What do Cynthia Crabtree, Genie Hanson, Paul Hanson, Gale Nelson, Jeff Nelson and Cherrie Schiltz all have in common? The answer is Aug. 12 is their birthday.
Genie decided her birthday should be a two-week bash, starting Wednesday, Aug. 5 through Tuesday, Aug. 18. Why two weeks? Because Genie likes birthday celebrations, especially her own. Following is her two-week birthday bash.
Wednesday: a road trip south of the border to Mason City, Iowa with drive-through lunch purchased at Arby’s in Mason City, followed by a drive around Clear Lake, Iowa (Genie’s home town).
Thursday: Kentucky Fried Chicken of Albert Lea takeout and a rest day watching TV.
Friday: the first two birthday cards arrived in the mail.
Saturday: a drive around Edgewater Park in Albert Lea to view the Cancer Relay for Life luminaries between the rain showers.
Sunday: First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea was watched on TV as it was raining and the Central-East church service was outside. Arby’s of Albert Lea was the choice for drive-through food eaten at home.
Monday: many more birthday cards in the mail.
Tuesday: porch day lunch with Kelly, Agnes, Dorothy and Carol at Kelly’s (Violet wasn’t able to attend.) and haircut by Elly later.
Wednesday: this was her birthday! The 7:30 a.m. northbound train out of Albert Lea had a different whistle. It was a series of a short, followed by three times like “Happy Birthday” with happy short followed by birthday three times in a row. We think railroad man Galen Johnson was the lone arranger of the whistle. U.S. Mail lady Chris drove up to our mail box and left all the birthday cards in our garage as there were too many to carry and besides they wouldn’t all fit in the mail box. A rain cloud opened up after the mail and deposited one-half inch of rain, so Genie didn’t have to water her flowers. Sack lunch with Gale Nelson and Gale’s sister Trudy, plus two young helpers at Gale’s place. To the Thirsty Fox for an eating outside evening meal of shrimp, followed by happy birthday napkins with cupcakes and a cupcake pick reading, “Let’s Celebrate.”
Thursday: more cards, even a card from President Trump asking for her vote plus some of her birthday money. (he didn’t get either one.)
Friday: outdoor drive-in movie at the Albert Lea City Arena.
Saturday: more cards, steak night at home.
Sunday: Church service by “the tree” outside at East Freeborn Lutheran Church. DQ in Albert Lea for drive-through lunch, Wendy’s of Albert Lea for the evening drive-through meal eaten at Albert Lea Big Island State Park followed by a tour enjoying the park wildlife.
Monday: native Albert Leans Scott and Diane Timmerman stopped me on my early morning walk to wish Genie a happy birthday as they were on their way back to Oregon. Troy Thompson of Thompson Electric stopped in to fix a light fixture. Genie enjoyed a porch day knitting with Judy Nygaard.
Tuesday: porch day lunch with Kelly, Agnes, Dorothy and Violet at Kelly’s (Carol was unable to attend.) Evening meal from Arby’s with Bob. Watched Democratic National Convention plus exciting Twins baseball (Twins won 4-3 in 11 innings.)
In summary: cards, phone calls, computer messages from 17 states, plus Canada, two “Happy Birthday” singers (Donnie Osmond Phyllis Sucher), a bouquet of glads from Eunice Bakken, a bouquet of roses from her secret admirer of many, many moons (arranged by Addie’s Floral of Albert Lea).
P.S. In gathering information for this column, her secret admirer informed me that Genie is the best thing to come out of Iowa!
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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.