Tick, tick, tick, tick, wood ticks, deer ticks, bear ticks and now add the lone star ticks out there trying to suck our blood. Vampires of nature, they are despised by everyone. I just found one nestled between my toes! It latched on to my big toe and made itself at home! Out of sight it was…

As I sit down to write this column, several words come to mind: gratitude, humility and community. About a year and a half ago, I came on as editor for the Osceola Sun and Country Messenger. With a heavy and hopeful heart, I have decided to move on from the position to pursue other opportunities. 

Yesterday wasn’t the best day.

Spring woods are alive with all the returning birds, trilliums and ferns are popping up everywhere as turkeys gobble. If you venture out and wear out enough boot leather, you just might find some morel mushrooms. My older brother, Richard, (Dick Bennett) has been gathering morels longer than…

Memorial Day, also known as the unofficial start of summer, is observed the last Monday of May. This year, Memorial Day is Monday, May 28. The day is set aside to commemorate the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, particularly those who died in battle or …

“Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.” 

I have a sticker that says “My Happy Place,” and I kept it for a while, wondering where to put it. In the end, I stuck it near my desk so I could see it while I write. I am usually happy when I’m writing. 

No Mow May is well underway - and there are plenty of neighborhoods with shaggy yards to prove it. The movement, which has become quite popular, is more than just a catchy phrase and reason to avoid doing yardwork.

One of the current hot topics in many industries is artificial intelligence, better known as AI.

I like taking photos when I’m out of the country. 

I can remember another May 6 fishing opener on Lake Tainter. It was the Governors Opener, I was in a boat filming an episode for Northland Adventures television with host and good friend, Dave Carlson. Also in the boat was photographer Brad Wait and my good friend Steve Jenkins. I lived a ha…

Just a reminder, Mother’s Day is around the corner… Traditionally, the United States celebrates Mother’s Day annually on the second Sunday in May.

In 1999, the science fiction movie “The Matrix” was released by Warner Brothers. The story is about humanity discovering it has been enslaved by technology and the struggle to escape.

The TSA agent looked stern—as they usually do.

22-year-old Eve Schmit does not fit the usual tobacco chewing, overweight firearms employee. At 5’ 9”, 110 lbs. with enough long blonde hair to scare away a giant gobbler when it fell out from under her camouflaged cap, Schmit, the gun salesperson has fallen in love with turkey hunting. The …

There have been many conversations between my husband and myself about our daily commute to work. He drives west to the cities, while I take Hwy 95 North. After years of commuting to the cities, I appreciate and prefer the 30-minute drive along the St. Croix River.

It’s time once again to find the Best of the Valley.

I start noticing the planes overhead when it’s nearing the time to go.

Are you wondering what kind of fishing season we are going to have this year? The water temperature at the boat launch on my favorite local lake was 37 degrees on April 21. Sleet, snow and cold were pounding me as I stood on the end of the dock on my home lake nestled on the St. Croix/Polk C…

May Day, which lands on the first day of the month, celebrates the return of spring and marks the halfway point to summer. As with many early holidays, May Day was rooted in agriculture.

Is it getting crazier out there, or is it just me?

Our landlord, Jorge, loves his suns. I am sure he loves his son, Jorge Jr., as well, but I am talking about the other kind of sun.

Nanc’ee set the hook perfectly from her beach chair, overlooking the mouth of the Savanah River where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The rod had a good bend in it as she popped up and headed toward the water to beach her catch! So did the Great Blue Heron that landed near us a minute ag…

Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April in the United States. This year, Arbor Day is Friday, April 28. 

Happy summer (?!) to you.

I saw the burro wearing pants and carrying a basket filled with paper flowers.

Northern Pike just look mean. Their teeth can cut through heavy wire leaders. For some reason they love to hit tiny lures. I’ve caught several huge pike and lost many more when they hit a tiny beetle spin or tube jig fishing for panfish. If your line touches a tooth in that toothy, razor bla…

The environmental movement known as Earth Day was born in 1970. Every year the day is celebrated April 22. Earth Day is a reminder to dedicate our time, resources and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. This year marks the 53rd anniversary.

There’s an old adage about newspapers being the place where you can learn who has been “hatched, matched and dispatched.” The paper has been the place to read birth announcements (hatched), engagements and weddings (matched) and death notices and obituaries (dispatched).

My husband, Peter, is trying to impress a local collie.

I’m sitting here wondering if the weatherman is playing an April’s Fool’s Joke predicting close to a foot of snow. You’ll know if he was when you read this as I’m writing this column March 31. I’d rather be out looking for crappies moving into shallow or ice out trout or smelt on Lake Superi…

Compared to many Easter traditions, chocolate eggs are relatively new. The tradition of chocolate eggs originated in France and Germany in the early 1800s. By 1971, the famous Cadbury Creme Egg (and bunny ) were born.

Easter is rapidly approaching. Are you ready, in spite of the not so spring like weather?

Anxiety likes numbers. 

We’re supposed to hit 60 degrees by March 23. We haven’t been close to 50 yet! My phone is telling me April 14 is when 60’s predicted. That just didn’t seem right! I’m almost ready to drive down to the Iowa border and see if the snow line really ends there! No snow in Iowa and all of Wiscons…

The tradition of Easter dates back centuries to all corners of the world, celebrating the advent of a new season, rebirth and resurrection. Since its origins, Easter celebrations typically include feasting. Easter bread is a traditional treat featured on tables from the United States to Bulgaria. 

I’m a sucker for a stray animal.