I wrote our Christmas letters on Sunday night during the Vikings/ Raider’s football game. The game gave me plenty of time to put a handwritten note on each card as the only score came late, in the last few minutes of the game. It was good to hold each card…
Tim carved a pumpkin for us to light and set on our steps this Halloween. We didn’t have too many trick-or-treaters; our block is short and we are set high on a hill. It takes a lot of work to climb the stairs for our candy. I always reward heavily for…
“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the…
“Believe me my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Kenneth Grahame, ‘The Wind in the Willows’ These words about messing about in boats were inscribed on a small round disk placed near the tree where we…
This Summer I have officiated several small weddings. For the final meeting before one wedding, I met with the couple, Jim and Angela, around their kitchen table. In so many ways it was the perfect spot to work out the final details for their big day. Details like: who would read what,…
I love potluck picnics. There is always so much variety in the foods like calico beans, chicken, buns, brownies and chips. My very first Sunday with the church I served for 30 years included a potluck picnic and worship service while sitting in the gardens of Enger Park. Ever since…
Oh, how I love to fish. There is something so calming about just sitting on the water waiting for your line to dip down. Last week I joined a friend on Sawbill Lake in the BWCA to do just that. It was exactly what I needed as I was living…
On Thursday I took my mom a dozen yellow roses. My dad often gave her yellow roses. The solstice would have been their 65th wedding anniversary. My dad died in 1984 leaving her a widow at the age of 48. She never remarried. Their marriage had its ups and downs,…
Several days ago, Tim and I hiked part of the Superior Hiking Trail in West Duluth. We walked several miles with good friends. They picked wild ramps along the way, filling up two zip lock bags. I chewed on several as we made our way along the trail. The taste…
Chum’s 50th Anniversary — A Reflection Offered at the Service of Thanksgiving on June 4, 2023 When I moved to Duluth in 1991 to be the lead pastor of Peace Church I heard right away about Chum. My first thought though was what a weird name for a social service…