I’ve been quiet for a while. Not because I haven’t been paying attention but because work has been overwhelming and I haven’t had the time to digest what has been an unbelievably painful week. These are just a few of the things that happened. There was an abhorrent Mideast “peace accord” that essentially endorsed apartheid for Palestinians and a destruction …
Thomas Jefferson wanted us to be the most enlightened nation on Earth, then and forever, the most enlightened nation in human history. That meant we had to be the best-educated, best-informed, most peaceful and most harmonious nation on Earth. We had to become the very template for rational, productive, thoughtful and harmonious living. This is the real American Dream. We …
In an effort to shake off some of this winter’s cold, Ginny and I decided to head south for a few days, about as far south as we could without having to break out our passports. We ended up in Fort Meyers, Fla., nearly as far south as the southernmost point in the U.S., Key West, along with the other …
During the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee’s recent impeachment hearings, I was surprised to hear several constitutional law scholars cite Samuel Johnson’s “A Dictionary of the English Language” for definitions of treason, misdemeanors, bribery, etc, a reference to Dr. Johnson’s 1755 dictionary of the English language. It is not altogether uncommon to hear the name Dr. Johnson — usually in …
Photographer Michael Bogert captured the solitude of the countryside during the winter on a recent trip outside the city.
Amid all the talk of refugees and immigrants, and the mean-spirited people who want to stand in their way as they seek to become Americans, I thought I might just repeat here part of an article I posted about five years ago. I wish these people had known my mother. And two friends of hers, Adolf Schmidt and his wife, …
What do you do when Republicans refuse to take seriously what they would find absolutely appalling and outrageous, criminal and treasonous, disgusting and Constitution-threatening if it were done by a liberal Democrat? We all know that if the situation were reversed and Barack Obama had reached out to Pakistan to demand that it pretend to investigate Jeb Bush or Donald …
The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team, in need of a bounce-back performance after a 7-4 loss Friday night, gained a split in their National Collegiate Hockey Conference series with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the University of Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday night in Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Just like Friday night, when Westin Michaud gave them a 1-0 first-period lead, the …
After the Iranian attack on an Iraqi air base earlier this month we were told by President Trump that there were no injuries. However, this week, it turns out what the commander in chief told the U.S. was false. The numbered of injured was confirmed Friday to be 34. Seventeen of them have returned to duty. Eight have been returned …
The first-place University of North Dakota men’s hockey team had its eight-game unbeaten streak snapped with a 7-4 National Collegiate Hockey Conference loss to the University of Minnesota-Duluth on Friday night in Amsoil Arena in Duluth. The Fighting Hawks (18-3-3 overall, 9-2-2-2 NCHC) still have a five-point lead over UMD in the NCHC standings. The Bulldogs (13-8-2 overall, 8-3-2-0 NCHC) trailed …
Some things you just take for granted. Like opposable thumbs. When you lose the use of one (temporarily, I hope), you realize what a great invention they are. Here’s the rest of the story. I got a new recliner a couple of weeks ago, replacing a 10-year-old one that had served its duty. It was host to many naps, football …
Red meat cooked in a sauce has probably been popular since the earliest humans first tasted it — albeit in a much cruder form than we know today — thousands of years ago. Over centuries, this type of food has evolved into dishes such as beef Stroganoff, Salisbury steak and even the ubitquitous hamburger and gravy; the list goes on …
Bored mingling is suddenly interrupted by an almost familiar woman moonwalking into the White House press room with her middle fingers extended and aimed at the gaggle of journalists. “What’s up, jerks?” When she gets positioned behind the podium, the woman poses as if beseeching the harsh lighting to be kind and bellows in a deep, guttural baritone: “The Base’ …
Marlon Stewart scored 22 points and Filip Rebraca added 21 for the University of North Dakota men’s basketball team against North Dakota State University on Sunday in Fargo, but it wasn’t enough as the Fighting Hawks dropped a 83-74 Summit League decision to the Bison. UND (8-12, 2-4 Summit) dropped its fourth straight in conference play with the loss. NDSU …
Five University of North Dakota women’s basketball players scored in double figures, but it wasn’t enough as the Fighting Hawks dropped a 92-82 Summit League contest to North Dakota State University on Sunday in Fargo. Julia Fleecs led North Dakota ((12-7, 3-3 Summit) with 18 points. Lilly Keplin chipped in 13, followed by Olivia Lane with 12 and Maggie Manson …
