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Items included in this column are things that I have heard, seen or have been reported to me. I cannot vouch for their veracity.

We've attended a couple of funerals recently. It's inspiring to hear and see the courage that survivors display while dealing with their grief.

At one of the services, a son and granddaughter of a wonderful 94 year-old prototype grandmother spoke eloquently about her life. Both shared numerous examples of her selfless, caring ways. Her "anything for her kids and grandkids" attitude and actions made me feel a little guilty.

I've tried to be a good parent. However, I must admit that there have been times when I've put my own needs ahead of my family's. Don't get the wrong idea. We're not exactly talking about neglect.

I can recall a few times when I made decisions for less than altruistic reasons. I was fortunate enough to have kids who shared interests with their dad.

In their formative years, they spent a lot of time with me on the golf course. I seem to recollect that, on a number of occasions, I distracted them long enough to switch golf balls before they had the chance to hit it in a pond or the woods or a creek or whatever.

I also remember clipping well used lures onto their fishing lines. I justified this by saying, to myself, that it was better to put some money into college funds than into my tackle box. They were not masters of playing the fish on light tackle. We broke a few lines.

As long as I'm baring my soul, I suppose it's time to admit that I never enjoyed playing Candyland all that much. It's time to admit that, when we went to a playground or went through the ordeal of putting on layer after layer of clothing, hats, mittens and snowpants (only to disrobe for one more trip to the bathroom), before a trudging through the snow to slide on a hill with a seven foot vertical drop, we probably did so because I had grown tired of Candyland, or something similar. (How's that for a sentence?)

I'm not expecting absolution, but something the pastor admitted made me feel a little better. The deceased woman was known far and wide as a great cook. One of her specialties was cherry pie. Apparently she provided these delights to special people, including the minister.

At the service he confided that, on occasion, the presence of one of these delectable desserts remained unknown to his children. Packaged baked goods were distributed to satisfy the parson's young ones' sweet tooths. After the children were safely in bed, the pastor and wife would bring out the good stuff. He admitted that they would continue to conceal the palatable pastry, making it last as long as possible.

Certainly, if a man of the cloth can secrete a cherry pie, I should not be condemned for saving a smileless golf ball or a new crankbait! I'm not discounting the possibility of condemnation. I'm just hoping that these offenses will not be admitted into evidence.

It's been a hot summer with highs in the 90's over 20 times. Local meteorologists have reminded us many times that it could be worse. In 1988, highs soared into 90's on 42 summer days. A friend from the Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island, Illinois area), where I spent four warm summers in the mid 1970's, recently sent me an email about the summer of 1936.

Between June 29 and August 24, high temperatures went into triple digits 20 times in the QC. For those days, the average was over 104 and went as high as 111. And, 250 miles south of us, in the heart of the cornbelt, dew points in the mid-to-upper 70's are commonplace.

It's not the heat

Speaking of dew points, it's probably time to revisit them. Despite being weather obsessed, as we are in Minnesota, many people seem to be confused regarding relative humidity and dew points.

Relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, compared to the amount that could be in the air AT A PARTICULAR TEMPERATURE. For example, if the humidity is 50 percent, the air could hold twice as much water vapor (100 percent). If it reached 100 percent, dew, fog, rain or some other form of precipitation would happen.

The atmosphere is like a sponge. It can hold a certain amount of water without dripping. Warm air is like a good quality sponge. It can hold a bunch of water before it starts to drip out. Cold air is like a Wal-Mart sponge (no offense, Sam). It can hold only a small amount of water before it starts to fall.

The dew point is a better measure of the amount of water in the air. As I'm writing, the temperature is 69, the relative humidity is 78 percent and the dew point is 62. It is quite comfortable, despite the high humidity. If the humidity was 7 percent at 80º F., we'd be complaining about the humidity. If it was 80º with a 62º dew point, the relative humidity would be significantly lower than 78 percent and we'd be quite comfortable.

Another Example

At 37º, with a relative humidity of 100 percent, the dew point wouild also be 37º. If that air was heated to 86º, while retaining the same amount of moisture, the humidity would drop to 20 percent. Under these conditions, the dew point would remain at 37º.

Kids say the darndest things

Those of you old enough to remember Art Linkletter probably remember that phrase.

I was talking to a lovely young lady this morning. She will attend first grade this year. In the middle of our conversation, she blurted, "I ride horses, you know!" This, of course, had nothing to do with the course of our conversation.

Taking her lead, referring to her two-year-older, head-taller older brother, I responded, "Does your brother like to ride horses, too?" She shrugged, as if to say, "Are you kidding?" After a short pause, she answered, "He rides plastic horses."

You are invited to send interesting, unusual and/or humorous items that could possibly be used in this space. If you choose to do so, please send it to [email protected].

If you prefer, you may send it to

Chisago County Press

Attn: Dave

12631 Lake Blvd.

Lindstrom, Mn 55045

or, you may bring it in to the office.

Sports stuff would be great, but, please do not limit yourselves. Politics, religion, culture (pop or otherwise) are welcomed. Please do not feel offended if your contribution is not included.

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