Behind the Lines: by David Heiller

David Heiller A friend of our family called Monday morning with the urgent news that her son had a serious viral infection and needed to be rushed to Duluth for medical care. She asked if we could look after her four children after school while she and her husband stayed in Duluth at the hospital. Of course, I answered, of course. Three children, and one teenager, we can handle that. My wife called later in the day and told me to pick up a jar of spaghetti sauce. “The biggest one you can find,” she added. “Do you need hamburger?” I asked, trying to hide my excitement. Hamburger in our house is a rare treat, and so is store-bought spaghetti sauce. I say that knowing my wife will understand that it brings back fond memories of my college days, Hamburger Helper and all that. Cindy assured me that she already had plenty of hamburger on hand from our friend’s freezer. After I bought the half-gallon jar of spaghetti sauce, I thought about renting a movie for the kids. But I shook off that n...

Language is a fascinating subject, even though it can be abused. Some abuses are obvious, but since this is a family newspaper, I won’t go into the details on that type of mistreatment. Other language aberrations come naturally. I’m thinking of some of the things my 22-month-old son comes up with. Parents—you know of which I speak. The worst series of words he has come up with could easily have driven Socrates to his hemlock. It goes like this: “Noah, sit down and eat your supper.” “No.” “Why not.” “Cuz.” “Because why?” “Cuz.” “Noah, sit down and eat!” “No.” And so on. Noah has no concept of the word “because” and all the reasons that are supposed to follow: “I’m not hungry. This food belongs to the dog. I have a headache.” A simple “Cuz” suffices. I wonder where he picked up that sequence? Another teeth-gnashing exchange: Dad is outside, fixing the garage steps. Noah is watching intently. “You doing?” This is a question but Noah says it like Gospel truth. “I’m fixing the steps.” “You ...

David Heiller and Cindy with Riley, Rosie and MacKenzie in Brownsville Minnesota, 2006. ~*~I am not the editor of a newspaper and shall always try to do right and be good so that God will not make me one. ~*~ Mark Twain I had this quote on the wall near my desk at the newspaper. And I mean it... I am not a writer, and do not wish to be one. I was married to a wonderful writer, and here I would like to share some of my favorite of his weekly columns. David liked the fact that the newspaper was not permanent. It could be read, and five minutes later  be used to wrap fish guts, or be laid out as the first layer of mulch in the garden. You can't take yourself too seriously if people wrap fish guts with your writing. Please add your thoughts and comments and remembrances, I will very much appreciate it. David loved the give and take of a weekly newspaper.