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Q: I have heard people say “I can forgive but I never forget.” Does forgiving require forgetting about the hurt also? A: I don’t think that it’s possible for us to forget about sin in the modern sense of the word. Painful and traumatic events burn a strong “memory tag” in our brains. Our bodies and brains want us to remain mindful of that hurtful situation so we don’t repeat it in the future! People who have been hurt by sin will carry the scars and the memory of what happened. Being told to “forgive and forget” often just reinforces the pa...
I think I’ve hinted in the past that I like history. I don’t know if I could pass a history test right now, but I do like to read history. I don’t know when, or how, but I receive an email every day entitled “This Day in History.) The information they sent out included many things. American and World historical events on that day; from Crimes to Native American History . . . all events that happened on a particular day. Today, I learned something new. I suspect most of you have heard the phrase: “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of t...
I shouldn’t have said anything about not having our air conditioners running last week. The universe heard me and one-upped me. We installed the AC in our bedroom window Thursday evening and were trying to tough it out downstairs but caved on Sunday. There goes my low utility bills! This heat and humidity reminds me of summers as a kid, sneaking down to the river in the afternoon to cool off. I wasn’t supposed to be at the river, but always seemed to end up there. LOL! My friends and I had found this spot where a tree had fallen in the wat...
Some people have favorite trees. My husband likes the native Cottonwood tree since it reminds him of his childhood, as his family lived by the Solomon River where the Cottonwood trees grew in abundance. He enjoyed hearing the sounds of their rustling leaves. For myself, my favorite tree is the native Catalpa tree. It was about four years ago that my husband and I planted a Catalpa tree in our front yard. It has grown a lot since it was planted. Now it provides shade from the morning sun through the front windows of our house. Some may wonder...
Forty years ago this month the fate of an overhead suspension bridge first erected in Iowa probably in the prior century and moved in Nuckolls County in 1935 was sealed. On a June morning construction workers toppled the tired structure into the Republican River. It replaced a bridge destroyed by the great 1935 flood. At the time it was moved, the Nuckolls County Commissioners expected it would be good for 100 years. It may have been had expectations of what was needed from a bridge at the location had not changed. By 1984, the bridge was...
Q: I’m having a hard time relating to my grandchildren. I don’t understand their problems and can’t seem to help them. What can I do? A: It does seem like the generational gaps are widening in our culture. As changes in our culture accelerate, it can be harder and harder to keep up, particularly because we keep slowing down! The reality is that, as we age, more effort is required to keep pace with our children or grandchildren. As one who has spent a significant amount of time with the youth of this generation, I think I can offer some bibli...
The end of last week, I finally realized another example of the power of three. A lot of people believe things happen in “threes.” As I understand it, mostly bad things happen in threes. I’m not sure I believe in that, but it does seem to happen often enough to make many believers. My example in recent weeks is that three first cousins have just died, all close together: Robert Ostdiek, Harold Brockman and Jack Lemke. All first cousins to each other. That’s enough of my relatives to leave us. I hope the power of three is satisfied and I have...
Well, I am failing at being a gardener. Most of my seeds did not come up. I likely planted before it was warm enough, or planted them too deep. I will replant them soon. My corn and potatoes did come up, and my pepper plants seem to be doing well, but my sweet potatoes and tomatoes don’t look so great. I have a ton of weeds growing and can’t seem to find the time or ambition to get after them. In the evenings I have tried. The mosquitos have been so bad that I gave up after just a few minutes. It doesn’t take long for them to chew you up. Thank...
On June 6, 1944, the land, air and sea forces of the Allied stormed the beaches of Normandy to dislodge German troops from the French coast and ultimately liberate western Europe. D-Day marked the beginning of the end of World War II. But it almost didn’t happen. Crossing the English Channel — much less moving multiple divisions and their equipment across the treacherous stretch — was a notoriously difficult feat. To achieve success that day, the sky, sea and weather all had to cooperate. Air operations needed clear skies and a full moon for v...
Flowers are growing and blooming more this spring than in years past. My favorite, the peonies, out did themselves and now the irises are showing off. Irises have been in North America since the 1600s. They were brought from Europe by early settlers. These lovely flowers can be found not only in North America and Europe, but also in the Middle East, Northern Africa and Asia. History tells us the ancient Egyptians placed an iris flower on the brow of the Sphinx as a symbol of bravery and wisdom. Where did the name “Iris” originate? Reports say...
“Windy Ridge,” by Florence MacNaughton Butler of Oskaloosa, Iowa, is a Nebraska pioneer story that relates to the time Evelyn Brodstone was growing up in Superior. In fact the Brodstones and the MacNaughtons were neighbors. There have been many pioneer stories written about Nebraska including several written by Red Cloud’s Willa Cather. But this story is different because it is one set at the MacNaugton home place which was just north of the present Superior Evergreen Cemetery on the west side of the highway. The MacNaughton farm would have...
Q: What does repentance mean? Is it the same as feeling sorry for your sins? A: First, let me say that different pastors and teachers will have slightly different definitions of repentance. I’ll walk you through the way it is used in the Bible, then give you my take on a definition. But I invite you to look at other perspectives as well. As always, the best perspective is the one that most closely fits with how the word is used in the Bible, and each individual must determine this for themselves (1 John 2:27). When we examine various verses t...
