Travel on the Gravel

Let me make notice here of a kind favor recently received in the mail: a copy of The Home We Shared: History and Memoir of the North Dakota Children's Home at Fargo, North Dakota. The author is Dorothy A. Lund Nelson, and embedded in the historical narrative is her own memoir. This is a story with profound meaning to people associated with the home as residents or as staff, and I'm happy to have the book. For information contact the author, 2910 22nd Street SE, Rochester MN 55804-5895.

Dave Martinson and I are up for a couple of gigs having to do with "100 North Dakota Books." Here's a press release about the project that went out a couple of weeks ago.

“'100 North Dakota Books' is the title of a reference bibliography compiled by Tom Isern, Professor of History, and David Martinson, Lecturer in English, at North Dakota State University. The bibliography is a work in progress under commission from the Great Plains Humanities Center, University of Nebraska, which will use it in the center’s website and programming.

"Isern and Martinson are soliciting comments from the reading public about the work. Says Isern, 'I know the historical literature, and Dave knows the literary side, as well as having a wonderful knowledge of regional books in general. Still, we’re just two guys who pooled our opinions to come up with a list. We’d like to hear from people with their own thoughts as to what are the notable books of North Dakota, the books that define who we are.'

“100 North Dakota Books” has been posted to the web: http://www.plainsfolk.com/buffalocommons/100books.htm"

Anyway, this afternoon between 3 & 4 Dave & I will be on North Dakota Public Radio with Merrill Piepkorn talking about the list of books. Then tomorrow evening at 7 we'll be doing the same at the Zandbroz, downtown Fargo. At that event we invite people not only to comment on the books but also to read favorite passages from great North Dakota books. Sounds like a good evening to me.

The past weekend was one that encapsulated both the seasonal rhythms that characterize life on the northern plains and the quickening pulse of regional life.

It felt like the beginning of the weekend when we attended the dedication ceremonies for NDSU Downtown Friday afternoon. Indian summer lay sleepy and warm on the outdoor festivities, but the observances partook of vitality. The remarks of Doug Bergum, whose vision saved the historic Northern School Supply building and transformed it into a focus of both university growth and downtown renewal, were rambling, as befits his shirt-sleeve style, and punctuated by passing trains. They were punctuated more so by insights both cogent and heartfelt about the potential of historic resources to serve as engines of revitalization.

Up early the following morning to find place in another seasonal ritual—sharptail grouse hunting in the Missouri Coteau. A powerful south wind came up overnight, and the sun played hide-and-seek with low clouds fast moving, but when it emerged, it made the pastures gold and the lakes silver. Our bag of birds was sparse—they were wild as geese for some reason—but the day was well spent. We drove home fortified by a relaxed lunch at the Prairie Oasis.

In time for some garden chores in late afternoon—digging spuds, and preparing the ground from which they came for fall planting of garlic.

The Bison game that evening came out the right way and also offered opportunity to get a photo of one our History students in Gold Star Band uniform. (See the blog framed into my home page at NDSU for photos of two, yes, two History majors anchoring the tuba section.) Tailgating seems to be taking off this year; it’s starting to look like big-time football around here.

Sunday we lay in, but got out in time to drive to Gardner for the annual Lutefisk & Meatball Dinner. That will be the subject of an upcoming Plains Folk essay; in the meantime photos are posted at the fall supper site.

Thence southwest a hour or so to Sheldon, where we examined historic buildings and talked about their potential in the future of the town. More on that will be posted elsewhere; watch this space.

Sunday evening was devoted to yard and garden again. Somewhat belatedly I picked a bucket of Dolgo crabapples for jelly-making and another of native plums for juice. The plums are sparse in nearby shelterbelts this year, so I’m not going to bother with plum butter. I do want some juice for cooking, however—mainly for a plummy bison sauerbraten. Sunday evening was also when we planted our garlic--two varieties, Inchelium Red and German Porcelain--for 2005.

We had writing we were supposed to be doing this weekend, but we didn’t do much of it. Now, Monday morning, the powerful wind continues. I realize that it was this wind that kept drawing me outdoors all weekend. Last night we threw the windows open to it.

I haven't many speaking dates on the fall calendar yet--likely a good thing, since the fall teaching schedule is intense--but there's an easy one with a friendly crowd coming up soon. On 13 September I'm with the NDSU Women's Club, doing a bit on "The Great Plains in Song and Story."