On the third to last day of March, on the cusp of another winter storm forecast for Minnesota, phalaenopsis orchids bloomed in a south Minneapolis home.

These are the petals of poetry, of simple elegance, of exotic summer nights, of boats slipping quietly through the canals of Venice, of anything but the winter that still lingers here in the north land.

These moth orchids hold the promise of sultry summer evenings, of light spilling into the darkness, of moths drawn toward the light, their wings beating gently against the screen door.

Here in these blossoms, which, photographed in a cluster, could be snowflakes drifting in soft whispers to the earth, the door to summer opens.

Here in these moth orchids, which, photographed up close, could be a single snowflake, the wings of time beat, moving from the darkness of winter toward the light of summer.

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These poetic musings were inspired by a visit to my cousin Traci’s home in south Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon. Traci grows beautiful Phalaenopsis, or moth, orchids, 14 in all. 

By Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Mark and Sharon’s farm some 60 miles south and west of Fargo isn’t in any danger of flooding. Their land lies far enough from the Red River.

Yet, this area of eastern North Dakota has water issues, mainly washed-out roads that kept schools closed all week, except Thursday. Travel has been difficult and sometimes dangerous.

Today, instead of attending classes, Wyndmere area high school students, including two of my friends’ daughters, are riding a bus to Fargo to help with sandbagging. Another daughter who lives in Fargo has already been sandbagging instead of going into work at a local bank.

Back on the farm, Mark and Sharon have done some “sandbagging” of their own. Wednesday evening they dropped big, round hay bales along part of a road that was flooding. The couple uses the road to reach their cattle, due to start calving within the week. The hay bale dike successfully kept the roadway from washing out.

“We have lots of water in the fields,” Sharon writes. “A lot of our water isn’t moving because it is still frozen which is good for the flooding area because once our water starts moving, it will flow to Wahpeton and then north to Fargo and Grand Forks.”

By Audrey Kletscher Helbling

When I was in college, I traveled to New Jersey one spring break to visit my aunt and uncle. This was a very big deal for me, a southwestern Minnesota farm girl who had been on only two vacations in her life — to the Black Hills of South Dakota and to Duluth.

While on the East Coast, my Aunt Dorothy took me in to New York City one day. You can only imagine how enthralled I was by everything I saw and experienced.

Riding the subway, which ran under the Hudson River, seemed improbable.

Touring Chinatown with its exotic foods and colorful images intrigued me.

Watching workers scurry with racks of clothing through the garment district puzzled me. The only outdoor garment racks I had seen were those parked on the streets during Redwood Falls and Marshall Crazy Days.

Skyscrapers caused me to crank my neck upward, gawking at buildings taller than Minneapolis’ IDS Center or Harvestore silos.

Street corner food vendors lured me for my first taste of a hot, chewy New York pretzel. Good, but not as good as the mini donuts at the Redwood County Fair.

In the financial district, well-dressed men in three-piece leisure suits impressed me. (Remember, this was the late 1970s, I was in college and single.)

Then there was Lady Liberty who, even from afar, stood strong and tall in the New York harbor.

That was 30-plus years ago. But the sweet memories of my East Coast, spring break college trip rushed back on Saturday when I was, of all places, shopping at Wal-Mart in Faribault.

Several check-out lanes over from me stood the Statue of Liberty in flowing gown and pointed crown.

But Minnesota’s Lady Liberty looked quite different than New York’s. She was actually a stocky guy, portraying the role perhaps for a tax service or insurance company.

Only in this land of opportunity and of free enterprise would you expect to see the Statue of Liberty shopping at Wal-Mart.

Wabasso High School prom, 1973-74

By Audrey Kletscher Helbling

If I was, hypothetically, shopping for a prom dress, I would search the local Bargain Hunters classified ads for a real deal. This week I’d have my choice of $35 to $100 dresses in buttercup, navy blue, red, purple and pink in sizes 3 to 16.

But if I wanted to save even more money, I could sew my gown on an antique treadle sewing machine advertised for $75. Since I haven’t sewn in awhile, I could pick up some useful tips from the $10 Simplicity (Learn to Sew) sewing book with detailed photographs.

Knowing that prom night can sometimes be chilly here in Minnesota, I’ll get the off-white snowman scene sweater advertised for only $10. It’s a size 2X, so I’ll need to alter it. But that won’t be a problem with my new sewing machine. Besides, the sweater was worn only once, is in excellent condition and was purchased at Cabela’s. Perfect for a Midwestern prom.

Then I’ll need new shoes. I can choose from size 7W, never-worn, extra depth stability shoes (whatever that means) or Army paratrooper boots, size 11 ½ D. I should probably go with the boots because I doubt I could fit into the shoes. And although the $100 boots are 2 ½ sizes too big, I can make them work. No one will ever see the boots slopping around on my feet underneath my prom dress.

Speaking of which, I really want to look good in my dress. So I’ll buy the $40, slightly-used “Buns and Thigh” work-out machine and work off some of those extra winter pounds.

If Mother Nature blasts us with a blizzard on prom night, I’ll be prepared. I’m purchasing a $100 “Artic Cat Older Snowmobile, needs belly pan, runs good” snowmobile.

Then there’s that after-prom party. I need a few supplies. I’ll snap up the 50 to 100-count packages of Styrofoam and clear cups for 50 cents a bag. And then maybe I’ll buy that bottled water dispenser, for hot and cold water (how does that work?), advertised for $50.

Of course, I’ll need rockin’ party music. No problem. The classified ads offer numerous stereos. I think I’ll go with the “Stereo Console with 8-track and hundreds of old records, Lp’s and 45’s” in excellent condition, all for a bargain $50. Sounds like reminiscing time to me. Maybe the music stash includes John Denver’s Sunshine on my Shoulders, 1974 Wabasso High School prom theme song. Or was it 1973?

Finally, the Bargain Hunters classifieds also offer the perfect solution to my bathroom dilemma. I don’t want my party guests waiting in line to use the facilities in my one-bathroom house. So, I’ll buy the “Porta Potti Portable Toilet by Coleman — self contained, like new condition easy to carry and clean” toilet for $50.

Yup, except for the flowers and a date, I’m ready for prom.