Deep Roots

A couple of years ago my son Jonathan in a very animated fashion. We both (who was about three years old at the laughed hysterically and agreed that neitime) and I were headed outside on a ther of us really knew whether or not dog summer day to do some routine chores. food actually tasted good because neither As we strolled past the dog dish, Jonny of us had tried it! I guess the mystery of nonchalantly bent over, grabbed a hand- how tasty dog food is will remain as I ful of dog food, and popped it into his have yet to allow dog food to fancy my mouth. I was stopped dead in my tracks, palate. Psalm 34:8 brought the story of my Jonny to mind. “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” I have, metaphorically speaking, tasted of the Lord’s goodness. I have tasted the Lord’s goodness in a broken marriage being restored, five beautiful children, eyes and mouth wide open, and Jonny kept right on going. I quickly attempted to gather my wits and catch up to him as I shouted,”Jonathan, you can not eat dog food!” He looked at me and with a furrowed brow said, “Why not? It’s good!” DEEP ROOTS By Whitney Nesse

I immediately began to question my parenting peace in times of trouble, clarity in the midst of skills — or lack thereof. Questions raced through chaos, friends in times of loneliness, healing of emomy mind: Where had I gone wrong as a mother? Is tional wounds. These are just a few morsels of the my cooking that bad? Will he actually get worms ways I have tasted of the Lord’s goodness. from eating dog food? I was praying he had not shared his acquired taste for dog food at school out of fear I would get a call from the teacher! Some of the aforementioned came all at once — like being served a heaping dose which left me feeling full and satisfied. Others were more like serving

As I continued to try and compose myself, giving myself ice cream — the strenuous work of scooping myself the reminder that all of my other children the rock hard goodness from the ice cream pail, had eaten a kibble or two and nothing happened, I then enjoying one small bite at a time; not too fast explained to Jonathan that dog food is for dogs just or the result will be brain freeze, yet not too slowly like people food is for people. He shrugged his or the whole thing will melt. shoulders and we continued to finish up our chores. I can also recall times when I felt as though the

Later on I was retelling the earlier events to Karl Lord was giving me tastes of cocoa powder, bitter and dry, coming in the form of prayers unanswered, untimely deaths, and loneliness that could not be shaken. Yet at just the right time, God would take something bitter and dry and create something sweet — like taking a motley crew of women and turning them into my best friends; or opening my eyes to see everyday miracles even though the miracle I wanted did not come.

I wonder if there are any who, like me when I saw Jonny eating dog food, look at Jesus and think, no thanks. Maybe you have been hurt by the church, experienced insurmountable losses, endured devastating heartache or just never took interest. But, like Jonathan, I exclaim, “Why not? He’s good!” I want to invite you to taste and see. It could be that it starts with a simple prayer or a dusting off of the Good Book and reading some of its pages. Again, I want to invite you to taste and see that the Lord is good!

I still have no plans to try out the dog’s food, but I do plan to continue to taste of the goodness of the Lord. I am going to start by thanking Him that Jonny lost his appetite for dog food!

Whitney Nesse is a sixth-generation livestock farmer who is deeply rooted in her faith and family. She writes from her central Minnesota farm. v

50 years of Horticulture Night returns in person

After canceling the 2020 event, the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, Minn. is set to present its 50th year of Horticulture Night on July 29. Experience beautiful flower gardens, meandering paths, and creative landscape ideas while taking in a variety of educational presentations and horticultural demonstrations at your own pace.

Horticulture Night is scheduled for Thursday, July 29 from 4-8 pm.

Visitors are encouraged to visit ongoing demonstration stations from 4-8 p.m. Some of the offerings include “Let’s Grow and Use Herbs!” with Julie Garden-Robinson, North Dakota State University Food and Nutrition Specialist; orchids with Steve Gonzalez; the 50-year anniversary garden; rain gardens 101; growing tomatoes like a pro; protecting pollinators with IPM; and landscape design.

Other activities include a self-guided annual flower tour, food and vendor booths, cow milking demonstration and cheese sampling. WCROC farm animals

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will be available for an up-close look at what they eat, how they grow and what they produce for us.

Registration upon entry is required. Facemasks recommended for unvaccinated visitors. Please note there will be no bleachers or tents, so bring your own chair and/or umbrella for shade if desired. Golf cart rides available for those needed assistance.

Horticulture Night is free and open to the public. The WCROC is located at 46352 State Hwy. 329 in Morris

For further details, visit http://wcroc.cfans.umn. edu.

This article was submitted by the University of Minnesota WCROC. v