Waking up shift workers in industrial England became a profession, a way to earn money. Using a variety of methods, they woke up people who had contracted with the “wakers”. Early attempts at waking people up meant knocking on room doors, but neighbors complained about the noise in the hallway. The solution was to rap […]
Humor
The Sexy Lady Just Wanted to Chat
The Sexy Lady Just Wanted to Chat
The friendly and sexy lady told me her name was Joyce, and she asked to be my friend on Facebook. That’s a process where someone clicks on a request and it goes out to the asked person. She looked pretty, she was young and voluptuous. Her face shouted: I’d sure like to be your buddy. […]
Clotheslines: Rules, Social Norms, and a Poem
Clotheslines: Rules, Social Norms, and a Poem
Hanging clothes on a clothesline. Simple, yes. Not always. Rules in each neighborhood and cultural region meant hanging had dos and don’ts. For us living in the country, it wasn’t so rigorous and rigid because neighbors were far away. Keillor and Bachelor Farmers First of all, one reference to hanging clothes and items son the […]
The Mile High Club in 7th Grade–Final
The Mile High Club in 7th Grade–Final
East of Amery a group of pre-7th graders gathered bravely to test weapons. We started a Mile High Club, not knowing that in the world outside of Amery it had a completely different meaning. Ours had nothing to do with airplanes or jets. The summer before our 7th grade year at Amery, a few of us […]
Christmas in Our Minds and Our Attics, Plus a Poem
Christmas in Our Minds and Our Attics, Plus a Poem
Christmas memories share a connection to tangible Christmas decorations. Each year at Thanksgiving, or earlier, we hear Christmas music and notice homeowners setting up outdoor displays for the holidays. Several years ago when I thought about those memories, I realized that taking them out of the attic paralleled opening up our mental Christmas vault. The […]
Underbed Fear, a Different Angle
Underbed Fear, a Different Angle
Under Billy’s bed a form emerged from a sizeable rat hole. Dark hits early in January, and in order to survive, land urchins needed to rest in warm overnight air. Ishda was only in his 12th year, just a baby. Billy loved going to bed, no fears ever. With his ball kerosene lantern throwing off […]
A Master Horseman Visits My Farm: Final
A Master Horseman Visits My Farm: Final
“I know horses. I’ve been around them my whole life.” His long, stringy pony tail and Harley vest with the misspelled Harly set this confident man apart from others who came to check out my pet horse. Looking for a small pony for his granddaughter, my mare Lilly might just be what he wanted. Along […]
Nasty Carl Calls his Teacher: Updated
Nasty Carl Calls his Teacher: Updated
Little Carl is confident, quite self assured, and often thinks he can call the shots when dealing with adults. Carl, called nasty by most who know him, soon will begin 4th grade. He calls his new teacher to get the power structure worked out before the first day of school. If you want to read […]
Don’t Chase That Horse! Updated
Don’t Chase That Horse! Updated
Our horse Lilly escaped her enclosure on a beautiful summer day. I spotted her across the road at the boat landing parking lot, dining on lush virgin grass. Grabbing the rope to lead her back, a young fellow pulled into the parking lot ahead of me. I knew he was bright, because he said: “Hey, […]
Patty the Mouse Eats Her Holiday Meal
Patty the Mouse Eats Her Holiday Meal
Delivered the meal to the mouse Patty after we ate ours on Thanksgiving. Assembled it with love, on a fancy plate: turkey, bun, corn, mashed potatoes and cranberries. Put it out on Thursday afternoon and below is what I found in the morning. I’m thinking Patty had friends and family dining with her because that’s […]
Mouse in My Car: Updated
Mouse in My Car: Updated
Found hints of a mouse, or two, in my car yesterday. Not sure what to do, but I don’t think I’ll kill it. And it’ll be an IT until I can capture it and determine its gender. More to come, must think this over. Please don’t tell my wife. It’s a She Live trapped it, […]
Cheeses and Taste Testing Poem
Cheeses and Taste Testing Poem
This cheese and drink poem was written by Earle Garber, a local historian, author, and philosopher from the Wisconsin Rapids, WI area. He wrote this, then read it at a writers’ group meeting. Most taste teasers begin with a mild cured or early cheddar aged no less than a year before the sip of […]
The Couple Shared Everything
The Couple Shared Everything
Cousin Brad in Amery stopped at the Uff Da–Youbetcha cafe on Vine Street this past week, ordering his usual liver cooked rare with rare bacon on the side. Across from his table he noticed a wonderful old couple huddled together who just got their order: one large orange juice, one hamburger, and a side of […]
Uff Da Defined and Explained
Uff Da Defined and Explained
Uff da was an expression I heard often growing up. It could apply to a variety of situations, some bad, some good, but it was the Norwegian version of WOW or Holy Mackerel. Internet sites are devoted to it, and post cards can be bought that have 20 occasions in which Uff Da would be […]
Bloomer Boys in the Belfry with Bats
Bloomer Boys in the Belfry with Bats
The boys enjoyed the summer in the Bloomer Catholic church belfry, and now there are three sleeping up there. Parker, his friend Wally, and Parker’s brother Greyson. They didn’t want to take him but Parker’s mother Dana talked him into it, giving her more time to drive the Bloomer back roads and look for garage […]