March for Our Lives

March 25, 2018

Dear Family of Readers,

Night has fallen on my little cottage. Candles flicker casting shadows on the walls and my mood turns to soaking in my claw foot tub and drinking in the aroma of honeysuckle. It's been a great day and my spirit is quiet.

Anne Frank wrote a diary during her time of hiding during World War II. Dietrich Bonhoeffer's books have also fascinated me because of his incredible insight as to the progression of Hitler's rise to power and the signals the general populous missed.

I've always felt it is important to study unedited history because although technology has continued to advance, human behaviors tend to remain the same. I may be all wet in my own insight and beliefs but time will tell, won't it. It always does! 

Yesterday some of our youth held March for Our Lives events at various cities across the country. Sounded good to me, our youth should have a voice. I was thinking, "I am proud of these kids for standing up."  I truly believe that many people from around the country came to the protest because they sincerely believed they were going to make a positive difference to end violence. As they say in the South, "Bless their hearts."  All good? Maybe not.

The irony of all this began to hit me. I saw countless photos of security personnel and officers with all types of firearms, from AR rifles to handguns. Military equipment showed up to keep marchers safe. What??? Plus... There's also no doubt that a huge amount of professional organization and money went into this march. It was reported that a series of Hollywood celebrities funded the march including Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, & Steven Spielberg. If you're familiar with BuzzFeed, they reported that a group of leftist organizations got involved including George Soros, and Rep Debbie Wassermann Schultz. Outside help and organization was apparent. Were our kids supported OR used by political activists?

Among the major backers was Planned Parenthood. If you're like me and wondering why an organization dedicated to ending the lives of children is marching in support of a movement to end violence towards children, you are not alone. 

The more I researched, the more "it" made sense, instill fear, create a movement based on good intentions, and rally kids to your cause. A wolf in sheep's clothing!

It was also a "get the vote" campaign using fear to influence. Oh, you're saying, "She's (meaning me) one of those pro lifers."  Well, let's get this straight. Do I hate women who have had abortions? No. Do I march for the unborn? Yes! Contradiction? No, not at all. I am a Christ-follower & I hate no one. 

I've been blown away by statements made by some of our youth, adults, and Congressmen that what is happening in our country is around a lack of respect from either the President or the other side (depending on which side you're on). Playing politics with people's lives because someone got their knickers in a knot and wanting someone else to pay seems downright dumb. Whatever happened to taking the high road?  The entire environment in our country feels like one big playground of people screaming because they didn't win and get their way.

When I was a kid, I was taught to respect my elders and the Lord God ~ no matter what. There may have been teachers or bosses that I didn't like but I NEVER showed them disrespect. My parents taught me that showing a lack of respect was not acceptable behavior. As a parent, I encouraged my children to be independent thinkers (and they are) ~ I also taught them that it was okay to disagree with someone but still be respectful. Now, I see children carrying hate signs. No wonder their minds are warped.

Who are our children's role models? Grandparents? Nahhh not so much anymore. Parents? Nahhhh not as a rule. Teachers? Some but have you been in a high school classroom lately? Pop stars, athletes/pro teams, and Hollywood elite? Heck ya. Think about it, the very ones who encourage marching have armed bodyguards and walls built around their compounds. Like our congressmen, they have double standards and use people like pawns. Feed 'em fake news, get 'em riled up... 

When I was googling information on the March for Our Lives, I saw several photos with signs saying, "We won't go back to the 1950's." What was it like in the 1950's? You know back in the 1950's my brother and I had cap guns ~ my father kept his rifles in the hall closet. Mass shooting weren't heard of. Do you remember when Elvis was on the Ed Sullivan show on television and they couldn't show him from the waist down? Now, our television shows are xrated and we don't think a thing about it. Progress we yell!

Progress... Really? Policemen are afraid to do their jobs.  Many Congressmen don't represent the people ~ they are in office to stuff their own pockets. We have Iphones, computers, violent video games, the best in technology. Along with that, one on one communication has become difficult and relationships fractured. Respect for the elderly? Euthanize them! You think I am kidding?

