Do you know what happened January 23, 2024?? On that day Dolly Parton sang Happy Birthday to me!! (If you are a computer whiz kid, Dolly will sing Happy Birthday to you too on your birthday!)
An unusual event happened by our house in Albert Lea early a.m. Tuesday the 23rd of January. It snowed one inch before daylight. When I first looked outside, I saw a set of deer tracks that walked by our garage!!
Another interesting event occurred at 11:58 a.m in January. Kate Radio of Albert Lea played the U.S. National Anthem – so I saluted (Kate Radio does this Monday thru Friday).
The oldest and the youngest of the Hanson clan enjoyed a birthday dinner at the Timberlodge Restaurant just off I-35 in Owatonna on Saturday, January 27, 2024. I, the oldest, celebrated my 87th birthday on January 23 and Turner, the youngest, celebrated his 5th birthday on the 21st. We also celebrated the birthday if Allie Grace whose 9th birthday was November 26th. The food was good, the service was excellent, but it was a bit much for a five year old.
A head’s up to all you readers of this column: Ash Wednesday, the 1st day of Lent, is February 14, 2024 this year. Valentine’s Day is also February 14, 2024.
Does that mean you can forget Valentine’s day in 2024?? The best and safest is to honor both events. A hint to you male readers: “Candy in a heart shaped box works the best.”
In case you’re wondering how I know candy is the best – It is a male tradition for all Lutherans!!
They were both born in Canada to Canadian parents. The parents of each one lived on the same lake just north of the town of Dryden. In the winter both sets of parents wintered on a lake north of McAllen, Texas.
He and she knew each other as youngsters, especially as their parents lived on the same lake in Canada and wintered on the same lake in Texas.
The first year the youngsters were on their way south to the lake by McAllen, Texas to spend the winter, they encountered an early blizzard. It was very bad and they were forced to pull into Albert Lea. As they came, they were in an accident with her unable to travel until at least next spring (April of 2023).
They did the best they could in wintering in Albert Lea. They liked to spend their time by the channel beside the China Restaurant where they became friends of the kitchen employees.
The winter went by and summer of 2023 she was still unable to travel. Summer of 2023 turned into winter of 2024. Same song, 2nd year of her being unable to travel. Once again they spent a lot of their time by the channel beside the China Restaurant in Albert Lea with their restaurant employee friends.
For the authentication of this story – I refer you to the China Restaurant kitchen employees in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
If you’re wondering, this story is about two pelicans, one with a broken wing, the other ok.
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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.