The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda The thing one doesn’t know about retirement is that, when combined with a winter with snowfall close to record depths, you spend a lot of time in your house. Winter, it turns out, isn’t so bad when you don’t absolutely have to be someplace at some time. Yet one tries to… Read More

To the Editor, A few days ago, Governor Walz and the DFL led Minnesota Legislature, including a small group of Republican Senators, sent a message loud and clear when they passed the Universal School Meals bill: children and families are a priority in our state!  With the Universal School Meals law, K-12 students will have access to… Read More

Bev Johnson Master Gardener How was your garden last summer? Not as productive as you would like? If so, here are a few things to try. If you have problems with potato bugs, don’t plant your spuds until the last week in June, or even the first week of July.  By this time, the potato bugs… Read More

Question: I read your article last week about trailer safety. I would like more information on trailer hitch ball sizes and why they have different sizes?   Answer: There are four different trailer hitch ball sizes. Each size has a different weight rating related to the trailer you are pulling. It is very important to make… Read More

Bev Johnson Master Gardener Petunia is very active in several non-profit groups and belongs to 3 professional clubs.  As a result, she usually gets pots of blooming spring bulbs at or around Easter. There are usually several pots of Easter lilies, and several with mixes of miniature daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, squill, crocus and even small… Read More

Question: My son recently got his driver’s license. Does his name need to be on the proof of auto insurance card?   Answer: Minnesota accepts proof of auto insurance on paper or electronically. You son’s name doesn’t need to be listed on the card as long as someone’s is. Talk to your auto insurance agent about… Read More

The Widow Fistula, in case you’ve forgotten, lives in Boatville. She lives alone, ever since her husband, Pickle Pete, who ran The Gherkin Factory, fell—or jumped, depending upon your view of her personality—into a vat of prime dills and perished. The Widow believes in personal education, and along that line she has expanded her knowledge… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda After our first winter here back in 1973, we rejoiced in surviving both it and the intrusive visits of our rough-edged bachelor neighbor, Peter P. Which of the two had been the biggest burden was a toss up. But spring finally came. Peter P. was our Finnish neighbor to the west, and… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Scientists view the interaction of plants, fungi and bacteria as a “co-evolutionary” arms race.  The result of this arms race is that plants die of various diseases, even though  “truces” are usually the norm. the result of these truces is that neither has the upper hand.  Plants and fungi, in some… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Trooper Grabow, recently I have noticed an increasing number of U.S. branded vehicles (mostly pickups/SUV) driving with no daytime running lights. At first I assumed they were just burned out or whatever, but I’m seeing way too many for that to be true. On a recent foggy morning I almost… Read More