“The Good Old Days” -By Tom

A Day Out

Lately, I have been thinking about my early years and how my daily activities have changed.

Today when the temperature gets down around 20 below, many of us hide in a warm structure until the temperature gets above 0. Years ago we spent our time outside doing what our jobs required. It was cold, but since one could do nothing about it, we simply did the things that needed to be done.

I remember one day that probably would be lived differently if it were to occur today. Before going to do the morning milking, a trip to the pickup shed was needed to plug in the dipstick heater. It's colder than 20 below and the pickup would be needed to go cut wood. The sky was a black dome with stars all over it. (Today there is so much light reflection it is hard to see stars.) After milking, silage and grain feeding, breaking the ice in the water tank, taking the pigs some warm water and eating breakfast it was time to add some more clothes. Long johns were already on, but the feet needed special attention. A pair of white cotton socks came first, followed by thick home knit wool stockings, covered up by a pair of felt shoes. The last foot covering was a pair of 4 buckle overshoes. On the way out to the pickup, one needed to stop at the barn and give the cows some hay. Now grab the axes and head for the woods.

The destination today is an area of dense aspen or poplar growth that was becoming mature and needed to be cut for firewood. Dad and I walked about 100 yards through kneedeep snow to our destination. We had no chain saw and didn't like to use a cross-cut saw on trees about 10 inches in diameter, so an ax was used. The first thing to do is to locate a place that would be most centrally located

Kuehne

for a brush fire. We each began chopping trees separated by enough space to not fell a tree on each other. A paper feed sack was crushed and covered by as many small dead limbs as we could find on the first few trees we dropped. When it looked like there was enough dry limbs to get a fire started, the sack was lit with a farmer's match. As the fire grew from the dead limbs, we began to put the rest of the limbs on from the cut trees. The result was a large fire that gave warmth that was appreciated. Since we both were taking limbs off trees, sometimes putting additional limbs on the fire became quite warm on the exposed facial skin. Time to drop more trees until the brush pile cools down.

Time to stack the wood lengths on a pile that will dry when weather gets warmer. The tops of trees were put under where the pile would be and the wood lengths were carried over and stacked on the lengths to create a pile. Some butt lengths of the larger logs were too heavy to carry, so they were cut into shorter lengths that could be carried. The result is a beautiful stack of firewood.

It's getting close to noon, we just heard the train whistle from town, so we need to load our axes and warm bodies back in the pickup and get back home for dinner.

It's been a good day, because we can see the pile of accomplishments for our labor. This is a special thing, since it seems that whatever is done on the farm needs to be redone that day or the next day. This applies to feeding animals, chopping frozen silage, milking or shoveling out gutters. It also gives an opportunity to spend time away from the farm duties.

P.S. It's still 10 below.

For feedback or story ideas, email Tom at tom@swanvilleinsurance.com.

If you need help with Health or Life Insurance or for Senior Health Solutions Contact: Tom Kuehne 320-360-0343

From the Desk of Pastor Bruce

“Who are you?” It’s a simple enough question, but most of you would have to think about it. For me… I am a pastor, a husband, a father and grandpa, a carpenter, uncle, cousin, brother… and the list is almost endless of who I am. In the movie “Overcomer” (which is very good and I highly recommend it) the man in the hospital bed asked John, who was a basketball coach at a Christian School, “Who are you?” After one main business in town announced its closer, the basketball team, who was to win state the following year, began to dwindle. John was asked to coach cross country, and only one girl with asthma showed up for practice. It seemed like John’s life was falling apart.

“Who are you?” and John started to describe who he was. And the man in the bed said, and if the coaching job was taken away, who are you. And then the teaching job was taken away, and Lord forbid, your wife was taken away… who are you? John’s answer

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was, well I’m a Christian. And how important is that to you? John’s answer was, “It’s very important.” The guy in the bed said, “that’s interesting. How come it was so far down your list of who you are?"

