Belinda is a star!

Belinda's work at the Chamber of Commerce is wide-ranging and keeps her busy a lot! Today was the annual Ag Lunch at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds with more than 130 in attendance to see the county's Farm Family of the Year announced and to hear speakers and enjoy a hearty pork lunch.

Wesley's week

79° in March!

Friday night dreams

 Wesley days are full of naps, watching the backyard activities, and more naps!

Late winter snow

The final weekend of winter descended upon us in southern Minnesota in the form of a blizzard! It wasn't as much as had been predicted, at least in our area, but the 6-8" surely was enough to keep us at home Sunday morning! When the last of the snow fell Sunday night/Monday morning, about 10" of the white stuff had fallen. Charles was very happy to have a snowblower to tackle the clearing of the heavy, wet snow!!

Breakfast in Glenville

The American Legion Post #264 hosted an enjoyable breakfast fundraiser this morning with really good food in support of a great organization!

Lunch on Broadway

We took advantage of a beautiful late winter's day (ahead of the impending blizzard on Sunday) to have lunch together at Mom's Bread Company which is a block from where Belinda works. Their soups and cookies are so good!
 

Work in the basement

Recent work down in the basement revealed the need for improved insulation. American Waterworks' staff were on hand to to do this needed work, which we are counting on to reduce energy costs!

Happy birthday, Wesley

2012 - McCamey, Texas

2013 - San Antonio, Texas

2015 - Stevensville, Montana

2020 - Boulder, Colorado

2025 - Albert Lea, Minnesota

Our sweet Wesley came into the world on March 3, 2012, in McCamey, Texas and into our home a couple of months later. He's had five homes in his fourteen years and continues to be a big part of our home and life. At fourteen, he is seventy-two in human years and is now the oldest resident in our cottage.

New to the Collection

Thanks to Judy Clark, the Collection received a nice donation today!

 

A worthy cause

We were happy to join the community at the Moose Lodge tonight in support of the History Center of Freeborn County. The food was delicious and the items in the Silent Auction were fun to see.

Night on the town

We met up with Ed & Joyce Shaman tonight at Cento for a light supper and followed that with our first experience at the Marion Ross Theater! We enjoyed "Nunsense" a lot!
 

A busy week in Albert Lea

Lots of fun at the Chamber After-hours

Belinda is on the job!

Legion Post #56 

Charles' American Legion cover

It's been a busy week for us with three worship services on Sunday, American Legion meeting on Monday, Chamber of Commerce After-hours on Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and more to come!

The warm weather we enjoyed earlier in the week has given way to blustery, even snowy weather.

Lenten season is underway

Glenville UMC

 

Thorne Crest chapel

We got the season of Lent underway last Sunday with the Imposition of Ashes at Glenville UMC and then today, Charles offered an Ash Wednesday service at Thorne Crest.

Another painting completed

Dominica in Palmis De Passione Domini
(Palm Sunday on the Passion of the Lord)

Charles completed a new painting today which will be used during the upcoming Lenten Season at Glenville UMC.

It's a "false spring" in Albert Lea

With the long, cold, winter we've had in southern Minnesota this year, this week has seen a steady increase in temperatures. This weekend will see temperatures in the mid-50s! It's what locals call a "false spring" because winter isn't finished with us yet. Today, Charles spotted a pickup truck on Fountain Lake, the ice is at least 10" thick!!!

Studio time

Charles spent some time in the studio this morning, making early moves on what will be the first in a new series of liturgical paintings.

Big Island Rendezvous fundraising dinner

Tonight's fundraising dinner in support of this year's Big Island Rendezvous was a lot of fun, and the silent auction saw us leave with two items!

Groundhog Day 2026

Punxsutawney Phil, the world's most famous furry forecaster, popped out of his burrow this morning and predicted six more weeks of winter, much to the disappointment of some of his legions of adoring fans.

See the Groundhog Hymn being sung at Stevensville UMC - Stevensville, MT at this link (Charles was pastor there, 2013-2019).

The Groundhog Hymn (to the tune "Praise the Lord" by Natalie Sleeth, The Faith We Sing, #2020):

1. Praise the Lord for the woodland creatures,

praise the Lord for the garden guests,

praise the Lord! for by them our lives are blest.

Praise the Lord for the scamp'ring squirrels,

praise the Lord for the graceful deer,

praise the Lord for the sounds of nature we hear.

Praise the Lord for the humble woodchuck,

praise the Lord for the mouse and mole,

praise the Lord for the backyard visits that sustain our soul.

Praise the Lord for the wildlife near us,

praise the Lord as we watch them play

praise the Lord; always send a smile their way.

2. Praise the Lord for the change of seasons,

praise the Lord for the gifts they bring,

praise the Lord for the loveliness of spring.

Praise the Lord for the warmth of summer,

praise the Lord for the colors of fall,

praise the Lord for the beauty of it all.

Praise the Lord for the cold of winter,

praise the Lord every Groundhog Day.

Praise the Lord! It won't last forever!

That's what the shadows say!

Praise the Lord for the gift of laughter,

praise the Lord for a silly song,

praise the Lord, always try to sing along.

©2008 F. Richard Garland. Published by The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, PO Box 340003, Nashville TN 37203.

Two pieces for Belinda's Office

.

Carnevale Mystique

6" flowerpot

Using colors that were used for the light/outlet covers (for the Chamber of Commerce offices), Charles created a colorful planter and a painting for Belinda's office.

Art Center Project

Getting the word out to the community

Liquid acrylic

Mondrian-themed disc

Charles is taking part in an Art Center project that will hopefully bring more awareness to the Center's activities. These disks are being painted by the Art Center board members and will placed around the town.

A sign of the times

Belinda has her own office with a chair, computer, phone, and a door! And now, she has a name plate to tell people just who she is!

Boxes in the basement

Charles has begun the organization of buttons not currently on the button display panels. Wesley was checking on Charles' progress and seemed to be showing some concerns about the sudden appearance of moving boxes! For the record, we are NOT moving!!

More art on display

Vårförnimmelser (green painting by window)

"On Green Mountain" (to the left by woman's head)

The Silent City (multi-colored piece)

Charles is among several dozen members of the Albert Lea Art Center who have pieces in the current Annual Members Show. He has three pieces in this show plus another seven in the Featured Artist exhibition.

Underway in Glenville

We began the New Year with the Glenville UMC family with worship on a very cold and windy day!