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Thanksgiving day to unite to give thanks

This week, families across our state are gathering to spend quality time together, give thanks, and, of course, eat some delicious Minnesota-raised turkey. We all know we live in divided times. But this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the fact that what unites us as Minnesotans is far ...

Fixing scuffed shoes

Dear Heloise: I have a pair of dressy flats in a sort of silvery-black color. I noticed that they had become scuffed and looked worn, with some of the color getting muted. It occurred to me to try putting some petroleum jelly on them. I was astounded at the difference! They were almost as good ...

Am I the problem?

Dear Annie: I work at a school as a teacher and have struggled over the years with how cliquey the other teachers have been. Shortly after I started there, the pandemic happened, and many people friended each other on Facebook. Because that was the only source for a sense of community as we ...

A day at the sale barn

It had been many years since I’d sat down and watched a livestock auction in person. I was pleased to learn that most things about sale barns hadn’t changed. My wife and I raise a few Jersey steers. We normally sell them as halves and quarters of hanging beef to friends and relatives. For ...

Steady by jerks

“How’s it going?” is a common conversation starter. I use the reply that Grandpa Nelson favored. “Steady by jerks,” I’ll say. This has never been truer than during my recovery from treatment for tonsil cancer. There are going to be repercussions whenever they slightly kill you ...

How to opt out of mailing lists

Dear Heloise: I read with interest Julie G.’s letter, from Tucson, Arizona, about being overwhelmed with letters from charities. My mom, God rest her soul, received “begging letters” from every religious charity out there and, unfortunately, gave many of them money. When she passed, I ...