Monthly Archives: May 2011

Going back to Gully

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My daytrips usually involve exotic locales such as Carrington, North
Dakota to visit my brother or even so far-flung a location as Austin,
Minnesota to pick-up something I purchased on eBay. This week I made
a ½ daytrip and discovered a nice little town I used to know pretty
well.

1985 was an exciting time for me. I had my first job in radio at the
Fosston station. I sold advertising during the day and one of my most
productive stops was the little town of Gully, Minnesota. Although tiny, Gullyhad several productive businesses that purchased regular radio
advertising and so I stopped pretty often. One of my visits was the
Gully Elevator where Vern Iverson and Vern Wold (“the Verns” music group)played a very good, old-time music show in the break room. I drank coffee and listened a couple of times and really enjoyed their hospitality. I also liked the café back then but made so little money from my work that I
rarely purchased more than pie.

This week I came to Gully to rent the cooperative’s “Gopher Getter.”
The ‘getter is a machine which plows a tunnel into the ground for
pesky gophers and at the same time leaves tasty treats for them
suitable for a last supper. I arrived from the North and could
clearly see Gully a few miles towards the horizon under a light mist
floating above the peat fields. There is a definite transition from
prairie to pine which culminates at West St Paul Avenue and Main
Street on Gully’s north side. When I returned the implement to the
co-op, I came in from south of Gully which meant I rode the hills
along State Highway 92. This is the land I always imagine when I think of
good cattle ground; rolling and grassy with little ravines for
watering and a corral.

I was impressed by business in Gully. There was an elevator,
lumberyard, hardware store, c-store and even a little bar. My left
elbow is permanently crooked from constant coffee drinking so I
stopped at the c-store for something to bolster my trip home. They
offered me free coffee but I always feel free coffee is for regulars
so I left them a dollar. The coffee was good, way better than the
quality suggested by its price. I walked around the hardware store
for a little while and found it equipped well-enough that I could
imagine no household emergency in which I wouldn’t be able to find
supplies for repair. It should also be mentioned that this tiny
little town was the only place I could find a “gopher getter” and the
manager said they’ve had people from as far away as Argyle come to
rent the machine.

I’m safely at home now and having sown my wild oats on another
daytrip that was about as unlike anything Hunter S Thompson ever
tried, I feel no more need to roam. Should I ever again need mild
adventure, or a gopher getter, I shall return to the nice little
productive town of Gully.

Letter to Dave

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Dear Dave,

John Wayne once said “let’s get to the gettin’” in a movie of which
I’ve forgotten. My version of this quote is “don’t romance me, just
say what you’ve got to say.” I intend to do both this week.

I got my heart broke this week when I turned the water on for our
cattle. We have 1 ½ inch buried black plastic pipe which we use to
water the cattle. It is huge and protected from gophers by its very
size as a gopher should not be able to open its mouth wide enough to
bite the hose. Unfortunately, we have raised some sort of prehistoric
mammoth gophers who have not heard they lack the ability to destroy
black plastic pipe. If you consider how large the pipe is compared
with a gopher’s head, then biting this pipe is equivalent to a human
biting a bowling ball. I remember how cute the gopher was in “Caddy
Shack,” the reality is that a pocket gopher is neither cute nor can
he dance.

In the same vein, Darin Bertilrud from Greenbush came out to repair
our water line this week. Darin brought his plow and a couple of
shovels and we delved into the gopher’s lair and affected the repair.
It was not Darin’s first trip to our farm so I have gotten to know
him. I am sure we would work faster if we didn’t talk as much but the
mark of a good worker is that he/she makes work fun. A little talk
keeps us moving and I like Darin’s stories about fighting brush fire
up north. He said this spring was pretty slow for fire until our
recent warm-up after which people who play with matches seem to have
found fertile ground. I like Darin and it was a good visit-if for a
bad reason.

I considered recently if a spring spent in Minnesota is similar to
life in Ireland; rainy and cool-and depressing. Farm progress has
also been depressed until recently when we received our first
drop-shipment of sun and wind. Grain farmers in our area have been
active about the last week or so, although I did see a few out with
multi-weeders “scratchin’” prior to this week’s earnest activities. I
farm on such a small scale however I still occasionally worry about
completing my work. The cattle have been on pasture since May 5th so
I guess I’m doing the best I can without the benefits of steady
sunshine.

I hope things are going well in Carrington, Dave. I know you’ve
gotten kicked by Mother Nature even more than us this year so I hope
the fields are dry and farmers are busy. I would like to make a trip
to visit you at “Nelson West” however it seems the more clever I am
at lightening my workload, the more work I have to do. Which reminds
me, I need to haul manure and dig up the garden; I better “get to the
gettin’”

your little bro

A Wedding in five acts

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Act I scene I The Protagonists

Lisa and I were introduced to Alison Larson just prior to our own
wedding. Alison felt like family from the start. Alison is smart,
kind, capable and strong; much like the women of her new family.
Alison would most likely would define herself with a sports
metaphor-preferably something to do with the Minnesota Twins. It is
said that a parent’s greatest joy is in the good character of their
child; Alison’s mother and father must smile a lot. We liked Alison
immediately-even before she became family.

