When the weather people described the weather in this area as “Rain in between the showers,” they most certainly hit the nail on the head regarding the 4th of July long holiday weekend. My rain gauge showed 7.6 inches of rain (We live at the corner of Marie Ave. and Burr Oak Drive). Almost every home had water in the basement, with many of the back yards covered in water. The mallard ducks were most happy in their new pond locations.
Genie and I enjoyed the 3rd of July parade down Bridge St. in Albert Lea while sitting on the steps of Zion Lutheran Church. We purchased pop and hot dogs from the church stand. As we paid for the purchase, we were invited to sit down and enjoy and food and pop with the following parishoners: Natalie Nelson, Susan DeSart, Jody DeSart, Arlene Murray, Kaylie Nelson and of course their pastor Matt Lehman. To Genie and I, this was a classic example of “Be kind to your neighbors!” Genie and I suspect a flock of flamingos will mysteriously show up in our yard looking for a donation.
I rained off and on again Saturday, July 4. We checked out the area from where the 4th of July fireworks were shot off. We decided with all the foot traffic and vehicles allowed to drive through, it was an area waiting for an accident to happen. Our decision was to watch the higher fireworks from lawn chairs in our driveway. Many of the higher fireworks were beautiful with the boom echoing off the lake. Just great!
Being a Republican voting Democrat in the Presidential election this year, I feel I must comment on the Presidential debate poor showing by President Joe Biden. His advisors, as to how to handle the debate, blew it. It was clear to me Biden had been prompted to handle Trump lies with statistics. This was a big mistake, as no person could remember all the necessary statistics to prove Trump a liar.
President Biden could have simply said something to the affect, “There he goes lying again,” or “Don’t you ever tell the truth?” President Biden could then get into familiar fact s by stating all of the Democrats’ accomplishments during his presidential term, plus other important objectives in the future.
We watched the TV special of President Biden being interviewed by George Stephanapolis. President Biden hurt himself by not agreeing to a cognitive test. This is going to make politics even more interesting as many Democrats will say, “He’s mentally not eligible to run,” plus Donald Trump will say Biden knows he is not mentally eligible. How will this affect the Presidential debate Sept. 10?
My answer is one can not be certain who the candidate for either the Democrats of Republicans will be in the election this November. This much is possible, if you vote absentee, you just might vote for an ineligible candidate!
This much I know: Deer hunting in Minnesota starts Nov. 9, 2024. Genie and I plan on our yearly sabbatical at that time to Walker, Minn.
That is enough politics! Stop in and make a purchase at the coffee shop in the hospital in Albert Lea. If you’re lucky, you will get served by a “Georgia Peach.”
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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.