In a surprising twist of fortune — or misfortune, I suppose, depending on your point of view — the company hired by Meridian Energy Group to design and build its oil refinery beside Theodore Roosevelt National Park is likely to file bankruptcy this week. Bloomberg reported over the weekend “McDermott International Inc. is preparing to file for bankruptcy as soon …
“I can. I will. Watch me!” was Oprah Winfrey’s mantra for her “2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus” tour. That not only resonated with me but also with the other 17,999 mostly women Jan. 11 in St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center. Never before have I paid so much to see anyone — $178.63 for my seat on the main floor, Row …
Last month, I began reporting on the apparent financial troubles besetting Meridian Energy Group, the company planning to build an oil refinery near the boundary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the North Dakota Bad Lands. Since then, I’ve received more information on the company, which I feel holds much merit and credit. I’m going to share some of that …
The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team avenged Friday night’s 6-3 loss to the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a 4-1 National Collegiate Hockey Conference win Saturday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Casey Johnson, with his his first goal of the season in just his seventh game, and Collin Adams, Mark Senden and Shane Pinto scored for the Fighting Hawks (17-2-2 …
The University of Nebraska-Omaha men’s hockey team snapped the University of North Dakota’s 15-game unbeaten streak and 13-game home ice win streak with a 6-3 National Collegiate Hockey Conference win Friday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Mark Senden, Grant Mismash and Jasper Weatherby scored goals for the Fighting Hawks (16-2-2 overall, 7-1-1-1 NCHC). Six different players — Taylor Ward, Joey Abate, …
Kacie Borowicz scored 15 points and Megan Zander and Julia Fleecs chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively, to lead the University of North Dakota women’s basketball team to a 63-57 Summit League win over the University of Nebraska-Omaha on Thursday night in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. UND improved to 3-0 in the Summit and 12-4 overall. UN0 (6-10 overall, …
The University of North Dakota men’s basketball team fought back from a double-digit deficit in the second half but fell short in a 66-62 Summit League loss to the University of Nebraska-Omaha on Wednesday in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Hawks (8-9 overall, 2-1) were led by Marlon Stewart, who scored 22 points. De’Sean Allen-Eikens chipped in 14 points …
It is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I am a citizen of a country whose leader is taking rogue actions, like assassinating a foreign general — albeit an evil one — without informing, to say nothing of having the support of allies or members of Congress. In addition, President Trump has been impeached for abusing power and withholding aid from …
Sometimes tomato sauces can get bogged down with too many flavors and laden with meat. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spaghetti sauce that is spiced up with herbs such as basil, thyme and oregano as well as containing good Italian sausage seasoned with fennel. But there are times when I’m in the mood for pasta and just …
The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team set a record for most consecutive home wins (13) in Ralph Engelstad Arena since it opened in 2001 and also pushed its season unbeaten streak to 15 games, the longest active streak in the nation, with a 5-2 win over the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday night. Five different players scored for …
Marlon Stewart scored 29 points to lead the University of North Dakota men’s basketball team to a 83-69 Summit League win over Purdue University Fort Wayne on Sunday afternoon in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Joining Stewart in double-figure scoring for the Fighting Hawks (8-8 overall, 2-0 Summit) were Filip Rebraca (12), Kienan Walter (12), Brady Danielson (11) and De’Sean Allen-Eikens …
Lilly Keplin scored 22 points and Megan Zander added 18 as the University of North Dakota women’s basketball team defeated Purdue University Fort Wayne 91-82 on Sunday in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Julia Fleecs chipped in 14 points and Jaclyn Jarnot had 12 for the Fighting Hawks (11-4 overall, 2-0 Summit League). The Mastodons fell to 4-11 overall and 0-2 in …
Jordan Kawaguchi and Grant Mismash each scored two goals and linemate Collin Adams chipped in three assists as the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team won its 12th straight home game, a 5-2 win over the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Friday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Cole Smith scored the other goal for the Fighting Hawks (15-1-2), while Christian …
