My Last Story Ever About Duane Sand (I Hope) – Redux

(NOTE: I didn't think I would see Duane Sand's name on a ballot again (boy was I naive), but here he is, showing up on the District 47 Legislative Primary Election ballot next Tuesday, and duking it out with the Republican establishment which once embraced him and ran him for Congress a couple of times. … Continue reading My Last Story Ever About Duane Sand (I Hope) – Redux

Fishing On D-Day With An American Hero

D-Day. June 6, 1944. Seventy-four years ago today, my father-in-law, Garland Crook, got his feet wet—literally and figuratively--entering combat in World War II by going ashore on Normandy Beach. Today Jeff and I are going to try to keep him from getting his feet wet as we help him into the boat on the Missouri … Continue reading Fishing On D-Day With An American Hero

I’m Not Sure Why, But I’m Sticking My Nose Into The Bismarck City Election. I Guess I Just Don’t Like The Name Bakken.

Over the years, I’ve been asked off and on if I’d ever consider running for public office. My response has always been the same: “You won’t see my name on a ballot until all my college roommates are dead.” Dead men tell no tales. A couple of my roommates are gone, but Ron and Jim … Continue reading I’m Not Sure Why, But I’m Sticking My Nose Into The Bismarck City Election. I Guess I Just Don’t Like The Name Bakken.

Wayne Stenehjem: Public Lands Enemy #1

We’ve got a million acres of public land, most of it excellent wildlife habitat, in western North Dakota, owned and managed by the United States government, which means you and me. I know, you’ve read those words before in my writings. Sorry, but I’m going to keep talking about this UNTIL SOMEBODY LISTENS! There’s a … Continue reading Wayne Stenehjem: Public Lands Enemy #1

Who’s Got Money, Who Doesn’t? And Who Didn’t File A Report?

AND THE WINNER IS . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Rauschenberger! North Dakota’s election laws require all candidates for statewide and Legislative offices to file campaign finance disclosure statements three times a year—before the Primary Election, before the General Election, and at the end of the year. All contributions greater … Continue reading Who’s Got Money, Who Doesn’t? And Who Didn’t File A Report?

Here I Come To Save The Day

President Donald Trump’s propensity to just make stuff up and spit it out to the media, or via Twitter, is contagious. I’m afraid Al Jaeger has caught the bug. C’mon, Al, you’re better than this. Dang. Background: At the State Republican Convention a month or so ago, convention delegates, disregarding Secretary of State Al Jaeger’s … Continue reading Here I Come To Save The Day

Monday Morning Update On Will Gardner

Although Peeping Will Gardner has said he will “withdraw from the election of Secretary of State,” because it’s “the best decision for my family and me,” (you can read more about that in yesterday's post) the ballot for the June 12 Primary Election is already printed, and his name is on it. So on June … Continue reading Monday Morning Update On Will Gardner

“If there’s anything you ever did in your life you don’t want to see on the front page of the paper . . .”

From time to time over the years I’ve received phone calls from aspiring politicians seeking advice on whether or not to run for some public office. Generally, it’s something like “Hey, Jim, I’m thinking about running for dogcatcher. I’m wondering what you think about that. You got any advice for me?” My first response is … Continue reading “If there’s anything you ever did in your life you don’t want to see on the front page of the paper . . .”

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom

My Mom, Phyllis Maxine (Boehmer) Fuglie was born October 10, 1924, at the farm home of her parents, Peter and Sophia (Aaberg) Boehmer, near Edmore, ND. Her family moved to Saskatchewan, Canada for a short time during the Great Depression, where my Grandpa Pete took work as a farmhand to support his growing family, but … Continue reading Happy Mother’s Day, Mom

Old Dog, New Blog

Welcome to my new blog website, theprairieblog.com. If you've been reading the words I write at my old site, theprairieblog.areavoices.com, you'll discover it has gone away. Thanks, and good riddance. It wasn't easy for this old dog to create a new website, but my tech support person, Lillian, made it happen. Thanks to Lillian. You … Continue reading Old Dog, New Blog