Columns/Opinion

Just a couple thoughts

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 9:38am

The governor of Virginia, and the man who is third in line to replace him are both in political trouble for appearing in blackface about 35 years ago.

Diverse explorations await in two Midwest National Park units

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 9:37am

With our National Park Service (NPS) back up and operating, here are a couple interesting tidbits. I only hope a second partial government shutdown hasn’t occurred in the period between when I wrote this and when it’s published.

Nebraska

There have been many ‘good days to stay inside’

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 9:34am

A neighbor said it was a good day to stay inside. It was blustery, but the trees of the yard did what they could to offer protection from the wind.

There was a hint of skunk smell in the air. Pepe Le Pew said, "When you are a skunk, you learn how to hold your breath for a long time.” Skunks aren’t true hibernators. They go into torpor. Their varied diet makes it easier for them to find food in winter when needed. Thanks to at least one being out and about, my nose experienced a fetid odor.

Eggs are stars of sweet pepper appetizer, baked frittata

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 9:30am

Cold and snowy weather days have given me a chance to catch up on my reading — about food.

Because I subscribe to Eating Well magazine, I found myself grabbing a copy of a special edition of this magazine titled, “What to Eat for Life.” I was in a check-out line and a wreath rainbow of colored fresh fruits and vegetables on the cover caught my attention.

Then I started reading it and a week or so later, I'd read it cover to cover.

I learned some things about the food we eat and found some things I believed to be true, reinforced.

SIDE TRIPS ENHANCE MAIN DESTINATIONS

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 9:25am

Angkor Wat did not disappoint us. When we are going to be in Thailand for longer than three weeks or so, we always pick another destination outside of Thailand. These side trips add to our growing list of “been there” places in the world. This year, it was Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Warm up the house with cookie baking

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 02/05/2019 - 12:41pm

Sidelined by the cold temps, I have been inside reading and making cookies.

In truth, I've also been putting away holiday decorations and sorting through some family items too. But by the end of the day, I am in the kitchen, where I like being the most.

Cleaning out my purse, I found a recipe for meringue cookies I'd copied down while in the waiting room at a doctor's office. I had tried it a year ago, but they hadn't turned out quite like the ones I like buying at Trader Joe's.

Triple A award one of high school league’s best honors

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 02/05/2019 - 12:39pm

One of my favorite awards for students is the “Triple A” Award. The Academics, Arts and Athletics Award, referred to as the “Triple A” Award, is sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League and was established in 1988. The award goes to a high school senior boy and senior girl who have a 3.00, or better, grade point average and who excel in league-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities.

The Chatfield AAA winners are Larissa Martin and Jack Tuohy. Larissa is the daughter of Tiffany Strande and Jack is the son of Dan and Terry Tuohy.

No destination remains the same

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 02/05/2019 - 12:38pm

The first (and only other) time I have been to Cambodia was very different than this week’s visit. This time it was far more formal.

Now is perfect time to plan those 2019 vacations

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 02/05/2019 - 12:37pm

How disappointing… We missed it, if only by a tiny bit!

Jan. 29 was the annual National Plan for Vacation Day date. After a little online research, I now realize this is a yearly thing that occurs the third Tuesday of January. Gosh darn it, isn’t there a day for just about any hobby, animal or whatever?

A well-hidden Christmas gift delivered in January

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 02/05/2019 - 12:35pm

I was dealing with an eyebrow that had become a curb feeler or something seen in one of those creepy movies shown at the local drive-in movie theater, the long-closed Passion Pit, when my wife happened upon a forgotten Christmas gift. I knew it would happen. It happens each year. We’d purchased the gift early and my wife had put it away in a good place where we wouldn’t forget about it. Maybe it was forgotten so the finding would flabbergast. Someone received a late Christmas gift of underwear.