Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 46

Third Sunday in Lent, 2022

(Moon set this past Thursday morning)

 Hard to believe it’s the third Sunday in Lent. Only three more weeks until Palm Sunday. The snow is melting here in the Northwoods and Spring seems to have arrived. Everyone’s been saying we’ve had a hard Winter, but I didn’t think it was too bad. Plus, if it doesn’t get dragged out until April, I’m okay with that.

But what does Jesus have to say to us today during his Sermon on the Mount? And what does it mean to us?

Matthew 5, verses 33 through 48, New Living Translation

Teaching about Vows

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Teaching about Revenge

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

Teaching about Love for Enemies

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

How are we all doing with loving our enemies this week? Even if it is an enemy who lives halfway around the world and you will never meet them, it’s still an enemy who affects our lives. Are any of us loving them? Only by the grace of God. 

BOW Wow (which is not about dogs), Wisconsin Dells, Post # 4

   On Wisconsin Hwy 12, seven and a half miles north of Prairie Du Sac or eight and a half miles south of Baraboo, is the Museum of Badger Army Ammunition.

In October of 1941, newspapers around the area announced that a Powder Plant would be built. Over 10,000 acres of prime farmland would be acquired by the Federal Government, land which included 74 farms, 3 schools, 3 churches, and 3 cemeteries. All those families were displaced.

The site was originally called the Badger Ordnance Works or B.O.W., but eventually became the Badger Army Ammunition Plant. When Pearl Harbor was attacked in December of that year, construction began in earnest on the largest propellent factory in the world.

It operated during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, after which, it remained in a state of readiness until 1998. Shortly after that, the long process of deconstructing the plant began.

It took only seven months to build the massive operation on 7,400 acres, consisting of 1,400 buildings. Yet it would take ten years for most of that to be cleaned up. 

The land has been divided into three sections. 3,385 acres is the Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area and is public land. 1,550 acres are owned by the Ho-Chunk Nation. And 2,220 acres is the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center land.

It was a fascinating drive through the many access roads, though it was a dreary, damp day. We were lucky that we had picked up a map at the museum.

Thoelke Cemetery. The foundation of Immanuel Evangelical Church is nearby, but we never found it that day.

Pioneer Cemetery contains graves of some of the early settlers to the area, but unfortunately is on land owned by the Ho-Chunk, so this was all the closer we could get.

I hope I can go back again someday to explore more deeply.
 For more information, click on any of these links. 

The basics - http://www.badgerordnancehistory.org/ 
When we were there, we met the man in the article. He was so knowledgeable and helpful, passionate about this site as well.  https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/green-sheet/2017/06/08/wisconsin-home-largest-munitions-plant-world-museum-reviving-its-story/374526001/
A long article, but worth the read if you want to do a deep dive, also pictures of the buildings are at the end.  https://www.jmc.army.mil/Docs/History/Badger%20Army%20Ammunition%20Plant%20-%20V3%20Internet.pdf
And what would we do without Wikipedia -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badger_Army_Ammunition_Plant

What Is Freedom?

     While I was in the Dells on vacation last October, one day we visited the grounds of the former Badger Ammunition Plant near Sauk City. I’m going to tell you all about the place another time; I thought it was fascinating. Not sure why, but I did. Thinking about it today, I’m reminded of the quote about history repeating itself.

Inside the Badger Army Ammunition Museum, I found the following poem, hanging on one of the walls. I tried searching for it on the internet, but came up empty. I hate reprinting articles without giving proper credit, but all I can say is that at the end was a blurb that it was used by permission of the Louisville Journal-Courier, as shown in the second picture. Hope that gets me out of plagiarism charges. In any case, I love this poem and am willing to risk arrest, because, well – that’s what freedom is. Don't take it for granted; we all need to keep fighting for our freedom.  

What is Freedom?

From the archivea of broken peace we are bringing out old words and dusting them off for use again, as shining lanterns to lead us through the darkness of another war.

Words like freedom, justice and truth – all of them hard to define, none of them used more frequently than freedom.

You cannot say what freedom is, perhaps, in a single sentence. It is not necessary to define it. It is enough to point to it.

Freedom is a man lifting a gate latch at dusk and sitting for a while on the porch, smoking his pipe, before he goes to bed.

It is the violence of an argument outside an election poll, it the righteous anger of the pulpits.

It is the warm laughter of a girl on a park bench.

It is the rush of a train over the continent and the unafraid faces of people looking out the windows.

It is all the howdys in the world, and all the hellos.

It is telling Roosevelt how to raise his children; it is Roosevelt letting them raise themselves.

It is Lindbergh’s appeasing voice raised above a thousand hisses.

It is asking for war; it is Gen. Hugh S. Johnson asking her to keep quiet.

It is you trying to remember the words to The Star-Spangled Banner.

It is the sea breaking on wide sands somewhere and the shoulders of a mountain supporting the sky.

