What was important about August 12, 2023?
That was the official date Genie began her second year of being an Octogenarian. (An Octogenarian is one in their eighties.)
Genie started the celebration early and extended it a few days to make it last three weeks as per the following:
On the first of August with breakfast at Main Street Restaurant in Albert Lea with Jody treating.
On the 8th of August Genie, was pampered by Julie treating her to breakfast at Perkins Restaurant in Albert Lea. This was followed by an excellent haircut by Elly for her great day, August 12th.
On the 10th of August, Barb picked her up and they went to “The Cottage” Restaurant in Amboy, MN for lunch. Birthday napkins plus a picture of Genie and Barb made the occasion in a great setting. (Per Genie, “A Gotta Go To Restaurant.”)
On the 10th of August, Genie and I attended the Clarks Grove Historical Society Evening Meeting at the Museum in Clarks Grove. A fellow Reader’s Theater member wished Genie a Happy Birthday.
(Reader’s Theater is a group of senior citizens that read-play to Kindergarten thru 3rd grade students in the Albert Lea school system.)
On the 11th of August, Genie and I attended “Relay For Life” at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds in Albert Lea, including the evening meal at the Fairlane Building, plus walking by the luminaries. (Genie is a cancer survivor.)
On the day of her birthday, August 12th, we attended the Relay for Life Breakfast at the Fairlane Building.
On the day of her birthday, August 12th, we enjoyed a great evening meal with dessert at Applebee’s in Albert Lea. The Employee Singers of “Happy Birthday” were excellent.
After many “Happy Birthdays” at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church August 13th, Genie and I had a great brunch meal of Belgian waffles at First Lutheran Church in Glenville.
57 Twins fans, including Genie and I, met our bus driver, Marty, for a full coach bus trip to the Twins on Tuesday, August 15th. Deal or No Deal for 30 prizes was played on the way. Genie was drawn as a winner of a Twins cap. The game was very exciting as the Twins were behind, but managed to win with a grand slam home run in the seventh inning.
Early a.m. August 18th, Shirley and Roger left two plastic bags in our garage that we found as we were leaving about 10 a.m. containing tomatoes and cucumbers.
Friday August 18th Genie and I enjoyed a great brunch at the cabin of Jody and Tom on Tetonka Lake by Waterville.
In summery, Genie received 25 birthday cards (from all across the U.S.A.), 14 telephone calls, three singing happy birthday telephone calls, two singing happy birthday on her computer and about 100 happy birthday in-person wishes.
The 19th of August declared “Rest Day.”
On the 19th of August as Genie drifted off to sleep at the stroke of midnight, I heard her happily say, “That’s my eighty-second birthday story and I’m sticking to it!!
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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.