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Sunday, July 29, 2012

Aid to Education Real Monstrosity

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS — They called it 'aid' to Education. It was declared to be free of controls on schools. Yet it laid out what each one must pay in order to be eligible to receive the 'aids'. It was a multi-billion dollar monstrosity that said, "Let's add it on the national debt".

I can't see that there is anything wrong with Federal Aid to Education if it is really that. But just to dish out money and charge it to the coming generations, then scatter it to the schools without providing incentives for the schools to do their bit themselves, is pure folly.

That is what the Murray - Metcalf Bill would have done. It seems that the spending Congressmen are so anxious to spend that the don't particularly care how it is spent just so the debt gets bigger — or at least the tax load.

Under "Murray-Metcalf," money would have been taken out of Minnesota and put into states such as Mississippi. Mississippi in turn is cutting her tax bill so that she can draw more industry (some of it probably out of Minnesota.) Under the Murray-Metcalf bill the states who are doing less to provide good education would be given windfall, while the ones doing their part would carry the lions share of the load.

This is typical of the spenders and points up how necessary are those who have more sober heads.

A POLITICIAN KNOWS you can not fool all the people all the time, but it isn't necessary, A majority will do.



A COLD IS both positive and negative; sometimes the eyes have it and sometimes the nose.



IT'S A GOOD thing to get in and dig, but be careful which way you throw the dirt.



ONE OF THE most fascinating stories I have read in a long time is the story of the quick-frozen mammoths. The Readers Digest had a condensed article about them taken from the Saturday Evening Post.

The story, as no doubt many of you readers realize, is about the prehistoric animals that have been found preserved in the arctic. If you haven't read it, do so. I am sure you will think about it for many a day.

The explanation is that at some time the crust of the earth has shifted and the gasses formed beneath it cause such a gigantic explosion that the top of the earth blew off. The air that displaced is was the outer air and was so cold that it froze the animals before they could eat the mouthful of feed that they were eating.

There are a lot of things about the old world that we don't even suspect. And a lot of things yet to happen that we don't anticipate.



Dictionary



folly |ˈfälē|
noun ( pl. follies )
1 lack of good sense; foolishness: an act of sheer folly.
• a foolish act, idea, or practice: the follies of youth.
2 a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, esp. a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park.
3 ( Follies )a theatrical revue, typically with glamorous female performers: [ in names ] : the Ziegfeld Follies.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

What About Your Time

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS — I get quite a few expressions of appreciation when I place poetry in this column.

Here is one whose author is unknown. I found it in some of my wifes notes.

NO TIME FOR GOD

You've time to build houses, and in them dwell.
And time to do business—to buy and to sell.
But none for repentance, or deep earnest prayer;
To seek your salvation you've no time to spare.

You've time for earth's pleasures, for frolic and fun.
For her glittering treasures, how quickly you run.
But care not to seek the fair mansions above;
In favor of God or the gift of His love.

You've time to take voyages over the sea
And time to take in the gay world's jubilee.
But soon you're bright hopes will be lost in the gloom
Of the cold dark river of death and the tomb.

You've time to resort to woods, mountain and glen,
And time to gain knowledge from books and of men.
Yet no time to search for the wisdom of God;
But what of your soul when you're under the sod?

For time will not linger when helpless you lie;
Staring death in the face you will take time to die!
Then what of the judgment! Pause, think, I implore!
For time will be lost on eternity's shore.



ONE FINAL postscript before we close the pages on the wheat referendum.

What actually made the wheat farmers turn down such an attractive offer price-wise?

I believe it was the actions of Secretary Freeman himself. It became more and more apparent that the big reason he was so anxious for a "yes" vote was to get the farmers completely under his thumb. He desires power to "clobber" anyone who does not agree with him, or will not follow his wishes. This is something for his friends to think about too. Will you always be his friend? Will you always agree with him?

Had the Secretary merely been interested in his program and been willing to take reasonable means of informing the growers he might possibly have won.

