"O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."  We love you, Canada. We have traveled through nine Canadian provinces. They are not and do not want to be the 51st state of the U.S. They deserve our respect so that we can again be good neighbors.

Trump!

 Trump starting a trade war with Canada. Trump wanting an aircraft carrier named after him (no ship ever named after a sitting president) instead of a black WW 11 war hero. What else can he possibly do? We have to stop him! Vote, people vote! 

 The answer to my latest question is B. I have been to Carnegie Hall more than three times to hear the Mason City High School choir sing.

Guess 3

 The answer to yesterday's "guess" is "A" I have never been to Egypt. Today's guess: A. B. or both: A. I have been to more than 3 Carnegie free public libraries. B. I have been to Carnegie Hall 3 or more times.

Guess 2

 It is true that I both body surfed in the Southern Ocean and walked across the Red. Guess today: either A or B or both: A. I taught in Cameroon, Central African Republic and Tanzania all in one trip. B. I attended an international religious conference in Alexandria, Egypt and traveled up the Nile River. 

voting

 Be aware of voting requirements. It would be wise to register to vote now, e.g. if you have changed your address or not voted in awhile. The Save Act (The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act)  is a federal bill that would fundamentally change how Americans register to vote. If it passes voters would need to present documentary proof of citizenship in person before completing registration, effectively eliminating most current online and mail registration methods. For most people, that means a passport or certified birth certificate and for women who have changed their name, a marriage certificate.

Women's Equality Day

 August 26 is celebrated as Women’s Equality Day, marking the 1920 day U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation certifying the 19th Amendment. This action officially added women's constitutional right to vote into the U.S. Constitution

I remember: Guess which one or both are true. A. I went body surfing in the Southern Ocean, off the coast of South Australia, near Adelaide. B. I walked across the North Sea to Holy Isle off the Northeast coast of England at low tide which was 3 miles and took about l 1/2 hours. 

I Remember 1

 From time to time I will post two "I remember" items for you to guess which one or both are true. A. In Des Moines I rode "Curbliners," electric trolley busses with the ability to pull directly to the curb to load passengers safely. B. In Mason City I rode busses that went all the way directly up and down Federal Ave.

Burton and Norma

 Burton and Norma Everist, 64th wedding anniversary, married August  26th, 1962 August 26th is also celebrated as Women's Equality Day marking the 1920 day U.S. Secretary of State signed the proclamation certifying the 19th Amendment. This action officially added women's constitutional right to vote into the U.S. Constitution

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus statue

 

Trump and vaccines

 President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to reshape the federal government’s approach toward childhood vaccines, insisting that infants should receive fewer immunizations over a longer period despite little scientific evidence supporting such sweeping changes. Trump is not a scientist. He is not a doctor. This executive order will endanger our children. 

The wide-ranging order proposes reducing the total number of immunizations recommended for children in their earliest years and dividing the nation’s childhood vaccine schedule into three categories.

It also advises that the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine be separated into three individual shots — a dramatic change that goes against broad scientific consensus but is in keeping with Trump’s insistence in recent months that the widely administered shot be altered.

Orchid still blooming

 My orchid started blooming on Epiphany. It bloomed on Easter and Pentecost. It is still blooming on my Baptismal birthday. August 6 is also the baptismal birthday of our youngest son Kirk.  And Hiroshima Day, when we dropped the Atomic bomb on Japan. A sign of life in a deathly world.

Med

 I suggest you keep a list of your medications in your billfold or purse. We do. A few years ago a friend of ours was out to dinner with a number of us, and she, sitting beside me, collapsed. Neither we nor the medics that came knew what was going on since we didn't know what meds she was on.  A list could save your life.

The Save Act

 The SAVE Act would require American citizens to show documents like a passport or birth certificate to register to vote. More than 21 million Americans lack ready access to those documents. Roughly half of Americans don’t have a passport. Millions lack access to a paper copy of their birth certificate. The SAVE Act would disenfranchise Americans of all ages and races, but younger voters and voters of color would suffer disproportionately. Likewise, millions of women whose married names aren’t on their birth certificates or passports would face extra steps just to make their voices heard. Call your Congressional Representatives and Senators 202-224-3121 to object.

