December 20, 2011 • Page 8 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com 1020 Home Country Oh To Be A Goose During The Winter The last of the geese went by the other day. The late ones. The big dark geese. Headed south noisily. I used to envy them, somehow. They go down there to the warm coastal areas where the jacks swim and the nights are chilly but livable this time of year. If they’re especially sensitive geese, they’ll keep going until there are mangoes and palm trees and the language of the people is Spanish. But they cross over here in their long, languorous vees, and all we can do is look up and wonder what our lives would be like if we could go along. To ?y over the farms and valleys, to coast along on the rising thermals, to sail down the long way to warmth and sand and comfort, how nice it might be. But if we did that, we’d miss the snow, and the ?re in the ?replace when the work was done in the evening. We’d miss how the snowy world looks just at dusk when the snow is an alpen-glow orange and tells us secrets it has saved for us all these years. It wouldn’t seem like Christmas if we were wearing bathing trunks in the tropics, and if we went with Food - Beverage Gundy?s Farmers Market, Yankton’s only year around market. 804 Summit Saturdays, 9am-4pm. Selling meat & vegetables taking orders for prime rib & ham. (605)660-5922. Slim Randles them to the winter-feeding grounds, we wouldn’t be able to appreciate how splendid the spring will be with the basking rays of sun on our necks and the swelling of the buds in the fruit trees. To truly appreciate warmth, we must ?rst get cold, and that’s evidently a part of our lives that the geese won’t ever get to share. Of course, they seem quite content to sail on down the southern winds to the warm places, leaving us to wrap ourselves tighter in thicker clothes and dream of sandy beaches and snorkels. Have a good winter, geese. Eat a crab or two for me. You see, I’ll be here for you to honk at when you head north again in the spring. I’ll be right here, living in the same place. Cold or hot, windy or still, my world and my responsibilities are here, and I’ll be right here taking care of them. It’s my way of doing things, and I’m used to it. ———— Brought to you by Slim and Catherine Randles and this newspaper, who ask you to remember those who have less this Christmas and enrich your holiday fun with new friends. Wrap up your Holiday Shopping with 100 Percent Guaranteed, delivered-to-the-door Omaha Steaks - SAVE 67 percent PLUS 2 FREE GIFTS! 26 gourmet favorites ONLY $49.99. ORDER Today 888-379-5192 or w w w. O m a h a S t e a k s . c o m / h o l i d a y 9 6 , use code 45102SRZ (MCN). 1101 Announcements Events Business Hours of The Missouri Valley Shopper are as follows: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. 319 Walnut St. (605)665-5884. Thank you for your continued business! PLEASE NOTE: This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance or ads that sound too good to be true. Call Classi?eds 665-5884 1101 Announcements Events THE MISSOURI VALLEY Shopper cannot verify the validity of any advertisements placed by anyone. Readers are advised to approach any advertisement with reasonable caution. REACH 2 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS! Do you have a product, service, or business that would be helped by reaching over 2 million households throughout Iowa and the surrounding states? The Midwest Classified Network will allow you to reach these potential customers quickly and inexpensively. For more information concerning a creative classified ad call this publication or Midwest Free Community Papers at 800-248-4061 or get information online at www.mcn-ads.com (MCN). See Yankton?s best holiday lights in style with Special Day Limousine. We are now taking bookings for holiday light tours. Call Jeff at (605)661-1615 www.specialdaylimo.com WANT TO ADVERTISE TO THE MIDWEST? Place your classified ads in the Midwest Classified Network anytime online at www.midwestfreeclassifieds.com (MCN). Call Classi?eds 665-5884 Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year. See you in 2012! G & L Motor Specializing in late model repairable & used vehicles! 4400 W. 31st St. Yankton, SD 57078 *3.5 miles west of Wal-Mart on Hwy 50 605-665-7533 • www.glmotors.com Season’s Greetings and A special Thank You to all our customers and employees. VTRUCK REPAIR, Inc. ARILEK (605) 665-1447 East Hwy. 50, Yankton, SD Roadrunner CONVENIENCE STORE 300 W. 23rd • Yankton, SD 605-665-1332 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5:30am -11pm Sat.-Sun. 6am -11pm What better time to thank all our friends and customers for their valued business during the past year. We look forward to serving you in 2012. Commercial, Residential & Farm Wiring Harry Lane • Electrical Contractor 665-6612