Last week, I was lucky enough to have two of my good friends from the service come up to the cabin with me for a couple of days. Larry Blessing and I were stationed together for three and a half years, while Mike Baier was stationed with us for two of those years.
The first time that we met was in Yokosuka, Japan. We connected because we were all Minnesota boys, and our love of music was another thing that drew us together. Larry and I became good friends and soon Mike joined our little group of Minnesota boys.
Our time at the cabin was great as we all brought some pictures to share and we did a lot of reminiscing about the good times. In 1968, Larry and I were deployed to Vietnam, while Mike was transferred to a ship. We were reunited after we were discharged.
When we got together at the cabin for a few days, it was the first time since 2011 that the three of us had been together. We do plan to do this again next year at Mike’s place in Outing, Minnesota. There is a certain bond that keeps us together, which I attribute to our time spent in ACB-1 (Amphibious Construction Battalion One), and our Minnesota roots. These last few days were just great days filled with stories, beautiful weather and a lot of laughs. To quote Reader’s Digest, sometimes laughter is the best medicine. The fall colors up north were just about at peak and the scenery was absolutely fantastic.
In case you haven’t noticed, summer is quietly starting its journey towards our next season. Everyone is excited to celebrate the first day of summer, but it’s really just a trick. Once the first day of summer passes our days start getting shorter. It’s almost as if Mother Nature is quietly sneaking just a little bit of our day away, so that no one will notice.
I know that it sounds like I’m looking at my glass as half empty, but I’m actually looking at all of the things that I had on my agenda for the summer and without any panic, just yet, I am starting to wonder if I’ll get it all in. I guess that it’s just like our busy lifestyle — so much on the plate that sometimes a person doesn’t take the time to step back and enjoy the moment.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy the summer is - you guessed it - fishing. I’ve said many times that there is no better way to relax than to watch a bobber bouncing gently on the ripples of a warm summer breeze. There is always a little bit of suspense in that and I still get the same feeling that I did as a kid when I see my bobber starting to dance wildly on the surface of the water and then quickly disappear into the depths below. For some reason, it doesn’t matter what kind of fish is on the other end, it’s still that same special feeling.
Over the years there have been a few instances where a mud turtle has appeared on the other end of the line. There is no quicker way to spoil a precious moment than to have a mad painted turtle with a hook in its beak clawing and biting at you. It’s a real challenge to get the hook out and put it back unharmed.
This is usually only a minor setback for both the turtle and myself. Once a person has this experience, it may take a while before trusting that there really is a fish on the other end of the line.
Until next time: take a little time to enjoy the beauty of the trees that are changing colors all around us.
Please show your support for the troops who are serving our country, so that we may enjoy the many freedoms that we have.