North Dakota Living readers

NEARBY INSPIRATION
My inspiration most often is a painting that hangs on my wall. It is a picture of Jesus with a flock of contented sheep at his feet and carrying a sheep over his shoulder. I look at that one sheep as myself.

Beside Jesus is a tree, which reminds me of a solid life, tall and ongoing. On the other side is a rock, showing Jesus as our solid foundation.

Art in any form is an inspiration. Go out and enjoy.

Joan Jones
Formerly Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative
 

GOOD OL’ FOURTH
My favorite summer celebration in North Dakota is the Fourth of July. We attend a small community event, which has been a fun-filled day for many years.

The day starts promptly at 9 a.m., with someone singing the national anthem. Then the parade starts, with horse riders carrying the national flag and the Christian flag. The parade consists of floats created by local businesses and families. This is followed by races at the baseball field. Any age can participate and all the littles win a quarter for participating.

ENJOY NATURE
I usually open the shades, let the sunshine in, take some deep breaths, go for a walk and inhale the fresh air. Nature is so good for a person.

I do a lot of praying. I like to bake and/or make extra food and take it to a homebound person, a neighbor or an older person.

And as you look around, soon you will notice all the blessings God has given us. Every day is a gift.

Ileene Albin
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
 

April: April is Stress Awareness Month. What do you do to relieve stress?
Deadline for submission: March 10

May: What is the most underrated travel destination in North Dakota?
Deadline for submission: April 11

Published replies pay $25. Email to ndliving@ndarec.com or mail to READER REPLY, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727.

A MOMENT IN A PHOTO

PUBLISHING A BOOK
Many say they would like to write a book, which is the easy part. Last May, I decided to write a children’s book and I did. The challenge was to find a publisher who would promote it, rather than someone who would just print it and leave me with many copies to sell.

THINK GREEN
The biggest need for the North Dakota Legislature to address is clean energy. Use the natural resources the good Lord put on earth, such as wind and sun. When fossil fuels run out, then what?

Rodney Eberle
KEM Electric Cooperative

GRATITUDE TO GRANDPARENTS
This year, I am thankful for my grandma and grandpa. Over the summer, they helped bring us to different activities and sports practices. They fed us every day, whether that was at their house or at a restaurant.

When there was a day without anything planned, we would do something fun, such as going to the movie theater or to the amusement park.