Al, Author at Albert Lea Tribune - Page 52 of 78

Columnists

Everything on shoes you were afraid to ask

I was resplendent. Decked out in in my best duds — blue jeans, a Carhartt shirt and nice socks. Not my socks. I don’t own any ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, November 19, 2014 9:07 am

Arts & Culture

Benjamin Franklin didn’t actually want turkey for national bird

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. There is no whining on my yacht. Ma says the secret to ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, November 16, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

Roundabouts go nicely with eggs and bacon

Opinions vary, from “Putting in those roundabouts was a good idea and driving in those roundabouts is a bad idea,” to “Putting in those roundabouts ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, November 12, 2014 9:40 am

Arts & Culture

Young Cooper’s hawk travels 1,100 miles from Minnesota to Texas

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. I’m glad the election is over. I’ve convinced our elected officials that ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, November 9, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

I’d have voted for the 2,058-pound pumpkin

“Uffda! What a lovely, brisk morning. I don’t see how the weather could be more pleasant.” That’s what I said as I walked on a lawn ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, November 5, 2014 9:43 am

Arts & Culture

One woman sees 723 bird species in 272 days and over 100k miles

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. On Halloween, my sister Cruella put on a pointy black hat and ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, November 2, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

World was serious about the World Series

I loved the school cook. If she hadn’t been married, I’d have been bringing flowers to her front door. She made Jell-O the way I liked ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, October 29, 2014 9:44 am

Arts & Culture

Hundreds of thousands of flocking starlings make a black sun

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. Opportunity knocked, but it was a guy selling vacuum cleaners. It was ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, October 26, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

May all your tricks be treats this Halloween

We soaped a few windows. My buddies and I needed to be mischief-makers. It was Halloween. Tradition was afoot. Some businesses paid to have their windows cleaned. ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, October 22, 2014 9:42 am

Arts & Culture

Out of 100 species of milkweed, 14 of them can be found in Minnesota

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. I’m so tired, I don’t have enough energy to snore. I’m just ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, October 19, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

The Church of the NFL gathers at noon

It was a buttery, creaky, fall day. Plants were turning the color of butter and the wind was making things creak. The weather was pleasantly brisk. I ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, October 15, 2014 9:25 am

Arts & Culture

Native solitary bees survive the winter by nesting and burrowing

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. Every morning is still too early. Mice are entering my ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, October 12, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

I’d never inhale in a yummy place like that

The college student was broke. He ate bologna sandwiches often. He didn’t like bologna that much, especially cheap bologna on white bread. And he ate no ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, October 8, 2014 9:51 am

Arts & Culture

Climate change threatens symbolic bald eagle and common loon

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. I slept like a log. I woke up with an ear cramp ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, October 5, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

A letter to the author of ‘Charlotte’s Web’

Dear E.B. White, I was thinking that I hadn’t written you a letter in quite a spell. I intend to remedy that by, as they say, putting ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, October 1, 2014 10:08 am

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