Just a few days ago we observed “Memorial Day.” On June 6 we observe “D Day.” Throughout world history, few countries go out of their way to help protect the innocent. It happens, but just not very often. In the history of the United States of America, it has happened time and again. June 6, 1944 is a date the allied forced attacked the Nazi controlled Europe in an effort to free the world from the evil that was the Nazi rule of government. Not that America is free of bad decisions, it is just that so many of those graves we honor on Memoria...
Love my crazy life By Teraesa Bruce I really do love my crazy little life, but sometimes I just feel like I need a break from it. I’m sure much of my stress comes from my own “not-so-stable” crazy mind, but nonetheless, a break would be nice. I keep telling myself things will calm down, but they never seem to. I do this to myself, I know, but I don’t know any other way to live but on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I decided since Robert and Julia ran off in September and got married, we needed to do something to celebrate the two of them. R...
May is an anniversary month for this editor for on May 21, 1970, it was announced I had succeeded Howard Crilly as editor of The Express. The day was also my 24th birthday. On my first Memorial Day as The Express editor. I had gone to Superior’s City Park to cover the dedication of the Buel Anderson Vietnam War Memorial. Buel was a member of my high school graduating class and the first Superior resident to die serving his country in the Vietnamese War. As the Nebraska governor was delivering the dedication address, members of the Superior resc...
Q: Matthew tells us that the wise men found Jesus in a house, Luke says they found him in a manger. Why are the accounts so different? Is one more right than the other? A: Our nativity scenes and Christmas pageants can often portray a condensed version of the Christmas story. They tend to combine the accounts of Matthew and Luke for the sake of simplicity, but this often leads to confusion when we read the Bible to try and sort them back out from each other. So let’s take the two accounts of Jesus’ early life one at a time. In Luke Chapter 2,...
Editor Blauvelt recently ruminated about the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad which ran through Superior and mentioned the railroad, unlike most other railroads, used concrete crossing signs. The familiar “Crossbucks” (an “X” shape with “Railroad” on one blade and “Crossing” on the other) could be found on all Burlington lines in Nebraska. Most crossings did not have flashing lights or gates at the crossings and were at rural roads. The Burlington was always frugal and decided wooden crossbucks would deteriorate and have to be replaced....
Memorial Days can just come and go . . . sort of like birthdays. Sometimes you don't like to think about them. However, just like birthdays they are important. Nobody is "glorifying" war as some claim, we are just trying to say "Thank You" to all the military veterans who have gone out of their way to help continue this way of governing ourselves. However, almost each and every year something seems to be different and unique. This year, I came across two things, one humorous, one profound. 1:...
The lifeguards and I have worked at the pool almost daily this past week. The painting of the pool basin had me thrown off my game, but thankfully I recovered from the upset and could change direction without too much difficulty. I have a certain way of doing things, and when I am thrown a curve ball, it tends to mess me up completely. Thankfully the painting was completed on Thursday evening and the lifeguards and I painted the ladders, lines and depth markers on Saturday. We had most everything completed and I let the lifeguards go home...
Recently a hard decision was made at the Schlaefli farm. With our farm pickup getting age and some mileage on it, we decided to trade it for a newer one. For us, as with most farmers and their families, the farm pickup becomes part of the family and makes it hard to part with it. Thinking back over the years we had our farm pickup, we relied on it so many times. It was dependable and came through for us. Whatever the duty we gave our pickup, it was up for the task. Our pickup wasn’t given a nickname as we had done in the past with our other pic...
According to the public notice section of a previous issue of this newspaper, the City of Superior will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider the implementation of the recommendations contained in a sign study. I haven’t studied the suggestions and do not want to comment either for or against but I want to caution that change is sometimes hard. I was in high school when stop signs were placed on Eighth Street. The signs were needed and today I’m glad they are there but I wasn’t so sure when they first went up. I was enroute from the Super...
Q: Who recorded creation in the Bible since Adam and Eve were the only two people on earth? A: A fascinating question! The book of Genesis is the oldest historical narrative that we still possess and read today. Early Jewish tradition (and Jesus Christ in Luke 20:37; etc.) attributes the book to Moses. This would give a date of around 1400 B.C. for the writing, which is obviously long after many of the events it describes took place. The lack of early corroboration, and the possible reliance on oral tradition would typically make us question th...
Growing up in Superior I was a clutz. Learning to ride a bicycle was an adventure with a lot of crashes! Only when Dick Wall and Tom and Jerry Cooper were enlisted by my mother to help me did I master the balance to ride without mishaps. The recent flurry of interest in the Simic Roller Skating rink brought back memories of another disaster - roller skating. My experience was at the old skating rink south of the Burlington tracks near the Armour Creamery. I tried to learn to skate without success, but I did hang out at the skating rink where...
A common feature found in cars during the 1950s was a device called a “bug deflector.” When the weather got warm and insects were about, often even a short drive would result in a coating of smushed bugs on the car windshield. Gasoline stations back then were full service and when buying gasoline from Marvin Marr’s Sinclair station or from Hill Oil Company, the station attendant would wash your windshield, check your oil and, if asked, check the pressure in your tires. If you didn’t need gasoline, you would have to get the mess off the windshi...
• Weeds . . . I finally got out to do a little work in the garden and yard last week and yes, those weeds were still there. I thought I pulled enough last year that I’d never see them again. (I didn’t say all signs of Spring were pleasant.) • Kids . . . one day when I was working outside, I heard the unmistakable squeals of happiness of children in the neighborhood. Yup, school was out. Children were enjoying playing and exploring outside in the middle of the day again. That was great. • There were high school and college commencem...