Poem Color

 Color

Seeing

Sewing

Coloring

Growing

Marbles

Quilts

Vibrant People

Subtle

Contrasting

Colors

ADA anniversaryh

July 26, 2026 is the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law in 1990. Many people still do not know what to say to a person with a disability, e.g. "You look fine to me," "You're getting better aren't you?" (Most people with a disability live with it their entire life."  "I get tired, too" (They either try to identify with or dismiss the struggles a person has.) Rather, listen, ask what help the person needs, be friends with people with disabilities.

climate crisis

Have you noticed? National TV news broadcasts are now every day having to spend the first 15 minutes on reporting heat, floods and storms. The Climate crisis is here and becoming worse. Rising temperatures fuel deadly heatwaves. We have having longer droughts and catastrophic floods.  Yes, loss of life and threats to  food and water security. We need NOW to replace fossil-fuel and expand solar and wind energy. 

Canadian fires

 Over 800 wildfires are burning through forests in Canada. We care about our neighbors to the North and pray the fires will be brought under control soon.

anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

 July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We've come a long way since 1990, but we continue to work on accessibility for all CONSISTENTLY.  I have a disability parking placard but sometimes find the parking space is by a door that is locked. What if there is a ramp up to the front of a building, but a flight of stairs right inside? What if a public open house is announced, but too many stairs out front, and going around to the back one can get in but the elevator is not yet working? And what about people saying they will make some accommodations but can't be bothered with too many? Have you with disabilities ever been laughed at?  How can we plan together so that everyone can be included?

Call Congress

It takes but a few minutes to call U.S. Senators and Representatives. Call the Congressional Switchboard 202-224-3121 and ask to leave a message by name for a senator or representative from your state or any state. Give your brief opinion against the SAVE America Act which will keep many people from voting or against ICE arresting and killing people, or any other legislative issue.  

Sitting with me

 Because of my disability I have not been able to stand in worship since 1997. So I sit. At Wartburg Seminary one day the person beside me sat with me in support. Then, the next day another person who was beside me stayed sitting. And so, without a community decision or policy, or even a discussion, people just noticed and every day in chapel for the next 20 years the person beside me did not "please stand" but sat.  I am thankful. My son, Joel, sits with me in the front row at church now. 

River MC

Mason City, Iowa, Wednesday night in different places in town received 2 1/2 to 5 inches of rain in about 1/2 hour. Flooding all over. In this picture this afternoon the flood had already receded from the grass in East Park but was still a roaring river.               

Lap

What do you have only when you are sitting down? 

Orchids

I posted a picture of our orchids blooming for Epiphany. I posted another picture when an orchard was still blooming at Pentecost.  And here one of the orchids is still blooming the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, after the 4th of July weekend.  I give thanks for God's good, long-lasting creation. We are called to care for it. 

 

4th of July

 Oh beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain. America! America! God mend thine every flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty maintain.

Canada Day

July 1 is Canada Day celebrating the anniversary of Canadian Confederation on July l, 1867. Canada achieved legislative independence from Great Britain in 193l, separation of citizenship in 1947. The red maple leaf flag was adopted in 1965. Full sovereignty was gained in 1982. When we lived in Detroit, July 1 through July 4 was celebrated together with fireworks across the Detroit River south (yes, "south") to Windsor, Canada. We have been privileged to travel in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edwards Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. We love Canada!

 The Texas State Board of Education approved a new statewide curriculum that makes Bible reading mandatory. This goes against the 1st amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It presumes this nation and its public schools are and should be Christian (Christian Nationalism). Public Schools should teach youth about all religions, not teach what they should believe. The board also approved a curriculum that glosses over racism and the history of slavery in the United States. This is not God's chosen, perfect nation. We need to recognize our flaws. We need to respect all people.

Moon in June

The moon in June shines brightly in the sky. 

Central Gardens

 A trip to Central Gardens, Clear Lake, Iowa. Beautiful and refreshing.