New Year’s resolutions are easy to make. Promising to lose weight, give up fast food or exercise every day always feels doable when you’re working with a clean slate. Talk to us by the end of the month, and our convictions often are already waning. The same would seem true when it comes to faith in our Minnesota sports teams. …
Sometimes it is necessary to dig deeper behind the news story to really understand what is going on. I truly believe that is what is happening with the escalation of our conflict with Iran and to be honest, it is even more terrifying than it initially appears. The missing backstory to this warmongering is the belief by many evangelical Christians …
In his regular Tuesday morning column in the Grand Forks Herald this week, Mike Jacobs wrote, “This is the last day of a year that’s made just about everybody uneasy about the state of our politics. To use a flood analogy, it seems as if the waters have divided and are rushing down parallel ditches. And there’s nobody on the …
Bittersweet moment: dividing up my Pa’s incredible tackle box, what Jim described as the most well-appointed he had ever seen, to which I replied, “should be since it was his chief passion for almost 90 years.” My first memories of him fishing are set in an icy mountain stream near Colorado Springs, in the early 1960s. My mother would throw …
I want to add a couple or things to the Little Missouri River Crossing story I posted here earlier today. First Note: A little history, which you can read more fully by clicking on the link at the end of this note. I really didn’t become aware of the serious problems with this project until I attended a public meeting …
Well, here’s some good news. Six months ago, Billings County and the Federal Highway Administration signed a record of decision to proceed with a new bridge over the Little Missouri State Scenic River north of Medora, N.D. a bridge famously referred to as a “Bridge to Nowhere” because it has no apparent purpose other than to connect one isolated part …
I’d like to wish all my friends a Merry Christmas. Here’s a story I wrote in 2005. The clatter was tremendous. Decorative brass fireplace implements clanged off the brick hearth and a fine black cloud of soot billowed, and when it had cleared, there stood a man who looked just like the one in the Christmas cards — right down …
When you think of Christmas, what do you think about? For me, Christmas is magic. Not the kind we usually think of when we think of Christmas. By way of explanation, a short story. The first part of it may seem a little sad, but don’t worry, it has a happy enough ending. When I was 8 years old, my …
As promised to one of my readers, here is my Mom’s recipe for Hershey Dream Bars, which I mentioned in an earlier blog, as well as a few other favorites, including Grandma Menard’s recipe for Rolled Butter Cookies. I hope you have time to make these before Christmas! Hershey Dream Bars 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup shortening (butter or …
It’s the end of an era for sure: The last calendar from First State Bank in Ashby, Minn., hangs in our kitchen at La Farm as one has every year for probably over 70 years. I don’t know when the bank started printing the simple, austere calendar in red, white and blue with the black and white photo of the …
Sunday morning addendum No. 1: Lillian and I went to a Christmas party last night. I drank some wine. We came home and I drank some more wine and stayed up late and watched “Saturday Night Live.” I woke up this morning at 5:59 a.m. I rolled over and went back to sleep and got up at 8:44 a.m., 19 …
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a good assortment of cookies, bars and the like. At least that’s the way it was in our house when I was growing up. My mom always made sure we had plenty of goodies around Christmas, which was very pleasing to her three growing boys and their dad. I have fond memories of her …
You can tell a lot about a person’s character by how they respond to adversity. Implying the spouse of someone who voted to impeach you is in hell is reprehensible at any time, but when you are at a rally where you say you are celebrating Christmas, it goes beyond any form of human decency. I truly and deeply do …
Like the humble Rob Port, who brags that his defunct blog was “part of the fabric” (Only argali wool thread for Rep. Rick Becker) of “politics in North Dakota,” the unassuming Donald Trump also can’t be steam-cleaned out of the democratic socialist manufactured couch sitting by the capitalist Coke machine in the breakroom of our socialist State Mill. That’s because …
Olivia Lane scored 17 points and added eight rebounds to lead the University of North Dakota women’s basketball team to a 83-52 win over Mayville State University on Wednesday night in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Hawks (9-2) also received double-figure scoring performances from Maggie Manson (14) and Julia Fleec (10). The Comets (3-4) were paced by Kylee Heurung, who …
If there was ever a food that lends itself to leftovers, it is chicken. From casseroles to salads to enchiladas to pizza to sandwiches, the list goes on and on and on. Once every week or two, we roast a regular or smoked chicken, which we get from the Hutterites of the Forest River Colony, in a Dutch oven. This …