Somehow she broke her wing and was not able to fly south for the winter. As any good mate would do, he stayed by her side as they wintered in the channel of water between Fountain and Albert Lea Lake under Bridge Avenue.
Most of the winter there was open water to get small fish as that is their main source of food. (I know the employees of China Restaurant on the shore of the channel were their back-up food supply.)
Him and her are now swimming downstream to their nesting site by Albert Lea Lake and back again to feed in the channel.
I’m hoping they will teach their youngsters to fish in the channel. (I’ve never seen baby pelicans.)
To me, an old native of this area, the China Restaurant employees are a classic example of what makes me “proud to be a resident of Minnesota with the expression “Minnesota Nice.”
Part of “Minnesota Nice” would be your telling the China Restaurant employees “Thanks.”
The hot three or four days in a row followed by three or four days in a row of cold, freezing at night, even a dusting of snow weather brought back memories of my two farming grandpa’s.
Grandpa Hanson farmed north of St. Olaf Lake on rolling, hilly land. Grandpa McFarland farmed along the Straight River by Hope, Minnesota on flat level land. Their decision as when to plant in the spring varied due to the lay of the land.
Grandpa McFarland’s decision was: Go in to the field, drop your pants and Long Johns, sit down on your bare bottom, and if you felt comfortable – plant.
Genie and I left Albert Lea abut 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26th headed for the Twins versus Yankees game at 12:10 p.m. at Target Field. We like to park at Mall of American and ride the train that stops at Target Field thus no parking problem with a long walk to the game. (Besides the train is free to a military veteran and spouse.)
We just missed the train with the next train 24 minutes later. We got to our Great Sky Club seats on the lower level by First Base just as the Yankees end the first half of the first inning.
UGH! they scored five runs before the Twins even got to bat!!! The score at end of the sixth inning was 11-3. Genie and I were very cold as there was a slight wind sitting in the seats not in the sun – thus we took the train back trot h the Mall of America.
We decided to stop at Timber Lodge Restaurant in Owatonna for the evening meal. We walk in and a male voice says “Welcome to Timber Lodge. Please join us – we just got here.”
It was Nephew Nathan, wife Lindsey and family Tanner, Ainsley, Allie Grace and Turner Hanson from Waseca celebrating the 10th birthday, that day, of daughter Ainsley.
In case you’re wondering, the food and service was excellent.
Short Shorts
A. Genie and I are doing the “Now Mow May.”
B. If you’re 16 years of age or older, do you have a 2023 fishing license?
C. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14th.
D, Mom’s Free Fishing without a License is May 13-14, 2023.
E. Nurses’ Week is May 6th through May 12th.
F. Memorial Day is May 29th.
G. Poppy Day is May 26th. Remember that fallen veteran.
H. As of 04-26-23 an east facing hill along I-35 in Minnesota was covered with snow!
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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 New York. 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.