Visits from grads

 What a joy and privilege to have recent visits from Wartburg Seminary graduates who have been faithfully serving for many years. Rev. Kathy Gerking and husband Andy.  Rev. Carolyn Pflibsen and Rev. Dr. Troy Pflibsen. 

Father's Day 2026

I give thanks for my husband, Burton who has been and continues to be a great dad--and granddad. Oldest son Mark (in Phoenix) with daughter Aimee, Next Joel (in Mason City) , father to Jennaya and Jackson, and youngest son, Kirk (Dennison, Texas) pictured with taking a picture of the family. 

 

Obama Presidential Center Opening

Yes, there was music at the Grand Opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center. There were thousands of people, ordinary people from the neighborhood. I also saw Angela Merkel from Germany and Justin Trudeau from Canada. I heard wonderful speeches by Valerie Jarrett, Michelle Obama and Barack Obama himself. I appreciated the focus on the South Side of Chicago where Michelle grew up and Barack was a community organizer.  Years earlier Burton and I had our first urban street experience canvassing on the South Side of Chicago. Everyone in this diverse country needs to feel welcome.

June 18 and 19

 June 18 is the celebration of the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, a place where new generations will be empowered to find their own voice. June 19 is Juneteenth, the Federal Holiday celebration when the Emancipation Proclamation which set enslaved people in Confederal states free finally reach Galveston, Texas 2 1/2 years after it was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. 

Flag Day

 It's Flag Day, a time to recognize the stars and stripes, adopted in 1777. (I remember when we changed from 48 stars to 50). There are also hundreds of people having birthdays today. Most important, the U.S. flag belongs to everyone. We dare not be separated over the flag as we were during the Viet Nam War. We dare not wrap the flag around a cross; we reject Christian nationalism. We honor the flags of all nations. 

 An eight-year-old girl in Topeka had already understood intuitively from the school bus window — that the message sent to a child by telling her she cannot attend the school four blocks from her home is not a neutral administrative decision. It is a statement about her worth.

The unanimous ruling of Brown vs. the Board of Education overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 decision that had enshrined "separate but equal" as constitutional law for 58 years. It was one of the most significant legal decisions in American history — a turning point not just for education but for the entire Civil Rights Movement that would follow.

Linda Brown grew up to become a teacher and educational consultant. She spent her adult life working on school integration and equal education — continuing the fight that had begun with her father walking her to a school four blocks away.

"Looking back on Brown v. Board of Education," she said in an interview, "it has made an impact in all facets of life for minorities throughout the land. I really think of it in terms of what it has done for our young people, in taking away that feeling of second-class citizenship."

She was born on this day in 1943.

She passed away in 2018.

In between, she gave her name — without ever choosing to — to the case that told every child in America that the school four blocks away was theirs too.

Climate crisis

 "Severe Storms" "Tornado Warning" Those words trail across our TV screen.  Have we become used to floods, tornados, record heat and cold? Former Vice President Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" was written 20 years ago. King Charles was concerned about the environment decades before.  We rarely hear words about "Climate change" anymore. We should be working on the "Climate CRISIS" all the time. The current administration doesn't care. When will be a "convenient" time to be concerned?

Votes in California

Donald Trump is saying the voting in California was rigged.  No rigging, no fraud.  It simply takes time to count all those votes when so many people vote by mail.  Don't fall for Trump's false claims.  We need to encourage all people to vote. We need to save "vote by mail." We need to help people register to vote in the remaining primaries and in November. 

Jennaya voting

 Jennaya Everist, recent college graduate, was interviewed by the press as she voted in the Iowa Democratic Primary June 2.  Years ago, when the national press was covering the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses, Jennaya, then 3 1/2, was interviewed by a New York reporter. Jennaya said she was for "Obama." Whatever age, we need to be ready to speak about our views. 

Tulsa race massacre

 The Tulsa race massacre was a two-day-long terrorist massacre perpetrated by white supremacists that took place between May 31 and June 1, 1921. As news of the violence spread throughout the city, mob violence exploded. White rioters invaded Greenwood that night and the next morning, killing people and burning and looting stores and homes. About 10,000 black people were left homeless. 

