The City Pool in Albert Lea never opened the summer of 2020 due to the corona virus. The City Beach in Albert Lea on Fountain Lake has a big posted sign reading, “Beach Closed.” Even with a closed sign, the beach has been very, very busy, especially on hot days. There is even a vendor selling cool drinks, ice cream products and many other “cool edibles.” How can all this be happening even though the sign says, “Beach Closed?” Do you supposed by posting “Beach Closed” the city has very limited liability at the beach?
On one of my early morning walks I found evidence of someone climbing a tree by the skateboard park by Fountain Lake in Albert Lea. At first, I had no idea why. I have been told Albert Lea Park and Recreation is the reason they have hidden surveillance cameras in the park. My reaction is, “It’s about time.”
I think the Park and Recreation people in Albert Lea know the powers to be at Clarks Grove Recycling Center. The only difference is at Clarks Grove you are informed by a big sign what is allowed and the punishment if you don’t follow the rules. For example, the sign informs one if you don’t put only recyclable materials in the dumpster, the fine is $500. How about that for an uffda to a guilty bank account!
The year 2020 will go down as the year more events were cancelled than held. For example in our lives.
1. Genie’s yearly spring ladies retreat to the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas.
2. My yearly one-week fishing trip to Leech Lake in May.
3. A trip to visit Dan in Vermont.
4. A trip to visit Deb in North Carolina, including the outer banks of North Carolina.
5. Our one-week trip to the Big Horn Mountains above Sheridan, Wyoming.
In summary, our longest trip was across the border into Iowa! (Please notice I didn’t include the two bus trip games to the Twins that were cancelled).
Genie does a summary in her diary at the end of each year. She has decided 2020 will be the year of cancellations.
2020 is the year of the equivalent of the World Series, but in politics. The teams are Biden-Harris as wannabes vs. Trump-Pence as the incumbents. This will be a no-holds-barred, mud-slinging, name-calling event right up to voting. (Please note the mud-slinging, name-calling began as soon as the team players were known.)
Something to think about should you not vote: by not voting, you’re really voting for the person you didn’t want to win!
P.S. As of now, Genie and I will be voting in the same way in the World Series of politics.
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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.