By voting "no" the wheat farmers took, for the time being, a 50 cents a bushal drop in price. However, he would rather do that than give someone the power of dictating to him.

What of the Farm Bureau Federation which won such an overwhelming victory? It is pretty obvious that they are stronger than ever. Few people realize what extent the organization goes to each year in order to determine what farmers want and what is best for the nation as a whole.

In Freeborn county last year Farm Bureau held a total of six meeting, spent several hundred dollars in mileage and time to get the opinion of people from the grass roots. Repeat this throughout the state and the nation and it might be easier to appreciate why it has grown to the might it has. It pretty well knows what farmers want, and need.

The results of the wheat referendum should make politicians a bit more wary of unsound schemes and deals, and trying to force people into them.



Dictionary


postscript |ˈpoʊs(t)ˌskrɪpt|
noun
an additional remark at the end of a letter, after the signature and introduced by “P.S.”: he added a postscript: “Leaving tomorrow.”
• an additional statement or action that provides further information on or a sequel to something: as a postscript to this, Paul did finally marry.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

More About Son Brent

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS — I've been told that a successful old age depends on a proper beginning.

There is nothing more harmful to a man's progress than to think he is in the grave when he is really in a rut.



I DIDN'T FINISH telling you about our episode with Brent, when we were on our vacation last summer.

When we found Brent and didn't realize that he had had such a good time on shore we didn't want to waste his ticket and deprive him of the opportunity to ride on a river boat. Therefore, we put him on the "Bemidji Belle" which was supposed to be leaving for another excursion soon: while we went to visit Paul and Babe.

The Bemidji Belle didn't leave as scheduled and by the time we had seen most of the sights in the park she was still there, tied up at port.


We were anxious to get to Itaska Park before dark so we decided to get Brent off the boat.


No Refunds


He was getting tired of waiting too, so Vera went over to the ticket office to see if we could get a refund on the ticket. The ticket agent was reluctant to refund the money, but offerend to give each of the children a ball of cotton candy. This made good business, so each of them received the biggest ball of cotton candy they had ever eaten.


It wasn't until then we found out what Brent had been up to and why he seemed so happy despite the fact that he had been left behind. Who wouldn't be happy if they could get free rides in a park just by telling a sob story.


We discovered one thing on the trip. The children had a way of getting us to let them go swimming, whenever they wanted to. One of them would 'accidentally' fall in the water or at least get very wet. Then this 'leader' would say something about changing to a swimming suit or staying in the water as long as he or she was already wet. Soon they were all in the swim.


One of the things the children won't soon forget was bathing in the headwaters of the Mississippi. The water was warm and the bottom sandy, and just deep enough for fun. All in all, we had a very lovely time.


I hope that most of you busy people — especially farmers — will take off a few days and see Minnesota 'first'. A trip through the Twin Cities Duluth, North Shore Drive and across through the Iron Range is worth anybody's time and trouble.


HISTORY
Paul Bunyan Park - Click HERE



Sunday, July 8, 2012

A Lost Boy Has Fun

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS! — Election time coming up next week. Be sure and vote.

Remember that the constitutional amendments are as important to vote on as are the candidates. Study the issues well, regarding them. My recommendation is to vote yes on both of them. Not voting on them is the same as voting no.



I HAVE DECIDED to tell you about an incident that happened to us last summer while we were on a vacation trip to northern Minnesota. The reason I hesitated to tell you sooner is because you will probably this we are terribly slothful parents; but here goes anyway.

We took a trip to Superior-Duluth and the Iron Range the second week in July and took six of the children along. These included Randy, 12, Zina, 9, Adell, 8, Mark, 7, Brent, 6, and Linnea, 3.

We had a wonderful time visiting with Uncle Pete and Aunt Georgia at superior, seeing the Duluth harbor, climbing boulders in Lake Superior, wading in the pools below Gooseberry Falls along North Shore Drive, seeing the taconite plants and the Messabi Iron Range in Bemidji, and bathing at the head waters of the Mississippi River in Itaska Park.

