I received an e-mail message from my friend Tony Blake, who is now back in England. He thanked me and all the other Americans who were most gracious to them on their English goodwill tour of the U.S.A.

Tony wondered why there were so many water closets on the ice at Beaver Lake. He thought the pink water closet on the west side was most appropriate in regards to fighting cancer.

I sent an e-mail back to Tony, trying to explain those water closets were not outdoor toilets on ice, but really fish houses. I complimented him on being so observant in noticing the pink fish house owned by Mark Sorenson.

Now that I know what a water closet is, I hope Tony knows what a fish house is.

Because I’m no longer a local resident – even part time – I have to relinquish my title of President of the local Beaver Lake Liars’ Club. It seems there has been some under-cover-of-darkness skulduggery going on, in two of the Beaver Lake water closets on ice, to replace me. One water closet has the name “C. Crabtree, President-Elect” on the outside door. The other has “J. Worrell, President-Elect” on the door.

Both water closet wannabe’s were actively campaigning at the Beaver Lake Ice Fishing Contest. I don’t know which candidate will win, but I do know they are both well qualified for the presidency.

Genie took me to The Old Mill restaurant in Austin for my birthday in January. The food was excellent. Our server, Shawn, knew the history of the mill. She knew about the fish by the dam, what they were catching in the fish houses, what time of day the otters fished and the Wise Old Owl who stood guard over the dam.

Shawn knew how to “make my day” when she brought me a huge chocolate sundae with a candle on top that I couldn’t blow out. She knew that Genie was buying, so the sundae had two spoons. Shawn, you are great.

Fully Rely On God (F.R.O.G.) held a Valentine’s Party Saturday evening, February 9 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church with 45 people attending.

Eight of the attendees were first-time Norwegian Bingo players. Stan had to have special tutoring as to how to count to six.

Pizza, pop and jerky were followed by 12 games of Norwegian Bingo. Seventeen people bingoed, with Karen Erickson, Marge Lonning and Eunice Bakken bingoing the most – twice each.

A Valentine’s card was signed by those present, plus those attending church the next day, and mailed to each of the 14 church members who don’t get around much this winter.

Ken Bertelson and Pastor Matt Griggs were the door prize winners of a Valentine Teddy bear each.

A special thanks to Pat, Jacob, and Jamie at Dairy Queen, also Laurel at Arby’s and Guyla at Kentucky Fried Chicken for the food coupons. (Guyla personalized a B.O.G.O. chicken dinner coupon on a Valentine dollie.)

The evening concluded with a no-holds-barred, all-the-calories-you-can-eat ice cream buffet. 

For your information, F.R.O.G. will bet taking a bus to Lutheran Night at the Twins, Monday, Aug. 12. Details later. To put your life in perspective, you must accept that some days you are the pigeon and some days you are the statue!

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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.