To Build A Patriot
It’s always a joy to receive an invitation from Dr. Amanda Capote, music teacher at North Plains Elementary, to one of the school’s patriotic programs. The latest was the school’s Veterans Day program, held at the end of the school day on November 6. Watching the students honor those who have served reminded me that […]
Is AI really the ticket?
I’m sure by now you’ve heard of the Tennessee grandmother who was arrested and taken into custody by the Fargo Police Department? This woman spent time in lock up, has now been released and has sued the Fargo Police Department for a reported $10 million. This all happened because artificial intelligence facial recognition said this […]
Military Family Month 2026
This month recognizes the sacrifices and service of military families. Some special happenings for our families on Minot AFB: 4. Minot Air Force Base’s 2nd Annual Healthy Harvest will be held this month on Thursday, November 19th from 6-8pm at the Bowling Alley on Minot Air Force Base! Eligible families can register for a $100 […]
When Company Comes-Everything I Did While My Parents Were in Town
I’ve been looking forward to my parents’ visit for months. Back in July, I asked them to look ahead at their fall calendars and find a time to make the trip to Minot. My parents are true Midwesterners with Midwestern logistics, so planning early is a must. They have a big yard and garden. They […]
We Start the Transition
Transitioning from fall to winter is quite an ordeal, especially if this is your first winter in North Dakota. October’s 60–70-degree days can give way to near-zero days that will more than likely arrive in late November. Staying comfortable takes a wardrobe transition—but the seasonal changes don’t stop at the closet. The Wardrobe TransitionI was […]
The invaluable help of Minot Air Force Base
Now that we are retired from commercial gardening, I was going through some of the records before I file them and put them on a shelf in case I ever need them for something. Mind you, there were a lot of peaks and valleys in the 20 years that we were in business. I still […]
Teaching An Old Dog
Just a few years ago, I watched my spouse work through Sudoku puzzles in the periodicals we received at home. I could have—and probably should have—remained an innocent bystander as she finished each puzzle and proudly proclaimed, “Done.” One day at the YMCA, our conversation turned to how to pronounce Sudoku. Opinions varied, to put […]
The gasoline/electric debate
I ran across some interesting information that compares the cost of driving an electric car vs. the internal combustion engine vehicle that most of us have. This has been an ongoing debate since Tesla came on the scene several years ago. There are numerous critics of fully-electric vehicles, myself being one of them, but these […]
A $5000 Mystery
Sometimes, it takes a little mystery to help us see the extraordinary in the ordinary. Over the weekend, my husband and I participated in Seven Paces, a scavenger hunt that gives regular people a chance to hunt down real treasure in communities across North Dakota. When the hunt came to Minot, we signed up thinking […]
Never Underestimate Kindness
Learning To AcceptIn North Dakota the brilliant colors of fall are followed too closely by piles of leaves that need to be gathered and taken to one of many compost disposal sites in Minot. Normally there are a few grass clippings mixed in as you fire up your lawnmower with the bagging attachment to gather […]