It was while at Paul's park in Bemidji that the incident took place.

Lost Brent

We had just arrived at the park and decided to take a ride on the Bemidji Belle, (a river boat) on Lake Bemidji. Armed with 8 tickets, we boarded the boat.

When we had been out about 10 or 15 minutes Vera asked me where Brent was. I just then remembered that I hadn't seen him on the boat. Our first thoughts were, of course, that he might have fallen off. We quickly dismissed that idea because it didn't seem possible with the high fence around the edge of the boat.

The next thought was if he had slipped when boarding the boat. That too was ruled out as I had personally helped each one aboard.

Knowing Brent and his independent ways, we decided he had struck off on his own when we entered the park and hadn't seen us board the boat. We felt better with that conclusion and didn't worry to the point that it spoiled our outing.

When we got back to shore an hour later we set about finding the boy. I sent Randy to the car to see if he was there and the others checked around the park. All came back with a negative report.

As we stood there wondering where to look next we spied a small boy darting across the street about two blocks away. From the way he acted I was sure it was Brent and detailed Randy to go after him; post haste.

Instead of what we supposed would be a worried and disappointed boy we found one with the air of the car who has 'swallowed the canary'.

He had apparently had a great time seeing the sights. When he had run out of things to see and do in the park he had visited shops around town. At times he had rushed back to the car to check if it was still there and if we were worried about him; then he would visit some more sights.

The story gradually unfolded. When he missed us he decided that we had either gone on the boat or the sea plane. Instead of griping or moping about it he took advantage of it. He had gone the rounds and told the concession men about his plight, and they, out of pity, would offer him rides.

MAP
Map of the areas visited on the trip to Northern Minnesota
HERE


DICTIONARY
posthaste |ˈpōstˈhāst|

adverb
with great speed or immediacy: she would go posthaste to England.



HISTORY
The constitutional amendment Grandpa is speaking about 
Making a poll tax unconstitutional - Click here for more info.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

A Thought For Business

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS — Many a businessman has found that he can bid slow business farewell with good buys.


THE TRAVELER rushed up to the station window and gasped, "Give me a round-trip ticket, quick."

"Where to?" asked the gent.

"Back here, you dope."


LOOKING OUT the window the other Sunday, when the snow was swirling around, piling up drifts, the thought came to me that snow is for children. They really love to play in it. They were out in it building forts, tunnels, rockets, and snowmen. They would come in soaking wet.

As soon as they were dried off and warm they would go out again and build some more snow figures. I wondered then if anything could be more healthful and invigorating for them than to be out in clean white snow where they could give vent to their creative expressions. At the same time that they were having creative fun they were building healthy bodies and getting their lungs full of fresh, purifying air.

They didn't know that we were watching them and that made it all the more interesting. As we watched them each one displayed his or her talents, disposition and general nature.

Jared built a huge snowman, then pretended that he was in a fist fight with him. The interesting thing about it was that the snowman never got hit; it was always Jared who landed in the snow. After all he was the one who created the snowman and wasn't about to destroy him just to satisfy his ego.

Another one of the children we paid particular attention to was Zina. Zina is a very beautiful girl, full of talent and very studious. She seems to be a born leader and always tender to others. She gets along well with others. She has a very graceful and gracious way of moving about.

As she moved about she was thrilled with herself that she could build a horse that she could ride. There was always a smile on her lips and as she worked to create her own types of stead she would mount it and ride for a while then set about making it better.

We try not to have favorites among the children and are very proud of all of them but sometimes one stands out more than the others. This is true of our little Zina. She is truly a gem.


MAKE FLOWERS LAST

Cut flowers won't droop too quickly if a slanting cut is made on the bottom of each stem and the water changed daily. It's wise too, to keep cut flowers away from heat or drafts.


An estimated 17 million americans depend on tobacco for all or some part of their livelihood.