It is the air you fill your lungs with and the dirt that is your garden.

It is a man cussing all cops.

It is the absence of apprehension at the sound of approaching footsteps outside your closed door.

It is your hot resentment of intrigue, the tilt of your chin and the tightening of your lips sometimes.

It is all the things you do and want to keep on doing.

It is all the things you feel and cannot help feeling.

Freedom – it is you.

 The website for the Ammunition Plant is: http://www.badgerordnancehistory.org/

 Here is background information on the names mentioned.

Westbrook Pegler was a columnist in the 1930s and 1940s, who opposed the New Deal and criticized the Supreme Court, the tax system, and labor unions. Pegler initially supported President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but soon became one of Roosevelt’s sharpest critics, feeling the president was abusing his power. The journalist also had a strong dislike for Eleanor Roosevelt. In general, everything I read about Westbrook Pegler made me consider him to be the writer’s version of a loud-mouthed jerk.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor had five sons and a daughter, although one son died in infancy. He was not very involved in raising his children, as he was so occupied with his work. He also believed that childrearing was a wife's task, but that was a common view in the early nineteen-hundreds. No matter what Pegler’s opinion was of the Roosevelt children, they turned out just fine.

Lindbergh refers to Charles Lindbergh, of course. Prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he had been opposed to the United States getting involved in World War II. One of his journal entries at the time stated: "it seems improbable that we could win a war in Europe.” He also seemed to have a dislike, or maybe more a distrust, of President Roosevelt. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, however, and our declaration of war, he joined the fight in the Pacific.

Dorothy Thompson was an American journalist and radio broadcaster. She had been working as a journalist in Europe, when in the late 1920s, the New York Post appointed her head of its Berlin bureau in Germany. There she witnessed firsthand the rise of the Nazi party and in 1931, she interviewed Adolf Hitler, writing the book, “I Saw Hitler”. She wrote about the dangers of him winning power in Germany.The Nazis considered both the book and her articles offensive and, in August 1934, Thompson was kicked out of Germany.

General Hugh S. Johnson was a U.S. Army officer, businessman, speech writer, government official and newspaper columnist. He is best known as a member of the Brain Trust of Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1932–34, writing numerous speeches for FDR and helping plan the New Deal. FDR fired him, however in 1934, for having Fascist inclinations. As World War II began raging, Johnson endorsed isolationism—staying out of the conflict. In a story he had written previously in 1911, he had Japan invading and conquering California.

Second Sunday in Lent, 2022

 It is the second Sunday in Lent, so here is more of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Be sure to read to the end, as it these words are quite fitting for these times.

Matthew 5, verses 13 through 26, New Century Version

You Are Like Salt and Light

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its salty taste, it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing, except to be thrown out and walked on.

 “You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.

 The Importance of the Law

“Don’t think that I have come to destroy the law of Moses or the teaching of the prophets. I have not come to destroy them but to bring about what they said. I tell you the truth, nothing will disappear from the law until heaven and earth are gone. Not even the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will be lost until everything has happened. Whoever refuses to obey any command and teaches other people not to obey that command will be the least important in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys the commands and teaches other people to obey them will be great in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you that if you are no more obedient than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus Teaches About Anger

“You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone. Anyone who murders another will be judged.’ But I tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell.

“So when you offer your gift to God at the altar, and you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there at the altar. Go and make peace with that person, and then come and offer your gift.

“If your enemy is taking you to court, become friends quickly, before you go to court. Otherwise, your enemy might turn you over to the judge, and the judge might give you to a guard to put you in jail. I tell you the truth, you will not leave there until you have paid everything you owe.”

I’m sure you are all already doing this, but remember to pray for the people of Ukraine as well as the many people of Russia who are only pawns to a dictator. 

A Ride on the River, Dells Post #2

     I never like doing the traditional touristy things. Too many people, usually too expensive, oftentimes not worth it, just a lot of hoopla. Yet, that Saturday afternoon in mid-October, when Hubby and I were in Wisconsin Dells, I decided that, yes, we should do a touristy thing.

 

I got us reservations for one of the Dells Boat Rides.

We saw all the sites one sees along the Wisconsin River north of town. 

It was unseasonably warm and the sun was shining, but I don’t know if I would have gone kayaking.

We did hear about the history of the Wisconsin River and this part of our state. Heard all the tall tales too.

Walked into Witches Gulch.

And back out again. 

Saw the most ostentatious attraction in the area. 

For a dog, that is not much of a jump. And watching her up there, she clearly loves jumping, as any young, healthy German Shepherd would. Okay, plus treats were involved. And a net underneath. 

It still was a beautiful boat ride. 

