The first part of May, Genie asked if I was going fishing with the guys for a week at Leech Lake. I responded with a loud, definite, “Yes.”
She then asked I would be writing about the trip in this column. I responded with a loud, definite, “Yes.”
Genie then reminded me our marriage was an equal partnership for life. To keep things equal, she was going to the mountains in Arkansas for a week in June with the gals at a mountain retreat. I responded with a quiet, sheepish, “Okay.”
She then informed me that, to keep things equal, she would be writing about the trip in this column. I responded with a quiet, sheepish “Okay.”
The following is Genie’s week of Equality, beginning on a Wednesday and back on a Tuesday.
I went on my road trip by myself. I drove to Arkansas in two days.
First day was beautiful. I played the radio loud and sang along. Enjoyed Public Radio, too.
First day ended in Bethany, Mo. Tired of driving, I went shopping, of course!
Second day it rained a lot, but I could still hear meadowlarks when the radio was off. I saw a doe come out of the woods with her fawn between showers. A grey fox slunk across the road in front of me. I enjoy going off the Interstate to see what I can see.
Twenty-one women gathered at a lovely retreat center in the Ozarks’ tree mountains, so lush and green outside Jasper.
We gathered to dance, Zumba®, tell stories, laugh, do crafts, EAT, play, go for walks, cook some, snack, sleep a little, and some cleanup. No fishing!
Saturday night we had a campfire and sang around the fire and shared stories.
Twenty of the gals were from Harrison and Jasper, Arkansas area. I came the farthest!
Sunday, 21 gals had breakfast at the Cliff House. This restaurant overlooks the awesome Ozark Grand Canyon! Hummingbirds wage battle to get to feeders all across the front deck of the restaurant. The food was good and we all left smiling.
Monday I drove in rain all the way to Marshall, Mo. Had a two-hour break in rain so, of course, I went shopping!
Tuesday I drove in rain until Indianola, Iowa, arriving that evening back in Albert Lea. I really enjoyed my drive.
That’s my story of a week of my kind of “No Fishing” and I’m sticking to it.
Still smiling,
Genie
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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.