This is not a political column. Yes, it deals with some political people. Yes, some of those people are currently running for president and vice president. Still, I repeat it is not a political column.
Nor is it a religious column. Yes, I am about to talk a bit about religion, and yes, I am going to talk specifically about my church. Still, I repeat it is not a religious column.
This is a food column. I know because I have been writing it for more than 20 years (no, really; it’s been 20 years). And in that time I have often written about the culture of my home state and particularly Northwest Iowa where I grew up. I have talked openly about my hometowns of Melvin – population 200 on a good day – and Sheldon – home of the Orabs. I have also talked occasionally about growing up ELCA Lutheran.
But until recently, I haven’t had much occasion to bring it all together in one place. Until now.
A few weeks ago, Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, surprised many when she chose Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz hails from our neighbor to the north, Minnesota, which is less than 25 miles from Melvin. He is also an ELCA Lutheran who regularly attends Pilgrim Lutheran Church in St. Paul.