It’s time for another running-of-the-words column; fact or fiction, you decide.
This is leap year, which means an extra calendar day in 2020. As per every leap year, that extra day is in February. This also causes us to celebrate the first day of spring one day earlier than the previous three years.
The leap year child born on Feb. 29 celebrates their birthday one day early the non-leap years, thus they get to have a birthday bash every year.
“In like a lion, out like a lamb,” or is it, “In like a lamb, out like a lion?” I guess we will just have to wait until the end of March to know.
One old Minnesota weather saying I’m certain of is, “During the Minnesota state boys’ basketball tournament, there will be a blizzard.” If you’re of Minnesota heritage you can put an emphasis on the ending by adding, “And this is most certainly true.”
Daylight Savings Time began March 8, 2020. I still find it hard to believe that Mr. Sun really gives us an extra hour of sun March 8, only to take it away Sunday, Nov. 1. Do you suppose Mr. Sun got the idea from the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh?
A him and a her at NRHEG High School asked for and were granted a full Friday off from school to do field research at Big Island State Park in Albert Lea. (They went cross country skiing in the park.)
The day off from school reminds me of the time Paul Arnfelt and I asked for a Friday off from New Richland High School to celebrate our winning in the local contest. I think the wrestling coach at that time put the kibosh on our plans as he didn’t think winning in the St. Olaf Lake Ice Fishing Contest earned a Friday off from school (especially when our winning was being drawn for a six-pack from the land of sky blue waters, Hamm’s Beer)!
A very nice ice castle fish house was parked on a driveway on Lakewood Ave. in Albert Lea for all of February. The driveway was very, very, icy. The fish house is now gone as per the shelter removal date of being off the ice no later than midnight March 2, 2020.
Regarding fish houses to be off the ice, the fish house in Southern Minnesota was to be off the ice no later than March 2, 2020 at the stroke of 12 midnight.
The blocking of the fish house during usage, plus any trash that was generated during usage, must also be removed. Failure to do so is cause for a littering citation. Anybody who does not comply can be referred to as, “The south end of a mule headed north.”
Genie and I believe in honoring all holidays. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, we honored a holiday by having pie after a big lunch that was preceded by oatmeal, lots of coffee and two sweet rolls for breakfast. Mid-afternoon, we enjoyed popcorn followed by ice cream cones at McDonald’s. Tuesday evening was a junk-food meal (fries, hamburger, pop, pie and a double helping of ice cream). What holiday was it? Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday and now we’re fasting for six weeks. Uffda
— — —
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.