Sandman's Journal

A Dunn Center neighbor, Reuben Benz, died two days ago at age 82. He was a master mechanic and gardener, and one of the nicest guys around.

I once wrote a song called "Reuben Benz," in which I fantasized about stealing carrots and onions from his garden late at night. The song was a playful tribute to a man who represented all that's good and generous about rural North Dakota.