Words on Paper | Forrest Peterson

Let’s celebrate Canada, eh? – Our northern neighbors offer far more than wildfire smoke

by Forrest Peterson | Jul 16, 2026 | Words on Paper

Street scene in old Quebec City. Ron Dobson sounded hurried when he answered my phone call July 1. It was Canada Day, and like our Fourth of July, the celebration was keeping him busy as owner, publisher, editor, reporter, and probably ad sales too, of the Flin Flon,...

‘Land of neighbors’ – Celebrating 250 years of ‘freedom’ ignores uncertain future of democracy

by Forrest Peterson | Jul 9, 2026 | Words on Paper

Tourists commemorate democracy and enjoy the view from the authentic Liberty Bell looking across Independence Square in Philadelphia. Around ten-thirty Sunday evening, July 5, our quiet neighborhood came under bombardment. Launched from the residence across the road,...

Welcome one and all – Pride Festival abounds with creative diversity, diverse creativity, and furries, too

by Forrest Peterson | Jul 3, 2026 | Words on Paper

A large and diverse crowd enjoyed the Twin Cities Pride Festival, including a good representation from Furries, including two seen at lower right in this photo. Last weekend felt very welcoming. Saturday we attended the Twin Cities Pride Festival at Loring Park in...

Away from screens, a spirit of gathering – Festival creates common ground for human connection, art, even books

by Forrest Peterson | Jun 25, 2026 | Words on Paper

The Stone Arch Bridge Festival in Minneapolis drew thousands of people strolling among hundreds of art and craft vendors on a perfect summer solstice day eve. Below the bridge flows the Mississippi River, water that connects people in body and spirit. If you could...

Reflecting on a pool – Big or small, man-made or natural, all water bodies need care and protection

by Forrest Peterson | Jun 18, 2026 | Words on Paper

Our house is reflected in a small backyard pool The renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., causes me to reflect on the condition of the small pool in our backyard. The contrast between them is similar to the vast disparity between the...

The nature of things – Amid weather and human turmoil, farms and gardens sustain our bodies and souls

by Forrest Peterson | Jun 11, 2026 | Words on Paper

A carpet of corn covers a field behind our house in central Minnesota. In late spring, seeing new crops in fields and gardens, if you wait long enough it seems as if you can almost see the corn and soybeans sprouting from the soil. Nature doing what it always does,...