Posted: 4/3/07
Caledonia native writes of growing up on the farm
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Larry Ernster had a life-changing experience at a wake. At his own wake, no less.
Of course, it wasnít an actual wake, but part of a 40th birthday observance put on by his family. The wake was complete with casket, mourning and religious accoutrements, and Ernster, being the spirit, was "invisible." He couldnít speak, and no one could speak to him.
Halfway through the ceremony, they switched gears and instead of grieving over the loss of Ernster, they brought him back and talked about the wonderful future he had ahead of him.
"It was a life-changing experience," said Ernster.
That experience prompted him to make major changes in his life, and some of those changes resulted in temporary financial difficulties. He borrowed money from his mother, Pernilla Ernster, and would write her a check each month to pay it back. He included a brief note with the first check, but when it came time to send the second check, instead of writing a note, he wrote a story. He wrote a story every month to include with his check. By the time the debt was paid, he had a large collection of stories.
His mother, meanwhile, began sharing the stories with the rest of the family. They encouraged Ernster to put the stories together in a collection, and thatís how "Rural Wisdom: The Times When Life Has Really Spun Our Wheels" was born.
The book is a humorous and insightful look into Ernsterís life growing up on a dairy farm with seven brothers and sisters. Although he couldnít wait to get away from the farm when he was a teen, he now realizes that his "boring" life was actually quite special, and that a large loving and stable home is not something to be taken for granted.
Each story includes a little homespun philosophy and reflection, and often there is a spiritual element as well. That, said Ernster, is because there is a spiritual aspect that runs through our lives, and whether we realize it or not, we are protected and cared for by spirits, and they often take different forms.
"Our ancestors are forever with us," he said.
Ernster said that when he sits down to write a story, the story seems to take over. He never knows exactly where itís going. The writing isnít hard, he said, but the polishing and editing is.
Ernster graduated from Loretto High School in 1963 and left Caledonia to attend college. He currently works in the computer industry and resides in Richfield, a Minneapolis suburb. He has two grown children, a daughter and a son.
So far, Ernster had promoted his book in the tri-state area, and has had tremendous response.
"Even people who werenít family liked it," he said.
When people read the book, he added, they want to meet his mother and not him. Locally, it is available at the Pine Cone Place and Barnes and Noble in Rochester. It is also available over the internet. He has several book signings planned, at Gatherings and Gifts in St. Charles on May 2 and in La Crosse in June. He also appeared on KTTC on Monday of this week to promote the book.
As for a future book, Ernster said he still has lots of stories.
"Iíve been collecting them. You never know."
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com