Opinion

Jessica Stölen-Jacobson With my son’s return from deployment, we all learned some things about what that’s like for a soldier to return from deployment and get back to life as they knew it before. It’s little things that you don’t think about.

Seems weeds - we can never quite beat ‘em since nothing will work to defeat ‘em Go on, cook some in oil, add to salad or boil and simply sit down and just eat’ em! In one segment of the wild game world, seems everything tastes like chicken. The counterpart of the “chicken” taste in eating wild plants seems to be spinach! A comparison that holds true for many “weeds” as well.

Are we in a pickle? There is a craze sweeping the nation. People of all ages have flocked to this, um, well, I would call it an activity or a game but others call it a sport.

What great sleeping weather we have been having. I’ve become used to the humidity so haven’t closed the windows for over a week now. Getting up in the morning is a little chilly, so I put it off as long as I can. Got home later than usual last night from Isaac’s 16th birthday party. Was sitting at my computer checking emails and heard a noise outside. I’m really not sure if it was a coyote in the distance or an owl close to the windows. I know that sounds weird, but the sound was. Weird. And only heard it once. H-m-m. We had a sumptuous feast in celebration of Isaac’s 16th birthday. Grilled steak, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, garlic bread and milk. And homemade chocolate cake for dessert. Yum. The corn was made in the oven. Just throw the entire cob on a cookie sheet for 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Leave the husk on. It peels off easily when you take it back out. So easy to do multiple ears.

For those who have been following my Caring Bridge site (Lori J Petersen), you are aware that after having two clear PET scans, I did have a spot show up on the most recent PET scan taken on July 1. A biopsy on that spot, did show it to be cancerous, so I am once again fighting a battle of the unknown.

Jessica Stölen-Jacobson It’s getting closer and closer to that time of year when the political signs will dominate the roadways and front yards. Because of that, I felt like it’s probably a good time to go ahead and publish our new company’s policy on election letters to the editor, as well as our company’s policy on election coverage.

Becci ten Bensel, Executive Director & WRAP Staff August is National Happiness Happens Month! The goal of this is to raise awareness of examining your life and figuring out which things make you truly happy. This holiday is based on the idea that happiness is unlimited and contagious and that sharing one’s happiness can bring a lot of joy in other people’s lives.

What a wonderful day we had Saturday. I ended up with about an inch of rain. Beautiful, glorious rain. My crops look so happy. And I look so happy. I spent most of the day thanking God for the rain. I hear the rain was spotty, but I think every drop was precious. Sorry for those got less, happy for those who got more. We all need to be joyful. Wednesday evening was the Milan Appreciation Supper. Grilled hot dogs, baked beans, chips and lemonade were served by the merchants. This was followed by games for the kids. And a good time was had by all, I think. I helped with the serving because I enjoy seeing and talking to everyone. Charlie has a hammock in Jon’s front yard. He won it a few years ago and puts it up in the summer. I have been in it a couple of times in the past. So on Friday, I went out and laid down. The breeze was blowing enough to keep the bugs away and it was very pleasant. Of course just when I got myself situated, I had to go to the bathroom. Figures, right? So I come back out and am going to get back in. I know how to do this. I’m a pro. Next thing I knew, I was flat on my back behind the hammock. It dropped me right on my head. Pride and all that. So I picked myself up and gingerly got back into the blithering thing. Had a nice nap after that. I wasn’t too stiff the next day either.

CherryRoad Media Weekend at Bernie’s Everything is summer. Summer time.

Been hot enough for ya? Summer has certainly come upon us like a fire-breathing dragon. Along with the heat are many myths and misconceptions associated with hot, sunny weather.