No garbage found on this trip — just smiles

January 10, 2026

We spent a weekend in the Cities in December. Pam’s family was celebrating Christmas at her niece’s house. We found a VRBO in Bloomington where we stayed. It was an apartment we rented in a larger building with mostly permanent residents. We had two evenings and mornings to lounge about. There was a large central area where people came and went. There were cookies and coffee available. We were in and out often, so I had a lot of those little experiences crossing paths with other people. I enjoy those small connections. I smile and engage in short conversations. I hold a door ...

Longer mortgages wouldn’t pay off in the long run

January 10, 2026

We all know that housing has become less affordable in recent years, and there’s no easy answer for changing it. President Trump’s proposal for 50-year mortgages shows how there’s no easy answer. It sounds great because of the potential for lower monthly payments. It’s important, however, to consider all the ways it could negatively affect the housing market. For one thing, I wouldn’t bet the farm on the idea that buyers would choose lower payments. They’d have more purchasing power. They might decide to just pay more for a newer or bigger house. Even if they opt for ...

Country School Kids — Verlane Willard Ross and Lois Willard Giles — ‘Growing Up in Sodus Township’

January 10, 2026

This series arises from a February 2025 interview with two Willard sisters, Verlane and Lois, and a subsequent visit to their former country school. Lois passed away recently, so we dedicate this series to her memory, grateful for her and her sister’s generosity in sharing their early life with us. Verlane (Willard) Ross was born to Bertha (Hendrickson) and William Vernon Willard in Tracy, Minnesota on March 14, 1939. Her younger sister, Lois (Willard) Giles, was born in Tracy on August 12, 1942. Verlane was the second and Lois the fourth of five daughters born to Bertha and William. ...

Discovering God’s love during the new year

January 9, 2026

Although this may not reach Georgia Garvey, the syndicated columnist, who wrote the editorial, “The happy-enough holiday more than good-enough” ( Dec. 23 ), my intent is to share why the celebration of Christmas is “more than good-enough”. Georgia shared her Christmas memories at age 11. She and her two brothers received more presents than ever before. Later that day, she learned of her parents’ plans to divorce. She remembers none of the gifts she opened that year. “Even when holidays are happy, they’re sad.” She continues, “The stories Christians tell about the ...

What is insomnia?

January 7, 2026

It’s not uncommon for people to have issues with sleep. Most will get back to regular sleep patterns sooner rather than later. What if the difficulty with sleep does not stop? What if sleep problems go on and on? Impaired sleep is a threat to a person’s general well-being and ability to function. The typical name for this problem is insomnia. Sleep disturbance is so important that it really should be addressed sooner rather than later. Impaired sleep, at a minimum, can impact your memory, your ability to think, your job performance, how you interact and socialize with ...

My Cororna

January 6, 2026

It started out as an ordinary, run-of-the mill winter cold. It’s been a few years since I’ve had a cold, so I thought OK, I’m due. Generally, my colds are simply an annoyance. Seldom do I take anything for it. Besides, the syrups that are commonly used to treat the symptoms of a cold taste so horrible that you want to scrub your tongue with soap and water. My cold journeys usually go like this: I develop a slight case of the sniffles. This is followed a day to later by some light to moderate coughing. A week later, it’s all over; the symptoms resolve, and life goes on. Not ...