Commentary

Home Country

Dewey’s a community project. He’s our resident accident-prone guy who managed to get his dad’s pickup stuck in the county’s only mud hole during a six-year drought, release 300 steers from the feedlot onto the interstate, and create about a ton of tossed salad with hot oil dressing on the on ramp.

Compliments on producing such a great publication

Dear Editor and Staff, Enclosed please find a check for $50 to renew the subscription for Jim Stephens to the Timber Lake Topic for another year.I would compliment the entire staff for such a great publication.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

The following is an excerpt from my book, “Accidental Rancher,” and documents my introduction to a western Dakota tradition: Lefse making… Roll the pale dough out slowly, without pushing too hard, or the dough will cling to the rolling pin and pull apart.

Stray Thoughts: What kind of year will 2026 be for you?

If you are an “average” American adult, in one year you are likely to: Spend $77,000 on household expenses Speak 5.5 million words Spend 1,679 hours reading, relaxing or watching TV Have 35 minor scrapes and bruises Sleep for 3,285 hours Prepare food and eat for about 913 hours Be at work for 2000...

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

Dear Editor,I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say that there is no Santa Claus. Papa says “If you see it in the Sun, it is so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? – Virginia O’Hanlon Virginia,Your little friends are wrong.

Stray Thoughts: Missing stocking

Christmas is a magical time for families.Everyone gathers from miles around to be present for the event with those they love.Long flights from far-flung cities, long drives from hundreds of miles away, cars packed with people and with gifts to be shared.The host has all the Christmas finery on...

All that glitters

Just one more to go! Green vinyl branches hook nicely into a circle anchored at the center. They fan out at the bottom, leaning into a large metal ring. Once assembled, the branches, the tree top and the pole become the lovely sixfoot pine that I now assemble every year.

Home Country

When Steve and Dud got up to go get a paper, it left just Doc and Bert sitting at the philosophy counter of the Mule Barn truck stop. Bert turned his head and smirked a little, being careful not to let Doc see him.

Stray Thoughts: Spoiler Alert

On that day you’ll be the first to know, you’ll be the very first one there all stretched out on the kitchen floor or hunched over in your chair.It may not be a car wreck or some grand event gone wrong… it may just be that you didn’t do what you should have all along.Haven’t watched your sugar?