I spoke at the Cold Spring, MN Historical Society on Friday, February 8th. Of course, on the way up, I had to stop at the Clearwater Travel Plaza for some of their amazing caramel apples. Anyway, the talk went well, and it was great to meet some of the folks up there.
PLUS, the talk was videotaped by Duane Kuss and put up on Youtube! So if you'd like to see it, you can view it here. It's about 43 minutes long.
I had a wonderful time.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ox Cart Angel in Sauk Centre
In the beginning of January, I had the privilege to give a talk at the Sauk Centre Historical Society's annual meeting. I had a nice time, and I hope the historical society members enjoyed it, too. One neat thing is that Sauk Centre was Sinclair Lewis' hometown - he based his famous novel Main Street on the city. I've read Main Street, Arrowsmith, and my favorite of his - Babbitt - and enjoyed them all. So it was quite fun to hear Pamela Borgmann, who was my contact person with the historical society, tell me that her grandfather had passed by Sinclair Lewis when they were both youths. Sinclair started throwing apples at Pam's grandfather, scaring his horse, after which the grandfather proceeded to beat up Mr. Lewis. When taken to Sinclair's father, who was a doctor, apparently the father told Pam's ancestor that Sinclair had it coming. What a great story!
Anyway, much thanks to the folks there for hosting me!
Anyway, much thanks to the folks there for hosting me!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Ox Cart Angel in Lake City, MN!
I had a wonderful time in Lake City ,
Minnesota
The shindig was in Lake
City
Here’s the “Mystery Woman” that’s part of my presentation
(and also the photograph that led me on a genealogy search that sparked the
idea of Ox Cart Angel.)
Check out the nice spread! Cookies, crackers, cheese, fruit,
coffee, cider...perfect for the day!
Also thanks to the Mississippi Mercantile for their lovely
display!
Here’s me signing (again) – that’s my dad standing in the
background. My mom and one of my brothers was there, too, which was fun. It’s
the first time they've seen me do my thing.
After the event, Don and Alice Schwartz had us over to their
beautiful home for lunch. Don’s classical guitar playing added a nice touch to
the day!
Another cool thing – both my brother and I saw a white
squirrel scampering around the area. The last time we’d seen one was at our
grandparents’ Walt and Laura Arnold, who used to live further down the Mississippi
in Wabasha. Perhaps they were there with us, too, watching and enjoying the
day.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Red River Cart Wheels
In an earlier post, I talked about why the wheels of the Red River oxcarts were so squeaky.
In this post, I'd like to tell you a few more cool things about them. Here's a picture of the wheel of an actual Red River oxcart. This particular oxcart is only one of four known to still exist intact. It's located at the Kandiyohi History Center Museum in Willmar, MN.
Notice how it's all made of wood? (The chain you see is just to keep people from climbing on the thing.) I think the band that is holding that hub together may be metal, but originally, it would've been of animal hide. The hide would've been soaked in water, wrapped around the wood, and allowed to dry. When it dries, it shrinks and tightens up. The axle was often made of strong oak, while the rest of the cart was typically pine. However, any wood would do in a pinch.
Now here is what's really unique about the Red River cart's wheels:
See how the spokes and wheel form sort of a bowl shape? It allowed for better movement across the marshy land of the Red River Valley. Again, animal hide would've been used where the metal strip is now circling the wheel rim.
Another thing about this wheel shape is that when the cart and its driver came to a river they had to cross, the wheels could be taken off, wrapped in buffalo hide, and used to float the cart across the river. The two wheels would be placed beneath the cart in order to accomplish this.
I've seen a couple replicas of these Red River carts, and they often get the bowl shape of the wheel wrong. They usually just put on wheels that are almost flat up against the wagon, more like a regular cart.
If you're ever near Willmar, MN, I recommend heading into their museum to see one of the only authentic carts remaining up close and personal!
In this post, I'd like to tell you a few more cool things about them. Here's a picture of the wheel of an actual Red River oxcart. This particular oxcart is only one of four known to still exist intact. It's located at the Kandiyohi History Center Museum in Willmar, MN.
Notice how it's all made of wood? (The chain you see is just to keep people from climbing on the thing.) I think the band that is holding that hub together may be metal, but originally, it would've been of animal hide. The hide would've been soaked in water, wrapped around the wood, and allowed to dry. When it dries, it shrinks and tightens up. The axle was often made of strong oak, while the rest of the cart was typically pine. However, any wood would do in a pinch.
Now here is what's really unique about the Red River cart's wheels:
See how the spokes and wheel form sort of a bowl shape? It allowed for better movement across the marshy land of the Red River Valley. Again, animal hide would've been used where the metal strip is now circling the wheel rim.
Another thing about this wheel shape is that when the cart and its driver came to a river they had to cross, the wheels could be taken off, wrapped in buffalo hide, and used to float the cart across the river. The two wheels would be placed beneath the cart in order to accomplish this.
