God Bless America?

I wrote the following for the Duluth News Tribune.  It appeared in the Sunday, February 20, 2011 Edition. 

 “God Bless America”!   How can He?  Since the Supreme Court made abortion at any stage of pregnancy a ‘woman’s right’, we have disposed of (murdered) over 50 million unborn babies.  Not “fetuses”; babies.  The same God who is the author of our freedom has “created us in His image” Genesis 1:27 and “formed us in the womb” Psalm 139:13.   Our country’s founders based our Declaration of Independence on this premise. 

By far, most abortions are done for ‘convenience, not for the health of the mother. 

President Obama has supported government funding of embryonic stem cell research which requires the sacrifice of a living human embryo.  Yet according to David A. Prentice, PH.D. of the Family Research Council, “despite over 12 years of promises, embryonic stem cells still have not helped a single patient”. To the contrary, adult stem cell research has proven success at saving lives and improving health on a daily basis. Cancers, spinal cord injury, heart damage, MS and many other diseases have been successfully treated with stem cells taken from adult donors and the patients themselves. 

Health Care Reform Act advocates have defended government supported ‘end of life counseling’ proposed by the law.  Yet, a sensitive reading of that portion of the law makes it clear that the intention of the law is to reduce health care expenditures by encouraging the elderly and other terminal cases to opt for the economical rather than the personal choice.  Indeed, to die in these cases rather than to continue expensive treatment would save us all money.  But would it be the moral thing to do?  That is an issue to be considered by the patient and family.  Involvement by government leverage would be entirely inappropriate. 

“God Bless America?”  Only when we repent of our ungodly attitude. 

Wise Old Owl

 

The Barred Owl stopped by for lunch the other day

A barred owl came by our bird feeder the other day to see if he could pick up a quick snack of chickadee or nuthatch.  His call says, "whoo cooks for youuuu?" To my knowledge, the owl eats his lunch uncooked.  

Annual Snowshoe Hike

Woodchuck and son enjoy a winter picnic

Every year for many years Dave has been hosting a snowshoe hike with his Dad.  They hike into the woods some distance and locate a suitable lunch spot.  There, they gather wood, lay a fire and cook a relaxing woodsy lunch.  Its a great day in the woods and time to philosophize, converse and observe the treasures of nature.   

Dave tends our cooking fire along the river

Deer Heiroglyphics

What does it say?

I found these odd markings on a patch of ice on the edge of the St. Croix River.  They were made by a "sure-footed" deer who was slippin and slidin on the ice.  Or was it an attempt by a highly evolved deer trying to communicate with us?  Another of the myriad mysteries to be contemplated in the north woods. 

Birdie Condo

A black spruce "developed" by a woodpecker"

The forest real estate developers aka woodpeckers chisel out large holes in bug infested trees in their quest for lunch.  Inadvertently, they provide homes for smaller birds such as chickadees and nut hatches. Our Creator, God, wastes nothing. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

Twizzle Stick

a vine wrapped around this young red maple

Vines, common further south, are unusual in our territory.  This one I was unable to identify in it's winter state sans leaves.  Perhaps a wild grape, it grew around a red maple sapling providing this twizzle appearance. 

Snow Snakes Alive!

This snow snake awaits a victim to fall upon

Over the years, I have spent many a day trudging through the snow near and far.  I had heard old timers speak of strange wild creatures and not being one to doubt those more experienced than I, I kept an open mind.  All these years and my attention to the unusual was finally rewarded.  In the rugged area behind our home known as groovy gully, a favorite place for the grandkids to slide on Christmas Eve, I was on snowshoes packing the snow for the annual slide-a-thon.  When I heard a definite hissss coming from above my head, I jumped back just in time to avoid being struck by the biggest snow snake I had ever seen!  Forgetting the danger, I quickly grabbed my camera and got this shot to prove to those who would doubt that such a creature exists in the wilds of Lake Nebagamon. 

Woodchuck Discovers Natural Thermometer

On an icy morning our rhodadendron plant looks like this with leaves rolled tight and narrow.

A few hours later when the temperature reached the upper 20's the leaves relaxed and unfurled.

Yureka!  Woodchuck walks by these plants daily as he comes and goes along the front walk.  One day he says, "these plants have a life of their own - one time the leaves are plump and the next they are skinny!"  Further observation revealed a direct relationship to air temperature.  Sciencemarches on.
The Lord God who has created the heavens and the earth came up with this innovation to protect the leaf cells when exposed to extreme cold.

Heavy Snows Have Long-Term Effect on Some Vegetation

How would you like to trudge through here on snowshoes? 

Loop de hoop! In November, we experienced heavy, wet snows that bent flexible shrubs and trees over forming a hoop.  Add more heavy snow, pinning the top to the ground with thawing and freezing rain on top and you have a hoop that will last all winter.  In fact some of this vegetation will remain in this form permanently.  Alder and hazel shrubs and even slender birch and saplings of all kinds were vulnerable. If you are a careful observer, you will occasionally see historical evidence of this kind of phenomena which occured in the past.  Stressed trees may survive and express their 'bent' for years to come. As the proverb says, " As the sapling is bent, so the tree grows."

The Perfect Christmas Gift

I wrote this for the Duluth News Tribune.  It appeared in the December 24, 2010 edition.

