Æbleskiver Philosophy Preface: I claim to have 51% Danish ancestry because my paternal grandmother was a Dane and the matriarch of the family. In 2014, Ancestry.com analyzed my DNA, and they got it wrong because it didn’t come back as Danish. I married a close to full blooded Norwegian and we had interesting discussions about the virtues of Danes vs …
Grandpa Al’s Boat Ride
Preface: This true story is circa 1980. Grandpa Al’s Boat Ride The Luders and Stratton families shared some of the best times of our lives on the shores of Lake Pepin in Lake City, MN. Bob, Cheryl, and their kids, Jeff, Jennifer, and Nick, had a camper at Suza’s point and later moved to Smitty’s Campground, and even later, …
The Story of Stump
Preface: This is a true story. I was there the night of this momentous event. Most, but not all, of the Jaycees had nicknames, and I used them, or created them, for this story, and I know the history of some of those nicknames. Remember, I became a writer in my retirement so anything that happened in the past could …
The Ring
Preface: A miracle is not always front page news, a trending tweet, or a viral video on Facebook. Sometimes it is an ordinary event orchestrated by the Holy Spirit and Angels. This is a story of such a miracle. The Ring I arrived in Reisterstown, MD in mid-afternoon during the Fall of 2007. It had been a long journey from Iowa. My daughter was having surgery the …
You Never Know
Preface: This story was written several years ago as I began the transition from technical writing to story writing. My left brain tech friends will recognize this could have been written in four or five sentences in one paragraph. Story writing takes a few more words. You Never Know Winter days can be dismal, grey, cold, and lonely. A birthday forgotten by your family …
Culture Shock
CULTURE SHOCK My cousin Marilynn and I lost our spouses eleven months apart. Between those deaths she had lost her father who was a mentor to me. We teamed up to recover from the grief. We talked a lot. We spent some weekends together. We vacationed in the Wisconsin north woods together. She became the sister that I never had …
The Purse
Preface: The Holy Spirit brings people into your life for a reason, and this is one of those stories. A story about a chance encounter of two strangers; one departing without knowing what happened; and one departing with a lifestyle change; and neither knowing the name of the other. The Purse Most men, if they’ve been married more than 30 …
The Handshake
Preface: Everyone has moments in their lives that remain vivid in their memory. This story is one of my moments. You might need kleenex; I still do. The Hand Shake In August of 2004 Maxine and I went to Chicago to attend a wedding. We decided to take a few days for vacation and continue DePere, WI to see my …
The Bond Strengthens
Preface: This story, written in 2006, is about the journey of two very independent people working to recover after the death of their spouses. Both strongly believed you must get back up after you get knocked down but this time they couldn’t do it by themselves. The Bond Strengthens The 21st Century had been tough on cousin’s Gary and Marilynn. …
The Goose Glide
Preface: Watching wildlife helps us understand how we should behave. Take the time to watch the geese and learn from them. The Goose Glide The sun was bright in the mile high blue sky. Its rays warmed my back as I walked. The wind was gentle and the morning was fresh. I inhaled the clean crisp smell of fall air. …
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