So, my question to you is… “Who are you?” What defines you? Ephesians 2 says that because of God’s love for me, I am made alive with Him. I am God’s workmanship, created for good works. I am brought near to Jesus and made a citizen of the family of God. Not on my own, but through the blood of Jesus and His forgiveness.

Live like you are a child of King Jesus. Amen.

-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916

MELROSE AMERICAN LEGION - Post 101

Corner Pub & Grill

Freeport, MN • 320-836-2120

HAPPY HOUR: Mon.-Wed.: 4:30-6:30 PM $3.00

Thursday: All Day/Night $2.50

COOKS WANTED Watch for Friday Lent Specials!

Nightly Specials

Dine In Only - With Beverage Purchase

Watch for our Seafood Specials for Lent!

Broasted Chicken Basket $8.50

Monday: (5-9 pm) $3 Build a Burger Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions (raw/fried), Mushrooms, Jalapenos, Sauerkraut, Cheese (Swiss, American, Pepper Jack) Toppings 50¢ each; Bacon 50¢ Slice

Tuesday: (5-9 pm) Choice of: 3 Chicken Strips w/Toast & Fries $7.50 6 Drummies w/Toast & Fries $7.50

Walleye Wednesday: (5-9:30 pm)

Walleye Fingers w/Fries $8.50

Lunch Specials: 11 AM-1 PM

Fri., Feb. 17: Cheeseburger w/Chili or Fries

Mon., Feb. 20: Creamy Sausage & Kraut Soup w/Hotdog on Bun

Tues., Feb. 21: Baked Chicken Dinner

Ash Wed., Feb. 22: Fish Sandwich w/Fries

Thurs., Feb. 23: Meatloaf Dinner

Fri., Feb. 24: Fish Sandwich or Cheeseburger w/Fries

Thursday Wraps: (5-9 pm) Choice of:

Grilled Chicken $9.00; Crispy Chicken $8.50; Buffalo Chicken $8.50; Taco $8.50; Philly Steak $8.50

Friday: (5-9 pm) STEAK NIGHT

• 6 oz. Steak $12 • Add 3 Shrimp $15

• 6 oz. Butter/Garlic Steak $12 • Add 3 Shrimp $15

• 6 Shrimp $9.00

Served with Coleslaw, Toast, French Fries or Baked Potato

Saturday: (4-8 pm) 1/4 lb. Hamburger $2.50

Toppings 50¢ each; Bacon 50¢ Slice

Double “R” Bar & Grill

Grey Eagle • 320-285-2965

FRIDAY: 5-9 PM

• Ribeye $22.95

• Teriyaki Chicken over Rice Pilaf $12.95

• Deep Fried Cod $14.95

• Chicken Fettuccine

Alfredo $13.95 or Shrimp

Fettuccine Alfredo $15.95 w/Breadsticks

MONDAY: 5-8 PM

$3 Off 14" Pizza

$2 Off 12" Pizza

Irish Italian Spaghetti www.doublerbarandgrill.com

SATURDAY: 5-9 PM

• Prime Rib $22.95

• Ribs $18.95

• Deep Fried Walleye $13.95

• Creamy Sweet Chili

Chicken, Wild Rice, w/Breadsticks $12.95 w/Breadsticks & Dinner Salad $9.95

TUESDAY: 5-9 PM

Burger Night $3.00

1/3 lb. Fresh Ground Hamburger on Brioche Buns!

Dine In w/Beverage Purchase

SUNDAY: 3-9 PM

• Steak & Shrimp $19.95

• 10 oz. Pork Chop $13.95

• 1/2 Chicken $10.50

• 1/4 Chicken $8.50

WEDNESDAY: 11 AM-9 PM

1-1/2 lb. Wings $8.00 $6 Baskets

Your Choice: Shrimp Basket, Angus Slider Basket, 1/4 Chicken Basket, Nachos or Quesadillas w/Beverage Purchase

Specials to go $1.00 charge

THURSDAY: 5-9 PM

Includes