morris (mn) mojo

Hello Frank, my song "Ballad of Bobby Richardson"

Hello Frank, here's my song "Class of 1973"

Hello Frank, my song "Let Burlington Iowa Touch You"

Hello Frank, here's my song "The Metrodome"

I'm putting toe in water about podcasting. I can see the system has changed a little. This post is to try to get comfortable again.

A reminder that government can indeed come to the rescue. We're hearing all about college loan forgiveness. There could be a downside. But right now we're hearing more about the other side of the coin. Of course, nothing in life is free.

I sing my original song "January 6 Lament" here. It reviews the very unsettling events of that day, Jan. 6, 2021, when unruly behavior broke out at the nation's capitol.

So we're into a new July 4 weekend. Sun is out, weather quite pleasant. We have been warned that inflation is rearing its head for the July 4 three-day weekend. I'm not doing anything special. Take care and be safe. I'm keeping an eye on political doings on this holiday weekend. Will we hear Lee Greenwood's music as background for a Trump rally again? He may announce for 2024.

Imagine going to church during the WWII years. Someone reminded me recently that the First Lutheran Church pastor in those stressful times was Rev. Emil Ede. I wonder how he helped everyone cope.

He's a coach with the Washington D.C. "Commanders." He has been associated with our Minnesota Vikings. At present he's in some controversy over comments that do not draw on his football expertise. Shall we say he's in a "dust-up?" Rimshot.

A mess in South Dakota: impeachment and upcoming trial in the state senate, of Jason Ravnsborg. He's the embattled attorney general. The matter has lingered for too long. The bar needs to be set high in assessing the behavior of the person in this position.

To Frank in Nashville: Here is my "rough" singing of song "Why Can't We All Get Along?"

Hello Mr. Michels, here's my Xmas song for 2021, "Star on the Barn."

My generation once harbored some resentment against the ultra-rich. Our attitudes began shifting with the election of Ronald Reagan. Is it now time for a re-set? Can we look objectively at ultra-rich T. Denny Sanford of South Dakota, weigh the child porn allegations against him? Is money really everything?

This September weekend has fine weather, albeit windy, but we're all getting more concerned again with the virus. My church strongly suggests masks for Sunday, seems like a requirement. Well, there goes coffee hour!

Today, Sept. 17, has importance for Civil War remembrance in Minnesota. I reflect on two post-war events. Remember we have the Sam Smith statue at Summit Cemetery in Morris, to mark the remembrance in a dramatic way. Look for the "running rifleman."

On this perfect mid-September day we must count our blessings. This is especially so, when one considers that we are always on the nuclear precipice. Precipice with possible disaster, as the new book co-written by Bob Woodward reminds us. Why can't Americans be more careful electing our president?

The Tigers improved to 2-0 in their very well-attended home opener. This podcast episode is being made on the anniversary of 9/11. I am plugging for the vaccination effort!

The new TV movie "Impeachment" recalls Bill Clinton and his dalliance with the intern. I guess many years have passed, but in my mind it really seems not so long ago. Just like the 9/11 attack and Y2K.

Ah, the joy of ABBA music. I express the hope here that our high school band director Ms. Dagen might still locate an ABBA medley for her top band. Her last check did not turn up the ideal arrangement for that level. If not this, how about "Yellow Submarine?"

What news: new musical releases from the '70s supergroup ABBA, from Sweden. So this inspires today's offering on the "Morris Mojo" podcast, from Morris MN!

Did we really need this? Texas' decision to move ahead with a drastic abortion law? Is this even in the interests of conservative Republicans who normally champion such things?

We haven't forgotten our former librarian, from pre-pandemic times: Melissa Yauk. This episode is shared on Melissa's birthday, April 12, a time of year when the weather is budging toward spring but it's a halting process, isn't it. Well, happy birthday to Melissa, native of Wadsworth, Illinois.

Hello Frank Michels in Nashville, I sing here my composition "Writing on the Stone," song about Kensington Runestone.

So it's April 10 and weather shifts in predictable fashion. I comment here on the upcoming start of fast-pitch softball and about the new facility in Morris for that purpose.

There is tumult in Christianity with the voices of "evangelicals" who seem totally attached to a political leader or leader. Let's drop names: Donald Trump. Can we progress from this and embrace the true essence of Christ? It's worthy of thought on this Sunday, March 21.

It's Saturday but some churches already have their Sunday service posted on YouTube. Earlier today I called up the very pleasant service of Triumphant Love Lutheran Church of Austin TX. The chief pastor is Danielle Casey.

This brings back memories for me: celebrating "St. Urho's Day," a faux holiday, on March 16. It's this coming Tuesday, to be followed of course by the more bona fide St. Patrick's Day. Could it be that the Finns are trying to steal some of the Irish (and Catholic) thunder? Hmmm.

On this mid-March day, with lots of "snirt" around us, we ponder our progress from the pandemic. We wonder if we might attend church tomorrow (Sunday) as if something akin to normality has returned. Most likely the answer is "no" on that, but we focus on the progress. We can appreciate the creativity of churches with their YouTube offerings.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - that's "in" not "of" - is beginning to recognize that "evangelical" is a problem part of the title. That's because the term has been co-opted by the far right of American politics, i.e. the Trump crowd.

Lent: Not sure I can provide a precise description, but I know we should fast some. There's something to be said for that, regardless of spirituality! Churches do special things on Wednesdays of Lent. Our recognition comes amidst a time of general decline for mainstream churches and in particular the ELCA.

