Opinion

Challenge No. 2: Your childhood

I hope your reading year has gotten off to a strong start and you are ready for our 2025 reading challenge prompt No. 2. Read a book that reminds you of childhood whether your own or not is up to you. Our suggestions include “The Wishing Game” by Meg Shaffer, “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving, “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens and “The Little Friend” by Donna Tartt. If you are more interested in reading aloud might we suggest “The Hobbit, or there and back again” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery, or “Holes” by Louis Sachar. Teens and adults would definitely enjoy “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton and “Calvin and Hobbes” by Bill Watterson.

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A good man gone to glory

When Chip Carter spoke about his father, Jimmy, at a memorial service in Atlanta and told how, when his dad noticed the boy got a poor mark in Latin, Jimmy studied Latin so that he could teach his son, I recognized a standard of fatherhood a good deal higher than my own and I felt bad for a moment until I recalled that it wasn’t my father’s level of fatherhood either. He was a father of six kids and I recall that when I got a C in math, it was my problem and he didn’t get involved.

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Thievery and claim jumping

By today’s standards it is thought that penalties were stiff for offenders of the law and personal disputes were not overlooked in Koochiching’s recorded history. Occasionally items arose that caused ramifications such as John Z. of Cingmars; he was forced to put a padlock on what was described as a “root house” as it was too handy to the river and a great temptation to hungry canoe men.

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Experience Expirations

Recent mail brought expiration notice for “Handloader” magazine subscription, prompting reflection of other age-related expirations. Magazine subscription was not renewed, following some 35 years of reloading shotgun, rifle and handgun ammunition for outdoor adventures.

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The courts were busy

The sentences for drunkenness and disorderly conduct were often only a fine of $1 and costs, or one day, but after 1907 the minimum fines… Login to continue reading Login…

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Snotel Snooping

It’s just past New Year’s Day in our, so far mild, northland Winter. About 6 inches of snow, followed by significant melting, arrived earlier in… Login to continue reading Login…

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Headlight failure

Question: Do you have any advice on what a person should do if they are driving along in the dark and their headlights go out?… Login to continue reading Login…

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