What was it about him? Was it the bushy hair that stuck out under his cap? Was it the neat accent? Was it his lack of height? Was it the neat chuckle? To me, it was all of those that made “Digger” one likeable Irish leprechaun.
On my morning walks, I sometimes walk through Lakeview Cemetery. The last time I saw Digger and his digging partner, Jeff, was on one of those walks. I asked Digger if he would dig my grave in the next few years. His reply was “Maybe,” with his infectious chuckle.
Digger, it was my (along with many others’) great pleasure to know you.
Genie and I celebrated the second of our second 50 years wedding anniversary. We know that our ages were the cause of us slowing down. It took us three days to celebrate one day. The first day we celebrated at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church by hosting the coffee hour. The second day was batter fried fish at Trumble’s in Albert Lea. The third day was noon lunch with a two-spoon sundae at The Old Mill in Austin.
It seemed like the population of squirrels and rabbits (in our back yard) in Albert Lea had greatly increased. I did a statistical random sampling of four houses with a back yard plus oak trees in the four quadrants (north, south, east, west) of Albert Lea. The answer was an average of seven squirrels and four rabbits. Our yard had 10 squirrels. I’ve started a relocation program and it is now three squirrels and four rabbits in our back yard.
Orange you glad it’s fall? After this column, future columns will not be every week until next April. We have a number of things planned until then. Deer hunting the entire season staying at Cass Lake Casino Hotel in November. Genie is going by bus to Washington, D.C. in October plus Branson in November by bus. Ice fishing will be Red Lake or Lake of the Woods (maybe both). The Eel Pout Festival on Leech Lake in February is a must for both of us. Norwegian Bingo with pizza and ice cream bar Saturday evening February 6 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church in honor of Valentine’s Day.
How’s this for a part of your Christmas activities? Board a coach bus in front of Albert Lea Pizza Ranch at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, going to Christmas by the Lake in Clear Lake, Iowa. You can tour Christmas activities on Main Street, watch the lighted Christmas Parade followed by viewing fireworks over the lake. (The parade and fireworks can be viewed from the bus if you wish.) Board the bus back to Albert Lea Pizza Ranch for the buffet. All this for $26 per person paid in advance to F.R.O.G. ($5 cash back per person if the bus is full). Call Bob or Genie Hanson at 373-8655 or Wayne or Bev Indrelie at 826-3267 for reservations. (The Pizza Ranch buffet can be purchased for $10 per person paid in advance to F.R.O.G. if not on the bus).
All this is presented by F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God) of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. Remember, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.