Christmas is upon us again.  Some of us are still in a tizzy trying to find that ‘perfect’ gift for our loved ones.  Psychologists tell us this is a stressful time for many; the lonely, the poor, the bereaved, and those in dysfunctional families.  Benevolent organizations such as the Salvation Army are stretched in their efforts to reach out to the desperate and needy. 

God has a better plan:  He came in the flesh 2000 years ago, born to a humble young virgin in Israel.  Jesus, the Savior of mankind, the divine creator of the universe, came to earth to experience humanity and to offer humanity the opportunity to experience the divine.  He had full knowledge that he was headed to the cross with the purpose of taking the punishment for our sins upon himself.  He was God’s gift of Love.

Most would agree that Jesus has had more influence on the world than any other man.  Some say he was a ‘good’ man or a ‘great moral teacher’; however, he said he was Truth, Life, and the only way to salvation.  If he was who he said he was, he deserves our complete love, worship and obedience.  He invites us to follow him and promises he will be with us, lead us, answer our prayers and give us eternal life. 

Someone has defined religion as man’s attempt to reach God.  Jesus is God’s way to reach man.  Mohammed did not die for us; Buddha did not die for us.  The many Hindu gods did not die for us.  Jesus did.  He loves all mankind and he commands his followers to love others as he does. 

No matter who you are and what you have done, God loves you and has the perfect Christmas gift for you - himself! 

Knife Lake; Sharpen Your Knowledge of the BWCAW

Left, Isle of the Pines, where Dorothy Molter sold her famous home made root beer to passing canoeists. On the right is Robbin's Island USA, north of Robbin's lies the Canadian border.

Portaging, the Fun Part of Canoe Trips

The portage between Knife and Vera Lakes was steep and rocky.

Shudda Brought the Shotgun! or Chicken for Dinner?

Ruffed grouse picks birch catkins at our campsite

Icon of the BWCAW

The state bird of Minnesota, a loon is also the icon of the BWCAW

A Most Unusual Rock

This unusual rock was found on Isle of the Pines, Knife Lake

On the first of October, Woodchuck, Dave and Elron headed for Knife Lake on the Canadian border where they would hunt for the famous bacon stripe rock once a favorite of the "Root Beer Lady".  According to Woodchuck, the expedition pushed over 14 miles into the wilderness of lakes and rock, requiring 2 portages of 1/2 mile each.  To add to the challenge, the canoeists were headed into the wind the entire time coming and going.  "It was worth it", said Woodchuck, " You don't see a rock like this everyday!"  Two of the three days were sunny and mild, the scenery was magnificent and the fall colors were at their peak. 

Hiking With Bob

Hiking partner Bob Dubois overlooking Hoodoo Lake

The last Wednesday in September proved to be the perfect day for the annual hike with Bob.  This year we chose the Samples Rd to Rush Lake Rd section of the North Country Trail.  The day was clear and the fall colors were prime.  Lunch was partaken at one of the Atley benches with an outstanding view of the Brule Valley and Big Lake.  The duo has considered doing the NCT one piece at a time until the entire Brule St Croix section has been conquered. 

Heidi Zosel Volleyball Tourney

Northwestern Tigers joust with Cameron at Zosel Tourney

Eight teams gathered at Maple for the 26th annual Heidi Zosel Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.  Hudson, Cameron, Luck, Superior, Ironwood, Amery, Drummond and Northwestern met at 10 am to begin playing 2 pools of 4 rounds each.  The final results found Superior as 3rd, Cameron 2nd and Hudson left with the high honors.  The Tigers showed periods of outstanding play, but their shaky confidence left them with inconsistent results, winding up in 6th place.  They will certainly be a team to watch as they gain experience. 

Home Again - Jiggity Jig

View along Degerman Road

We left Valley City before 8 am on Wednesday and were in Wadena before noon.  We stopped by Bob and Jean's for a visit.  They took us on a tour of the tornado damage area so we could see the progress in clean up and rebuilding since our last visit.  We went out to eat at the Mexican restaurant and had a good chat.  We arrived in Lake Nebagamon about 6:45 pm.  There is no place like home.  The leaves have a good start on turning color.  Our Prius got 47.6 miles per gallon for the trip.  We travelled a total of 3,000 miles on the trip.

Dinosaur Country

Last evening we set our clocks back to Central Time so we would be ready for Tuesday.  That meant we had to we went to bed an hour earlier and got up an hour earlier (ugh!).  It was dark when the alarm went off at 6:45 central.  When we left town, the sun was just coming up at 7:45.  The weather was perfect, and we made good time stopping for gas at Glendive, MT. 
Eastern MT and western ND have produced many dinosaur skeletons for paleologists and is known as Dinosaur Country.  Many towns along the way have dinosaur museums and representations of dinosaurs abound.  Eve shot this lunching model next to the filling station in Glendive.  We stopped at Wibeaux, MT to find a cache and arrived at Valley City for the night at 5:15.  We had supper and found a couple of fairly tough caches before dark. 

A Dinosaur Having Lunch in Glendive

Leaving the Rockies

A Rainbow Greets us to the Prairie

A rainy day on U.S. 2 in Montana

We enjoyed a hearty pancake breakfast with Warren & Joann this morning and then hit the road about 9:30 am.  It was raining again.  We drove through the south end of Glacier National Park  and were treated to a fantastic rainbow just as we began to leave the Rockies.  The weather turned nice and we had an uneventful drive across the plains, arriving at Malta about 4:15.