 Trinity Sunday in 2026 falls on Sunday, May 31. Celebrated on the Sunday immediately following Pentecost, this Christian feast honors the foundational doctrine of the Holy Trinity: one God existing in three distinct divine persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I prefer to say, "The Creator, Jesus Christ, and the Empowering Spirit."

Tama

 

Leave messages for Congress

 It's time to leave messages for U.S. Senators and Representatives (even when they are not in session) by calling 202-224-3121. We can make a difference by speaking against the "war of choice" in Iran, deportation, the 8.1 billion dollar slush fund, corruption, lies. Speak up for the U.S. postal service, voting rights, social security and so much more. 

Band Festival

 The 87th North Iowa Band Festival Parade is here! Floats are lining up in front of our Prairie Place Building. As usual the Mason City High School band leads off playing Meredith Willson's "Seventy-six Trombones" After all, this is "River City" of "The Music Man" 

Pentecost

 Pentecost is here. We celebrate and give thanks for the Holy Spirit who gave the followers of Jesus ability to speak in "other languages." I was consecrated a deaconess on Pentecost in 1960. God declares that God will pour out the Spirit upon all flesh and "your sons and your daughters shall prophecy."

Pentecost Flowers

We had no poinsettia for Christmas, no Lily for Easter. They would have faded long ago. However these orchids started blooming on Epiphany and are still blooming now for Pentecost. We rejoice. We celebrate Pentecost, the beginning of the Church that has lasted 2000 years.

 

Tornado survivor

 My husband, Burton, has made hundreds, if not thousands, of hospital visits in his over 60 years of pastoral ministry. However, this morning he made his first hospital visit to a woman who survived a tornado. She and her family are alive, but their house in rural Joyce, Iowa, was moved off its foundation and farm buildings were destroyed. We pray for all those who have lost so much in the past few days of tornados in Iowa and surrounding states.

Voted

 I voted yesterday. Early voting for the Iowa primaries, June, 2, is now open. Why should I vote? Because it matters desperately this year. Trump is doing everything he can to keep people from voting, particularly people of color. The primaries set the stage. Inform your neighbors how to register to vote. And then VOTE. 

70th and 50th

 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of my graduation from high school and the 50th anniversary of my graduation from Yale Divinity School.  This year I celebrate my granddaughter Jennaya's graduation from college.

Ascension Day

 Today, Thursday May 14, is Ascension Day. The first congregation I served, in St. Louis 1960-1964, was Ascension Lutheran Church. The words we read each week as we left the sanctuary to go out into the world were "Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?" (Acts 1:1l)

Detention Centers

 Across the United States the Trump Administration is trying to purchase large empty warehouses to convert into Detention Centers, also called Trump Prison Camps. These are designed to hold thousands of people without trial who are not criminals. However, local residents are pushing back and most often succeeding in stopping these Detention Centers from materializing. We CAN do something!

Emotions

 

News casters continually say, "They got emotional." But which emotion? ADORATION, AMUSEMENT, ANGER, AWE, CONFUSION, CONTEMPT, CONTENTMENT, DESIRE, DISAPPOINTMENT, DISGUST, DISTRESS, ECSTASY, ELATION, EMBARRASSMENT, FEAR, GUILT, INTEREST, LOVE, NEUTRAL, PAIN, PRIDE, REALIZATION, RELIEF, SADNESS, SERENITY, SHAME, SURPRISE (NEGATIVE), SURPRISE (POSITIVE), SYMPATHY,  TRIUMPH and more. . . 

Mother's Day

Mother's Day planting flowers in Joel's and Rachel's backyard. I've been doing this with Jackson and Jenneya every year for about 22 years, before Jackson was born. This year Jackson and I talked while we planted about writing books. He is writing one this summer.

  

Tangier

 Go to the FB page of "Wartburg College Choir" to see and hear them singing in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Tangier, northern Morocco on the coast of the Straight of Gibraltar. 