And not nearly as cold as this looks.
For more information, click on these links:         Wisconsin Dells Boat Rides - https://www.dellsboats.com/upper-dells-tours/
     History of the Dells - https://www.wisdells.com/media/facts/history.htm
















 

A visit to the State Capital, Wisconsin Dells, Post #1

   Last week, I finally finished blogging about the two-day vacation I took with my friend to Door County in October. The very next week, I headed to a condo in Wisconsin Dells for seven days and seven nights. Can you just imagine how long it’s going to take me to blog about all of that!

Hubby and I drove down Friday afternoon, in separate vehicles. He had to leave Sunday morning as he had to work that week. I took a full two weeks off from work, because I could and I think I deserved it.

There is always much to do in the Dells area. Unfortunately, it is so touristy. In the warmer months, the place is swamped with families, spoiled kids dragging their parents everywhere, and just – I hate it. Once fall sets in, though, many places close down for the winter. But the weather was beautiful most of the week and I rather be outside anyway.

Saturday morning, Hubby and I jumped in my car and drove the fifty-nine miles to Madison for the farmer’s market. We go to it at least once every other year or so and really enjoy it. And I can never get enough pictures of our state’s capital.

We got back to the condo just before noon. It was sunny and 56 degrees, warm for October. After a quick lunch, we were off for our afternoon adventure. You’ll have to come back on Friday for that. 

First Sunday in Lent, 2022

 We have arrived at the first Sunday in Lent, and once again, over the next six weeks, I wanted to share some meaningful words about this important season for the Christian believer. As I was pondering some different ideas and hitting a bit of a wall, God took the reins. As He so often does, He placed it on my heart to let Him do the work. Or at least that I share the work He has already done.

You know these words – Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount – but they will never stop being beautiful.

Matthew 5, verses 1 through 12, New King James Version

The Beatitudes

 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Good Bye For Now, Door County, Post #9

Here in the North, we are getting anxious for Spring. Pretty much how we start every conversation. “Spring is coming. Yup, we’ll get one more big snow this month, but Spring is coming.”

I love Spring as much as the next guy, and Summer too. But you really can’t beat Autumn for outdoor decorating.

That last evening my friend and I spent in Door County last October, we took a walking tour of the village of Ephraim. Click on the links beneath the pictures to read about each location. 

The Village Hall and Library 
Ephraim Fire Museum 

After wandering around the small, old firehouse, we look out on the street to this guy driving by. 

Ephraim Moravian Church

Opened in 1859, it was Door County's first church. 

Bethany Lutheran Church 
Built in 1882 and just as beautiful as the neighboring church. 

Pioneer Schoolhouse
The Goodletson Cabin
 The Svalhus Research Library 
Yup, can't bet Fall for outdoor decorating.  Where do you suppose my next adventure will take me? 

Reflections and the Rest of Washington Island, Door County, Post #8

      Sorry that I didn’t blog on Sunday like I usually do. I was out of town at a friend’s and didn’t have internet or the time. Today I thought I should blog about current events – the war Russia is waging against Ukraine seems to have taken over the headlines. “Will hear of wars and rumors of war.” Along with all the other things going on. “But see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (from Matthew 24:6)

Today is also the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, and how many people even remember what that signifies.

But maybe we all need to just get away, like I did this past weekend. And like I plan on doing a lot in the coming months. And like I did those few days back in October in Door County.

Here’s a hodge-podge of the afternoon we spent on Washington Island. 

Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm and Shop. 

Lavender was all done for the season, but the shop was open, so I bought a little jar of Lavender face cream which I still use every night. 
Mountain Park Lookout Tower. There was a sign saying it was closed due to structural issues, but it was tough not to still climb up. 
Looking across the bay to Rock Island. The last boats were coming back for the season. Will have to try to make it over there next summer. 
Jackson Harbor Soup. Also closed for the season. 
At least going that time of year meant we didn't have to fight any crowds. 
Percy Johnson County Park. 
I bet this park is crowded all summer. 
Hog Island National Wildlife Refuge, which is probably never crowded, except for the nesting birds it supports. 
Sand Dunes Beach Park. Yup, another busy place on a warm, sunny day, I'm sure. 
Then back to the ferry to return us to the mainland. 

Church of Staves, Door County, Post #7

Though it was only completed in 1995, the Stavkirke or Church of Staves on Washington Island looks like it has been here for centuries.  

According to Wikipeida, “A stave church is a medieval wooden Christian church building once common in north-western Europe. The name derives from the building's structure of post and lintel construction, a type of timber framing where the load-bearing ore-pine posts are called stafr in Old Norse (stav in modern Norwegian).”

There is a strong Viking influence in many of the architectural features.

The church is beautiful and spiritual in its own way, but the prayer path leading to it was delightfully inspirational.  

Believe it or not, I missed a few of the plaques, so I had to borrow this last one from my friend’s collection. That’s kind of how I’ll feel in just another three months.  For more information, click on these links:

https://washingtonisland.com/stavkirke/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/washington-island-stave-church

https://www.doorcounty.com/business-directory/stavkirke/