Lasting legacy: “Many people are good at talking about what they are doing, but in fact do little. Others do a lot but don’t talk about it; they are the ones who make a community live.” – Jean Vanier, philosopher, humanitarian This is not a mushy Valentine’s Day love...
Gun rights: “The Constitution guarantees the individual’s right to keep and bear arms. I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.” – Gov. Kristi Noem If you grew up in South Dakota, guns were part of the culture. They still are, more than ever. But I...
Naturalized citizen: “One who, being born an alien, has lawfully become a citizen of the United States under the Constitution and laws. He has all the rights of a natural born citizen except that of being eligible as president or vice-president of the...
Racism: “The belief that one race is superior to another.” — Wikipedia There was a time when the meaning of words like “racist” and “communist” were more easily understood. A reporter could describe David Duke as a “racist” in a news story because he is an...
Farming: Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower If your first day on the new job flashes by like a ringneck pheasant breaking cover from a cornfield, you’re in the right place....
Nursing home cost: “On average, an American turning 65 today will spend $138,000 on long-term costs.” – U.S. Health and Human Services. For Mom, “worry” was as much a part of farm life as sweltering August days or March snowstorms. She fretted about the weather,...
Inauguration: A ceremonial induction into office. – Merriam Webster Dictionary “Are we going to the inauguration in Pierre?” I was caught off guard by the question. You’d think after more than 45 years of marriage, I’d be able to foresee what might be asked by...
Piano playing: “The piano keys are black and white, but they sound like a million colors in your mind.” – Maria Cristina Mena, author Sweaty palms, tightness in the throat and a somersaulting stomach. Symptoms of asking out a girl for a first date? Probably. But it’s...
Star of Bethlehem: The star that guided the Magi to the manger of the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1-10 – Dictionary.com The star we bought as our new Christmas tree topper looked perfect. Its purchase was borne of necessity since this year’s tree is...
Gathering: “A get-together called a ‘gathering’ instead of a party just in case people don’t turn up and it turns out to be, well, pretty dull.” — Urban Dictionary You can’t be too careful applying the peanut butter. And not just any peanut butter. No nuts...