What would Jesus think about the March for Our Lives? Would He want our children protected? Absolutely!! Are there things being put in place right now to make sure they are protected? Yes. Why aren't we concentrating on that? Why? Because if you do your homework, you'll see the underlying plan. Don't agree with me? That's okay, again, time will tell.

The candles are almost burned down. Smoke rises from the holders signaling it's time to call it a day. If all I have done is caused a few people to think, that is what God wants me to do. I place my fingers on the keyboard and type.

In Joshua 1:9, God tells us: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Peace be still!

Miss Dottie

PS  "If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." ~Ronald Reagan Now, that's something to think about!

March 4, 1926

March 24, 2018

Dear Family of Readers,

The long cold Winter of 2018 seems to have lifted bringing cool mornings and warm afternoons. My gardens are waking up and I am enjoying playing in the dirt once again.

It's been a long time since I've sat down and written a blog preferring to do mini blogs on Facebook. I checked my blog stats and I still have readers from Europe and Asia so, if my purpose has been to share my heritage and faith across the globe, I need to get back to Blogspot.

Several years ago, I went back to my hometown of Glenwood, Minnesota and spent a couple days at the local museum copying information and doing research. I've always had a curiosity about the blood that runs through my veins and I've not been disappointed in what I have uncovered. Many years ago storytellers served an invaluable purpose of handing down information from generation to generation ~ I'm glad that so much about my family's heritage has been preserved by writers who have written books and papers.

On March 4, 1926, the local newspaper published a paper written by my Aunt Blanche Pederson Rooney about her grandparents, Anton and Caroline Pederson (my great grandparents). Sadly I haven't been able to locate any photos of Anton and Caroline which has left me wondering how I will recognize them in Heaven ~ somehow, I think they will find me!

Blanche interviewed her grandmother, Caroline and this is her story:
In May 1869, my great grandparents, Anton and Caroline Pederson, left their home in Solor, Norway setting sail in a small ship. They were on the ocean 14 weeks and 3 days. Many times the wind would change its course and they went backwards instead of forward. One day they would sail a 100 miles or more and the next day they would be pushed the opposite way about a hundred miles.  Each day a certain number of people were allowed to come up on the deck of the ship. The people on board the ship were so happy when they reached Quebec, that they danced and jiggled everywhere.

Anton and Caroline stayed in Quebec for 3 days before boarding a train headed for Preston, Minnesota, a town in Fillmore County. At this place they worked for a farmer for two and a half years. One of their sons, Peter, died while they were at this place.

They soon purchased a team of oxen and a covered wagon and started their journey to Pope County. They drove for 3 weeks before they reached Minnewaska Township. On their way they experienced many hardships. It was difficult to find enough food for their oxen and also to buy food for themselves because the towns were father apart at that time than they are now. At night they would sleep in their covered wagon.

The story of their life in Pope County is interesting because it is very different from the life that we are living at the present time. (1926)

When they reached Minnewaska Township, they lived in their covered wagon sleeping on the floor. During the next 3 years, Anton and Caroline lived in a cellar house which was 14' wide and 16' long. It was located on the SW side of Lake Pelican. The house was dug into the ground and had mud walls and a mud floor. The roof was made of straw and logs. A bed was built on the side of the wall and the the cover from their wagon was placed over it during the night so they would be protected from rain and snow. A chest that was taken with them from Norway served as a table and their chairs and cupboard were made of boxes. At this time it was very difficult to obtain food as there was only one store in Glenwood. This was located where the present Fremad store is and it was owned by a man by the name of Mr Johnson. For several years Anton and Caroline didn't see meat. There was none at the store and they had no cattle to butcher. Anton said that they used large quantities of molasses. Many times when they didn't have time to go to town they made their coffee out of burnt potatoes.

