At our annual hospital auxiliary meeting, President Cindy Anderson pointed out an opportunity looking for a solution. We are in need of more auxiliary members. Some of the perks of membership are: furnished (if you work a two to three-hour shift) a meal in a beautiful setting looking out through big windows at Fountain Lake; rubbing elbows with local VIPs; being able to lend an open ear to many persons in the medical facility for some reason; putting forth a helping hand to many people with a need.
If you’re having a bad day, this just might be the help you’re looking for. A place to go in relief of your cabin fever, a means of getting out of a rut—if you’re interested, stop in at the gift shop in the Albert Lea Medical Center and pick up the literature on how to become an auxilian.
At breakfast, Genie and I reminisced how many years ago we went to the International House of Pancakes for breakfast many times. Genie reminded me that times haven’t changed, as we’re eating an international breakfast right now! She said, “Blueberries—Chile; jam—Canada; juice—Massachusetts; blackberries—Argentina; grapes—Chile; bananas—Guatemala; instant coffee—Ohio; butter—Hope, MN; breakfast cereal—Michigan; with silverware from Japan and our bowl and cup from China.”
Genie showed me the labels to back up where she said the items came from—I was amazed. (Readers, for your entertainment, read the labels to see where your breakfast came from.)
Along the food line it is interesting to notice all the emphasis on calories, sodium, carbs, fat, etc. The veterans’ cafeteria in Minneapolis gives you a receipt showing all the above in the food you purchase. (My emphasis is on taste only.)
Short Shorts:
A. A pair of eagles, plus one juvenile, are hanging around Albert Lea Lake (I’ve seen them).
B. A reliable source tells me a raven is hanging around Goose Lake in Albert Lea.
C. Deer are going up and down the railroad tracks by Goose Lake in Albert Lea (they get off the tracks at various bird feeders along the way).
D. The fish are no longer hanging around in Fountain Lake by the skateboard park (based on very few bites lately).
E. Once again, Mother’s Day and opening of fishing season are the same weekend in Minnesota.
F. Plymouth Play House Theater closed as of Dec. 31, 2017.
G. If you want to know where the fishing is the best in Fountain Lake, go where the most fish houses are.
H. My column of Feb. 8, 2018 should have stated where the two great employees, Billie Joe and Glenda, worked—namely, Casey’s in Albert Lea.
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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.