AL FREELAND

We have been in town since 1981, but it was only in the last couple of years that I noticed the tree.  By “the tree” I mean the giant cottonwood tree by the old metal bridge on Canada Ave., Northeast of Northfield.  When the tree finally caught my eye I was totally amaze by the size of this “old man of the woods”.  The base of the tree was hollowed out, but it still looked strong and not in danger of toppling. 

BY AL FREELAND

I really enjoy the Defeat of Jesse James Day’s auto show every year.   I like it for the same reasons that many “old people” like me revel in the event!!!    It is a walk down memory lane, a time to feel a bit younger as you identify with the machines that grew to be an extension of your body and seem still young, and for me and a few others walking around it was because of “simplicity”. 

The best way to describe what I mean by “simplicity” is as follows: 

1. I was talking with a gentleman that had rebuilt a Model-T Ford.  He gave a fascinating rendition of how Henry Ford had made a very usable car for the masses.  He said that Ford fine tuned the car engine and transmission to a point that is basically the same functional engine and transmission that exists in today’s cars. Once Ford developed the new oiling system, planetary gear transmission, and the basics that are still in our cars today, he stuck with it.  To make the massive sales he had, he just kept reducing the prices, making the Model T almost impossible to not buy; keeping all other competitors at bay.   He built millions of them until he was forced to update the technologies in 1927 when the Model A was released (I think I got the facts right).  The exhibition gentlemen had all the facts about the evolution of the Model-T which made for a fantastic visit.  It was the “keep it simple stupid” or KISS method of manufacturing, marketing and success.
2. Next, as I was walking over to a 1930 Pontiac that caught my eye, I overheard a couple of guys looking at some other older cars who were saying the same thing I had said all day long, “would you look at this Sam – can you believe how simple these engines were – no junk hanging all over it like today!”  Their point was proven all the more when I strolled over to the 1930 Pontiac.  One of the side hoods were raised showing the rebuilt and uncluttered engine (see the picture above).  I think you would agree with me if you were standing by my side, that this engine was designed for easy access and maintenance of all of the major engine wear-parts, including:  the spark plugs easily positioned on top of the engine, starter, generator, gas filter, water pump, manifolds, distributor, and carburetor.  I could touch, remove and replace these all with a couple of wrenches and a couple minutes effort.

By AL FREELAND

Andrew was born in southwestern Norway. What else did a person do in Southwestern Norway but fish or farm – period! He was born in a little town of Bryne – today still a little town of about 500 people. Outside of the town is a little wooden church called Time (pronounce Teem’ a) Lutheran. I was there about 10 years ago and saw the baptismal font he was baptized in, and the pews that he sat in, and the graveyard his ancestors were buried in. The thread of time and history and ancestry is small, but strong. I felt pulled there and could feel the connections the “thread” was pulling. The following is the Time “Crest” or “Coat of Arms”. (click on the head title to read on)

ALAN FREELAND

Ole Apland was a legend! He came from Norway in 1855, he landed in Canada, took a train to Illinois, and then a wagon train – yes literally a horse drawn wagon train across the prairie to Story County, Iowa. He fell in love with a cute girl named Anna Ersland who was a passenger in the wagon train as well. They became the first couple to be married in Story County, Iowa. He homesteaded his 160 acres and eventually became a wealthy pioneer, acquiring a lot of land in Story County and wealth, and eventually we all became his ancestors.

What you just read was a SUPER summary of the entire life a pioneer that could be a feature length, trilogy, movie, novel, and/or a lifetime of study! What I want to focus on is just one fact of his life – actually his death. One very small, insignificant perhaps fact. (click title heading to read on)

AL FREELAND

I don’t claim to be an expert on this subject, but I would like to throw out a thought and see what others think. The subject is, “How green are hybrid and/or electric cars in reality?”

TIM FREELAND

I am proud to talk about my families literary skills.  My dad Al, brother Andy, grandma Esta and uncle Kent have all published books over the past 10 years.  I've placed them all here in one spot and have linked them to their respective Amazon.com listing for purchase and review.  I am still working on my first book that will probably be on a topic nothing close to these and probably less interesting. Following is some background from my Dad on his writing experiences.

I always enjoyed reading juvenile or junior reader books - even as an adult.  I have never really psychoanalyzed myself as to why this is so - I just enjoy them.  An easy read - I enjoy pictures - I hate the presumptuousness of the 2000 page books??  Not sure why.  This being the case, I guess that sets the stage for the three books that I have published. 

In the early 80's I started taking canoe trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in Northern Minnesota.  I fell in love with the area, as well as the mystic of the Indian lore, the voyager traders traveling across the landscape so many years ago, and the danger and excitement of the area.  After many years it hit me that there were many types of books written about the BWCA, but not any or at least many, written from a young reader's perspective. 

 Tim and Lori’s Wedding

June 29, 2007

I prepared this just in case I had an opportunity to say a few words at your wedding, but it never happened. I thought I would type it up from the card that I have had in Bible since then, so you can see what I was going to say.

This is truly a fantastic time of my life! I get to see my son marry a person that not only he, but all of us have fallen in love with – Lori! I can’t speak highly enough of her and her wonderful traits that will cement your relationship for all time. I also want to tell you Tim how proud your Mom and I are of you – remaking your life, overcoming the struggle of being a single parent, working hard to make a family filled with love and now finding the perfect match and mate for the rest of your life.

Dad,
I was driving to work this morning and heard a familiar rock band on the radio. Their name is TOOL. You might have heard of them. They have a very famous first video. I had always known that this band is very dark and self-admitted satanic. They're so dark that I don't think they've ever shown their faces on a video or album cover (which is symbolic). Their videos and albums are disturbing to look at & they just creep me out. For example, there is a picture of an extremely obese naked woman lying with a skinny man. The disk itself has a picture of a guy giving himself oral sex. There is also a picture of a burning pig. It just makes my skin crawl. People really follow this band. One of their albums has a hidden track (all the way up to track 69). It is kind of like that Beatles "revolution number 9" song. You can hear "back-masking", someone making prophecies as well as someone on a bad drug trip. This also leads to my next conversation topic. With this disgust fresh in your mind, reply about 2 things. One is rock and roll and its effect on the degradation of today's youth as well as your take on the end of the world. These topics coincide on many levels. I know you don't necessarily like to discuss the end of the world, but want to get your "official" opinion here.

Lyrics to Aenima by TOOL.

Lyrics to Eulogy by TOOL.

I have read the lyrics to Tool’s songs that you had sent. I thought that some were likewise very disturbing, but at the same speaking to the sense of frustration that I know I’ve felt at times at the world around us, “it’s a three ring circus around us. The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.” I also noticed the quasi-religious lyrics as they ask Jesus to come down from the cross cause we need the space for the next fool. It’s easy to see that they think they have heard the Christian message, but don’t get what it all about. Let me give you my two cents worth again at what I think your main questions are:

The Day before I got married in 2000 I put together a speech for my Dad at the grooms dinner.  I spend about a week writing and re-writing a tribute to my father, Al.  I have always been so proud of Dad and wanted to do a public eulogy-like speech on his accomplishments.  When the night came, we were at the Chart House in Lakeville and there was no privacy.  It was loud, we were mixed in with the public and a band was playing.  I didn't give the speech.  Later that evening I approached him and told him what happened.  I gave him my notes.  He told me he had written a dedication to me and was unable to give it.  I got those notes.  Later on, after reading my dedication he told me his only prayer was for me to have a child that would write a speech about me, like that, some day.  I've attached the speech here.

Dedication to Dad at my grooms dinner. 6-19-2000