Now & Then, 6/11/2026

Some people read a book to relax. Others exercise, and there are those who get a massage. How do you relax? For me, if I am feeling stressed or anxious, my therapy of choice is to write.
Sometimes I just write random thoughts. I have written a few books, one children’s book and one about a homeless man who experiences the worst and best in people. Another is about an experience I had while being mayor.
I don’t plan on sharing the books with anyone. They probably aren’t that good, but writing them was both fun and relaxing.
It was my English teacher, forensics coach who first encouraged me to write. She suggested I write and deliver four minute speeches. The first one I wrote back in 1963 was about discrimination. I won first in a state competition. That was quite a confidence builder, and I have dabbled in writing ever since.
I became pregnant shortly after getting married. I was only 19 years old. My doctor advised me the birth would be by cesarean section. I was so frightened. I didn’t know anyone who had given birth that way, so I had no one to talk with about it.
I also felt embarrassed because I couldn’t give birth the conventional way, and it made me feel less of a woman. I was so young and naive.
I wrote about my fears and concerns and sent my article to one of those romance magazines that were popular in the 60’s. It was Modern Romance if I remember correctly. To my delight I received a $100 check accompanied by a letter telling me when my article would appear in the magazine.
I never told a soul I wrote the article, not even my hubby. I was embarrassed about my anxiety and didn’t want family to know. Here I am, decades later, outing myself.
I keep all the cards and letters I receive from readers. Sometimes when I think readers are tired of me and my articles. I re-read them to motivate myself to continue writing.
I still smile when recalling a letter from the late Geraldine Stephens. It was the first letter that told me I had made an error in a recent article.
The article I wrote was about a goose we named Lucy. She had an injured beak which prevented her from pulling vegetation from the water.
Ms. Lucy came to our house twice daily to be fed. I made the mistake of calling Lucy a Canadian goose. Geraldine, a bird watcher and very knowledgeable about the many species of birds, advised me Lucy was a Canada goose, not a Canadian goose. She was absolutely correct, and I promptly had a correction printed.
Recently I received a warm and complimentary letter from a reader who lives in Seymour. She said, “My sister sends me your columns. I thoroughly love them. Informative, nostalgic, and at times humorous. I in turn send them on to my friend, Kathy, who lives in Olathe, Kansas.”
She continued, “Kathy told me she had invited several couples for dinner and shared your columns with them. Kathy told them they were written by a cousin Lorna.”  I will write to the reader Lois to learn more about our potential relationship. It is a small world, isn’t it?
I also receive encouragement from a well known area writer, Kay Reminger. She wrote, “Lorna, I reread your column again this morning, as I was going to recycle the paper. I think I found more meaning in the second time around (maybe because I am more alert in the morning),”
Kay continued, “Anyway, to quote you, ‘for those in Christ, aging is more about hope than fear, more about honor than dishonor, more about holiness than despair, and more about gain than loss.’
Kay added, “It’s such a profound statement, Lorna. Truth, truth, truth. I am so blessed, I, like you, have been granted the freedom to write openly about my faith. And to claim Jesus as our Lord without repercussions.” Yes Kay, we are truly blessed. The Market Messenger has allowed me to express myself and I so appreciate them.
For those of you who have written to me, I want you to know how much I cherish your letters and cards. I keep each one and have them in a book, I call my “friendship book.”
If you wish to write to me, please send to:
Lorna Marquardt
P O Box 343
Shawano, WI  54166
I hope your day is filled with love and laughter, hope and joy.