New ebook available soon: Growing Up in Amery Please spread the word about the Elkfarm blog. If you enjoy the stories and photos, please pass the word to friends and family. The number of hits, openings, is not that high right now, and I feel like this poor wall climber just hanging on. (smiley face) […]
Beauty
Around Amery Lester Was a Fixture: Finished
Around Amery Lester Was a Fixture: Finished
Lester became part of the small town scene, a regular in the real life play that was Amery Wisconsin. He performed jobs for money and praise, ate when diner owners brought him plates of food, and slept at locations known only to a few. As a mute, he understood people talking to him but couldn’t […]
The Lady from Carolina: The Homespun Wife
The Lady from Carolina: The Homespun Wife
As the wife of a Baptist minister, Homespun Wife Sherry found herself committed to supporting her family’s welfare. She felt called to make their home as comfortable and safe as it could be. There. Now you know the origin of that title: The Homespun Wife. Sherry’s Early Years Both Carolinas became Sherry’s stomping grounds as […]
Ave Maria: I Never Heard It
Ave Maria: I Never Heard It
Growing up Lutheran, I enjoyed a number of advantages and learned a lot of good lessons. My Lutheranism was the laid back kind, not the pulpit thumping version. But one disadvantage of this background was never hearing the song Ave Maria in my growing up years. My city of Amery, heavily Protestant, had one Catholic […]
Cozy: What a Wonderful Idea:Updated
Cozy: What a Wonderful Idea:Updated
Winter is a great time for cozy, with the cold outside and the warm and friendly environment of the inside of a house. The word contains connotations of family, friends, and a refuge from a nasty exterior. Cozy. What a wonderful word. Filled with security implications and the idea that a person or persons […]
Salute to the Humble, Yet Noble Sandwich
Salute to the Humble, Yet Noble Sandwich
The lucious and ubiquitous sandwich with anything you choose to put between two slices of bread, or on one slice if you enjoy open-faced sandwiches as I saw in Norway: nearly all delicious. Britain‘s “biggest contribution to gastronomy” (did you know that?) Sandwiches have been a basic a part of my life, always easy […]
Emergency in the Barn; Nisse Story Concludes
Emergency in the Barn; Nisse Story Concludes
The kids stared at their aunt. Marianne froze for a few seconds. She positioned herself to reach through the slats to pick up the baby. She unwrapped her, unswaddled her by unwinding the cloth. Marianne knew to hold her upright, facing the nisse family, and reached around the baby so her fingers met at […]
Ice Fishing and Everything Ice: Updated
Ice Fishing and Everything Ice: Updated
Icefishing and ice covered lakes in the Midwest provide winter recreation galore. The photo above shows a fishing shack, auger, and a beautiful view of an early December moon. The ice is 2.5 inches thick according to James Church, the photographer. Even to some who live in Wisconsin or Minnesota, that might be iffy for […]
The Blizzard Begins
The Blizzard Begins
Announced by all the trumpets of the sky, Arrives the snow, and, driving o’er the fields, Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air Hides hills and woods, the river and the heaven, And veils the farm-house at the garden’s end. The sled and traveler stopped, the courier’s feet Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates […]
A Tribute to a Great Man
A Tribute to a Great Man
The funeral/ memorial service for Duane Nygaard at the First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, a joyful and a fond goodbye. The man was a true Christian, caring for others, especially those who were isolated and sick. My first contact with Duane He and I were friends for about 10 years though we didn’t […]
Some People are Very Special: Updated
Some People are Very Special: Updated
Some people have a wonderful way Of putting others at ease, They say and do little things That will comfort and will please. They have a special kind of warmth They’re quick to understand. And whenever there is trouble They lend a helping hand. The world of ours is a better place And […]
Wedding in the Berkshires
Wedding in the Berkshires
The day arrived and the wedding was perfect. The attendees were glad the day had finally arrived. Casual milling around in the wide spaces of this elaborate building (Cranwell, look it up) that accommodated crowds like this. We moved down the steps to the seats and soon the ceremony began. Lovely bridesmaids, but Eileen, sister […]
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Amery Area September Scenes, the Country and the Lakeshore
Amery Area September Scenes, the Country and the Lakeshore
Recently I took a few photos around Amery the week before the Fall Festival. Coming home on the 12th of September, I saw the sun going down about 7:15 and had to drive quickly to a spot to get a clear view. This was taken south of Deer Park, WI. Taking about a dozen photos […]
Claire: a Joke and Another Poem from Mineral Point
Claire: a Joke and Another Poem from Mineral Point
Claire interacts with Mineral Point resident. Just because Claire from Mineral Point seems to be a serious poet, a recluse, and unsocial, at times she shines. Coming down to the level of the grocery in her store she encountered Bill Blye, a Mineral Point resident. “Bill,” Claire said while picking out cans of food. “I […]
A Fine Labor Day in Galena, Illinois
A Fine Labor Day in Galena, Illinois
From Freeport, IL, where I’m staying, I drove west 55 miles to Galena. Thought it would be rainy, but by just after noon it cleared and was perfect weather. Difficult to find a parking spot but eventually found one on a side street and walked to the main street pictured above. Signed up for the […]