Bleeding Hearts

 My heart bleeds for those who are losing their right to vote and hold public office due to redistricting and to gutting the Civil Rights Act of 1965, particularly African Americans. 

Wartburg College Choir tour

 Where is Granddaughter Jennaya Everist? With the Wartburg College Choir, singing at the Wartburg Castle in Germany, riding a camel in Morocco and giving a Saturday night concert in a church in Cassablanca. 

Golden Tempo

 Cheers for Golden Tempo and the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, Cherie DeVaux.

 The Supreme Court this week issues a long-feared decision cutting back the Voting Rights decision of 1965 making voter discrimination again possible.  We need to work to make sure everyone--everyone--can vote!

King Charles Speech

 The speech given this afternoon by King Charles lll before the joint session of Congress at the Capitol was magnificent. The monarch of the United Kingdom and head of the Commonwealth spoke with depth and words of wisdom.  Do find it and watch it.

flowering trees

 The thunderstorms have passed and the flowering trees are now beautiful, including my favorite, redbud.

Gaza children

 More than 65,000 children have been killed or injured in Gaza, according UNICEF. Thousands remain missing and are believed to be buried under rubble, and at least 1,009 of those killed were under the age of one.

An estimated 17,000 children have been left unaccompanied or separated from their parents, while the United Nations reported that at least 21,000 children are living with permanent injuries.

Earth Day

 As the sun sets on Earth Day, there are droughts, fires burning, and erratic weather patterns. The National Forest Service is being weakened. Will lands and waterways be no longer protected? We have a climate crisis. Have we become numb? This Earth Day will soon pass, but what will we do tomorrow?

Call Washington

 Things are not going well in the war.  Things are not going well in the world. We are tempted to turn off the TV, ignore what is going on and focus only on our own lives.  But all of our lives are being affected. An alternative is to become engaged.  Just now I called four senators and urged them to act. It takes only a minute or so to leave a message. Call the Congressional switchboard and ask for your senator or the representative of another state. Call 202-224-3121.  We can act!

Pope, Vance, Trump, Budde, Lutherans

 Vice President J.D. Vance has made outrageous comments, trying to correct the Pope's theology. Trump criticizes the Pope constantly. Trump also vehemently criticizes Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Maniann Budde. Many Evangelical Lutheran Church in America bishops, including our presiding bishop have come out with statements against what Trump is doing. I as a Divinity and Seminary Lutheran Professor professor, have written often on the problems of Christian Nationalism and on justice. I have not been criticized nor do I know of any Lutheran leaders who have been criticized by Trump. Perhaps he doesn't know what a Lutheran is. Remember the importance of the first Amendment of the Constitution. 

Cory Booker

"Our democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands participation. Now is our time to remember that we are each other's hope. . . We need to be stewards of the truth. When we remain silent out of fear or out of indifference our believing that what we say won't make a difference, we fail to meet what this moment demands."  Sen. Cory Booker from his new book, Stand."  I highly recommend it. The book is both an easy read and profound.

Artimis returns from the Moon

We just watched splash down of the space capsule Integrity on the Artemis ll mission, April 10, 2016. On July 24, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins safely returned to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean to conclude the historic Apollo 11 mission, the first human moon landing.They brought back lunar samples. Early the next morning, July 25, I gave birth to our son, Kirk Andrew Everist.

Narcissist

 A narcissist is a person with an extreme, unhealthy preoccupation with themselves, characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Trump is not just old, not just sleepy, not just unintelligent. He is a dangerous narcissist, saying "A whole civilization will die tonight" about Iran. We must stop him.

The moon

We watched on C-SPAN the astronauts of mission Artemis ll emerged from the far side of the moon. This morning we watched the moon from earth. This is what we saw from our deck: the same moon, different perspectives. Ps. 8: "When I look at your heavens, the work of your finger, the moon and the stars that you have established. . . O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth."

Easter 2026

Christ is risen! Blessings from the Everists at church in Mason City. Burton this morning preached and presided at four rural churches in three services in two states. I am thankful for his continuing service as a pastor. Blessings to all.