The Tigers of girls hoops came out on the short end vs. Redwood Valley Friday at Tiger Center. The score was 75-46. It was a down night but we actually did OK with three-point shooting. So I report on the game and also share some unrelated thoughts, some in the spiritual realm.

It lingers: the September traffic incident in SD involving the state's attorney general. A big deal? Well, someone was killed. The investigation went on and on. Now impeachment is coming forward. Stay tuned. I speak here on the impression left by Jason Ravnsborg in his videotaped interrogation from late October.

Not an easy task these days: keeping the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on a steady course with our vitality. The so-called "conservative" strain has siphoned off numbers. The ELCA has stayed true to its principles. With time, who knows? The numbers may swell again. Seems unlikely now, but who knows how change can come? Remember how we all liked disco music?

Time for some spiritual reflection here as we embark on the Lenten season. My church of First Lutheran in Morris will have a service tonight (Wednesday) and I'll likely be there. Opportunities are rare in these days of the pandemic to get out and at least be close to a few people. I will turn down any charcoal for the forehead! IMHO seems like a superstitious ritual. Let's contemplate what it means to be Lutheran.

Here's a toast to Vic Power, MVP of the 1962 Minnesota Twins who placed second in the American League, five games behind the New York Yankees. I share some lyrics/poetry in tribute. It's long ago but let's not let go of the memories.

Calvin Griffith was almost saintly when he brought his Senators to Minnesota, here to become our Minnesota Twins. Today his statue has been removed. Odd, the vicissitudes of life. I reflect on the background of the historic move by Griffith to bring his Senators here. I was six years old when the Twins began play.

February is when we can sort of "think spring." Ah, wishful thinking. How we pine for that now, in this year of distress with the pandemic. In this post I share about the weather, plus some more thoughts on keeping churchgoing vibrant. Oh, and a bonus! I share some lyrics/poetry on the subject of Trump as he fades. At least we think he's fading.

Wow what an interesting new frontier: churches existing online. So they seek to progress with this, sometimes in a halting way. The main thing is having a good effort. My church of First Lutheran in Morris could get better. We'll see. Of course it's the pandemic that has forced this move online. What will the future hold? If we only knew.

Many of us would be fixated on the Super Bowl if we were in normal times. Alas our routines have been upended, and it seems to me the Super Bowl has far less reach than it normally would. Let's focus on how we can continue dealing with pandemic as best we can.

East 7th in Morris was once the main entry to town from the east, plus the old school was there. So it could be a "people magnet" to be sure. Some charming businesses existed along there like the "Pylin" drive-in restaurant. It was like stepping into the movie "American Grafitti."

A community's Sesquicentennial is cause for reflection on the past. Morris sprouted in 1871 thanks to the railroad. By the end of the century we saw some grand Victorian homes like the Stanton House, west Morris. In 1910 we got the West Central School of Agriculture, on the campus known today as UMM. To what extent can we celebrate the Sesquicentennial? Hard to know at present.

A sense of history, truly, on this January 20: Trump exits, a voice for hope and optimism comes in. It happens as we experience the dead of winter here in Minnesota. Let's get over this pandemic.

It ought to be a big deal for our Morris MN: our 150th anniversary as a community. We began in 1871 as a "tent town" out here on the prairie. The railroad set the stage for it all. We had a super Centennial celebration in 1971. I was part of that. But what of the Sesquicentennial? Frankly, it sounds like nothing is going to be happening. Well, we've slowed down because of the pandemic anyway. Is it too late now?

You should know that the Killoran stage is the second such facility at East Side Park in Morris. The previous facility appears pretty much forgotten, and it's unfortunate because it was special. My podcast of today gets into that history along with a general history of East Side Park. Let us have music back there again. The Killoran stage gets almost zero use now - unbelievable.

We need greater use of the outdoor stage at East Side Park in Morris. Nice to see that Skip Killoran has gotten active with this. I'll add what I can. In this podcast episode I reflect on summer marching band in Morris in the '70s, as an example of how kids can really get on board with summer music. I guess we need some leadership and example-setting by adults. Alas, these can be scarce commodities in our Morris, Minnesota.

Today I can report on a letter written by Skip Killoran to our Chamber of Commerce. I sympathize fully: the Killoran stage at East Side Park has fallen into almost total disuse. The big blow was Prairie Pioneer Days leaving East Side Park. What can be done? Constructive minds could solve this. We need more basic enthusiasm in the community. Good luck on that. I'd like to see some young musicians roll up their sleeves.

I don't blame the Killoran family for now expressing concern about the non-use of the terrific outdoor stage at East Side Park. It is time someone made this an issue for public discussion. An element of the community once pushed for this. Fine, but it has fallen into dis-use, I suppose because of apathy or because young people have become too consumed by sports.

I got a belated Christmas message from a friend in Cedar Rapids - belated but appreciated! Bruce brought me up to date on what it was like to experience the severe August storm there. It's called a "derecho." I quote from his email here, scary details about what a storm like this can do, the size of the insurance payments etc. And you think you have problems? Bruce came out of it fine, thank goodness. We are old musical friends.

My what harsh weather we had leading into our Christmas Eve of 2020. This podcast episode is recorded on our precious Christmas Eve Day. We cherish it as we try to overlook the circumstances hovering over the 2020 holiday. No need to remind you all. Take care and Merry Christmas. The weather is pretty calm as of Thursday afternoon. The sun is out!