I've seen a couple replicas of these Red River carts, and they often get the bowl shape of the wheel wrong. They usually just put on wheels that are almost flat up against the wagon, more like a regular cart.
If you're ever near Willmar, MN, I recommend heading into their museum to see one of the only authentic carts remaining up close and personal!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Swift County, MN Author Talk
Last Thursday I gave an author talk/presentation about the ox cart/Red River trails and Ox Cart Angel at the Swift County Historical Museum. I had a great time, and again, the audience was wonderful. They asked a lot of great questions, and had nice things to say afterward.
On the way up, I passed through Darwin, MN, which apparently is home to the world's largest ball of twine. I didn't stop to see it, but I could feel its twiney presence as I passed. Either that, or I was experiencing some sort of gastronomical distress...
I also stopped in Willmar on the way up and checked out the Kandiyohi County History Museum. I had a really nice surprise when I saw that they had one of only four original Red River Carts still known to exist! Talk about serendipity!
Then it was on to Benson, MN to the Swift County History Museum. I had some time to check out the place before I was due for the talk. What a great museum! They have a bit of everything.
Laura and Pam were the museum's curators, and they were incredibly helpful and nice. They did a lot of work promoting my appearance, for which I am incredibly grateful!
There was a nice turnout. I didn't take a picture of the audience, because I thought that would be a little awkward while giving my talk. But here's where they sat. And nearly all the seats were filled!
It was a nice time. Much thanks to the people of Benson and the surrounding towns!
The drive home that night was a bit scary, however. It stormed most of the way home. Heavy downpours and the lightening seemed like a strobelight on steroids. The occasional hydroplaning was not much fun, either. But I made it back safe and sound, and all was well.
On the way up, I passed through Darwin, MN, which apparently is home to the world's largest ball of twine. I didn't stop to see it, but I could feel its twiney presence as I passed. Either that, or I was experiencing some sort of gastronomical distress...
I also stopped in Willmar on the way up and checked out the Kandiyohi County History Museum. I had a really nice surprise when I saw that they had one of only four original Red River Carts still known to exist! Talk about serendipity!
Then it was on to Benson, MN to the Swift County History Museum. I had some time to check out the place before I was due for the talk. What a great museum! They have a bit of everything.
Laura and Pam were the museum's curators, and they were incredibly helpful and nice. They did a lot of work promoting my appearance, for which I am incredibly grateful!
 |
| Thanks, Laura and Pam! |
There was a nice turnout. I didn't take a picture of the audience, because I thought that would be a little awkward while giving my talk. But here's where they sat. And nearly all the seats were filled!
 |
| Now imagine people sitting in them. |
It was a nice time. Much thanks to the people of Benson and the surrounding towns!
The drive home that night was a bit scary, however. It stormed most of the way home. Heavy downpours and the lightening seemed like a strobelight on steroids. The occasional hydroplaning was not much fun, either. But I made it back safe and sound, and all was well.
East Grand Forks Author Talk (pt 2)
The day after my sojourn to Pembina, I drove down to East Grand Forks, Minnesota. They were in the process of celebrating the city's 125th anniversary, and I wish I could've been there for much of the celebrations, because it sounded like a fun time. My talk was at the East Grand Forks Campbell Library, which is a beautiful building. Unfortunately, I neglected to take pictures! The library used to be located in a different building, but the floods of not too long ago destroyed it. The folks of East Grand Forks came through, however, and donated enough money to build the present building.
Anyhow, the talk went well, and the audience asked a lot of good questions. They even bought some books! So much thanks to the folks of East Grand Forks, and to the librarians and people of the Historical Society there.
The next day I stayed in Crookston, MN. They were holding their annual Ox Cart Days festival the following week, which I couldn't make it to. However, the Polk County Historical Society and Museum bought a number of copies of Ox Cart Angel to sell in their store. If you're in the area they've got a lot of interesting things to look at.
I also took a couple pictures of the Red River Cart and Man statue in Crookston - boasted to be the largest Red River Cart in the world.
It was a wonderful trip!
Okay, now tilt your head to the right (I still can't figure out why I can't get pictures that were originally taken in a portrait format to rotate the correct way when I transport them to the blog.)
Anyhow, the talk went well, and the audience asked a lot of good questions. They even bought some books! So much thanks to the folks of East Grand Forks, and to the librarians and people of the Historical Society there.
The next day I stayed in Crookston, MN. They were holding their annual Ox Cart Days festival the following week, which I couldn't make it to. However, the Polk County Historical Society and Museum bought a number of copies of Ox Cart Angel to sell in their store. If you're in the area they've got a lot of interesting things to look at.
I also took a couple pictures of the Red River Cart and Man statue in Crookston - boasted to be the largest Red River Cart in the world.
 |
| Don't knock over the water tower! |
It was a wonderful trip!
Okay, now tilt your head to the right (I still can't figure out why I can't get pictures that were originally taken in a portrait format to rotate the correct way when I transport them to the blog.)
 |
| Notice the chest hair! |
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