Articles written by tom palen
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 65
A Half Dog
I opened the refrigerator, looking for the hotdogs. I found the package near the bottom of the drawer with lunchmeats and cheese. "Hmm, only one left," I said. "Perfect! I only wanted one."...
Chocolate Cake
I love baking pies and rolls but I especially like baking birthday cakes. (It means there's a party coming.) My birthday is November 15th, and my sister Patti's birthday is the 21st, just six days...
Luby's
The man stared blankly, almost in a daze, through the heat lamps that hung over the glass shield above the steam table while waiting for the next customer. "Excuse me, sir," I said. The man snapped...
Stray Cats, Pumpkins, and Wild Life
"I need you to be in town by 8:00," Sydney said. "You don't have to stay at the house all day, but at least be in town in case the school calls…." "That kid of mine worries too much," I said, but I di...
F-MART
Just before you round the curve heading east on US Highway 276, or is it state Highway 11, which would be a north/south highway? Already, I digress. Just before that curve, you'll see a sign marking...
Road Rage
I went to South Hy Vee yesterday to get Granny Smith apples for the pie I made for a fundraiser. When leaving the grocery store, I turned north onto Quincy Avenue. There was some congestion ahead of...
Going the Full Mile
I do it, and I'm not the only one who does. People who drive muscle cars or ride motorcycles will understand. When passing through the tunnels on Highway 61, I like to accelerate a little (sometimes...
A Perfect Day
I watched a beautiful sunrise over Lake Superior during my drive to Duluth. I was returning the sander we had rented to finish the hardwood floors. "Darn! I forgot the extension cord." The cord was...
Hathaway
I was heading home, eastbound, on the long stretch of I-94 through Montana. I saw a sign for a rest area two miles ahead. "I'll stop there," I said. After a long day of driving, and well into the...
Rocks and Shells
I like big bodies of water. So far, I've only visited two of the Earth's four oceans. I've also walked many large ocean inlets: the Gulf of Mexico, Puget Sound, and the Bay of Fundy. I enjoy the saltw...
Change
Some things change, and some never will. Whether change is good or bad depends on what’s changing. The other day I looked for hours for the key to the padlock on the hitch of our Scamp trailer. I alwa...
Ben Franklin and Rhubarb
When I think of July fourth, several things come to mind; first and foremost is Independence Day. I can only imagine the courage it took to sign a document telling the king your intention to separate...
Fluff Pie
I love baking pies. I have my favorites and a list of other people's favorites. I occasionally try something new, even making a pie I've never heard of. Over the years, I have made pies for many...
The Flower Box
I love wood and all its beauty, especially species with bold grain. Quarter-sawn oak is one of my favorite woods. When we remodeled our house, all carpeting was replaced with real three-quarter-inch...
IHOP
I was on a road trip recently, and as it does occasionally, my GPS took me the wrong way. Sometimes this can be frustrating – other times, it leads to new adventures or allows me to meet new people. O...
Hamilton Beach
My wife and I enjoy going to garage and estate sales to see what we can find. Once in a while, I'll come across something I just can't live without, so I buy it and take it home. Unfortunately, I'm... Full story
Green Glasses
I reached into the shower to turn on the water. Next, I removed my pajama pants, dropped them on the bathroom floor, and stepped into the shower. Usually, I would put the pajamas in the clothes...
The Smelt Fry
My neighbor Penne sent me a message: "Hey! Asking a favor: would you check if there are still tickets for the Green Door smelt fry on May 20; and, if there are, buy two for us? Obviously, we'll...
Sunflowers
While living in Iowa, my girlfriend and I visited the North Shore a few times yearly. Finally, I proposed marriage to her on the shore of Lake Superior. As a result, our wedding and honeymoon were on...
Rosie
In our quest to find the perfect couch, Melissa and I stopped by a furniture store just off I-35W while on our way home from Minneapolis. When we first walked in the door, we were greeted by a lady...
Welcome Back, Old Man
Last fall, I harvested the fruit from our daughter's apple tree. I decided to try my hand at starting an apple orchard from the seeds. Before heading south for a few weeks, I placed the seeds on a...
Nacho Cheese
There was a shortage of dairy products in the 1970s, so then-President Jimmy Carter poured money into the dairy industry to stimulate increased production. Dairy farmers responded and were soon... Full story
New Boots
I am often asked why I moved north in my fifties, a time in life when many people want to move south for the warmer climate. The answer is simple: I don't do so well with heat, especially combined... Full story
Firehouse Mutt's
I was nearly speechless after just one bite of the Brunswick Stew from the buffet. But let's be honest: I'm a radio guy; when was a radio guy ever kept speechless? "This soup did not come from a...
The Far Side
I couldn't find the item I was looking for, so I asked for help, "Hi, can you tell me where you keep the…." John interrupted. "It's on the other side of the store," he answered monotonously. "How d...