.

Meat industry is scarier than zombies, witches and clowns

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 10:48am

Dear editor,

I have no fear of zombies, witches or evil clowns lurking on Halloween. What really scares me is the meat industry.

This is the industry that deprives, mutilates, cages, then butchers billions of cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens – animals who feel joy, affection, sadness, and pain, as we do.

The meat industry exposes undocumented workers to chronic workplace injuries at slave wages, and exploits farmers and ranchers by dictating market prices.

Area teams fight for chance to make state tournaments

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 10:47am

Dateline: Fountain, Minn.

That’s right, we’re spending a few days in Fountain, dog-sitting for Campbell, while daughter Cori and her family, Keith, Cal and Kiel take in their annual Texas Longhorn football game. It is a tradition for them that started back in 2004. This is the 15th year they’ve seen their favorite team play. They’ve been to Iowa State five times, Kansas twice (that’s where it started), Kansas State twice, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech and Texas. They are returning to Austin, the “mother-ship” for the second time.

Minnesota Historical Society to light up North Shore

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 10:46am

When thinking about special events to take in, keep an eye on the calendar of the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS), found online at www.mnhs.org/calendar. There are numerous events over the holidays.

Locally, we’re well acquainted with the MHS site at Historic Forestville. While its run of seasonal openings and special events has concluded for this year, those at other sites continue.

Turkey vultures play an important role in disease prevention

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 10:44am

T.S. Roberts, a physician known for his work in ornithology, reported that the turkey vulture, formerly more common, was still seen in fair numbers throughout the state of Minnesota in 1932. He cited several accounts from the late 1800s that indicated the species was abundant throughout many parts of the state.

He described them as abundant in east-central Minnesota in 1870; very common in the Red River valley in 1885; and seen every hour in the day in Otter Tail County in 1893.

Car trips have ups and downs

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 10:43am

Nothing seems to remind me of my advancing age as much as spending a lot of time in the car. I have never been fond of autos as a form of transportation. It has long been my expectation that if I can’t fly there, I can’t get there.

Weather should not be factor in fair competition

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:08am

I’m pretty much a “fair-weather fan” when it comes to football games. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve sat through snowstorms, and waited-out lightning delays, but to me, a football game should be played in weather that won’t affect my health, and a snowstorm or a lightning storm will affect my health.

Iowa Driftless offers fall geology and birding events

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:07am

As hunting seasons begin this fall – make sure you wear orange to be visible when out and about – I’ve found a few other activities worth noting. You might even want to get them on your calendars.

The National Trout Center (NTC) of Preston’s annual fall geology tour in mid-October sounded like another success. Unfortunately, a tooth filling that partially fell out kept me home that day. I had helped as a volunteer in planning some of the stops; I sure wish I could have taken part. Next year my teeth better cooperate!

Dan Feehan stands ready to lead

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:04am

As we cut through the campaign fog of sound bites and negative ads, there is an individual who stands more than ready to represent the First District in the House of Representatives. That man is Dan Feehan, the DFL candidate.