I weave rag rugs. At one point I saved dry onion skins to dye some dull rags. I set them in brown paper bags in the old kiln shed. Ken created glazes from ashes – he used wood ash form apple trees, maple ash, and he also used crop sources like the husks from dry beans or corn stalks. When Ken went to clean the old kiln shed he found the bags …
Ken loved working all things malleable – making soil blocks, throwing pottery, making bread, black smithing ( which he said was like making taffy, but it’s too hot to touch), mudding sheet rock, laying and grouting tiles, etc. When a musician friend asked Ken to mud some sheet rock Ken said, “Sure! Just get a bucket of sheet rock compound, and call me.” Ken answered the call, and the friend loved to tell the story …
Ken loved fruit. Each winter he would buy pears. And when a bunch ripened all at once he would bake them! His recipe: Halve lengthwise and with a small spoon scoop out core. Place cut side up on a baking pan. Place small pieces of butter on pears. Drazzle (a Ken word) the pears with maple syrup and brandy. Sprinkle with ground cloves. Bake and serve. Leftovers are great warmed in the warming oven of …
Years ago Ken read in Mother Earth New that we should all be putting watermelon syrup on our pancakes because watermelon has a much higher sugar content than maple sap. He tried it and prefers maple syrup Since some watermelon matures when nights cool off and it no longer is what we crave, Ken cooks down some of it. He fills kettles with pulp, and once it comes to a boil he runs it through …
Years ago we went to upstate New York to a dance camp hosted by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason at Ashokan. We had SO much fun. Although Molly grew up in Washington state, she had spent time in the Midwest on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion Show. When Ken and I danced a polka Ken swung me ALL around the floor as other East Coast folk danced mainly in place. After the dance Molly commented, …
Once our relationship became serious – Ken planted more carrots which need thinning, and I moved my perennial flowers to Turtle Lake – we had a conversation about wedding rings. I saw no need for a ring. Ken would have to take it off to make pots, and wear off his skin when gardening. I, with my short stubby fingers never saw a ring that looked good on my hands or …
Years ago when Ken was making pots on Thanksgiving weekend, a stranger came up and banged on the door. He was having car trouble and knew exactly what tool he needed for the repair. Ken had the tool and followed the man down to the highway so he could bring back the tool after the repair. The man got under the car, fixed the problem, thanked Ken and offered him one of the pies the …
Years ago when Ken and I were dating. Ken told me all the attributes of all his former flames. At some point I grew tired of this and I asked Ken, “And what about me?” Ken promptly replied, “You’re durable.” Not exactly romantic, but coming from Ken that was a compliment!
Even in death Ken had what our friend Kevin calls a “teachable moment.” The deputy sheriff from Polk County came to write up the report. He was quite amazed at our house, and that Ken had build the thirty foot chimney and wooden circular stairs and bent wood railing. When he got downstairs he asked about the blue corn in the racks drying. Then he said, “Wow. He probably saved seeds and didn’t do those …
Ken Keppers Obituary Ken Keppers died December 19, 2017. After scans in July indicated cancer, he sought alternative health care. He died as he wished – at home. Born November 15, 1952 in St. Paul to parents Ralph and Patricia (Billy) Keppers, Ken grew up in White Bear Lake and Shoreview, Minnesota, and attended St. John’s and St. Odilia’s Elementary schools and Totino – Grace High School. He graduated from Bemidji State University …
