MARILYN HAGERTY: Flu outbreak calls for more commandments

Dear Shirley,

Remember when we were kids, and we had to learn the Ten Commandments? And at the end of each explanation, the Martin Luther catechism said, “This is most certainly true.”

Well, I thought those commandments were all we would need in a lifetime. But this week, I have been thinking there are more commandments we should follow.

For instance:

• Though shalt not cough on others. Thou shouldst muffle thy cough in thy sleeve.

• Thou shalt not wear slippery-soled shoes on ice.

• Thou shalt not be texting whilst walking on ice.

• Thou shalt wash thy hands often with soap and water.

And:

• Thou shalt not pack thy krumkake iron in the bottom of the suitcase.

You see, Shirley, Delores Mutch of Larimore, N.D., did that. She and her husband Duane were going down to Minneapolis for Christmas with family members and planned to do some Norwegian cooking down there.

Well, when the first TSA agent found the big black iron item here in Grand Forks, she told Delores she would have to check it out. It made a big black blob on the screen. So she asked her supervisor to look at it. Delores explained that it was a skillet for making the Norwegian krumkake.

At length, the supervisor relented and allowed Delores to take the big heavy contraption on the plane. But she warned her she might not get it through security coming back from Minneapolis.

Well, fortunately, that didn’t matter. Delores and Duane Mutch came home to Larimore by car. And you can’t blame the TSA for wondering what a Norwegian woman might be doing at 35,000 feet with a krumkake iron.

The Norwegians among us make for many laughs and good times, Shirley. They can’t help it they are not of Danish descent!

This week we are mourning the loss of Elizabeth Anderson who made life more interesting around here with her Norwegian cooking and clever thinking. Her services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at United Lutheran Church.

Former Gov. Ed Schafer should be blowing into Grand Forks today. He is the speaker for the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner tonight. They will be dining on steak Madagascar and walleye amandine. Chris Semrau will pass the gavel to Jeff Wilson, the incoming board president.

And there’s basketball at the Betty! The UND men will take on the team from Eastern Washington. They named the first blizzard here after Aaron Anderson. Now I think they should name the second one after Jamal Webb who fired in three pointers Saturday when they beat Montana State. People are still talking about the way Troy Huff flew into the bleachers and out again in a wild effort to save the basketball. He is something else again, Shirley.

Do you watch the U of Arizona sports? The UND hockey and hoops games keep winter interesting around here. Then there are plays. “The Good Doctor” is running at Red River High School. And I saw “My Generation” at the Fritz Wednesday night. The UND Burtness crew is taking their show to regional competition this month!

Love from your sister Marilyn just dying to hear “Snow Blowin’ Blues.”

P.S. That’s a new offering by Steven Rand and Jeff Anvinson available at the UND Bookstore.

Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or (701) 772-1055.

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