Act I scene II The Protagonists

Derek Walseth was the nephew of Lisa Walseth until she and I married;
now he’s my nephew too. Lisa and I often compare him to the character
of Jeff Bingham from the television series “Rules of Engagement.”
This character is something of a modern caveman however he is also
the coolest caveman you’ll ever meet. Derek makes being himself look
effortless, which is because he is genuine. I liked Derek
immediately-even before we were family.

Act II The Ceremony

Alison and Derek married at Zion Lutheran Church. Alison beamed as
she and her father strolled down the aisle to meet Derek. I don’t
believe I have ever seen as consistently tall a wedding party in my
life. The ceremony was just right and had the usual outcome. Pastor
Golv spoke directly about marriage and gave specific instructions to
make marriage successful followed by the vows and lighting of the
unity candle. The brevity of ceremony and temperature of the church
made for an attentive and alert congregation.

Act III The Party

After the wedding, we stopped at the American Legion for some
pre-celebration before attending the reception at the Ralph Engelstad
Arena. We arrived at the Imperial Ballroom for a full meal which
slowed the lovely little beer-buzz I had coaxed from the afternoon.
It was a great meal after which the anticipation for the evenings
program was built with each chair and table removed from the dance
floor. The Best Man and Maid of Honor spoke for Derek and Alison in
ways that were both charming and witty. I think people are a bit more
sophisticated nowadays as I always remembered these speeches as
semi-legible ramblings forced upon unwilling orators. Mother Walseth
was in the thick of the dance floor and danced several times with one
of the groomsmen who, despite their difference in age, could
potentially become my new step-father in-law.

Act IV The Puppy Bowl

During the Super Bowl, the Animal Planet Channel presents something
called “the Puppy Bowl.” It is a miniature stadium with puppies
running around after a tiny football and is incredibly entertaining.
The first dancers on the dance floor Saturday night at the Imperial
Ballroom were many of the children in attendance. It was sweet,
clumsy, entertaining and set a nice tone for the evening and it
really reminded me of the Puppy Bowl.

Act V The announcement

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you, for the first
time in this column, Mr and Mrs Derek Walseth-husband and wife.

The Week in Review

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This week I want to comment on a few current events. The first topic
is grim but the second will help end the column on a good note.

Osama Bin Laden was disposed of this past week which was a tremendous
accomplishment to the safety of the United States. Bin Laden was
unique in that he was not a crazy, foaming at the mouth, mindless
drone of a terrorist. He was educated, wealthy and a good planner; he
planned the three thousand deaths and accompanying destruction that
occurred in New york in 2001. He also had the contacts to raise any
money he didn’t have to create terror and death among Christians and
Muslims, even those in his host country of Pakistan. I have heard
some people worry that the United States is in even greater danger
because Bin Laden’s followers will try to exact revenge in the name
of the Al Qaeda leader. While this may have a bit of truth in the
short haul, the truth is that inspiration for hatred against America
goes deeper than the feeling members of Al Qaeda had for their
leader. These folks have twisted their very own faith into something
that allows them to kill others in the name of religion. They already
hate us because we are Christians and to back away from the task of
eliminating their leadership would only lead them to believe we are
weak Christians. Peace through acquiescence is slavery, I would
rather die fighting than live on my knees. Also, I have heard a few
celebrities and talking heads praising our national leadership for
writing Bin Laden’s final chapter, well forget that-thank the
soldiers who probably make less than you do for keeping you safe.

On a happier note was the marriage of Catherine Middleton and Prince
William, Duke of Cambridge. No marriage is greater than another,
however this marriage was seen across the world which allowed it to
inspire a greater number of people. It seems we are picking our way
through some dark times today and it is nice to see that love and the
human spirit persist. There is nothing like the courage of a young
couple, joining to make themselves stronger than the sum of their
parts, to make us believers. I watched the wedding which was grand in
scale but fairly simple in construction. It reminded me of any two
people who’ve decided to pursue life together and I felt elevated
after they’d rode away in their carriage together. I think the world
needs this kind of juice to make it through times that seem loveless
and empty. It may also be that my sentiment has come forward as we
are attending the wedding of our nephew Derek Walseth and Alison
Larson this week-end. These two hold a very warm place in our hearts
and brought Lisa and I much happiness when they announced their
intentions to wed. I suspect it will be a day that elevates and
reminds us of the day we were married.

That’s my take on the world. It’s been a good week.