Category: Uncategorized

Brother Dudley

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

I was just a little kid and disliked having to take naps.  Today I was begging for one but my father wasn’t about to be fooled.  We were going to our Sunday School/Church in the afternoon to hear Brother Dudley preach.  My father was quite active in church affairs so there was an obligation for…continue reading »

In the Name of Religion

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

Through all of time religion has dictated many peoples’ beliefs and to what lengths they would go to in achieving their dreams and goals. Unfortunately, war is usually a big factor in religion. This was not the case with my more recent ancestors. The reason my family decided to leave Sweden was because of several…continue reading »

The Mulberry Tree’s Ultimate Gift

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

One lonely tree was planted in the pasture, about a quarter of a mile from our house. The only water it got was when it rained. While my father not only thought of his family with a garden and orchard near the house, the mulberry tree was planted to provide shade and shelter for the…continue reading »

Walking – a Way of Life

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

Walking – a Way of Life It was only a mile to our mailbox to get the mail and two and a half or three miles depending on which school we were attending. Walking was a daily occurrence for most of the year. Gas was eighteen cents a gallon and we each got one pair…continue reading »

Husker Game Day with Grandpa

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

Written by: Special guest contributor Alexis Bartek Have you ever been to a Husker game before? Imagine a stadium filled with almost 100,00 people cheering for the beloved Cornhuskers. I was ecstatic to be going to the game, but even more so because I was going with my grandpa. A smile peeked across my face as…continue reading »

Only to be able to Smile Again (Part Three)

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

To be Able to Smile Again (part 3) New York and the sight of land was so welcome, a place to lose the sea legs and relax momentarily if you can call going through customs relaxing. With four little children in tow and even though their belongings were few, getting to the train station for…continue reading »

Hey, Coach!

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

Hey, Coach!!! World War II had just ended and many servicemen, after being honorably discharged, entered the teaching profession. Lt. Roy DeSelms was one of them. He had served as a pilot on B-17 bombers in the 487th Bomb Group and had been hired to teach math and social studies at Sargent High School. He…continue reading »

The Lord God Planted a Garden

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

The Lord God Planted a Garden By Dorothy Frances Gurney (1858-1932) THE Lord God planted a garden In the first white days of the world, And He set there an angel warden In a garment of light enfurled. So near to the peace of Heaven, That the hawk might nest with the wren, For there…continue reading »

DOWN IN THE RIVER TO PRAY

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

I had rarely been in a church until I was in high school,.  This didn’t mean my spiritual house was not in order.  My father was very strict, especially in religious matters. The reason I hadn’t been in any church was because we didn’t have one in our community.  What we had was country high…continue reading »

A Christmas to Remember

Loran Swanson    Uncategorized 

Of all the Christmases that I remember in more than eighty years, several have left an impression that have stayed with me for a lifetime. One in particular, and maybe the one that has had the greatest impact, occurred when I was eight years old, on Christmas Eve, 1937. I don’t think I have ever…continue reading »