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by Stacy Bender The early morning call caused me to pause before I answered. When I did, little time passed before I knew the truth: Grandma Lois did not wake up yesterday. I have written about my grandmother and what she has taught me before today. Some of my earliest memories are of Grandma Lois - her little green house, watching soap operas with her during the heat of summer, how hard she...

In late December 2009, Minard Hall at NDSU suffered a partial structural failure. Fortunately, this failure happened at the perfect time - a time when no one was in the building. The construction company that was putting on an addition excavated a 25 foot hole directly adjacent to the original building and that along with a number of other factors caused the distribution of load to shift causin...

Tonight's waxing gibbous moon will pass south of Saturn on its way to Friday's Full Flower Moon. Consider it a prelude to an upcoming stellar cover-up and a curious lunar eclipse. May is the time of year when the moon takes a noticeably southward path across the sky; this month's full moon hangs low compared to the high moons of winter. That's because the full moon is always opposite the sun...

And the rain continues. . . not that I'm complaining. Everything was so dry--now there is green everywhere. The leaves are coming out on the bushes and trees and the grass already needs mowing again. I had thoughts of actually accomplishing a few things on my list in the afternoons and evenings after work this week, but so far the rain has prevented any real work being done. Like I said, I'...

We first had this salad at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, when Jerris niece Lynne made it for a family dinner. Jerri and I were both very much taken by the combination of flavors and the simplicity of the recipe. INGREDIENTS: 8 oz. mostaccioli noodles 2 medium cucumbers (about 6-7 inches long), unpeeled and sliced thinly 1 medium onion (about 3 inches in diameter), sliced thinly 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 c...

Scroll down for today's The Big Reveal posting   Thank you to ...

A few days ago, I sat and listened to a graduation commencement speech. OH what ENERGY! The graduates beautifully dressed in cap and gown, stole around their necks, tassels on their hats, full of life for the future. For some of them life has been wonderful: affirmation from all sides, good grades, the future something to be conquered because they have been reassured that everything, all their ...

While most anything can be given to charity, these are the more common forms of donated property: Cash: Cash gifts are the easiest to give to a charity, both in terms of substantiating the deduction and in determining the value of the gift. Real Estate: Real estate that is owned outright and which has appreciated in value can be given to a charity. The donor can generally deduct the fair mark...

I have photographed the Fargo Marathon for the last few years. The experience of quickly moving from location to location to photograph runners and the stuff they go through is amazing. What is more amazing is the expressions on emotion on their faces. I have seen people go from smiling and cheery during the first part of the race and then see them on the way back to the Fargodome on the brink ...

The National Sunflower Association is suggesting farmers battling drought to plant you guessed it sunflower. Farmers considering abandoning winter wheat and attempting a late-seeded cash crop can get specifics at http://igrow.org/agronomy/profit-tips/soil-moisture-and-water-thrifty-crops/ The sunflower water use threshold is 50 percent of the corn water use threshold, the NSA says in its S...

The world is full of incredibly talented people, of artists who can create magnificent paintings and extraordinary sculptures, of people who can sing songs that raise the soul and dampen the eyes. The sheer talent of some people absolutely astounds me, blows my mind. Imagine a world without writers, without singers, dancers, dreamers, creators of great wonders. What would we do? Heres an idea....

His work has been seen and heard at music festivals, clubs and arenas around the world, but you wont find posters of him lining teenagers bedroom walls. Nic Patullo started New Vintage Amplifiers in 2008. And with an ever-expanding client list that includes bands blink-182, 3 Doors Down, Motion City Soundtrack and Low, and musicians for artists Kenny Chesney, Sara Bareilles, Mat Kearney and ...

There is no doubt that quinoa is on trend right now in the food world. The united nations has even deemed 2013 as the "year or quinoa". Not just because it's popular though, but because it is considered to be one of natures most perfect foods. It contains both protein and fiber and can grow in a wild variety of climates. My family wasn't too big on trying quinoa though.....it's sort of the same...

I love running! I love training! My body, mind and soul all benefit from having a steady routine. Training for races has been the one constant during the last four years that seems to make everything else flow along smoothly. Looking forward to workouts and then completing them fill me with an energy than carries through into all parts of my life. Everything from my work to my marriage and...

I didnt bet on Orb, this years Kentucky Derby winner, but I should have. I should have noticed Orb was wearing the colors of one if not the greatest fillies of all time: Ruffian. Then, there would have been no doubt where to lay the measly dollar I put down in an informal poolbet. Since Orbs win, his ties to Ruffian and Secretariat have been briefly mentioned by articles and turfwriters, but ...