When Anton and Caroline came to this territory, it was inhabited by quite a number of Indians. They would usually have their war dance on the hill where the present Glenwood Summer Hotel is now located. Their war cries, hoots, and banging on pans could be heard for many miles. At night, they would dance around a big fire. These Indians were not harmful but they frightened the people by their mean looks and sly ways. Many times they would steal grain and food from the settlers and would come almost every day and beg for food. One day a few Indians came into Anton and Caroline's cellar home when she was home alone with her 3 children. The Indians talked to her and pointed to the different articles about the room.  Caroline became frightened because she could not understand them so she picked up her children and went to the next neighbor who lived quite a distance away. The Indians followed her with their guns and she was afraid that they might shoot her and the children any minute, but they did no harm.

Anton purchased a farm of 60 acres a few miles from their cellar house. He paid $5 an acre for it. The land was all covered with timber except a small strip on which they built their house. Logs were cut to build the house and until the house was built they once again lived in their covered wagon. The log house was 18' wide and 24' long. After the building was erected, a space of 7 acres was cleared for a field. Wheat was raised on this field and at that time it was sold for 75 cents to $1.00 per bushel. At that time butter was 5 cents a pound and eggs were 5 cents a dozen. Many times Caroline walked to Glenwood with her eggs and butter. One day she walked to town with her butter and asked the store keeper if she could not get 10 cents a pound for it because she had walked so far on that cold winter day, but she was only paid 8 cents for it.

For about 5 years after Anton and Caroline came to Minnesota, they attended church services in the farm houses. Then the Inherred Church in White Bear Lake Township was formed. It was difficult to get to a church during the winter months, so my they joined the Lutheran church in Glenwood because it would not be so far to drive to the services.

It was not long before more settlers arrived. Glenwood was also becoming bigger and more stores and buildings were erected. The first hotel was large enough for 20 roomers.

Anton kept increasing his farm until he had about 250 acres of land for which he paid about $20 per acre. A room 12' wide and 14' long was built onto the log house. At this time they were busy cutting down trees and clearing the land for fields. Many Indian mounds were found which contained bones and skulls.

In 1918 Caroline and Anton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. About 200 friends and relatives spent the day with them. By this time, their 3 sons and 7 daughters were all married and had left home so the 2 old people moved to their home in Glenwood. They hated to leave the farm, but they were both quite old people by that time. In 1924 they sold 60 acres of land to their son, Hilmar and some lake shore lots to several men of Glenwood. At about the same time they sold some land to the state when the new state highway road number 28 was built. This road runs through one of Anton's groves which was once thick with gooseberry bushes.

At the present time (1926) Anton and Caroline are living in Glenwood. Anton is 79 years old and Caroline is 77 years old. Both are well enough to be up and do their work. They are the grandparents of 47 children and great grandparents of 10 children. 

Ever since Anton sold his farm, he has walked a distance of 4 miles to his old farm several times a week. He says he gets lonesome if he can't come out to the country once in a while. Many times he is seen on the streets on a very cold winter day with just a suit coat on but he says he never gets cold without an overcoat on.

After telling me (Blanche) this story, Caroline said that she would sit many times and dream about olden days. She can hardly believe that they have gone through the many hardships of pioneer life. They also said that they could never forger the many incidents that happened on their journey to America, their trouble with the Indians, and the hardships they encountered while they lived in the old cellar house.

I began blogging mainly to leave a legacy of history for my own family ~ my trials, triumphs, and story. As time has gone by, I began to realize how important it is to know our family history and their influence on the world. As pioneers, my father's family made their mark in history. They were strong, resilient, good people. The newspaper clippings I have describe them as kind, loving, and decent.

For some of you Readers, you might find this blog boring. For others, you might find it informative and inspiring. For me, it is a way of telling my children and grandchildren they come from some pretty awesome stock!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "All of our ancestors give us the precious gift of life. Do we use it wisely? Do we use it well? Do we make a name for ourselves and for our children of which we can be proud?" ~Laurence Overmire, A Revolutionary American Famly: The McDonalds of Somerset County, New Jersey. 



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