Easter

Self-Esteem Willie, Chuck and Mitch the Almighty ...

Easter

A picture I took of Pope Francis in Spring 2016 Frank is speaking on Murder Book and forensic psychology April 9, 2018 at the Detroit Lakes Public Library from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Frank will be available before and after his presentation for anyone who wants to purchase a personally signed book. The library presentation was arranged by Deb Wahl, who has a Pierz connection. Deb is well read, and was one person who knew the case Murder Book was based on.

Deb Wahl, Public Services Supervisor, Detroit Lakes Public Library graduated from Healy High School in Pierz in 1972. Her parents are Ken and Dolores Schmitt. Deb’s sister is Stephanie Fyten, married to Mark Fyten, in Pierz.

Deb graduated from University of North Dakota with a degree in Recreation Therapy. She worked at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center as a Recreation Therapist for 24 years and then several years at Prairie St. John's in Fargo. In 2002 Deb took part in a distance learning program out of Emporia State University Kansas to get her Master's degree in Library Science. She began working at the Detroit Lakes Public Library in 2006 where she provided reference services, planned adult programming and supervised staff. Deb met her husband in Fergus Falls and they have been married for 37 years, and now have 3 grown children and 5 “wonderful” grandchildren. Anybody who remembers her from high school will remember she loves to read. Deb also enjoys walking, learning new things and being with friends. Her work creates a great opportunity to meet new people by planning and carrying out adult events for the Library.

Jean Hilliard Returns from the Dead
When Jean Hilliard was 19, her car went in the ditch in 22 below weather on a rural road near Lengby, Minnesota. She tried walking to a neighbor but collapsed on the steps and wasn’t discovered until six hours later. Jean was frozen solid. When they brought her to the hospital they couldn’t even get a thermometer into her frozen body. When they finally were able to get a heartbeat, her heart was only offering 8 beats a minute. Her family sat and prayed by her and 6 hours later she began gurgling. Her legs unthawed on the third day. The doctors told the parents that they thought her legs and hands would have to be amputated. Jean Hilliard left the hospital, after 49 days, without a scratch, her body fully functioning, and with no loss of limbs. Nobody can explain why she lived or completely healed as she did. Now she works at a central Minnesota Walmart. (I’m not including the city as I don’t want her bothered at work.) Jean didn’t have an epiphany or see a bright light. She just fell asleep. The thought of it sends a shudder through me. Jean does occasionally speak at churches.

There was some debate about Pope Francis’ quote about the existence of hell, or lack thereof. I like Pope Francis, and honestly I don’t know if he’s right. I’m not sure if it’s scarier that people who don’t believe in God go to hell, or just disappear. I am grateful for the wonderful Easter celebrations that occurred all over. I thought the live performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, featuring John Legend and Sarah Bareilles was incredible—great vocals, great rock guitar performance. My only minor criticism is that I would have replaced Alice Cooper as Herod. (And I liked Alice Cooper’s “Be My Lover” back in the 1970’s.) Cooper was the only one in the musical who couldn’t sing anymore, and he had a song from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s masterpiece that I liked, but Cooper had to talk parts of it because of his current limited vocals.

I always have to add a little about forensics. California Proposition 69 was on the November 2, 2004 election ballot in California as an initiated state statute, and was approved. Proposition 69 requires the collection of DNA samples from all felons, and from adults and juveniles arrested for or charged with specified crimes. It was appealed by attorneys as violating the rights of prisoners, but still upheld by the Supreme court. This led to the resolution of many cold cases in California, I believe the number was over 5000. However, since it was approved, the state has redefined felonies so that fewer people are convicted of felonies and they can avoid DNA testing. In my opinion, if you go to prison, we should be able to take your DNA. I feel like if you require being locked in a cell for the safety of the rest of us for one year or longer (a requirement of a prison sentence), we should be able to check into other crimes you’ve committed—but that’s just me. Proposition 69 in 2004 was set in motion by California’s inability to catch the Golden State Killer, who was responsible for 12 murders and over 50 rapes in California from 1976 to 1986. They have his DNA, and would like the freedom to check it with all prisoners. (A story for another blog.) The Golden State Killer was never apprehended.

On the lighter side, Michael Jackson was an incredibly talented musician. This was my favorite Jackson 5 song. Nice outfits too! Mitch Hedburg was my favorite comedian. He ultimately died from an overdose. I think a lot of comedy comes from sadness, and sometimes there is nothing more scary than being exactly who you are. Mitch was an addict. Damn funny, but unfortunately he couldn’t shake that vice. He once said, “I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to too.”

Quotes:
I'd like to see a forklift lift a crate of forks. It'd be so damn literal! You are using that machine for its exact purpose! Mitch Hedburg

Animal crackers fool people into thinking all animals taste the same. "What does a giraffe taste like?" "A hippopotamus!" Mitch Hedburg

I want to get a job naming kitchen appliances. That seems easy, you know? Refrigerator, toaster, blender. You just say what the thing does, then you add "er."

The Diet Dr. Pepper commercial says “it tastes just like Dr. Pepper.” Does that mean they messed up? Mitch Hedburg

Sex is like boxing. If you both haven’t given consent, one of you is committing a crime. John Oliver

Thanks for listening,

Frank

8 inches of snow Friday night in Minnesota

Here are some pictures of our family in 1997 and 1998. Every Easter we would get baby chicks raise them until the end of summer and give them to Paul Tschida where they lived in chicken heaven (a barn full of chickens and chicken feed).

Nicolette

Frank standing on the world’s longest expansion bridge in Vancouver Canada in 1998. The Capilano Suspension Bridge, hanging 450 feet across and 230 feet above Capilano River.